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NEW STORY ARC
SAGA returns for its epic 12th season as 12-year-old Hazel embarks on the most important adventure of her young life.

31 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2024

86 people are currently reading
109 people want to read

About the author

Brian K. Vaughan

1,031books14kfollowers
Brian K. Vaughan is the writer and co-creator of comic-book series including SAGA, PAPER GIRLS, Y THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, and most recently, BARRIER, a digital comic with artist Marcos Martin about immigration, available from their pay-what-you-want site

BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.

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5 stars
347 (42%)
4 stars
326 (40%)
3 stars
116 (14%)
2 stars
17 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Profile Image for s.penkevich.
1,548 reviews13.3k followers
August 6, 2024
It feels like it’s been an eternity since I last stepped into this world for cycle 11 but�

SAGA IS BACK, HELL YA.
As usual, the first issue is mostly just scene setting but this is off to a promising start with a circus and The Will once again having another very disheveled look because he’s haunted as shit and extra sad (again). But I love this series and we’ve got some new characters already with Hazel promising one to be a “best friend for life.� But who’s life because people’s live tend to be pretty short in this series. Oh also the stun gun that “stuns� by returning the person’s mind into their most heartbreaking moment in life is pretty creative. Good start, good vibes, can’t wait for more.
Profile Image for Rian *fire and books*.
608 reviews210 followers
November 28, 2024
I really love the tone of this little issue. It highlights the ongoing mental health struggles of the characters (life imitates art too much sometimes) and also feels like another new jumpstart to the series.
Profile Image for Colin Post.
837 reviews3 followers
August 1, 2024
This is an odyssey - things happen, often without meaning or consequence. The best moments of Saga are the in-between - not the huge splashy confrontations and escapades, but the quiet moments of characters trying to get along.

Fiona Staples is such a master in so many ways, but I very much appreciate how all of the characters very subtly age like we’re rejoining our friends after they’ve been away for too long.
Profile Image for Elizabeth A.
2,079 reviews118 followers
October 17, 2024
The start of a new arc in this long standing graphic novel series. Lots of scene setting, but I didn't connect with much here.
Profile Image for Ѳí  .
281 reviews12 followers
August 29, 2024
Que The Will siga vivo me parece como poco indignante en este punto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alexandra Elend Wolf.
634 reviews317 followers
October 15, 2024
3.5 stars.

"I never felt more alone than when I was twelve years old. Which was ironic, as I'd never been surrounded by more folks, some of whom I even liked."


It's been a little while since the last time I ventured into this story, but it's always really easy to get lost in this world.

Getting to see a more grown up and independent Hazel, and a more mature Squire is a bit wild but a lot of fun.

Growing up really feels like the theme of this issue and just all those little growing pains that are impossible to ignore, but you feel, and with the potential of haunting you the rest of your life.

New seasons in life is definitely what we're seeing, and not only with the little-not-so-little-anymore ones, but also Alana and how she adjusts to having more independent children. Which seems bound to be another really interesting and wild adventure just waiting to happen.

I don't know how I feel about The Will and Gwen just yet, but I do have sympathy for them.

Seeing what the future has in store for them will be quite the ride.

"Despite what you may have heard, there are some wounds for which time does jack shit."
Profile Image for Lily.
120 reviews
August 10, 2024
I don't know if I'm going to read these new releases issue by issue or wait until I have volume 12 in its entirety. Only time will tell, but it was so nice to be back.
Profile Image for Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ).
1,490 reviews296 followers
December 6, 2024
The beginning of a new volume, we're settling in the new décor, with new characters and a new scenery, sounds promissing!
Profile Image for Wesley Wilson.
516 reviews29 followers
August 6, 2024
This review may contain spoilers for previous issues in the series, although I will do my best to avoid it.

What’s better than a space adventure with our favourite misfit family? Well, them joining the space circus of course! This opens a huge window for zany adventures and fantastic characters. What a fun idea!

