Graphic Novel Review – Saga Vol 5 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Science Fiction
Length: 152 pages
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: September 15, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1632154385
Stand Alone or Series: 5th book in the Saga series
Source: Gift for Xmas
Rating: 4/5 stars

“Multiple storylines collide in this cosmos-spanning new volume. While Gwendolyn and Lying Cat risk everything to find a cure for The Will, Marko makes an uneasy alliance with Prince Robot IV to find their missing children, who are trapped on a strange world with terrifying new enemies.

Collects Saga #25-30.”

This is the 5th TP volume in the Saga series (there are 7 TP volumes out right now). This continues to be a well done graphic novel series, but I thought this volume was the weakest one in the series so far. Despite a lot of storylines going on it just didn’t feel like much happened here.

The story jumps between a few different characters. First we have Gwedolyn and Lying Cat as they search for a cure for the Will which leads them to a planet infested with dragons. Then we have Marko and Prince Robot IV who have gone rogue to rescue their children. Then of course we have Alana, Hazel, and her grandmother trying to evade capture.

This volume has less shocking scenes than the previous volumes; although there was still a rather disturbing scene with a male dragon having a good time all on his ownsome (seriously I think this scene may have scarred my brain for life). I would continue to recommend an adult only audience for this series.

The illustration is still excellently done but I think the story has slowed down quite a bit. I am struggling some with what the endgame is here. Is this just going to be a story about Hazel’s parents struggling to keep her safe? Will the story eventually feature Hazel? Is Hazel some sort of future peace bringer to the galaxy? I am not sure and the story is moving slow enough now that I don’t think we will get any answers anytime soon.

Overall this was a good continuation of this space opera graphic novel series. For the most part I enjoyed it and thought it was well done. I think the pacing needs to pick up some, either that or the storylines need to get more focused.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge