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Saga (Single Issues)
Saga Chapter One
Star Wars-style action collides with Game of Thrones-esque drama in this original sci-fi/fantasy epic for mature readers, as new parents Marko and Alana risk everything to raise their child amidst a never-ending galactic war.
44 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2012
292 people are currently reading
29398 people want to read
About the author
Brian K. Vaughan
1,056 books14.1k followersBrian K. Vaughan is the writer and co-creator of comic-book series including SAGA, PAPER GIRLS, Y THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, and most recently, BARRIER, a digital comic with artist Marcos Martin about immigration, available from their pay-what-you-want site www.PanelSyndicate.com
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,118 reviews
November 19, 2025
(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: Review pending re-read. Collective review for issues #1-6 can be found here: Saga, Volume One
Notes: Review pending re-read. Collective review for issues #1-6 can be found here: Saga, Volume One
January 31, 2019
Saga this is for you:
April 3, 2021
A reread for me. Loved it as much as I did the first time around! Quick paced, funny for its bluntness, and I love the plot line. After finishing this one I don’t know how I never continued with the series fully, but I’ll be doing so now!
May 7, 2015
One huge problem I had with this is that it ended way too quickly. I need more, I need it now.
January 26, 2015
*slow clap*
April 20, 2017
This is one of my very favorite graphic novel series. This first volume of Saga starts out as a kind of scifi Romeo and Juliet story told by the progeny of the two protagonists, but the story is actually far more than that and this introduction to their universe is a page-turning masterpiece with extraordinary artwork and a fun plot!
June 29, 2015
Totally unexpected. Weird. Awesome.
July 4, 2022
Recommended to Dennis by: Trish (to be perfectly honest, it was more blackmail than a recommendation)
Somebody
suggested I should read this. Because apparently I would risk the nerd police coming after me to arrest my stupid little ass if I didn’t. This may or may not have something to do with them receiving an anonymous call by
I’m always open to friendly suggestions, of course. So I decided to give it a try.
Honestly, I don’t know a f------ thing about comics. So I can’t and won’t go into much detail and completely embarrass myself in front of the comic nerds out there. I am not that stupid. Or at least I am not that stupid again.
Edit:
Well, these words come back to haunt me now. Because I was stupid enough to rewiew the single issue, even though I was reading the collected volume (issues 1-6).
Therefore the rest of this review moved to this place.
I re-read the first issue today and it was actually great fun.
It starts with the birth of our narrator, Hazel. And what a hilarious scene that is. Hazel's parents are from a planet and its moon respectively. And these two worlds are at war with each other.
Authorities aren't too happy about their relationship. One side sends a prince with a tv for a head to chase them down. While the other side sends a bounty hunter named The Will, who happens to own a cat which can tell (literally) if people are lying.
I was speculating in my original review that some of the humor maybe got lost in translation (I was reading the German version the first time around). And I can now confirm that this is true. Because in the original language it was a lot more fun.
I will definitely continue with this series. I’m not sure I have much of a choice anyway.
Notes: Some gore and nudity as well as foul language. You shouldn’t have a problem with any of those things, if you’re planning to read this.
4 stars
Approved!
Somebody
suggested I should read this. Because apparently I would risk the nerd police coming after me to arrest my stupid little ass if I didn’t. This may or may not have something to do with them receiving an anonymous call by I’m always open to friendly suggestions, of course. So I decided to give it a try.
Honestly, I don’t know a f------ thing about comics. So I can’t and won’t go into much detail and completely embarrass myself in front of the comic nerds out there. I am not that stupid. Or at least I am not that stupid again.
Edit:
Well, these words come back to haunt me now. Because I was stupid enough to rewiew the single issue, even though I was reading the collected volume (issues 1-6).
Therefore the rest of this review moved to this place.
I re-read the first issue today and it was actually great fun.
It starts with the birth of our narrator, Hazel. And what a hilarious scene that is. Hazel's parents are from a planet and its moon respectively. And these two worlds are at war with each other.
