A wooden rocket and a great cosmic embryo – a review of the comic book “Saga” vol. 2

Past and present

The second volume of the Saga presents the continuation of the stories of the characters known from the first volume – Alana, Marko, Izabel, Stubborn and others. At the same time, the narrative takes us to the past. In the reminiscences, we learn about the beginnings of Alana and Marko’s romance. Among the scenes described is the one in which Alana frees Marko. Some memories go back even further – to the hero’s childhood.

The plot still holds a really high level. The pace of events is well-balanced. The action does not rush at breakneck speed, but it does not stand still either. Memories from years ago, of course, slow down the narrative, but at the same time are an important background that allows you to better build the characters and present their relationships.

Mysterious universe

As the events unfold, we slowly get to know the world. So far, the authors do not reveal too many facts about the created universe. Instead of explanations and discussions, we see everything as it is for the characters. Before the reader’s eyes, there is a galaxy of cosmic races – some are quite standard, others are completely surprising. The history of some would ask for a broader presentation, but the creators do not pay attention to the subject, allowing us only to speculate.

As a matter of fact, we do not fully learn how strange or typical the presented events and characters are. Some of them surprise the heroes (such as a wooden rocket or a huge embryo they meet), but taking into account the size and richness of the universe, this does not prejudge anything. All this makes Saga such an interesting title – not only the plot, but the world itself is incredibly exciting.

The visual layer and the release

The visual side and the release of the second volume of the series are truly amazing. As in the first installment of the Saga , here we have a hard cover. The sewing of the comic book seems strong and – importantly – allows you to conveniently open the volume on any page. So while reading, we do not have to choose whether to risk tearing or breaking the comic book in order to see the details closer to the margin.

Fiona Staples artwork is breathtaking from the first to the last page. The cover is definitely eye-catching and it takes a while to see that it doesn’t really show a pleasant scene. Next, the level of individual frames is really high. The characters are polished and the way they are drawn can make them like them.

At the end of the volume, there are several additional works – from an alternative version of the cover of one of the notebooks included in the second volume, through a sketch with a felt-tip pen, to unique ex libris. There are not many works (only five), but they perfectly complement this album. After getting acquainted with the adventures of the heroes, we get a moment to enjoy the beautiful drawings. It is worth noting that some of them would like to be hung on the wall.

Between delicacy and vulgarity

Already in the first volume of the Saga it was evident that the authors easily mix delicacy with sharpness or even vulgarity. The second installment of the series looks similar. The comic is not afraid of taking up difficult topics. Not all things are drawn and spoken directly, but when reading it, you can clearly feel that this is not a beautiful world – aggression, constant war, and sexual violence fill the Saga universe . Yet even in such a world, some characters allow themselves to be kind – at least in some aspects of their lives.

Graphically, this contrast is also visible. The ghost of Izabel is extremely nice, but it is still the body of a dead girl with intestines hanging from it. The cover mentioned above also mixes delicacy and violence. The comic does not avoid nudity and sexuality. Some characters or scenes are rubbing against vulgarity, while others are portrayed in a way that emphasizes delicacy and feeling.

It is worth remembering that the comic book is definitely not suitable for young readers. Despite the fact that some of the frames seem very nice, the whole thing is definitely intended for adults, not for children.

Summary

The second volume of Saga meets all the expectations that I had placed in it after reading the first installment of the series. Both in the plot and graphics, it is at a really high level. Its biggest disadvantage is that it ends. As a consolation, however, the fact that this is just the beginning of the series and there is much more to come.