9/10/16 Reread - it keeps a 5 Star rating! Still better than Volume 1 :)
So, I gave Volume 1 5 stars. Is there a way to give more, because Volume 2 was better.
The story itself progressed fantastically, and we still have Staples art just highlighting all of Vaughan's genius storytelling.
Our heroes are still on the run, but several new characters get introduced, including Marko's ex-fiance. The story just evolved into something with such depth, and the background we got with Marko's past was just a really interesting read. I hope we'll get to see some of Alana's history soon.
I'm just completely impressed with this series, and I think it deserves all the hype it's received.
I haven't ever really dabbled in the graphic novel world, but I am so glad I decided to pick up Saga Volume 1 last year. I absolutely loved it. I'm surprised it took me this long to get the second volume. Now that I have though I think I will binge read the rest of the volumes and do my best to wait patiently for the next installment. This graphic novel is incredible. I don't know how they continue to achieve a perfect balance of funny, heartwarming, action-packed, intense, and moving. Saga achieves all this and so much more. I love every chapter thus far and I can't wait to get my hands on the next volume.
I very much enjoyed how the second volume of Saga fleshes out the characters some more. Alana, our leading lady, is fabulously written. I love how Saga is more concerned with love within a family, and devotion towards loved ones rather than the falling in romantic love most fiction focusses on. This volume is shorter than the first, and felt slightly unfinished. The plot arc wasn't as well-defined as it was in the first volume. The shock-factor is still present, but I'm probably becoming immune for it.
Oh Saga, where do I even begin with you. You’re weird and most of the time you make little to no sense, but you have this weird charm about you that makes me like you…though it is definitely grudgingly.
So from my review of volume one you can probably tell I wasn’t fond of this series, but my friend bought the second volume and I figured I’d give it another shot. Maybe…just maybe it’ll get better. Well it did…but only marginally. SO now instead of angrily asking WTF, I’m asking WTF with a slight laugh. In all honesty nearly all of the same issues i had with the comic before, still stand. It’s randomly vulgar for no reason except to be vulgar (and I have a high tolerance for vulgarity), there is still very little world building, and like none of the alien species except two are really explained or gone into any sort of depth over. I think I’ve just reverted into mild acceptance at this point. It’s weird, it won’t explain itself so I might as well enjoy the weirdness. Though maybe not as much as other people seem to be. I feel like I’m missing something to be honest.
The art is still gorgeous and the panels are fantastic to look at, which remains to be the best thing about the comic. The dialogue is still pretty great and I do appreciate the realism in how the characters act, but when it comes to plot…it’s sort of flimsy and that’s a bit disappointing.
All of my stars go toward the art, the characters, and the dialogue…No doubt I’ll read volume three sometimes in the future, but I’m in no rush to see this one to the end.