Saga

Synopsis

Saga is an epic space opera/fantasy comic book series. It depicts two lovers from long-warring extraterrestrial races, Alana and Marko, fleeing authorities from both sides of a galactic war as they struggle to care for their newborn daughter, Hazel, who occasionally narrates the series, as an unseen adult.

Publication History

Saga written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples and published by Image Comics. The first issue of Saga was published on March 14, 2012, to positive reviews and a sold-out first printing. It was published in trade paperback form in October 2012. It has been a consistent sales success, since it's first appearance in 2012, with its collected editions outselling those of The Walking Dead, another successful Image comic.

Brian K. Vaughan has stated that the universe of Saga was inspired by a vast fantasy universe he first imagined when he was a child, explaining that it was a "demented fantasyland" full of spaceships and dragons. He had never planned to actually tell a story set in this world, until the birth of his first child provided sudden inspiration for Saga. While Vaughan has borrowed certain character names and ideas from his childhood imaginings, this story is very much intended for adults.

Regarding parenthood as the inspiration for this story, Vaughan stated:

"...I guess I've been thinking about what it means to bring children into the world during a time of multiple ongoing wars, and noticing how a lot of our childhood entertainment maybe helps prepare us for a state of perpetual conflict, for good or bad."

Vaughan met co-creator Fiona Staples through Steve Niles, with whom she had worked on the miniseries Mystery Society. Struck by the originality of her art, Vaughan spoke with Staples and quickly realized this would be the dream ongoing series for the two to collaborate on.

Regarding the choice of Image Comics, Vaughan has stated that Image is one of the only comics publishers that can still offer what he considers "a truly creator-owned contract." He also credits publisher Eric Stephenson and Robert Kirkman for helping smooth the transition to the company.

The Characters

Alana

The mother of Hazel, and wife of Marko, Alana is an army deserter on the run, while trying to keep her daughter safe during an intergalactic war.

Alana grew up with an abusive father. She joined military to escape her situation and father, where she became Private First Class. While in the service of Countess Robot X, she was ordered to bomb a bridge which had several innocent enemy civilians on it. Alana was sentenced to prison duty on Cleave for hesitating even though she carried out the order. She spent much of her time reading, including works by her favorite author D. Oswald Heist, who lived on Quietus. Soon, a young Wreath soldier named Marko surrendered and was sent to her prison.

At first they did not get along but soon found solace in 'secret book club' where Alana would read to Marko as he worked in manual labor. He informed her that he would be transferred soon and Alana became worried he wouldn't return. She broke his chains and ran away with him to start a new life. They became secretly married and had the first cross-species baby that survived longer than a few weeks.

Marko

Marko is the loving husband of Alana and father of star-crossed baby Hazel. He fights to protect his family and wishes to avoid the war between Wreath and Landfall that has stretched across the galaxy.

Marko was born on Wreath, a moon orbiting the planet Landfall, to Klara and Barr. Growing up, Marko lived a decent life. One day, his parents took him to see the final battle on Wreath and Landfallian soldiers. Marko learned to never forget the sacrifice the Landfallians made. When Marko grew, he became a fierce warrior and killed many of their enemies. During one of the battles on Cleave, he surrendered and was taken prisoner.

From there, he met Alana, and the two quickly fell in love. At first, Alana was annoyed by him but eventually warmed up to him. She began sharing her favorite stories from a book with him written by D. Oswald Heist. After finding out he was to be executed, Alana freed him. The duo fell in love and she became pregnant with his child. From there, the duo became fugitives from both Wreath and Landfall and both sides attempting to grab a hold of their half-breed child.

Hazel

"Oh Fart!"

Hazel is the daughter of the fugitives Marko and Alana. She became sought after as she was a symbol of love as Marko and Alana belonged to opposite warring planets. Hazel would be the target of both Alana and Marko's military.

Hazel was conceived when her parents, Alana and Marko, fell in love during a time of war. The both of them were soldiers from the opposing sides of the war. She was born on the planet Cleave where her mother, Alana, and father, Marko, were taking shelter. While Hazel and her parents were hiding the landlord tipped Baron Robot XXIII and his personal corps off. They were immediately apprehended but at the same time members from Wreath arrived to arrest Marko.

Although an older Hazel is never shown she is mainly characterized by the comments she makes throughout the series. What is known about her is that she is a straight forward girl who likes to get ahead of herself when she is telling the story. She also does not like romance novels, opposite to her mother.

Despite her upbringing on the run, Hazel's childhood persona seems to mirror most typical children her age, generally being rather innocent, it stands out the most along side her peers, when asked in class to draw something that makes them sad, most of her classmates hailing from Wreath and it's colonies draw things such as when their houses were bombed by Landfall or the loss of family members, all Hazel drew was her imaginary friend "Tooty Stinkfoot...a giant foot with really bad gas" either implying despite the amount of death and violence she had been exposed to as a young age she has been rather well guarded to a number of horrors, it could also demonstrate that due to the secretive nature of her existence, she has become a very adept liar at a young age, not revealing the reason she is separated from her parents.