I find that when you don’t know where to start talking about something, it typically means that it’s bad, but Saga #6 falls far on the other end of the spectrum. Being new to the Saga series, my problem is I want to discuss so much, but I’ll begin with one thing. For those unfamiliar to Saga, it’s centered on the relationship of two people in relatively the same style as Romeo and Juliet. Marko and Alana are Saga’s star-crossed lovers, and other than their two warring home planets, the comparison ends there.
The couple already has a daughter, Hazel, who begins the narrative in issue #6. In addition to the family trying to escape their two feuding races, each side has sent someone to hunt them down. The Robot Kingdom has sent Prince Robot IV and Wreath has send The Will, both characters have interesting personality traits and quirks that help them stand out from the unfamiliar landscape of this universe. Prince Robot IV has a television for a head and a penchant for obscenities. The Will, however, is much more interesting. While on the hunt for Alana, Marko, and Hazel, he brings with him a Lying Cat, who is basically a massive cat that in addition to looking intimidating as all hell can also detect lies. The Will has the potential to become a character you root for, even with the conflict of interests as he still tracks the family.
Going into Saga blind, I managed to pick up a lot of information using context clues and through research after the fact. Even though I’m a late arrival to the series, I’m absolutely in love with the tale that Brian K. Vaughan has spun around Fiona Staple’s awesome artwork. The differences between Marko and Alana are not only displayed through his ram’s horns and her wings, but also prove they are not just skin deep. They grew up two very different ways and you can tell in the subtle ways they prove their love to each other and to their daughter, Hazel. But as different as they can be, they are both determined to get someplace safe. Joining them on their journey in this issue is Izabel, the horror now bonded to Hazel. She’s funny and just as rash and obtrusive as the intestines that hang out of her torso. Her naturally red and pink self add color to the family’s muted tones, playing up the fact that she’s not really a part of their trio. But just like she needs them to leave, their panels need her splash of color as well.
Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys comic books that aren’t just about super heroes. I’m eager to get my hands on the earlier issues while I wait until next month and the next chapter in their story.
