A review by dark_reader
Saga, Vol. 8 by Fiona Staples, Brian K. Vaughan

4.0

The Saga series has never been afraid to showcase challenging subjects, including sex, nudity, homosexuality, trans-sexuality.... okay, that's all kind of just one subject. How about dongs? Like, giant monster dongs? We've seen plenty of those, as well as pretty much every character's genitals. The series is never judgy, merely presenting these things as facts of life, and it treats them realistically. Here in volume 8, abortion gets the Saga treatment, with a captivating opening splash page. The story avoids getting into any serious moral quandaries, but does factually present a universe where some women need an abortion, there is an 'official' place to get it for some that is constrained by rules, and there is another more dangerous path to take for those who are unable to access the first channel for whatever reason. This go-around takes place in a space-Western settting. Petrichor and Prince Robot IV get the best character development, after Hazel of course, who is so adorable at her current age, which is maybe 6?

I adored the last page of chapter 46; Fiona Staples' long-shot space illustrations are some of the most beautiful in the series.

The series remains captivating after all of these years. I hope that Brian Vaughan is writing with an end in sight, although the 'Space Opera' framework makes me afraid that it will go on forever. I could tolerate a few more volumes but eventually the constant reveals, hazards, exotic settings, and giant dongs will get old and unexciting; it is a testament to the writing and art that this has not yet happened for me. A good 12-volume set would be right up my alley.