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spenkevich's review against another edition
5.0
Saga is BACK, friends! And I couldn't be more excited. It's been a long three years without this periodic burst of violence and sheer joy to keep me page-turning when I needed an intelligent and complex yet fully fun pick-me-up. I was worried going into this that I should have done a re-read of the whole series, but the way this drops back into the story made me feel like I wasn't forgetting anything key. I still will do that re-read, don't you worry.
To commemorate the 3 year gap since Saga last left us gutted as we witnessed some very key characters get brutally murdered (my personal favorite is gone, alas), the world of Saga has also jumped 3 years in time. Hazel is now running the streets on her own and getting herself in and out of trouble. I'm really excited to see that Hazel is about to become a lot more active participant in the story now. As usual, the war is going on, people are getting fucked up in gloriously illustrated sci-fi violence and abrupt death is always just a frame or two away. I love Saga, you never feel safe. Vaughan would probably kill the reader if it would make for a good plot twist.
Anyways, this one doesn't advance the plot terribly much other than recentering where we are now in the timeline, like slowly stepping into a swimming pool. But big things seem about to happen. Alana is still doing random schemes as one would expect, and we get to see some characters we haven't seen in a long time. The dynamic is going to be different without two major players but I think Hazel becoming a larger role is going to help carry where they left off. It seems it has been worth the wait. Also if you were holding out hope that one character might not be dead, Vaughan makes sure you know pretty definitively that they are indeed super dead. But I guess at least they...sort of get shown again? If you haven't read Saga, literally stop what you are doing and join in. Just pure bliss. Also violence. And death. And being real shocked. But you'll like it, I swear!
Five stars because how could I dare not with this excitement coursing through me having literally just finished it.
To commemorate the 3 year gap since Saga last left us gutted as we witnessed some very key characters get brutally murdered (my personal favorite is gone, alas), the world of Saga has also jumped 3 years in time. Hazel is now running the streets on her own and getting herself in and out of trouble. I'm really excited to see that Hazel is about to become a lot more active participant in the story now. As usual, the war is going on, people are getting fucked up in gloriously illustrated sci-fi violence and abrupt death is always just a frame or two away. I love Saga, you never feel safe. Vaughan would probably kill the reader if it would make for a good plot twist.
Anyways, this one doesn't advance the plot terribly much other than recentering where we are now in the timeline, like slowly stepping into a swimming pool. But big things seem about to happen. Alana is still doing random schemes as one would expect, and we get to see some characters we haven't seen in a long time. The dynamic is going to be different without two major players but I think Hazel becoming a larger role is going to help carry where they left off. It seems it has been worth the wait. Also if you were holding out hope that one character might not be dead, Vaughan makes sure you know pretty definitively that they are indeed super dead. But I guess at least they...sort of get shown again? If you haven't read Saga, literally stop what you are doing and join in. Just pure bliss. Also violence. And death. And being real shocked. But you'll like it, I swear!
Five stars because how could I dare not with this excitement coursing through me having literally just finished it.
langeletta's review against another edition
5.0
I’m finally getting back into Saga after going through quite a lot the past several years. Great issue post cliffhanger.
doctorwithoutboundaries's review against another edition
4.0
THE MAJOR COMICS EVENT OF THE PAST THREE YEARS!
8.5/10, though my rating will probably change when I read this again in the trade. I hate reading floppies because of the disjointed experience, and a month-long wait always increases my expectations. But of course, I'm going to continue to read the single issues... This is SAGA, for fuck's sake, and I must know what happens next. Recording my thoughts for now:
And with that meta opening, Saga is back! I still marvel at Hazel's voice and narration; its haunting and plaintive yet cheeky quality makes me feel deeply for these characters. There's been a consistent theme throughout this series about the evolving nature of families, and we see that here with the heartwarming addition of a new member or two. The first half of this double issue did a good job of both catching us up and keeping the sense of danger and momentum alive, despite a drawn-out scene. The second half is where this lost a star: too much exposition, a lot of telling, and some abrupt and gratuitous showing, too! The events and the dialogue came off as forced. But if you've missed these characters and been waiting for a certain ship to sail, you'll be pleased.
