It’s been literal years since the last issue, but Saga returns today with Saga #55 with as much anticipation — and expecations — as there possibly could be. After a three-plus-year gap, fans are expecting the second half of Saga to kick off with a bang, but can it live up to those expectations when fans typically never have to wait so long? In Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples we should trust, as they are two of the best in comics and there are 54 issues of proof of that.
Saga #55 opens with Hazel on the run, which is fitting since her family has been on the run from the very first issue. In this case, she’s in a lot more immediate danger than she typically faces and she’s alone. It’s a smart way to show she’s grown up a bit and been allowed to be on her own. Her age has given her a bit more autonomy, but soon we learn her family is bigger than ever. It’s also a reminder Hazel and her family are still living in a world that’s more dangerous for them than anyone else.
As the outline of the story plays out, it’s clear Vaughan is catching us up on key figures like The Will, how Alana is bending over backward to provide for her family, and new faces like the alien on the cover of the issue named Bombazine. The plotting keeps things moving along with scene changes while firmly establishing Hazel as the central focus.
If you’re expecting shock value, you won’t be disappointed: there’s plenty of sex, violence, and everything in between. There’s also a bit of wonderment with the reveal of a spaceship in a double-page spread that’ll get fans in gear for more mind-bending fantasy elements the series is known for.
Hazel is more of the central character than ever.
Credit: Image
Mostly though this issue blends Alana being a parental figure and how that has augmented her approach to life and Hazel’s growth as a person. We see the latter when Hazel plays her favorite song and Vaughan details how the youth find new music that parents don’t understand because it doesn’t belong to them.
If there was a theme running through this issue, it’s survival. These characters are still wanted criminals on the run and in hiding, but they’re also trying to make things work. That makes the narrative relatable for any parent who worries about keeping their kids fed and a roof over their heads.
One scene that shows this off involves Alana and Bombazine attempting to make some dough selling baby formula. The scene runs a bit long, but it shows the basic dynamic between these two characters as they attempt to keep their family fed. Bombazine has a lovable quality as he means well and seems cheery, but also doesn’t have the perfect salesman personality for the situation either.
Hazel continues to be in great danger.
Credit: Image
Staples’ art continues to be a delight with strong character acting and interesting creature design. The scene of Hazel sharing her favorite song is well done using musical notes to capture the magic of the song visually. Something Staples is particularly good at is catching an emotion behind a facial expression that we can see, but others cannot. The cliffhanger page, for instance, screams “lying”, but her face also exudes positive confidence. The complexity of these characters shines through because of this throughout the issue.
Saga #55 returns this week and doesn’t skip a beat even after a three-year gap. It serves to remind us who these characters are, how they’ve grown, and establishing how at its core this is about survival, but also living life and the growth that comes with it. Saga continues to shine as a series about the complexities of life, identity, and survival in an uncompromising, colorful world.
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