Graphic Novel Review: Saga, Volume 10

by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples (Illustrator)
Publisher: Image Comics
Format: Paperback
Genre: Sci-Fi
Release Date: October 5th, 2022

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Reread Reviews: Volume 1 / Volume 2 / Volume 3 / Volume 4 / Volume 5 / Volume 6 / Volume 7 / Volume 8 / Volume 9

Every time I think this series cannot possibly break me anymore, it pulls the rug out from beneath my feet and leaves me sobbing. I also keep thinking I’m really close to catching up on the whole thing, just to find two more volumes released by the time I get my hands on the next one. But I actually have 11 here, so if I finish that before 12 is released (due this year, I believe) I actually will, for once, be totally caught up on a graphic novel series!

Anyway. Volume 10. There are spoilers here for previous volumes so if you haven’t caught up on Saga, please do that before reading on!

I really liked Volume 10.

***SPOILERS FROM HERE ON. TURN BACK NOW IF YOU HAVEN’T READ UP TO VOLUME 9.***

I did think in part the series would suffer from the lack of Marko, and I was prepared for the loss of the core family dynamic to result in a dip in quality, but although he is very much missed here, I think his death propels the characters and plot in some interesting directions. Alana is scrambling to keep her small family afloat, and both Hazel and Squire are coping with grief in their own ways. They find themselves on a pirate ship, and Alana is offered an opportunity that could really change their lives for the better.

Meanwhile, his death is also having an impact elsewhere, as others are still trying to track the family down. There’s quite a few things going on here, and Alana, Hazel and Squire pick up even more ‘strays’ to join them. The artwork is, as always, fantastic, and it’s easy to sit there and admire it, with every panel used to build up the story. There are some really tense moments, and although I won’t spoil the ending here, it had me sobbing once again.

This series continues to deliver, and though I was hesitant to continue after Volume 9, I’m glad I did, and I think Saga came back from its hiatus as strong as ever.