A review by princessrobotiv
Saga, Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughan

5.0

It feels like the story really fell into itself in this volume. The pieces set up in volume 1

Spoiler

(The death of The Stalk, Prince Robot IV's PTSD, Gwendoline and her stolen heirloom rings, the Slave Girl's captivity)

flow neatly into this second installment. The reverberations from earlier events have serious effects on the character's motivations, which is fantastic to see. Nothing feels like it's swept under the rug, or that it was thrown in for shock value, to be discarded and forgotten as soon as the page turns.

So much more time is given over to exploring the intimate relationships between people, as well. We see Alana and Barr, Marko's father, getting to know one another despite historical prejudice and ongoing bloodshed between their peoples. We see Marko stand up to his mother and her judgment and disapproval of Alana. We see back-story between Alana and Marko (though nowhere near enough, imo, because I love them). We see Gwendoline, Marko's ex-fiance, pursuing her own broken-hearted vendetta (or perhaps it's a matter of pride, and nothing more; only time will tell).

Spoiler

The Will's heartbreak over The Stalk's death is palpable; how this will inform his relationship to his bounty - and to Prince Robot IV - remains to be seen

Fast-paced, exciting, gut-wrenching.

Spoiler

I SWEAR that when I saw Lying Cat spaced I about lost my goddamn mind!!

Here's hoping that Saga continues this degree of performance in the next few volumes!