Saga #43 Review

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan / Artist: Fiona Staples / Image Comics Saga #43 feels like both a continuation of the painfully morbid #42 the story dropped us off a cliff with, and a jumping on point for new fans (new fans, who are you depraved savages?!) as there is a brief “the story thus far” actually in the comic itself. It is a hard reboot, in the narrative as well. The characters feel like they are starting over, in varying degrees of despair or loss when the story begins.

Because this is a Saga book, the art is crisp and inventive and outright amazing. Staples almost never disappoints and this book is no exception. Alana is the cowgirl facing badass we didn’t know we needed, but we absolutely do. She’s drawn so natural in this weird setting (along with her colorful zebra horse, thing…whatever). Overall, it all looks great. Not only are the character models sharp and familiar, but she does so much with facial expressions and mannerisms with such little room to do it. As for the story, it’s about 94% great. Alana’s journey to take care of her condition, the overt (read: wonderful) politics of Abortion Town (yes, Abortion Town fam) are both funny and hugely relevant to our current political landscape. The flashback of who and how they survived the planet that was devoured, in addition to Hazel’s continued education and maturity are all fascinating, A+ stuff.

But, we gotta talk about, the part. ***Slight spoiler ahead*** Petrichor is revealed to be transgender when Hazel…