Authorities aren't too happy about their relationship. One side sends a prince with a tv for a head to chase them down. While the other side sends a bounty hunter named The Will, who happens to own a cat which can tell (literally) if people are lying.
I was speculating in my original review that some of the humor maybe got lost in translation (I was reading the German version the first time around). And I can now confirm that this is true. Because in the original language it was a lot more fun.
I will definitely continue with this series. I’m not sure I have much of a choice anyway.
Notes: Some gore and nudity as well as foul language. You shouldn’t have a problem with any of those things, if you’re planning to read this.
4 stars
Approved!
September 6, 2015
Wow.
That was something. I was so not expecting these things, just on the first issue.
I want more!!! I definitely want more! :)
PS: Not recommended for readers below 18.
That was something. I was so not expecting these things, just on the first issue.
I want more!!! I definitely want more! :)
PS: Not recommended for readers below 18.
September 18, 2025
Sci-fi, fantasy, romance, family, adventure, humor, suspense, action, magic, inter-galactic war, space-opera... All at a perfect harmonious balance in a beautifully illustrated and visually captivating comic-book form with writer Brian K. Vaughan's usual wonderfully addictive storytelling and instantly likable, thoughtful characterizations. Everything combined in a rich, engrossing world mythology of both science-fiction and fantasy. What more do I need?
Saga, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship...err I mean readingship. ^_^
Saga, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship...err I mean readingship. ^_^
August 11, 2016
My first graphic novel read from a to z. I did a few tries before but never was I drawn into comics: either I didn’t like the drawings, or I found the dialogues stupid; until now.
The thing that made me started it in the first place is that it isn’t suffocated by too many scenes on a single page and too many words on it. It has space, you canbreathe read and get to enjoy each line, colour and letter.
I really am surprised by how much I enjoyed it: awesome graphic art, characters you get attached to, witty and funny language/dialogue (partly obscene but perfectly adapted for the characters) and a plot which leaves you wanting more. Moreover, the world building is in constant development, which for me is essential in a space opera. And on top of that, the narrator is the cherry on the cake (no pun intended) :)
Simply gorgeous!
The thing that made me started it in the first place is that it isn’t suffocated by too many scenes on a single page and too many words on it. It has space, you can
I really am surprised by how much I enjoyed it: awesome graphic art, characters you get attached to, witty and funny language/dialogue (partly obscene but perfectly adapted for the characters) and a plot which leaves you wanting more. Moreover, the world building is in constant development, which for me is essential in a space opera. And on top of that, the narrator is the cherry on the cake (no pun intended) :)
Simply gorgeous!
December 5, 2020
Saga #1
Comments: It looks like Brian K. Vaughan has a winner here. This is a great new sequential art series to follow. All the characters, protagonists and villains, have interesting designs, and the story so far is easy to follow. Protagonists on the run and are given a death sentence due to their taboo love. We have an adventure story where escape is necessary from all forces that are after them. Will they succeed? Apparently, the baby will survive as the baby as an adult in the future is narrating the story. The question is will her parents, the two protagonists, will they survive? You have winged characters, horn-headed characters, robots with emotions who engage in sex, unicorn-looking characters sanctioning assassins, and assassin with a huge sidekick cat that lies, an entire galaxy to hold the readers attention. I'm looking forward to reading this story with great characters and illustrated designs.
$ 2.99 USD @ March 14, 2012
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan; Illustrator: Fiona Staples; Publisher: Image Comics
Synopsis Complete Spoilers: In a cross-genre where Star Wars meets Romeo and Juliet, we follow the two protagonists, Alana and Marko, whose races are at at interstellar war. They are on the run because they are being hunted by both their races because of their taboo sin in having a relationship and producing a baby out of that relationship. The safehouse they were hiding in was compromised as they were ratted out by the safehouse owner, and police forces from both their races broke into their safehouse and had a shoot-out. Miraculously, neither Alana, Marko, or the baby was hurt, but all parties in the shootout died along with the person that ratted them out, but before the snitch died, he gave them a map to a rocketship.
