by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples (Illustrator)
Publisher: Image Comics
Format: Paperback
Genre: Sci-Fi
Release Date: December 27th, 2017
Goodreads
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reread Reviews: Volume 1 / Volume 2 / Volume 3 / Volume 4 / Volume 5 / Volume 6 / Volume 7
Original Volume 8 Review
The characters are really put through a lot in this issue. I noted in my original review it’s hard to say too much without veering well into spoilers, but Volume 8 deepens the darker topics as Alana and Marko seek out healthcare for Alana. Alana finds herself able to perform magic, and we get to see Hazel be as adorable as always, even as she’s growing up bit by bit. It really starts to feel like this family can’t catch a break.
I love Petrichor, and I’m glad she’s travelling with the family. She’s one of those characters who gets better by the page, and she was a pretty great character to begin with. We also see some real development with Prince Robot here, and his growth makes me really appreciate him as a character. There are, as always, some pretty tense moments, but for once things end kind of happily for our characters – well, as happily as things can be in Saga, and only for the core family, but the last page or so really nails that “phew, breathe” sensation. In a way, it makes me oddly scared to pick up Volume 9, which after rereading Volume 8, will be a completely new experience for me, and I know our little family can’t stay happy for too long.
Things are not, however, going well for a certain other character, but talking about that too much veers into spoilers, so I’ll stop.
Artwork is forever gorgeous and I think makes Saga stand out as the unique graphic novel it is. It does exactly what you need the artwork to do – the heavy lifting that would usually be conveyed by the narrative in a prose work, honing in on tension and tone and all that extra stuff. I’m really excited – if a little nervous – to carry on with the series now, and see what happens to Alana, Marko and Hazel next.
Unwrapping Words 