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Image (2015), 152 pages
Description
"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"--Page 4 of cover.
User reviews
LibraryThing member bookbrig
I don't like bad things happening to/around Sophie. NO.
LibraryThing member StormRaven
In Volume Four of Saga, the story of Alana and Marko became fractured as their relationship splintered apart under the stress of living on the run. Their romantic whirlwind courtship turned into a crushing obligation as the realities of raising a child while the entire universe turned against you
[More forthcoming]
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began to truly sink in. In the other story line, the futility of trying to heal The Brand was made clear to Gwendolyn and Sophie, their desire to help their friend crushed by the extreme nature of his injuries. One would think that in Volume Five, the fact that Marko and Alana fight across the depths of space against almost impossible odds to reunite and with the help of The Brand a cure is found for The Will, this would result in a brighter, happier story. One would be wrong.[More forthcoming]
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LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
This is a continuation of the interacting stories of a number of characters and kingdoms. At its heart it seems to be about various people trying to do the right thing (whether that be protecting their family, avenging a friend, or forgoing war) in very complicated and morally grey situations. This
The art is as beautiful and expressive as ever. By turns it is gory, sexually explicit, adorable, or sweet. Same with the story, which organically moves from humor to adventure to philosophy without the transitions ever feeling strained. We learn a little more about the war between the Horns and the Wreaths in this book, and how the way they wage war has changed over time and affected the rest of the universe. And we also see more of various characters' journeys, like Marko's troubled relationship with pacifism or the Brand's quest to save her brother.
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is not a comic you should pick up halfway through--much of the fun of it comes from seeing how characters develop and reveal themselves to the reader over time. The art is as beautiful and expressive as ever. By turns it is gory, sexually explicit, adorable, or sweet. Same with the story, which organically moves from humor to adventure to philosophy without the transitions ever feeling strained. We learn a little more about the war between the Horns and the Wreaths in this book, and how the way they wage war has changed over time and affected the rest of the universe. And we also see more of various characters' journeys, like Marko's troubled relationship with pacifism or the Brand's quest to save her brother.
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LibraryThing member melissarochelle
Read from October 19 to 20, 2015
The artwork is what keeps this volume at 4 stars, the story moved a tad too slow for me. There was some progress: a few reunions, a few seperations, some anger, some death, some weird dragon self-love. At least three different storylines that (at times) were a lot to
The artwork is what keeps this volume at 4 stars, the story moved a tad too slow for me. There was some progress: a few reunions, a few seperations, some anger, some death, some weird dragon self-love. At least three different storylines that (at times) were a lot to
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keep up with. Before the next volume is published, I'm gonna have to revisit vols 4 & 5 to keep it all straight. Show Less
LibraryThing member All_Hail_Grimlock
Love this series so much!
7:55 pm 26 October 2015
Saga, Volume 5 - Fiona Staples, Brian K. Vaughan
I continue to love this series. I may just end up buying these on Comixology, despite the fact that I got this collection from the library: I saw it and snapped it up. I own some of these issues, but not
There's a lot here: it's about war, specifically the effects of war on the psyche although it also touches on what it does to nations, as well as family, loyalty, and... there's just too much to me to list. It's mind-boggling all the themes Vaughan manages to put into such a slim volume, and Staples doesn't slouch on the art. It's not only gorgeously illustrated, each panel compliments the feel that Vaughan is going for perfectly.
Dengo and Prince Robot IV were my favorite characters, although I especially appreciated that Marko and IV were forced to work together: the same man had both their children, and although they despised each other, they knew they needed one another to find Hazel and the princeling.
In other words, this was perfect, using every narrative trick it could to its fullest potential. I'm only sorry that issue thirty one hasn't come out yet: I'm willing to wait because the quality is just amazing enough to be worth the wait, but I'd still love to see more immediately.
7:55 pm 26 October 2015
Saga, Volume 5 - Fiona Staples, Brian K. Vaughan
I continue to love this series. I may just end up buying these on Comixology, despite the fact that I got this collection from the library: I saw it and snapped it up. I own some of these issues, but not
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all of them. And reading this, I was reminded of why I love this series so much. There's a lot here: it's about war, specifically the effects of war on the psyche although it also touches on what it does to nations, as well as family, loyalty, and... there's just too much to me to list. It's mind-boggling all the themes Vaughan manages to put into such a slim volume, and Staples doesn't slouch on the art. It's not only gorgeously illustrated, each panel compliments the feel that Vaughan is going for perfectly.
Dengo and Prince Robot IV were my favorite characters, although I especially appreciated that Marko and IV were forced to work together: the same man had both their children, and although they despised each other, they knew they needed one another to find Hazel and the princeling.
