COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Saga #26 – Filipinos are virtually everywhere around the world!

Things are getting more interesting in Saga #26 - second chapter of the sixth part of the critically-acclaimed series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples. Three stories emerge as every party attempts to face tremendous dilemmas, challenges and consequences as each of them progresses or circles around. When anyone thinks a problem is solved, another one or two emerges and more complicating than ever. Vaughan weaves an intricate tale whose characters’ own moral compasses, particularly Marko’s, are in the crossroads due to the frustrations and desperation they have encountered, to the point of crossing the Rubicon.

[CHECK OUT… COMIC BOOK REVIEW: The search begins in ‘Saga #25′] 

Furthermore, we are witnessing some interesting new characters and their subtle or ulterior motives in this new chapter. The most prominent is another Stalk-like (or spider) male assassin who is aiming Sophia and perhaps, he will play a very prominent role in the upcoming issues or even beyond this current arc. Moreover, Alana and her family must confront Dengo’s “newfound” allies whose reputations are far worse than any baddies in the Saga universe yet. The members are truly intriguing for we are only seeing their supposed motivations though there are already foreshowing planted on the direction this tale goes.

This issue contains the latest results of the 2014/2015 Saga Reader Survey. The most significant parts in this result are questions number one and eleven because the responses have Filipinos onboard. In the first item, the name Ferdinand Marcos (President of the Philippines, ’65 to ’86) ranks number nine. This means that many Filipino-Saga readers were born during the tail-end of the Marcos regime/ administration/dictatorship.  And in the eleventh item, Brian cites a certain C.M. from Australia, who have “Conservative Catholic, Filipino parents” are who “proud” to their “gay, liberal son.” As we can discern here, Filipinos are virtually everywhere around the world (including fans and followers of Saga)!

The only caveat in this issue is Fiona’s art. Her lines are getting heavier since the last issue. And, there are many inconsistencies in her facial and anatomical portrayals that eagle-eyed observers may theorize she rushes her illustrations to maintain a monthly release consistency. Observe her drawings in the convenient store part, the conversation of Dengo and the so-called revolutionary group, and the all-ladies escapades with female dragons, her art is very unbalance. The most consistent yet in her artistic take is, well, Ghüs. I hope next issue will see her return to her true mark once again.

Despite Fiona’s apparent flaws (for now), the bottom line here is Vaughan’s explorations of the characters’ motivations, and perspectives that carry this one alone. If we are going to take his word, next issue is going to be a “memorable” one. Let’s cross our fingers to that one.