Top of the Pile - 4/10/2013

Saga #12

Written by Brian K. Vaughan

Art by Fiona Staples

Image Comics

As I mentioned briefly last post, this book was to be banned from the Apple online store due to some graphic content. But I guess that didn’t come to pass. Regardless, I put this book on the top of the purchase pile because its one of the best comics being produced. Initially, I guess the problem with Apple stems from a couple of homoerotic images that appear on the first couple pages. But other than the gay sex, this book was one of the slower in the series so far with more exposition over action.

The basic plot of the book is that two soldiers from opposite sides fall in love and make a child. This causes tons of repercussions on both sides of the conflict and the young family is on the run. And as a space opera, as I mentioned, its one of the best in comic book form. Brian K. Vaughan throws tons of characters at us and all of them are bonkers in some way. Royalty that have CRT heads? Spaceships made out of wood? Cyclops romance writers? It’s all really out there if you think about it too much. And the art by Fiona Staples is wonderful. When I look at the art in a comic, if it doesn’t help the narrative, then it takes longer for me to read. With this book, it’s a pretty quick read, but then I go back and examine the art again for the extra details. I don’t do that for many books, but with Fiona’s work though not as detailed and baroque as some artists, it is worth extra examination time.

As for picking this up for a library, I would get it. In fact, we have the first volume of the trade in, but it has only checked out once. Certainly there are mature themes and language, but after Walking Dead, it seems to be the indie comic of the moment.

Top of the Pile 8/15/12

Saga #6
written by Brian K. Vaughan
art by Fiona Stapes
published by Image

This weeks top of the pile would of been either the two hip titles from Image, Fatale or Saga. But my comic shop messed up and didn’t pull Fatale, so by process of elimination, Saga is on top.

Written by Brian K. Vaughan with art by Fiona Stapes, Saga is an apt title for this science fiction fable. The plot of the story is where two combatants from a warring solar system fall in love and produce a daughter. They name her a rather mundane name, Hazel, and she is the narrator of the story. As they try and escape from their war, they wind up have a robot prince, and a couple bounty hunters on their tail.

I mentioned that this is one of the new hip titles out there. With several printings of the first issue, it’s seems to surprisingly found an audience. Which is cool, since it is a fun book to read. Brian K. Vaughan has developed a universe where magic is used in battle, sentient robots of reproduce biologically, and rocket ships grow like trees. It reminds me a little of the Hitchhikers Guide in its outlandish ideas.

But what makes these outlandish ideas live is the artwork by Fiona Staples. Her lines are wonderfully clear and her facial expressions are spot on. We feel the pain/wonder/anguish/joy experienced by each of the characters. (Except for the robot prince who has a computer monitor for a head.)

I haven’t read all the end notes and letters, but I did notice that if the book didn’t sell well, it would have ended after 6 issues. I’m glad to see that it will continue.