So, today I’m going to do something a little different, and
talk about Saga. Or at least the first volume of Saga. For those of you, like
me, who are new to the world of graphic novels, Saga is a sci-fi series, which
looks at the trials and tribulations of a family whose worlds have been at war
for, seemingly, forever.
The conflict between two worlds is one of the defining
facets of the first volume of the series. Originally a local conflict between
two species, it’s become a sprawling war across multiple planets, as the
civilisations have evolved. There’s a casual racism on both sides, and hardened
attitudes are clear – the divide between “us” and “them” is entrenched and
toxic, even though both sides appear to have their fair share of heroes and
villains. These super-states have pushed their antagonism out into smaller
theatres; their own homes appear unthreatened by violence, even relatively
peaceful – whilst war machines grind blood into mud on occupied or ‘liberated’
worlds. As a social fabric, it feels like
a call back to the Cold War and aftermath.
But if the setting encourages a degree of despair – winged and
horned antagonists throwing their proxies into meatgrinders – the worlds on
which this takes place are vividly, eldritch places. A forest of trees also
serve as a rocketships. Ghosts erupt from the dark woods, and take up
child-rearing duties. It’s a kaleidoscope of the imagination, each new idea
slotting into the wider fabric – sometimes quirkily, but always blending into
the existing world. There’s a lot of
imagination on display here, and a feeling of discovery on turning every page.
The duo at the centre of the text are rather charming;
articulate, often aggravated with each other, a husband and wife from species
at war. That conflict seethes around them, but their refusal to identify with
it, to be anything other than what they want to be, rolls impressively off the
page. Both seem to have their own strengths, but this is a couple which is
believably complementary. They bicker and banter with an effervescent charm,
but there’s moments of emotional honesty laced through the dialogue, and a
feeling of loyalty and trust which is wonderfully genuine.
They’re joined by a superb supporting cast - from the robot prince with a ruthless streak,
determined to capture our heroes so he can get home to his wife, through the aforementioned
babysitting ghost, to the brilliant ‘Lying Cat’, which interjects whenever
anyone around it tells a lie. These characters don’t have as much time on the
page, but they do feel like individuals, with their own oddities, agendas and
quirks.
The plot is a journey, of sorts, as our heroes attempt to
get off of the planet they’re trapped on, and find a new home for themselves
and their soon-to-be-born child. It’s got the occasional moment of violence,
but that’s wrapped up in the larger family story, the dialogue shaping a
relationship for the reader. There’s a lot of fun stuff going on; the various
hunters looking for our couple are tenacious, and have a tendency to walk into
odd situations of their own. But this is a story about the characters and their
journey across the world – and on that basis, it’s a compelling, perfectly
formed narrative.
I don’t dip into graphic novels often, but this one was a very
pleasant surprise. I’ll be looking out for the later volumes.
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