Written by: Brian K. Vaughan
Art by: Fiona Staples
Publisher: Image
This was another solid issue from Image’s flagship series. This book is all about the team in the creative team because one without the other would not work.
Now that we know where this book is heading it feels a lot more coherent than the first issue in the new arc. 2 issues ago we found out that this arc will be about how Marko and Alana break up and we are certainly beginning to see major cracks in the relationship. And as usual we are treated to a well written character driven narrative as well as some shocking visuals.
This issue follows the same formula as the past couple and deals with a number of different conflicts and emotions. But thankfully (or not for some readers) we do not open the issue to some explicit splash page. Marko and Alana’s relationship is clearly at a distance at the moment with Marko spending his time leisurely on play dates with a rather flirtatious lady whom too has a distant partner. While Alana, spends her time at work earning the big bucks.
The split is a constant tease which drives the reader to continue with the series because knowing what is going to happen, and being so involved in these characters, really makes us invested in this storyline. The pacing of the story really helps to understand the thought process that will lead to the inevitable split.
Not forgetting the shocking conclusion of the last issue, we catch up with Dengo killing people effortlessly as if he didn’t have the robot baby prince in a sling. Some of the images are drawn so well that despite being outrageous you just can’t help loving and admiring the thought process of the creative team. And the surprising visuals continue when we catch up with Prince Robot IV and are quickly reminded just how depraved and violent he is.
As usual with Saga, we have another solid issue which progresses the story enough to encourage the reader to return and is slowly crafting another epic volume of the series. The shocks and surprises continue in abundance and nicely blends together two different types of pacing. We have the gradual decline of a marriage vs. the quick paced shocking visuals of those involved in the Robot story. If you are still not reading this series you should be, it has everything from family drama to full scale epic violence.
