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A review by beaconatnight
Saga, Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughan
5.0
In Volume 2, Saga continues on a high. It's the story of two rescue missions. After Marko's mother dematerialized Izabel at the end of Volume 1, the reappeared on the closest planetoid. Marko doesn't hesitate to go down there and get back the babysitter of his new-born child. In order to protect him, his mother follows suit. Meanwhile, The Will is still attempting to save Slave Girl from her immoral captors. In the endeavor he receives unexpected help from Gwendolyn, Marko's ex-financée.
Through flashbacks at the beginning of each issue we learn more about our heroes' past. We experience first-hand how Marko and Alana bonded over her love for literature and how her favorite novel represents their world. I enjoyed their little book club conversation and the sudden twist that soon he will be deported to a place of no return. It makes so much sense that she would run with him on an impulse.
Indoctrination, not the least by his parent's well-intended teachings, plays a big role, too. The brought their small boy to the lasst battle on Wreath to drill into him how the Landfallians are the most ruthless and despicable human beings. Finally, we are presented a more human side of Prince Robot IV, as he is badly injured in the war and witnesses how the charming little medic that saved him dies a horrible death in the war crime of using chemical weapons (the poor bastard wasn't given a gas mask). As with Marko and Alana meeting each other in person, close encounters can provide the remedy for the brainwashed.
The volume introduces some immediately likeable characters. The secret star of the show is Marko's father. From the moment he surprises Alana, as well as the reader, with his self-made clothes for her and her baby he captures everyone's heart. The Volume's emotional punch comes from the fact that the man won't have much longer to live, and when he does die I already strongly felt it (even if he was only in the comic for a couple of issues). We see a small episode of father and son in his younger years, and it's heartbreaking when Marko asks the others in the room (including Alana) to leave so that he can mourn with his mother in private.
The conversation that the author has with the robot prince is another highlight. He so convincingly talks as if he doesn't have any emotional investment in the novel at all. Simple cash grab, nothing more than that. The also talk about his son, a soldier now deceased. Naturally, the suggestion is that he died in battle – but in passing he suddenly admits that it was suicide. It's a great scene, because we know that the prince is suffering from trauma, too. He's not weak, though, as he proves by shooting the author in the knee, before he goes on to actively wait for the family to arrive. Actually, I thought the ending was brilliant: "Prince Robot IV was almost always right. But he was dead wrong about my family coming to Quietus anytime soon. (Turns page) We'd already been there a week."
The Volume features some amazing artwork, too. Easily the most striking image is the ogre creature Marko and his mother encounter on their rescue mission. Or his best piece, more accurately. You won't forget this anytime soon. The two-page hatching of the egg – I forgot to mention: the "planetoid" turns out to be a giant egg – was impressive, too. I have to admit, I expected a bit more from the timesuck creature, but I enjoyed the moment when The Will jumps out into open space to retrieve Lying Cat. In the process he uses his lance, a weapon whose stunning force was presented in a cool shoot-out scene an issue earlier.
I wrestled with myself on whether I would give the five-star rating again. In the end I decided that a comic that is able to wrench the tears from you upon the death of characters you only just met is well deserving of the praise.
Rating: 4.5/5
Through flashbacks at the beginning of each issue we learn more about our heroes' past. We experience first-hand how Marko and Alana bonded over her love for literature and how her favorite novel represents their world. I enjoyed their little book club conversation and the sudden twist that soon he will be deported to a place of no return. It makes so much sense that she would run with him on an impulse.
Indoctrination, not the least by his parent's well-intended teachings, plays a big role, too. The brought their small boy to the lasst battle on Wreath to drill into him how the Landfallians are the most ruthless and despicable human beings. Finally, we are presented a more human side of Prince Robot IV, as he is badly injured in the war and witnesses how the charming little medic that saved him dies a horrible death in the war crime of using chemical weapons (the poor bastard wasn't given a gas mask). As with Marko and Alana meeting each other in person, close encounters can provide the remedy for the brainwashed.
The volume introduces some immediately likeable characters. The secret star of the show is Marko's father. From the moment he surprises Alana, as well as the reader, with his self-made clothes for her and her baby he captures everyone's heart. The Volume's emotional punch comes from the fact that the man won't have much longer to live, and when he does die I already strongly felt it (even if he was only in the comic for a couple of issues). We see a small episode of father and son in his younger years, and it's heartbreaking when Marko asks the others in the room (including Alana) to leave so that he can mourn with his mother in private.
The conversation that the author has with the robot prince is another highlight. He so convincingly talks as if he doesn't have any emotional investment in the novel at all. Simple cash grab, nothing more than that. The also talk about his son, a soldier now deceased. Naturally, the suggestion is that he died in battle – but in passing he suddenly admits that it was suicide. It's a great scene, because we know that the prince is suffering from trauma, too. He's not weak, though, as he proves by shooting the author in the knee, before he goes on to actively wait for the family to arrive. Actually, I thought the ending was brilliant: "Prince Robot IV was almost always right. But he was dead wrong about my family coming to Quietus anytime soon. (Turns page) We'd already been there a week."
The Volume features some amazing artwork, too. Easily the most striking image is the ogre creature Marko and his mother encounter on their rescue mission. Or his best piece, more accurately. You won't forget this anytime soon. The two-page hatching of the egg – I forgot to mention: the "planetoid" turns out to be a giant egg – was impressive, too. I have to admit, I expected a bit more from the timesuck creature, but I enjoyed the moment when The Will jumps out into open space to retrieve Lying Cat. In the process he uses his lance, a weapon whose stunning force was presented in a cool shoot-out scene an issue earlier.
I wrestled with myself on whether I would give the five-star rating again. In the end I decided that a comic that is able to wrench the tears from you upon the death of characters you only just met is well deserving of the praise.
Rating: 4.5/5