Adam
I don't know that I enjoyed this as much the 2nd time through, or if I just thought I enjoyed it more the first time. To no one's surprise: this little Warren Ellis tale is dense with science-y nonsense, mystical nonsense and spy nonsense. As the reader it's your job to hang on for dear life for any of the various nonsense-es to coalesce into some sort of discernible story line. It's never linear and it's wildly fragmented. Daunting is putting it mildly.
It's also an enormous concept that's really captivating once you start to unpack the whole thing and realize the scope of what's happening. Looking forward to Vol 2 and what might yet be waiting for our heroes as the set about trying to undo what they have done to the world.
... I just might take notes while I do so as to keep up.
Skottie Young finally got a shot a creating, writing and illustrating his own title and it's all I hoped it would be. (I feel like it was a safe bet for Image Comics, but I'm grateful none the less) The colorful, violent, hilarious world fills each page with loving attention to detail. The characters are unique and engaging. If you follow Skottie on social media you've seen glimpses of the kind of morbid and humorous ideas he enjoys indulging. With ‘I Hate Fairyland' he finally allows us to see the width and breadth of his talent for just that sort of page-turning, joyful nonsense.
I really love this series and can't wait to see what happens next to Gert and company.
DNF, made it about 30 pages in and had to walk away. I had fond memories of reading Groo comics when I was a kid. Sergio Aragones art is something I remember enjoying, but this was just insufferable.
*Re-read in Jan 2020 with the IRCB podcast group as the Book of the Month. Saga is one of only a few comics where I can say I was there for since the beginning. I remember buying the first issue in my local comic shop and being excited for a new title from Brian K Vaughan. I fell head-over-heels in love with Fiona Staples and her brilliant, vibrant, heartbreaking art. My daughter was born around the time this series launched and I think that helped this title land a special place in my heart.Re-reading the first volume I was struck by how little the series has changed in terms of mechanics and what makes it great. Same clever writing, same dazzling art and a pace of storytelling that really works for me. Others have mentioned all the foreshadowing and it's amazing how well things pay off down the line from even quick introductions here. This is my go-to recommendation for people who ask if there is a graphic novel they should read if they don't like super hero books.Saga feels like a unique story with a unique voice/style even if we all find other cultural touchstones that it reminds us of. It really holds up in a way some series haven't. It still feels fresh on my fourth (fifth?) read. It tells a small story of a small family in a HUGE way. That may be the strength of this title - for however crazy, wild, dangerous and expansive it gets, we're really concerned about 3 people who just want to be a family. We can all understand that.(re-read 06/19) STILL 5 STARS, STILL AWESOME!
Originally read as individual issues, it was really rewarding to read in a collected volume. This is a genuinely great introductory collection for any story, but I really do love this group of weirdos.
I forgot how crazy the ending of this volume is. I'm really glad I'm going back through this series, I had forgotten some of the nuance and it's such. good. nuance. Thanks [a:Brian K. Vaughan 24514 Brian K. Vaughan https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1557530189p2/24514.jpg] and [a:Fiona Staples 304633 Fiona Staples https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1379339265p2/304633.jpg], this really is my favorite series.
This really is an amazing ending to such an incredibly sprawling tale. The Andy Serkis narration made this whole thing that much better. 10/10 recommendation for anyone looking for a quality listen. JRR Tolkien really set the table for everything that has come since and I cannot thank him enough.
Re-read 06/2018 - I had always intended to read more of this series, but I needed to read the beginning again. I am bumping my 4 star review to a 5 as this is a great read with both a fantastic story and really impressive art. It's gory, as any vampire tale really should be, but it is also pretty layered and sets up a long run here. I'm not sure what my hang up was before, but this is really am excellent book.
I'm glad I came back because there was plenty I had forgotten and I'm really looking forward to reading more.
You know what, I'm taking credit for this. Normally, I wouldn't, but I brought it home from the library for Violet and she made me read it to her 3 times in 16 hours. I think I earned it. (also, it's a positive story about a little girl who likes to build and invent. I highly recommend it)
Re-read for staff book club. - I owe them an apology. I forgot just how dense this one was with exposition compared to later installments. I love it, but booooy howdy is it dense.