Saga #41 Review: A Week Late But Never A Dollar Short
By Alex Widen
An unexpected delay may have drawn things out to 2017, but nothing can stop Saga! The dangerous affairs on Phang reach a deadly climax!
Saga #41
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Fiona Staples
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As 2016 came to a close, one news item rocked the world of comics. Image Comics’ second best selling comic series was running late due to a printing error. While late comics are fairly standard for many Marvel or DC Comics productions, it was an incredibly rare bit of news for Saga. A mere week caused this issue to debut in 2017 instead. The end result may be a rare “double-ship” month for everyone’s favorite band of rebels and outcasts in space. No, not the George Lucas kind.
Image by Image Comics
The war-torn fuel planet Phang has become even more dangerous than usual. An alliance between the two warring super powers of the universe may lead to its final destruction. Unfortunately, it seems the last to know are Hazel’s extended family of parents and various system rejects. They’ve set up roots on the chaotic world alongside Jabarah and her “Meercat People.” Her son Kurti is Hazel’s new best friend. Yet it seems Petrichor’s warnings to leave the place may ring true.
Image by Image Comics
Everybody Run! Phang’s About to Crash Into a Space Head!
Image by Image Comics
Phang is being evacuated, and it seems our cast are the last to know. That’s because they have more immediate concerns than the asteroid they’re on crashing into what seems to be a giant ringed head. Sir Robot IV, the former prince, has decided to get high on the drug “Fadeaway” that Alana used to be addicted to. In a tripped out stupor, he’s become suicidal and violent, ready to blast nearly anyone or anything that gets in his way—including himself.
Image by Image Comics
If it weren’t bad enough, Robot has mingled his suicidal thoughts with his own attraction for Alana. Repulsed at it himself, Robot sees it as a “forbidden fruit” appeal at best. Marko happens to intrude, and the devoted pacifist ends up in a deadly standoff. Furthermore, they have another bounty hunter to worry about! The March, a two-headed swords-person with magical skills, has already destroyed the ghostly Izabel. Now they head for Kurti to force another standoff over Hazel.
Image by Image Comics
Across the universe, there is an interlude. After returning from a secret meeting, Gwendolyn and Sophie reunite with the Will. No longer a bounty hunter, he’s just Bill now. He previously saved Sophie from a sex slavery planet when she was a toddler, and had worked alongside Gwendolyn in one failed mission to kill Marko (her ex) and Alana. Now he’s unemployed, overweight, and free of his own drug addiction. As a result, it’s up to Lying Cat to make some tough decisions about sides.
Image by Image Comics
Lying Cat Has Her Own Plush Toy Now!
As with every issue, there’s a lot packed into 22 pages. Robot’s story arc still has some development coming, since the drugs merely allowed issues within him to bubble to the surface. Dealing with issues of social disenfranchisement, drugs, endless wars, and rejection speak powerfully to this generation. In fact, it speaks powerfully to any generation. Robot’s been an ally of convenience, while Will has usually been an enemy. I wonder if they’re due to switch alliances.
Image by Image Comics
Petrichor and Jabarah have another riveting (if brief) debate about religion. Kurti and Hazel continue to be cute together, eking out some fun in between disasters. The former even manages to get involved in the climax for once, helping in its resolution. Yet it is Marko’s extended subplot which seems to hit a peak here. A former soldier, he’s tried to temper his own bloodlust for years. His attempts at pacifism often fail. Alana seeks to put that life behind her, as Marko embraces it.
Image by Image Comics
Fiona Staples’ artwork continues to be some of the most incredible of her career on this series. The locations, expressions, and combat sequences are especially crisp looking in this issue. Her flair for designs is also on point. This is good because it seems the March so far has been little more than a fairly one note adversary. That by no means is bad—every series needs some—but it would have been worse without a well-designed foil. The March has a unique style all their own.
Image by Image Comics
Amazing Art and Storytelling Are the Foundations of Comics!
The scenes with Gwendolyn, Sophie, Lying Cat, and Will may seem unrelated, but they’ll surely dovetail with the Phang plot soon enough. Gwendolyn is the one who offered the “final solution” device for the powers that be. Brian K. Vaughan has crafted an entire universe of well organized and orchestrated characters and stories. Reading his work on Saga is like watching a master painter create a legendary work with little more than a brush and paint. It’s a comic for the ages.
Image by Image Comics
Next: Check out the drama from #40!
Not even being late can slow this Saga down! Another long break between trade collections will commence after the next issue. Fortunately, that next issue is only three weeks away! A truly original work, it’s a tale where no character is safe and which clearly has many messages hidden beneath its engaging drama and, at times, brutal action. This was easily one of the best comic books of 2016, and it seems poised to continue being one of the best for years to come!