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A review by marissasa
Saga: Book One by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An epic, broad, sweeping sci-fi graphic novel that certainly lives up to the name Saga. The art is simply outstanding, capturing the iconic superhero comic look but in a way that's scifi unique, somehow painterly, and just gorgeous to look at. The characters are lovable and flawed, and I especially love the handwritten narration amongst the panels from the pov of the child as if she is telling the story of her parents' and her life to the reader. Despite the heaviness of war, death, grief, and loss, there are still joyous and triumphant moments among the main cast and tons of creatively fun side characters and world-building for the eyes to feast on. The big themes of trying to survive and keep love alive amidst a backdrop of complex war are ones that are inherently interesting and serve as a great vehicle for this family's narrative to play out. I cannot wait to read more of this series.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Trafficking, War, and Xenophobia