Saga #1 by Brian K. Vaughan (Writer), Fiona Staples (Artist)

Winner of the 2013 Hugo award for Best Graphic Story! When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. From New York Times bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, North 40), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults. This specially priced volume collects the first six issues of the smash-hit series The Onion A.V. Club calls "the emotional epic Hollywood wishes it could make." Voted one of the top graphic novels of the year by the NYT, IGN, the Examiner, and SF Weekly. Voted Best Comic of the year by MTV Geek and Best New Series by Paradox Comics. Voted a finalist in the GoodReads Best GN of 2012 contest. Named one of Time Magazine's top 10 graphic novels for 2013

A little background about me and graphic novels: After reading Joe Hill’s books and absolutely loving them, several people recommended I read Locke & Key. I had never read a graphic novel prior to that (at least not for myself, I have a couple I have read to my kids), so I was hesitant. Anyway, I decided to give it a chance, and turns out, I loved it. I also found there are some days where reading a graphic novel is just preferable. But after I finished Locke & Key, I just wasn’t sure where to head next. After much debating, I decided to just head to my library and grab several that have been recommended or I have seen highly rated. Sometimes, I just love libraries. No investment, no commitment, I can just try them and see what I like with nothing to lose.

Now for my review: At the top of my pile was Saga#1. It’s hard to miss. There’s not too many covers out there featuring breastfeeding mothers. I have to admit, I was intrigued and decided to start with this one. And I was not disappointed.

I love that this is not just a normal love story, but one that features a family. It is refreshing to read something that actually has real life references and problems in it. I really enjoyed all three main characters (Marko, Alana and their baby Hazel). Marko and Alana are a from warring worlds, so there’s a forbidden love aspect to it, as they are shunning the lives they knew to be together. They also have great chemistry. And we get Hazel’s thoughts/narration in past tense through out the story. I absolutely love her input, it definitely adds some humor and perspective to the story.

The blurb I saw on Goodreads

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.

I’m not sure I see the Game of Thrones aspect (yet?). Maybe when I continue on with the series, I will. But it was still enjoyable. I think it is more like Romeo and Juliet meets Star Wars, if you have to define the story that way.

I really enjoyed the artwork in this, but have to admit I realized I have to probably keep it hidden away so my kids don’t find it (if not just in an effort to preserve their innocence, then to prevent them from being mentally scarred during their adolescence as a result of picturing their mother looking at those images. No kid needs that.). So, yeah, there are definitely some sexually graphic images in it. While I have absolutely no issues with that, in some ways, I almost wish it didn’t because there are some people that I feel I would not recommend it to because I they will have issues. But, whatever, that’s there loss in my opinion.

TLDR: Saga #1 has action, humor, love, suspense and some very cool artwork. What the hell else could you want in a graphic novel? Since I’m far from an expert, I have no idea, but I can’t imagine much else. Definitely recommend (unless you are sensitive to sexually explicit images, in which case, its your loss)

 So what’s next for me? Since I gave a bit of background on my library trip, I decided to show off my graphic novel loot. Any suggestions for what I should try next?