REVIEW: ‘Saga #32′ and the Power of Love

As promised by the dynamic SAGA creative duo, we witness what happened to the star-crossed couple in another exciting chapter of Saga #32. The plot focuses entirely on the parent’s continuing search of clues of their beloved daughter’s whereabouts in a highly-secured repository that the formidable masterminds deliver in both narrative and artistic departments.

Brian K. Vaughan returns to his usual self of delivering the snappy but poignant interactions of the fugitive couple while infiltrating the site, locating the specific room, sorting the right document, and escaping the authorities. Unlike the previous chapter, this one concentrates the parents’ ever-growing bond with one another since their reunion and their daughter’s untimely separation. Brian turns the mundane situation into literary gold due to his unflinching mastery of producing dialogues that are neither mushy nor stagnant, but highly quotable, memorable, and importantly, emotionally relatable, while consistently accessible. Just read and even reread the exchanges of the couple and observe how good this multi-awarded comic writer really is in characterizing the dynamics between them while performing such difficult tasks. Moreover, the narrator’s narrations are similarly eloquent, precise in rhythmic cadence; and the synchronization with Fiona Staples’ art and visual paneling is simply remarkable as ever. Heck, even when the love-making moments are done almost perfectly, unless some sensitive nitpicks around think so literally there.

Another great thing in this issue is the appearances of some of the best and beloved supporting characters that are absent in the premier story arc. I am definitely talking about the cute and dependable Ghüs whose lines delivered are witty, formal, and very relatable to some readers around. Moreover, the snarky and aloof computer-faced royalty is present, still as irritating as ever, just the way many of us invested Saga readers like him. Also, readers are rewarded for the first appearance of the fully grown character that may or otherwise influence or directly involve to the grand Saga narrative sooner or later.

Fiona Staples continues her great illustrations yet again. Personally, her art improves more significantly in this issue. The lines are thinner to focus more on the facial portrayals of the characters involved. The faces she draw are simply some of the finest she illustrates so far, most particularly the wife, so gorgeous and very optimistic. More significantly, her panels in most of these pages are explicitly oozing with great positive energy to convey the sense of greater hope in the midst of adversaries, doubtfulness, and sense of loss. Not to sound a bit condescending here, the artist’s rendition of the adorable cute guy is another proof of her greater command of deeper understanding of human emotions to the visual interpretation. Even the guy’s interaction with the former royal blood is spot-on even without the actual facial features of the latter. The artist simply knows the intricacies of body language which she utilizes in great lengths to that fellow. Though some of the heavy inking is still visible, particularly the back portion of the left wing of the leading female cast, it is undeniably to say that Fiona really puts her artistic best right now in this current story arc, especially this chapter.

In conclusion, Saga #32 deals with some of the fates of the major characters who are understandably absent previously. The core of this chapter centers basically on the abovementioned couple who are relentless in finding their unica hija. Themes of redemption, hope, and love are expertly explored and aesthetically done with gravitas in the hands of the wordsmith extraordinaire Brian and the artistic greatness of the amazing Fiona. Whatever its flaws here, there are judged as mere asterisks for the overall quality is obviously excellent. I can’t wait for the next chapter that deals with our beloved gay news investigators.