Saga. Vol. 2
(Graphic Novel)

Vaughan and Staples' wholly original Saga (2012) won Eisner awards for best new and best continuing series, and it's no surprise. This smash hit continues to be a powerhouse: intergalactic intrigue, truly alien aliens, multifaceted characters, and a universe full of lush environments all wrapped around a compellingly told story of forbidden love in wartime. Marko and Alana are still on the run, evading the hired assassins in hot pursuit, but now they've been joined by Marko's disapproving but fiercely loyal parents. Hazel's insouciant narration is a high point, punctuating dramatic moments with well-timed, trenchant wit. Vaughan has a peculiarly wonderful world at his fingertips, and he's setting himself up for something big, but it's Staples' stunning and otherworldly art that makes Saga such a thrilling read. Her rich, warm palette complements organic shapes not often seen in space adventure stories, and it's this appealing combination that makes it so fresh. Vaughan and Staples are seriously upping the ante for comics. Fans will be eager to pick this up, and intrigued new readers won't be far behind.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2010 Booklist

Star-crossed lovers Alana and Marko, with their interspecies child, made a huge splash in Volume 1 last year. In Volume 2, we learn enough about the freelancers hired to kill them that we want to root for both these assassins as well as their intended prey. We ache for The Will-a stoic bounty hunter-because of his doomed love for The Stalk-a very strange topless crab-woman now dead-and because he wants to free a child prostitute from bondage. And we begin to understand why Prince Robot IV has problems with his wife and may not have much interest in war despite his protestations against pacifism. This is suggested by two small explicit gay-sex images shown in the Prince's monitor-face during a raging battle, giving us a nongratuitous clue about what was really on his semiconscious mind while being hit by Wreathean fire. As for our nuclear-family fugitives, we learn how they met and what happens when Marko's don't-mess-with-us parents track them down. VERDICT Hyping character development and emotional action on par with the narrative action, creators Vaughan and Staples maintain appeal and excellence in this adult series.-M.C. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Vaughan and Staples' wholly original Saga (2012) won Eisner awards for best new and best continuing series, and it's no surprise. This smash hit continues to be a powerhouse: intergalactic intrigue, truly alien aliens, multifaceted characters, and a universe full of lush environments all wrapped around a compellingly told story of forbidden love in wartime. Marko and Alana are still on the run, evading the hired assassins in hot pursuit, but now they've been joined by Marko's disapproving but fiercely loyal parents. Hazel's insouciant narration is a high point, punctuating dramatic moments with well-timed, trenchant wit. Vaughan has a peculiarly wonderful world at his fingertips, and he's setting himself up for something big, but it's Staples' stunning and otherworldly art that makes Saga such a thrilling read. Her rich, warm palette complements organic shapes not often seen in space adventure stories, and it's this appealing combination that makes it so fresh. Vaughan and Staples are seriously upping the ante for comics. Fans will be eager to pick this up, and intrigued new readers won't be far behind. Copyright 2013 Booklist Reviews.

Star-crossed lovers Alana and Marko, with their interspecies child, made a huge splash in Volume 1 last year. In Volume 2, we learn enough about the freelancers hired to kill them that we want to root for both these assassins as well as their intended prey. We ache for The Will—a stoic bounty hunter—because of his doomed love for The Stalk—a very strange topless crab-woman now dead—and because he wants to free a child prostitute from bondage. And we begin to understand why Prince Robot IV has problems with his wife and may not have much interest in war despite his protestations against pacifism. This is suggested by two small explicit gay-sex images shown in the Prince's monitor-face during a raging battle, giving us a nongratuitous clue about what was really on his semiconscious mind while being hit by Wreathean fire. As for our nuclear-family fugitives, we learn how they met and what happens when Marko's don't-mess-with-us parents track them down. VERDICT Hyping character development and emotional action on par with the narrative action, creators Vaughan and Staples maintain appeal and excellence in this adult series.—M.C.