This first issue in the arc setup everything perfectly. It gave us a quick check in on our main character focuses throughout the galaxy and brought me back up to speed after the break between arcs. I’m very worried for The Will and honestly Dz’t know what is next for his character, but I am anxious about it.

Lastly, I wanted to bring up the note in the back of the comic about the loss of Hamburger, Brian K. Vaughn’s wonderful dog who helps with his fan mail questions. We are going through some health scares with Minerva currently, so reading about this grief around pet loss and some of the notes from fans was very touching and relatable for me right now.
Profile Image for Leslie Carnahan.
1,314 reviews13 followers
August 18, 2024
After this break, I expected more from this issue. I am excited to see where this goes, I'm also just ready for this series to wrap up so I know how it ends. Lol Overall, I have a love / hate relationship with this series.
Profile Image for Ben Donovan.
290 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2024
I rarely put individual comic issues on ŷ but just glad Saga is back
Profile Image for Courtney K.
1,779 reviews25 followers
August 6, 2024
Hazel meets her best friend. Her brother is having a hard time. Mom hasn't even thought about dating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Paul.
429 reviews26 followers
July 31, 2024
Still the greatest long-running story of my lifetime.
Profile Image for Jill.
2,251 reviews95 followers
September 28, 2024
Note: Some spoilers within for previous issues in this series.

Saga tells the continuing story of the little family of (the late) Marko and his wife Alana - a mixed-race couple - and their daughter Hazel. The family struggled to stay together in spite of a war between their two races.

Alana was from the planet Landfall, where inhabitants have wings on their backs, and Marko was from its moon, Wreath, where all people have horns on their heads. The two defied all convention (and propaganda, viz: those people have horns on their heads!) and fell in love. Hazel was born with both horns and wings, and it is Hazel who narrates the story.

Marko and Alana just wanted to find a way to be safe and happy and live in peace, but it wasn’t possible. The three of them were pursued throughout the galaxy by a number of beings trying to exploit them or kill them (or first one, then the other).

In Volume 9, however, both Marko and Sir Robert - once an enemy but eventually an ally - were murdered. It is at least three years later, and Alana, Hazel and Sir Robert’s son Squire are trying to make their way through the universe, surviving on scraps and barely escaping all those who still want to kill them.

Hazel is now 12 years old, and begins by telling us she has never felt more alone. It has been six months since her family traded life in a camping tent for careers in the big top. She and her brother Squire merely tolerated it, but Alana seemed to have found her calling. (Hazel notes: “Apparently, raising two kids is the ideal training to become a glorified bouncer.�)

Alana directs the performers, who are “supposed to go out there, bonk each other on the head, and give customers a safe outlet to process the absurdity of war or whatever. What you Dz’t do is drag real-worlds politics into the job, onstage or off!�

Someone makes a play for Alana, but she resists. Hazel observes, “It had been years since we lost my father, and Mom had yet to so much as shake hands with anyone new.� She adds, “Despite what you may have heard, there are some wounds for which time does jack shit.�

Someone calls The Will to ask if there is still a bounty on Alana, but The Will is still in mourning for Sophie, the little girl he and Gwen lost, and isn’t interested. Gwen begs The Will for heroine so she can see Sophie again. Hazel says, “People always talk about turning to a ‘crutch� after tragedy, but crutches are for broken bones. Hearts require something stronger.�

Squire spends his time watching shows with an Open Circuit helmet, which their mom doesn’t want them using until they are teenagers. He insists the shows are “educational.� But Squire wasn’t fine, and he wouldn’t tell Hazel what was going on. In the meanwhile, however, Hazel managed to find her best friend for life.

Evaluation: This issue is all about mourning the ones you have lost, and what a long and difficult process it is. As usual, Vaughan’s text is full of astounding insights into life that will have you coming back for every new issue. Illustrator Fiona Staples is outstanding.
Profile Image for Jack Humenay.
43 reviews
July 31, 2024
An interesting start to the new arc, with the family pitching in aboard the circus ship. I was bothered by how Alana's Heartbreaker stun gun was treated...since when does it have the effect of triggering a sad memory? Was this just included for a joke or will it have significance this arc? Bruh.