Villains from both sides are out to get the couple. There's even an assassin sourced out to get them. As the two neared where the rocketship was located, there were giant monsters, looking like giant dinosaur-sized turtles and trilobits rampaging near it. However, the bridge towards the rocketship was destroyed and they needed an alternate route to get to the rocket ship.
Comments: It looks like Brian K. Vaughan has a winner here. This is a great new sequential art series to follow. All the characters, protagonists and villains, have interesting designs, and the story so far is easy to follow. Protagonists on the run and are given a death sentence due to their taboo love. We have an adventure story where escape is necessary from all forces that are after them. Will they succeed? Apparently, the baby will survive as the baby as an adult in the future is narrating the story. The question is will her parents, the two protagonists, will they survive? You have winged characters, horn-headed characters, robots with emotions who engage in sex, unicorn-looking characters sanctioning assassins, and assassin with a huge sidekick cat that lies, an entire galaxy to hold the readers attention. I'm looking forward to reading this story with great characters and illustrated designs.
$ 2.99 USD @ March 14, 2012
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan; Illustrator: Fiona Staples; Publisher: Image Comics
Synopsis Complete Spoilers: In a cross-genre where Star Wars meets Romeo and Juliet, we follow the two protagonists, Alana and Marko, whose races are at at interstellar war. They are on the run because they are being hunted by both their races because of their taboo sin in having a relationship and producing a baby out of that relationship. The safehouse they were hiding in was compromised as they were ratted out by the safehouse owner, and police forces from both their races broke into their safehouse and had a shoot-out. Miraculously, neither Alana, Marko, or the baby was hurt, but all parties in the shootout died along with the person that ratted them out, but before the snitch died, he gave them a map to a rocketship.
Villains from both sides are out to get the couple. There's even an assassin sourced out to get them. As the two neared where the rocketship was located, there were giant monsters, looking like giant dinosaur-sized turtles and trilobits rampaging near it. However, the bridge towards the rocketship was destroyed and they needed an alternate route to get to the rocket ship.
March 5, 2018
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English
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2015
Read: November 5, 2014
This has hilarious dialogue, awesomely drawn characters and a surprisingly captivating plot... I'm hooked and I want moar :D
Re-Read: July 20-21, 2015
This has hilarious dialogue, awesomely drawn characters and a surprisingly captivating plot... I'm hooked and I want moar :D
Re-Read: July 20-21, 2015
March 2, 2025
This was a fine start to what is sure to be an epic series. Four Stars.
October 9, 2016
SO GOOD!!
I didn't know that Manga was that good!!
I finally popped my manga cherry. :D lol
and it didn't disappointed me at all. Loved the graphics.
I'm really curious to Know about our little jem Hazel
I think her story will start with the one who will kill her parents.
My gut feelings. :P
I didn't know that Manga was that good!!
I finally popped my manga cherry. :D lol
and it didn't disappointed me at all. Loved the graphics.
I'm really curious to Know about our little jem Hazel
I think her story will start with the one who will kill her parents.
My gut feelings. :P
March 4, 2014
Now that is how a graphic novel should read. That was very enjoyable. I could well get into graphic novels if there was more of this stuff around.
The art work was really well done and i thoroughly loved getting to know our two main characters. The artist attention to detail was awesome and you could really sense the mood of the scene from the character expressions or implied movement.
This had it all for me, great story line, lots of one line humour, sci fi setting, bit of debauchery and a great set of characters.
Bring on book 2. I am hooked.
The art work was really well done and i thoroughly loved getting to know our two main characters. The artist attention to detail was awesome and you could really sense the mood of the scene from the character expressions or implied movement.
This had it all for me, great story line, lots of one line humour, sci fi setting, bit of debauchery and a great set of characters.
Bring on book 2. I am hooked.
June 20, 2019
I don't know if I'll go on with the next issues, but this moment ... oh, THIS moment:
An assassin has just been ordered to kill two people--but keep their newborn child alive. Left on his own, he muses:
"What kind of assholes bring a kid into worlds like these?"
The humor is explosive. *smirk*
An assassin has just been ordered to kill two people--but keep their newborn child alive. Left on his own, he muses:
"What kind of assholes bring a kid into worlds like these?"
