• Author: Brian K Vaughn
• Artist: Fiona Staples
• Series: Saga #1
• Genre: Science Fantasy
• No. of pages: 176
• Dates read: 05.07.2021
• Star Rating: 4 stars
• Challenge: Not a Novel

Plot: When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. 

So, I saw loads of buzz about this online for years and it’s only now that I managed to get around and read it. I didn’t really have many thoughts going into it I knew roughly the basic plot but I essentially went in blind.

I just want to preface and say that this comic is 18+. At times it can be very explicit with nude scenes and gore. This is something I wasn’t really expecting I knew it was going to be a gritty sci-fi adventure sure but let me say some panels took me by surprise. I just want to preface that incase some one under 18 decided to purchase it due to my review 🙂

So, to start off the art style is really really good. The designs of the characters are so varied and so cool. The colour palette of this entire comic is really bright and vibrant. The detail that goes into the scenes is super impressive. I felt that the artist did a great job with the action sequences and in general was just so detailed in the work. Even the more gory moments I couldn’t help but just admire the artwork.

The plot itself was also super enjoyable. It was definitely more of a set up volume. Setting up all the characters, their dynamics, their motivations and then kicking off the main story but it was done super well. I really enjoyed the story. I liked how the baby is the narrator of the story and she explains her first days in the universe and also gives you an insight into her future. There are so many different side stories as well which makes it super exciting. While I wouldn’t say I was blown away by the plot I think this is more down to the fact that it’s setting everything up.

The characters were super interesting. The two characters I want to highlight most are Alanna and Marko the couple who are from different sides of this war. We don’t actually know too much about them and how they got together. You meet them at the birth of their daughter and follow them as they try to get off the planet to give their child a better life. Instantly, I felt connected to them, I liked their banter with one another, their desire to protect each other, you could feel their love but what I also liked is that you don’t know, and also sense they don’t know, enough about each other. Which adds such an interesting element to their relationship and I’m excited to see how it develops in further volumes, will this be a source of conflict for them?

The world building was good. The beginning of the volume gives you a back story to how the war started which is super handy. Since this war is covering a whole galaxy the world building wasn’t super strong but again I think this is down to wanting to set up more of the characters. Apart from explaining the war you don’t really know too much about either side yet but I believe this will be explored in further volumes.

Overall, I thought this was a vibrant, well designed and super interesting comic. The first volume is clearly just setting up the story and characters so I can’t wait to dive in and learn more!

The Shadow Rising update! I have about 60% of the way through it and hope to finish it next week. So fingers crossed you will see a review for that soon. I am really enjoying it!