Saga: Vol. 3- Review

A world of wonder awaits!

Well kids it's January, so you know what that means? It's that special time at the beginning of the new year where I sit down and tell you all about my thoughts and feelings in regards to the Image comic series Saga! I've made it known here on the blog for the last two years running that I am quite fond of this set of books, and frankly I'm wondering if I should even continue to review it. There almost isn't anything left for me to say.

In all honesty I kind of dread doing reviews of Saga as this usually turns out to be one of the most difficult reviews for me to write. Put simply, it's damn hard for me to go over Saga with a fine tooth comb and discuss (at length) what makes it such a rock-solid read, without horrifically spoiling it for those looking to jump on the wagon. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Saga is not the kind of series you want to have spoiled for you.

If you want a quick summation of how I view vol. 3 though it's like this: It's fantastic and you should be reading it right now (this very instant) instead of this review. Seriously, this page isn't going anywhere. I'll still be here by the time you get back. Go read the damn thing already! You're only doing a disservice to yourself the longer you sit there without it.

That about sums it up without me delving into the mountainous minutia of it all. At this point the only real topic of discussion in reference to Saga's quality is whether or not the latest glut of chapters was simply great, or downright phenomenal. Very few comics in the market today have managed to keep me (and the rest of its fanbase for that matter) so thoroughly excited. I've found myself at several times waiting with bated breath for the next new issue to come out, and each time it was one hell of a blast! I inevitably end up rereading the issue another two or three times before I officially put it down so I can finally take on something else.

A large chunk of volume 3's plot takes place on a new planet called Quietus, where our interstellar family have settled down to decompress from all the chaos of the earlier arc. Alana and Marko arrive seeking guidance/advice from D. Oswald Heist, author of the novel/manifesto that served as the couple's romantic inspirations. Meanwhile the hunters Gwendolyn, The Will, and Slave Girl (recently named Sophie) are stranded on a remote planet where the apparent paradise before them isn't all that it's cracked up to be. As both parties find their bearings on separate worlds, a pair of journalists (Upsher and Doff) begin an investigative report on the "kidnapping" of Alana. With each interview the two have, the more it becomes evident to them that Alana left of her own free will, despite all the official statements.    

While vol. 3 does play a tad with the chronology of the story, it's only in regards to providing context. Rewinding things back to just before the events leading up to volume 2's huge cliffhanger ending, we get a lot more development for not only the main characters, but also for a good portion of the new cast members getting introduced this volume. Yet again it's all superb writing that one would come to expect from the series at this point, and Mr. Vaughn for that matter. There is tons of wit to spare, subversion out the wahzoo, and impeccably persistent pacing. In true Saga fashion there is practically no real missteps throughout the whole experience, barring but one moment. A moment in point of fact, that I'm amazed took this long to even happen considering how often a moment like this occurs in hundreds of other stories.

What is this moment you ask? It's pretty much just a bit of some forced romance is all. Yup, that's about it. The worst thing this book could offer was a brief bit in the narrative where I looked it at and thought that the scene came off a little forced and unearned. I won't say what it is, but I'm pretty sure you'll know it when you see it. Considering how solid the rest of the writing is, I'm almost flabbergasted that it even exists. Other than that, this is easily one of the most focused, yet somehow exploratory segments of the story to date.

It almost feels like the comic itself understands me at this point.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I still think I have to say it. One of the best things about Saga is how much fun it is to just read it. This book has managed to be one of the most consistently entertaining pieces of fiction that I've had for the last two years, and I can only hope that the adventure continues for several more. The comic's predilection for a somewhat wanderlust-like and fun tone is only matched by its sequences of heartbreaking drama. For every moment that hilariously parallels our own world (such as when the characters sit down to play a popular board game) there is another where a character either becomes crippled in a big way, or outright dies.

Artistically there is fundamentally nothing I can say about it that isn't essentially me gushing or rambling. Fiona Staples' work almost unabashedly continues to impress at every turn with nary a slight stumble. Each panel feels like its own little laser cut with precision moment, stuffed to capacity with emotions and subtleties that get laid on us by the truck load. Every character looks and feels unique in their depiction, while still maintaining a distinctively iconic sci-fi vibe. Even though there isn't much "exploration" in the literal sense happening in the story, there are still more concepts being introduced into the world at large, helping to only further augment Saga's universe. If there was one slight gripe I could have, it's that the world of Quietus is very washed out, grey, and somewhat dull to look at. When compared to the rest of the lavish colors presented in the previous volumes it does feel a tad jarring to see such a drab and dreary locale, but I also understand that that is pretty much the point of Quietus. Besides, they offset the gloom of Quietus with the incredibly bright and almost Eden-like planet the hunters take umbrage on.

Overall, there is still nothing much for me to criticize when it comes to Saga. The worst things I could say about it were marginal at best, and only something a nitpicker (like me) would bring up. This may very well be my last review of the book, unless our dynamic duo somehow astronomically screw up the series in a big way. I don't think I'll have to worry about that though because Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples maintain the same tenacity here that they did when they started this whole thing. Saga has been going for about three years as of this writing and it shows no signs of loosing any steam. As long as they can manage to keep the energy up I don't see myself walking away from this comic any time soon. This is easily one of the best comics on the shelf today, and without a doubt one of my personal favorite reads. I emphatically endorse Saga and all those who may be reading this review to give it a shot. Don't just take my word for it, see it for yourself! You have nothing to gain but what could be perhaps one of the greatest runs in comic's history. I'm being full-on serious here, I honestly believe we're watching a classic in the making that people will be talking about for years to come. This is the kind of benchmark title that fan and creators alike in the future will inevitably be comparing other works to.

Positive Factors

• Continues to deliver on the fun and adventure we all know and love at this point.
• Brisk pacing, a fun tone, and subversion of tropes are the name of the game. All done with a precision seldom seen today.
• Rock solid artwork once more. No panel feels neglected. 

Negative Factors

• Somewhat forced romance angle near the end, but nothing too egregious.
• The drab world of Quietus does pull the otherwise fun vibe down ever so slightly.

Final Ratiing: !!!AWESOMESAUCE!!!