A review by billyjepma
Saga, Vol. 11 by Brian K. Vaughan

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Maybe it’s a side-effect of finally reading the series more-or-less as it comes out, or maybe the second half of the overall series is taking some time to find its footing again, but Saga is in a strange place right now. The momentum is janky, and the plot often feels like it lacks focus. It’s not uncommon for the book to flow untraditionally, but after two volumes into this new “era,” I still don’t feel like there’s a driving force. The subplots and supporting cast are benefiting from this—especially in this volume—but it’s still strange to have the core family so adrift in their own narrative, even if it does make sense contextually. I just want something more from it, if not on a plotting level, then on a subtextual one. This collection of issues does take some steps in that direction, thankfully, so maybe things will pick up steam from this point forward. 

And yet, even with those not-insignificant qualms, this remains a banger of a read. I continue to bristle at some of Vaughan’s writing and use of tone, but the interconnected story he and Staples have created is just about as dazzling as it’s ever been. Staples’ art is among the best in the business, as always, and I’m always impressed with how she manages to iterate while still maintaining the ironclad consistency she’s had for all these years. My misgivings (or maybe impatience) with the state of the story aside, I’m still enamored with the series and its unique brand of crude, chaotic, heartfelt adventure and bloodshed. This outing gets a 3.5/5 from me, but I’m adding some extra points  because of issue 65, which is structured and paced so well I almost forgot to breathe. 
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