Lucas Blogs About Saga Volume 9

I really shouldn't be taking these pictures during the day.

So, what's this book's—oh, for Christ's sake!

Yup, we're doing another volume of Saga.

But this is the third time you've drawn from this well.

Then we should be able to wrap things up quickly and get to work on stuff I haven't written about yet.

Or we could have a discussion about por—

Stop right there.

—nography.

We're not going to talk about pornography.

Well, I mean, the difference between art and pornography.

But, is there really a line?

You're not suggesting. . .

What? That pornography is art. Well, I mean, I guess technically speaking it couldn't be anything else. But I was actually suggesting that maybe it's less of a clearly delineated line and more of a gradient. So while what we might think of as serious art can contain erotic elements, it wouldn't be pornographic unless it was produced solely for salacious purposes. But why are we having this discussion?

Because Saga is a comic book that regularly features graphic nudity, sex, and violence.

Well, of course those things are graphic, it's a comic book.

Rimshot.

I'm here all week, try the veal. In all seriousness, the violent or sexual content in Saga are never included for their own sake but as commentary or to reveal something about the characters. Whether that comment or revelation works for the reader is another question entirely. You know, we've gone quite a ways into this review without talking about the book in question.

We have, but it's good padding in case you don't have a lot to say about this one.

I suppose. Anyway, this is the ninth volume of Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples epic space-fantasy-family-drama. This time around, disgraced former freelancer (bounty hunter for those who aren't hip to the story's lingo) The Will has been coerced into helping a vengeful mole woman into tracking down Marko, Alana, and Hazel, who have been traveling with Sir (formerly Prince) Robot IV and his son, Squire. Also along for the ride are Ghüs and Friendo, as well as Petrichor, a transgender former POW and current friend-with-benefits of Sir Robot. Oh, and a pair of fishman journalist/lovers who want to offer Alana and Marko magic witness protection in exchange for the rights to their story. Speaking of Hazel, judging by her missing tooth, she's about six or seven now and really into learning how to do magic (like actual magic. What? People with horns can do magic in Saga), but she's still not so great at that whole, being a friend thing. I think that catches us up. Marko and Alana turn Upsher and Doff down, but Sir Robot has a story that they might be interested in. Something to do with events from Volume 7. Anyway, I think that's about as much as I can give away without spoilers.

That's okay, it's also completely incomprehensible on its own merits.

Yeah, it can be a struggle to review an entry in an ongoing series. But this is also the last volume before the series goes on hiatus for a year, so you've got awhile before we dip our toes in the Saga waters again.

Do you mind if I ask you something?

That is the premise of the "Hypothetical Reader" device, so no.

What do you get out of an open-ended serialized story like this? I mean, I get that the writer and artist get a steady gig, but eventually the story has to go stale. At what point do you give up?

When I lose interest, I suppose. So far, Vaughn and Staples have managed to hole my interest through solid characterization. By investing a lot of time in exploring who their characters are, they've helped to ensure the audience's interest on an ongoing basis. They're also good creating and resolving tension. Sure it does sometimes lead to melodramatic cliffhangers, but again because the characters are compelling, I'm still interested.

Okay, so assuming that someone ought to start reading a long ongoing comic at the beginning, should someone do that with Saga?

Saga is admittedly not for everyone. So, for example, if you don't care for graphic content, Saga isn't for you. Likewise if you don't care for things that are sometimes embarrassingly earnest. But you know, if you don't mind those things, Saga is a pretty entertaining read. So, a conditional yes.

And you're sure that the comic is on hiatus and you won't be reviewing another volume of it for a while?

Yes.

Oh thank god!

You're the worst, Hypothetical Reader.

Saga Volume Nine written by Brian K. Vaughn, drawn by Fiona Staples, Image Comics trade paperback edition, October 2018, 152 pages, pairs well with spoiler warnings and bracing for several months with no Saga

Links:

Once more, in case you're into that kinda thing, here's the page for Saga on Image Comics' website.