Saga, Volume 2

Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrated by: Fiona Staples
Published: 2013
Publisher: Image Comics
Collects: issues #7-12

There’s always a bit of a worry when picking up the second volume of a comic, particularly when the first was such a nice surprise. Crushing disappointment is always a potential, but I’m happy to report that this was as good, possibly even better, than the first.

Alana and Marko are still running from…everyone, really, but the story is also interlaced with flashbacks showing how the two met. This is more about fleshing out the story and building on relationships rather than shocking us with more insane aspects of the universe. There is some of that, giant testicles come to mind, but it’s good to see the balance there. A monstrous ballsack is fun and everything, but you need the story to support it, otherwise everything starts to…maybe I’ll leave it at that.

Anyhoo, more characters are introduced in these issues, which can sometimes feel like a chore when you’re really interested in the current characters, but they’re so well realized that they fit in perfectly and really add to the story.

And while it is more character focused, there’s still some incredibly inventive ideas presented here. It really feels like they’re using the medium to tell a story that couldn’t be told as well elsewhere, which is always exciting. Fiona Staples’ art fits the writing perfectly. She can draw some mean balls.

I’m really eager to start the next volume now.