At the close, the creators show us once more that dichotomies like 'heroes and villains' only exist in fairy tales; theirs is a story that mirrors reality, instead. It's one where everybody is their own kind of fucked up in a world full of war, desperation and injustice. My recent re-read of the first nine volumes helped me appreciate the plotting, the foreshadowing and the way that the story outline was cast. So I trust BKV when he says—in his note to the readers—that he spent this overlong hiatus carefully mapping the second half of this series. I don't doubt that this is all adding up to something special. Fiona's beautiful splash pages are back to round up this momentous return!
8.5/10, though my rating will probably change when I read this again in the trade. I hate reading floppies because of the disjointed experience, and a month-long wait always increases my expectations. But of course, I'm going to continue to read the single issues... This is SAGA, for fuck's sake, and I must know what happens next. Recording my thoughts for now:
"This is how an idea survives. It grows and it changes... often far beyond the intentions of its creators."
And with that meta opening, Saga is back! I still marvel at Hazel's voice and narration; its haunting and plaintive yet cheeky quality makes me feel deeply for these characters. There's been a consistent theme throughout this series about the evolving nature of families, and we see that here with the heartwarming addition of a new member or two. The first half of this double issue did a good job of both catching us up and keeping the sense of danger and momentum alive, despite a drawn-out scene. The second half is where this lost a star: too much exposition, a lot of telling, and some abrupt and gratuitous showing, too! The events and the dialogue came off as forced. But if you've missed these characters and been waiting for a certain ship to sail, you'll be pleased.
At the close, the creators show us once more that dichotomies like 'heroes and villains' only exist in fairy tales; theirs is a story that mirrors reality, instead. It's one where everybody is their own kind of fucked up in a world full of war, desperation and injustice. My recent re-read of the first nine volumes helped me appreciate the plotting, the foreshadowing and the way that the story outline was cast. So I trust BKV when he says—in his note to the readers—that he spent this overlong hiatus carefully mapping the second half of this series. I don't doubt that this is all adding up to something special. Fiona's beautiful splash pages are back to round up this momentous return!
emilychau's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alysses's review against another edition
4.0
I was really hoping it would start totally different... le sigh
bookishrealm's review against another edition
4.0
I fucking hate Gwendolyn. That’s it. That’s the whole review.
forestfeline's review against another edition
4.0
IT’S BACK!
So glad to see Hazel again, and I like Alana’s new look. Some explicit scenes seemingly just for shock value, though that’s not unexpected with Saga. I’m very excited to continue this story, it’s been a long 3 years without it!
So glad to see Hazel again, and I like Alana’s new look. Some explicit scenes seemingly just for shock value, though that’s not unexpected with Saga. I’m very excited to continue this story, it’s been a long 3 years without it!
maida's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ish??? that makes sense to me
I don’t usually read single issues because not much happens, especially in the first issue of a new volume. But I feel like every single Saga fan understands why I did it this time… I mean, it’s been 3 and a half years and we were left on the worst cliffhanger so. Yeah.
I’m still sad about Marko and I was expecting a little bit more development but oh well it’s just the first issue it’s okay!!
I loved seeing grown up Hazel and how Alana has adapted to living without Marko. I also loved the narration in this one. I’m excited to see where it goes.
The reason why this is three stars is because… well I waited for three and a half years to only get probably the cheasiest sex scene they’ve done since the first issue was release. Like it’s clear that it’s only there for shock value, because The Will and Gwen could’ve had that conversation without that anyway.
It’s just… not there yet but I’m hoping once the new volume it’s released I can get really back into it, because I love Saga and I want to keep loving it so badly.
Let’s just wait and see what happens next.
I don’t usually read single issues because not much happens, especially in the first issue of a new volume. But I feel like every single Saga fan understands why I did it this time… I mean, it’s been 3 and a half years and we were left on the worst cliffhanger so. Yeah.
I’m still sad about Marko and I was expecting a little bit more development but oh well it’s just the first issue it’s okay!!
I loved seeing grown up Hazel and how Alana has adapted to living without Marko. I also loved the narration in this one. I’m excited to see where it goes.
The reason why this is three stars is because… well I waited for three and a half years to only get probably the cheasiest sex scene they’ve done since the first issue was release. Like it’s clear that it’s only there for shock value, because The Will and Gwen could’ve had that conversation without that anyway.
It’s just… not there yet but I’m hoping once the new volume it’s released I can get really back into it, because I love Saga and I want to keep loving it so badly.
Let’s just wait and see what happens next.
laurenkara's review against another edition
3.0
i still refuse to believe anything that happened in volume 9