The humor is explosive. *smirk*
March 31, 2015
I just read this in my lunch break AND LOVED IT!
MORE.
MORE.
September 2, 2015
A standing ovation!!!
This comic deserves a standing ovation!!!
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
I loved the art of it!
Love the colors!
And most importantly a epic story! Loved loved the story!
Oh and the characters are amazing!
Wow I really really enjoyed this book it was magnificent!
Can't wait to read volume two!!!
This comic deserves a standing ovation!!!
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
I loved the art of it!
Love the colors!
And most importantly a epic story! Loved loved the story!
Oh and the characters are amazing!
Wow I really really enjoyed this book it was magnificent!
Can't wait to read volume two!!!
November 2, 2015
“If there's an opposite of a honeymoon, it's the week after a couple's first child is born.”
― Brian K. Vaughan, Saga, Volume 1
Kakav početak serijala!
Brian K. Vaughan does it again!
― Brian K. Vaughan, Saga, Volume 1
Kakav početak serijala!
Brian K. Vaughan does it again!
June 10, 2015
This graphic novel was so weird... but I liked it. I need the second volume!
March 15, 2020
Wow. That was amazing. Definitely going to have to read the rest! Recommended!
August 12, 2016
This was my first experience with a graphic novel. I'd read several manga before, but to see huge, fleshy coloured pages with characters who, for once, are devoid of big eyes and huge grins was a gust of fresh air. Now, I don't know a thing about graphic novels and have little idea about what specific factors and particular issues to look for and comment on in one, therefore my review would be somewhat spontaneous and trying its best to tackle this new face of entertainment.
Saga opens with a dramatic stance and it guarantees that you read the whole issue in one sitting. It starts with quite an uncanny couple--Marko and Alana--who are lovers that have deserted their homelands and people for the sake of getting away from the never-ending war between their races and to find peace to raise a family. Both the characters are equally capturing and we're introduced to the rest of the Saga universe here as well.
Along with the traditional-clothed, magic-bearing horned species (from wither Marko comes) and the gunmen dressed fully in a scifi movie attire (Alana's people) we have a royal family of a human-bodied race with TV screens for heads, a cutthroat lone gunslinger (who appears completely human, thank god, for I thought there would be none in here) and huge flying monsters with red eyes and fire breaths.
Character interaction between the husband and the wife are quite enjoyable, speckled with humor, sarcasm and pure affection. Although, this was just the beginning issue, it could be safe to say that the series is at least partially character-driven, if not fully.
The story, so far, isn't anything new on the face of the earth from what I could tell. Two races, two wars, forbidden love, forced alliances, hired killer agents etc. Obviously, there's little to focus on the literature part, considering this is a comic. Brainless reading, dudes. Indulge yourselves in the little pictures.
Probably what drew me in was the interracial love since this topic of discrimination has been on my mind as of late. But there's a whole lot more to Saga than two star-crossed youths, with different-coloured skins, fighting a war of their own. I'm pretty sure we'll see whole new twists ahead as the plot thickens. I've only just begun, after all.
The artwork though... quite soft on the eyes. All the desired effects are present within the caricatures and I can see the characters in motion within my mind. It's a still movie, if you will. I loved the colours. Fiona Staples is a big name in the comic world, apparently.
Conclusion
I liked my first graphic novel experience. I'm going to read on.
It was a dilemma to pick between Watchmen and Batman, but in the end I just grabbed Saga. Superheroes can wait while I bite into this new, promising stuff.
Saga opens with a dramatic stance and it guarantees that you read the whole issue in one sitting. It starts with quite an uncanny couple--Marko and Alana--who are lovers that have deserted their homelands and people for the sake of getting away from the never-ending war between their races and to find peace to raise a family. Both the characters are equally capturing and we're introduced to the rest of the Saga universe here as well.
Along with the traditional-clothed, magic-bearing horned species (from wither Marko comes) and the gunmen dressed fully in a scifi movie attire (Alana's people) we have a royal family of a human-bodied race with TV screens for heads, a cutthroat lone gunslinger (who appears completely human, thank god, for I thought there would be none in here) and huge flying monsters with red eyes and fire breaths.
