REVIEW: The Tensions in SAGA #56
Perhaps, SAGA #56 presents something unpleasantly yet continues to sustain its excellent storytelling and artwork by one of the comic industry’s great two-in-one knockout duos—Fiona Staples and Brian K. Vaughan.
Life has lots of compromises. Not everything is black and white, but lots of grays. Unpleasant, yes absolutely, but one can move forward by pushing further. Perhaps, SAGA #56 presents something unpleasantly yet continues to sustain its excellent storytelling and artwork by one of the comic industry’s great two-in-one knockout duos—Fiona Staples and Brian K. Vaughan.
Saga #56 picks up where the previous part ended, a cliffhanger (a familiar though highly effective literary trope in the competent hands, like BKV!). From there, the main protagonists learn to talk their way through to survive another moment. Being either nice or diplomatic is already a compromising part for the antagonists have their own agendas, but negotiations must be a win-win situation for many. The writer writes the dialogues elegantly for most of the characters involved, including the thought-balloons of the narrator Hazel that may forecast something for future SAGA chapters. But the most intense scenes are reserved for Allana and the leader of that crew. Upon learning what’s to be exchanged upon, all hell’s break loose! The dialogue and the artwork are suspenseful, even mesmerizing. Yet again, another cliffhanging moment makes us more wanting SAGA!
Another interesting thing is the side story that involves The Prince’s father. This ruler shows his emotional part upon seeing and learning his son’s fate. Once more, BKV’s dialogues on the ruler’s familial reaction is both simple yet elegiac until being interrupted and conversed with another character which present another potential forecasting in future SAGA arcs. Brilliant writing, BKV!
As usual, Fiona remains consistent with her artwork. The facial expressions of the robots, despite being “faceless” all the time, evoke akin to the emotional ranges of the human counterparts. I personally believe the artist contributes to the storytelling as well, as what great comics creative tandems should be. The cross-boned base HQ and its interior, particularly the audio-library, are stunning to view. And this is just the second issue of the second grand arc!
Despite the “bleak” moment, Saga #56 is an engaging read, showing the life’s difficult and unpleasant choices and at the same time, the brilliant creative output from the equally excellent creative Saga team. Great read!
