Key Comic #15: Saga #1

Saga #1

The Key Comic shifts gears back to a very popular, relatively recent comic called Saga #1 from Image Comics. Saga is an ongoing comic book series, released monthly by Image Comics.

This is NOT a comic for kids, but rather a very intelligent, thought provoking fantastic comic for adults. This series contains adult problems and dilemmas, and has sex and violence. The story is a modern space opera very much in the vein of Romeo and Juliet. The main 2 characters Alana and Marko are on opposite sides of an interplanetary war, who fall in love, have a baby (Hazel) in the opening pages, all while on the run from both sides of the conflict.

The comic is written by Brian K. Vaughan and drawn by Fiona Staples. Brian K. Vaughan is one of the top comic book writers, and has a great track record including Y- The Last Man (a personal favorite series!), Runaways, Ex Machina, and Private Eye, definitely in the top 3 of my favorite writers right now. The characters are really defined, and interesting. Even the villains are not the standard cardboard evil, but rather complex with their own complicated motivations. You really feel vested in the characters, and want to know what happens next. Fiona Staples, where have we heard her name recently on PlanetComic.com? Oh yeah, she is also the artist of one of my recent posts Archie #1! It is with this series, that put her on the map, and where she really shines. Her designs of this fantastic space opera, and its bizarre locales, and exotic alien creatures, are complimented by her fantastic color choices. Her artwork improves as the series progresses, and has joined the elite artists in today’s comic market. This is a dream creative team, fantastic writing with incredible artwork.

There was some controversy in the beginning when the comic first came out, due to it’s depiction of breastfeeding on the cover and the birth of Hazel in the opening pages. A few comic retailers refused to carry the book due to the cover. Their loss for a high profile book that has sold out many times and went back to press with multiple printings. Hard to believe in this day in age, people are still offended by the natural, healthy bond between a mother and child.

Later in issue #12, there was another uproar due to 2 very small “postage” stamp sized panels of gay sex, causing the comic to get removed from Apple’s iOS store.

Recently, Mr. Vaughan and Ms. Staples released a giant deluxe hardcover reprinting the first 18 issues, again with another cover showing a close up breastfeeding! They are really hammering the point home, that if you are easily offended by breastfeeding and sexual situations, this comic series is not for you!

Controversy?

The series is currently up to #30, all with the same creative team. They made the smart decision of releasing 6 monthly issues, then taking a short break to allow them to get recharged and catch up for the 6 monthly arcs. I am completely fine with it, in fact, I would encourage other creative teams to do this. I don’t mind the wait between the arcs as long as the quality and the same creative team continues, with no fill-in issues.

Lying Cat and The Will

When people ask me for a recommendation of a comic to read, this series is always top of the list. This comic is my most eagerly awaited monthly comic that is currently being published. Always goes to the top of my reading pile!

Marko and Alana

This comic is very popular with the high school and college crowds and is one of Image Comics #1 selling comics along with the Walking Dead. Saga has won a Hugo Award, a British Fantasy Award, and multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards. All three volumes of Saga have reached number one on the New York Times best sellers list, and volume one has been in the top ten for more than seventy weeks.

Pricing data.
Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #45 (2015) has the NearMint of this comic at $100.00. The value has increased $10.00 (11%) since last year, and an overall increase of $95.00 since 2012. The NearMint price is way, way undervalued, you cannot find a first printing anywhere near that price, a closer realistic estimate of $200 for the #1 is more inline with today’s collectible market. eBay has an average price of $250 for a CGC 9.6 for this comic. **Please Note: Make sure you pick up a first printing, this comic has gone back to press for five printings! The first printing has an orange Saga title, and each other printing, the color for the logo title was changed.

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