Also, I'm curious to see how The Will and Gwendolyn will get over their grief, especially now that he's been tipped off to Alana's location (though is not interested at the moment). I think Gwendolyn getting hooked on heroine will bring Marko back to the story per that drug's primary side effect, so that could be interesting.

I love how BKV and Fiona Staples depict music through the art. Kind of forces us to project a kind of music on to it, though, since it doesn't give us much.

The story's subtext doesn't give us much of a glimpse into how Alana, Hazel, or Squire are doing necessarily. We get the sense that the family is sort of fractured and everyone feels alone (Alana isolating herself from a love interest, Squire keeping to himself, Hazel apparently "waging a war" of her own). We don't get to see what this exactly is, which feels like a shortcoming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alicia.
7,984 reviews147 followers
July 31, 2024
Saga, my old friend, how the hell have you been?

Based on Vaughan's teasers, there will be significant jumps in character/story arcs over the next set of issues, so I'm running in to my indie comic shop EVERY time a new one will drop. Clear the mind, crack it open, and dive back into the world each and every time. One that's funny, dark, loving, and downright amazing. So freakin' smart.

Now, Alana and company are working a circus. Hazel sees her brobot bummed but isn't much interested in seeing what his issue is. Alana is her usual *charming* self. Gwen and The Will are grieving. And there's definitely Hazel's narrative setup to share things to come.
Profile Image for BookzBookzBookz.
Author12 books74 followers
August 6, 2024
This one was kinda like letdown. Not that the artwork wan‘t beautiful, the characters or the story not interesting, it was just so short. So blunt for me. This is why I always buy the compendium collections. I have no patience and it really bugs me when there‘s an issue like this- like filler until the next big thing hits.

I love seeing progress, but this wasn‘t really progress, was it? Well, I guess- their carnies now, but the way it came on and ended was just upsetting for me. And with the lengthy gaps between issue releases� man, come on!
Profile Image for mooniepal.
110 reviews
August 15, 2024
I missed Saga so much ❤️‍� Pretty good time skip from where we left off. Alana, Hazel, & Squire are now traveling thru space with the circus! Hazel helps Sploot (the adorable porpoise on the cover) do "tricks"... You'll know what I mean once you read it LMAO 😹 At least she doesn't let anyone hurt the big guy. Alana is a bouncer/cheif of the clowns; so amazing. There may be some chemistry there with Fled (?) too 👀 And last but not least, Squire is in his mega emo era. Poor guy,,, oh and Hazel might have a new slay spider friend oooolalala
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lady W.
404 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2024
Saga 12th season. Have I really been reading Saga for 12 years? I looked it up and yes, yes I have. I remember seeing it on the shelf and immediately grabbing it. I think they were on 5 when I saw it and I didn’t get the 1st print of the 1st one but I did snag the 2nd print and grabbed the other 4 🤣. Not only do I grab the comics, but I also buy the graphic novels too. Here’s to 12 years and a lot of happiness and heartache 💜

Anyway, 5 stars welcome back!
Profile Image for Dave Schaafsma.
Author6 books32k followers
August 5, 2024
And we're back! For a new arc, beginning with a cartoony vibe, and yep, the blended fam is in a. . . circus?! with Mom in charge, wielding a futuristic stun gun that triggers memory. . . so part of this short issue is about reflecting on the past even as we set up for the new arc, the future. Will Mom actually date someone? Will Haze make a new friend? Will The Will get out of his doldrums? It's just a set-up but it feels like going (to a good and friendly, if looney tunes) home.
Profile Image for Yolanda Sfetsos.
Author77 books232 followers
January 2, 2025
What a great way to start my 2025 Reading Challenge! I love this series and every time a new arc is released, I'm right there.

Great start to Hazel's story. It looks like the family is getting into the whole travelling circus thing and we're about to meet some new characters. Some old ones, too. The overall tone of the story already feels bleak, though, so I'm looking forward to finding out where it goes...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews

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