Character interaction between the husband and the wife are quite enjoyable, speckled with humor, sarcasm and pure affection. Although, this was just the beginning issue, it could be safe to say that the series is at least partially character-driven, if not fully.
The story, so far, isn't anything new on the face of the earth from what I could tell. Two races, two wars, forbidden love, forced alliances, hired killer agents etc. Obviously, there's little to focus on the literature part, considering this is a comic. Brainless reading, dudes. Indulge yourselves in the little pictures.
Probably what drew me in was the interracial love since this topic of discrimination has been on my mind as of late. But there's a whole lot more to Saga than two star-crossed youths, with different-coloured skins, fighting a war of their own. I'm pretty sure we'll see whole new twists ahead as the plot thickens. I've only just begun, after all.
The artwork though... quite soft on the eyes. All the desired effects are present within the caricatures and I can see the characters in motion within my mind. It's a still movie, if you will. I loved the colours. Fiona Staples is a big name in the comic world, apparently.
Conclusion
I liked my first graphic novel experience. I'm going to read on.
It was a dilemma to pick between Watchmen and Batman, but in the end I just grabbed Saga. Superheroes can wait while I bite into this new, promising stuff.
July 21, 2015
Really fucking weird and genuinely LOL-worthy and literally out of this world. Also, I need a copy of "A Night Time Smoke" now.
June 29, 2014
I am a comic book fan. I love comic books, graphic novels, you name it. Especially when it comes to things outside of the big 2. I also love romance stories and adventures set in space. Which is why I was so excited to pick up Saga. Perhaps my expectations were set a bit too high.
The big positive on the book is the artwork. The lines and colors are fantastic and compellingly convey the emotional landscape of the book. The plot, however, feels too disconnected and indulgent. There doesn't seem to be enough of a coherent, overlying point to the novel beyond rooting for the main family to survive. But I, as a reader, felt asked to invest in this family too soon. I did not find the main couple remotely likable. With that out, there was little left for me to care about in the book.
As for it feeling indulgent-there are numerous moments where I feel like the book goes over the top simply for the sake of being quirky and, well, over the top. There are random instances that seem to convey little about the characters centered in them. Perhaps I am hindered by having only read volume 1; but nothing has me motivated to pick up further installments. By the end of the first graphic novel I found myself relieved that I could say I'd tried reading it and return to old favorites like Fables or Sandman.
The big positive on the book is the artwork. The lines and colors are fantastic and compellingly convey the emotional landscape of the book. The plot, however, feels too disconnected and indulgent. There doesn't seem to be enough of a coherent, overlying point to the novel beyond rooting for the main family to survive. But I, as a reader, felt asked to invest in this family too soon. I did not find the main couple remotely likable. With that out, there was little left for me to care about in the book.
As for it feeling indulgent-there are numerous moments where I feel like the book goes over the top simply for the sake of being quirky and, well, over the top. There are random instances that seem to convey little about the characters centered in them. Perhaps I am hindered by having only read volume 1; but nothing has me motivated to pick up further installments. By the end of the first graphic novel I found myself relieved that I could say I'd tried reading it and return to old favorites like Fables or Sandman.
January 18, 2015
My first graphic novel and I really enjoyed it. Super fast read, imaginative characters and a good laugh. I will definitely be reading the next in this series.
September 26, 2019
Really beautiful artwork with a story that you kind of just get dropped into. Very very much looking forward to continuing this series. Seriously, I cannot speak highly enough of the art. Surreal.
February 16, 2017
Great start to what seems to be an interesting series
June 8, 2017
Actual rating: 4.5
LOVED
- Marko and Alana
- Also they named their kid Hazel which is perfect (I'm biased obv)
- Love the dialogue and humor
- Very interesting world
- I want to read more!!!!!
LOVED
- Marko and Alana
- Also they named their kid Hazel which is perfect (I'm biased obv)
- Love the dialogue and humor
- Very interesting world
- I want to read more!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,118 reviews