Things are coming to a head in Saga #65, with action, death, and even happy endings all occurring. It’s an impactful issue, especially with recent issues that feel slow or unfocused. The latest issue out this week is a good reminder death can come for anyone, and the ongoing desire for revenge and war entraps all characters.
Saga #65 opens with Elena rushing to get her kids now that she has a solution to get off-world. We found out last issue she’s worked out a deal with a traveling circus, but she finds the kids are gone on their journey to acquire magic to bring their dead fathers back. Meanwhile, The Will and Gwendolyn get a visitor who seeks revenge. It’s a tense chapter in an ongoing series that delivers in big ways.
Starting with Hazel and Squire, the two are facing a man in a trenchcoat who clearly can see who these kids are. They’re still hiding, and letting this person know their identity puts them all in danger. Squire is currently working out some rage issues. That puts Hazel and the reader on edge, not knowing if Squire will commit murder.
Meanwhile, the action scene involving The Will is also tense. Brian K. Vaughan continues to make us hate or like certain characters, as any good character development will prove. The Will is a fan favorite, after all, but after he killed Marko, it’s hard to say where readers are, that is until his life is put in danger. Whether or not you want the attacker to take him out will be an exciting conversation readers will have with themselves. Be it as it may, a significant death here will sadden most.
No matter what, they’re going to love each other.
Credit: Image
Fiona Staples nails these action scenes with perfect pace and framing with as few panels as possible. She is a master at “less is more” when it comes to layouts. Once again, facial expressions are key, especially with Hazel in this issue. She’s going through many emotions, from reacting to Squire’s violence to knowing she put the family in danger to the total joy of the final moments.
My only gripe with this issue is the balance of action and plot progression feels limited. Given Hazel and Squire have been enacting a slow singular plan for multiple issues, it’s nice to see that finally ended, but you’ll reflect on how drawn out it was given how it concludes here.
The winning element of this issue is thanks to the narration, which leads right into the final sorrowful splash page. Through Hazel’s monologue, Vaughan reveals a rare win for her family, only for the visuals to show others aren’t so lucky. That, and while Hazel sees things play out in their favor, the reader knows the death that takes place will only put her family in more danger. It’s a harrowing moment as we know the truth and that more danger and death is coming for them all.
If you’ve been wishing for more action and significant deaths in Saga, read issue #65. This issue capitalizes on major wins for the characters while others suffer, further emphasizing how a series about calamity ebbs and flows with the good and the bad always around the corner.
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