Saga (comics)

For other uses, see Saga (disambiguation).

Saga
Cover art for Saga #1 (March 2012)
by Fiona Staples
Publication information
PublisherImage Comics
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
GenreEpic space opera/fantasy
Publication dateMarch 2012 – present
(hiatus from July 2018 to January 2022)
No. of issues69
Main character(s)
  • Alana
  • Marko
  • Hazel
  • Prince Robot IV
  • The Will
Creative team
Created byBrian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Written byBrian K. Vaughan
Artist(s)Fiona Staples
Collected editions
Volume OneISBN 1-6070-6601-7
Volume TwoISBN 1-6070-6692-0
Volume ThreeISBN 1-6070-6931-8
Volume FourISBN 1-6321-5077-8
Volume FiveISBN 1-6321-5438-2
Volume SixISBN 1-6321-5711-X
Volume SevenISBN 1-5343-0060-0
Volume EightISBN 1-5343-0349-9
Volume NineISBN 1-5343-0837-7
Volume TenISBN 1-5343-2334-1
Volume ElevenISBN 1-5343-9913-5

Saga is an epic space opera/fantasy comic book series written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples, published monthly by the American company Image Comics. The series is based on ideas Vaughan conceived both as a child and as a parent. It depicts a husband and wife, Alana and Marko, from long-warring extraterrestrial races, fleeing authorities from both sides of a galactic war as they struggle to care for their daughter, Hazel, who is born in the beginning of the series, and who occasionally narrates the series as an unseen adult.

The comic was described in solicitations as "Star Wars meets A Game of Thrones",[1] evocative of both science fiction and fantasy epics such as The Lord of the Rings, as well as classic works like Romeo and Juliet.[2][3][4] It is Vaughan's first creator-owned work to be published through Image Comics, and is the first time he employs narration in his comics writing.[5] Vaughan indicated that the entire series will span 108 issues, or chapters.[6]

The first chapter of Saga was published on March 14, 2012, to positive reviews and a sold-out first printing. It was published in trade paperback form in October 2012. It has also been a consistent sales success, with its collected editions outselling those of The Walking Dead, another successful Image comic.[7][8] The series went on hiatus after reaching its midpoint at Chapter 54 in July 2018, and resumed in January 2022.[9]

The series has been met with wide critical acclaim, and is one of the most celebrated comics being published in the United States.[10] It has also garnered numerous awards, including twelve Eisner and seventeen Harvey Awards between 2013 and 2017. The first trade paperback collection won the 2013 Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story. It has also been noted for its diverse portrayal of ethnicity, sexuality and gender social roles, and for its treatment of war.[11][12]

  1. ^ Hayes, P.S. (March 13, 2012). "Comic Review: Saga #1". Geeks of Doom. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Zalben, Alex (March 5, 2012). "The 'Saga' Of Brian K. Vaughan: How He Went From Runaway Kids To Epic Fantasy". MTV Geek. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015.
  3. ^ "AICN COMICS REVIEWS: Brian K. Vaughan's SAGA! FAIREST! UNCANNY X-MEN! AKA! & MORE!!!". Ain't it Cool News. March 14, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Richards, Ron (January 30, 2012). "ADVANCE REVIEW: SAGA #1 (Spoiler Free)". iFanboy. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Uzumeri, David (March 14, 2012). "'Saga': Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples Bring a Stellar Sci-Fi Comic Into the World". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Holub, Christian (April 12, 2019). "See the cover and exclusive details for massive Saga comic collection, future series plans". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  7. ^ Johnston, Rich (February 5, 2016). "Saga Appears On The Big Bang Theory Over *That* Cover... (Art Ops UPDATE)". Bleeding Cool.
  8. ^ Bricken, Rob (February 5, 2016). "Reminder: The Big Bang Theory Is the Goddamned Worst". io9.
  9. ^ Rivera, Joshua (January 26, 2022). "Brian K. Vaughan's Saga hasn't changed during hiatus, and that's good: Bring on the next 53 issues". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Sneddon, Laura (December 16, 2014). "Vector: Sequentials #1 – Women and SF Comics". comicbookGRRRL. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  11. ^ Paul, Andrew (July 7, 2016). "10 Fantasy Comics to Hold You Over Until "Game of Thrones" Returns". CBR.com.
  12. ^ Bauman, Nadia (March 20, 2015). "The Hidden Message of Saga". Women Write About Comics.