In other words, this was perfect, using every narrative trick it could to its fullest potential. I'm only sorry that issue thirty one hasn't come out yet: I'm willing to wait because the quality is just amazing enough to be worth the wait, but I'd still love to see more immediately.
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LibraryThing member BenjaminHahn
Vaughan and Staples are keeping it weird over in Saga land. This volume continues the whole tragic story arc from two volumes ago. It's getting harder to watch or read any work of fiction (or nonfiction for that matter) involving children being forcibly removed from their parents. Great images as
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usual in the volume. They know how to keep the unexpected turning up on the next page. Show Less
LibraryThing member ragwaine
Feels like this is getting back on course after a rough volume 4. The creativity is amazing and the author even managed to shock me with a single absurd panel. Just a warning, looks like Mr. Vaughan has been taking lessons from George RR Martin. Lots of deaths happening in this one. I'm actually
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hoping that this ends soon because I feel like, even though it's great, it's going to risk getting repetitious soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: Dengo, a robot who has captured the Robot Prince's baby, is holding Hazel, Alana, and Marko's mom hostage, and selling them out to a group of revolutionaries who will go to any lengths to stop the war. Marko is with Prince Robot IV, tracking Dengo, and trying to come to grips with his own
Review: I was less taken with this one than I was with previous installments. The emotional core of this series for me has always been Marko and Alanna, and their relationship with each other, so monologues about the sacrifices that come with parenthood just don't do it for me. Watching the two of them fall apart is what made Vol. 4 so hard, and they're apart for the bulk of this volume (their reunion is disappointingly brief, although I'm sure more is coming in Vol. 6), which meant that I didn't get as involved in the rest of the story as I wanted to. What is involving: Sophie. Always Sophie. That poor kid breaks my heart. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: The series is great; don't start here! This wasn't my favorite installment, but the series as a whole is so cool and interesting and different from anything else I'm reading.
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violent tendencies. Meanwhile, Sophie, Gwen, and The Brand are trying to track down an elusive ingredient that's needed to cure The Will, but which may prove more deadly than helpful.Review: I was less taken with this one than I was with previous installments. The emotional core of this series for me has always been Marko and Alanna, and their relationship with each other, so monologues about the sacrifices that come with parenthood just don't do it for me. Watching the two of them fall apart is what made Vol. 4 so hard, and they're apart for the bulk of this volume (their reunion is disappointingly brief, although I'm sure more is coming in Vol. 6), which meant that I didn't get as involved in the rest of the story as I wanted to. What is involving: Sophie. Always Sophie. That poor kid breaks my heart. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: The series is great; don't start here! This wasn't my favorite installment, but the series as a whole is so cool and interesting and different from anything else I'm reading.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
This outstanding graphic novel series continues the story of the little family of Marko, Alana, and their baby (now toddler) Hazel, who are struggling to stay together in spite of a war between their two peoples.
Alana is from the planet Landfall, where inhabitants have wings on their backs, and
There are many other memorable species and characters in this series, such as the people (and even animals) of the Robot Kingdom, who have CRTs for heads. Prince Robot III is leading the intergalactic hunt for Marko and Alana, because their love story gives lie to the party line that the people from these two species can’t, and never will, get along.
One of the members of the Robot Kingdom, Dengo, believes that the Robot Kingdom cares more about the war between the wings and the horns than about its own people. Dengo is also devastated because his own son died, and in a desperate measure to force the Robot Kingdom to pay attention to its people, he kidnapped the robot princeling and now is holding Alana, Marko’s mom, and Hazel as hostages.
In one scene both hilarious and poignant, Alana tries to talk sense into Dengo, trying to convince him of the truth, insisting he knows the truth, saying to him “It’s written all over your face.”
Meanwhile, Marko has a temporary alliance with the robot princeling's father, Prince IV. Both are trying to get to Dengo and Alana to get their children back.
In fact, the love of children is central to this story. And the aspects of child-rearing - with its stress, frustrations, exhausting challenges, and joy - and family - are incredibly moving and endearing.
A side story concerns a mercenary named “The Will” who was chasing Marko and his family but was mortally injured, and needs dragon sperm to save him. Working on that particular project are Marko’s horned ex-girlfriend Gwendolyn, a wild cat who can distinguish lies from truth (L.C. or Lying Cat), The Will’s brother Brand and his hilariously normal-looking dog, and the little girl Sophie.
With all of this wild weirdness, most of the characters seem like “regular” people [sic] with the same insecurities, hopes, fears, and passions that most “people” have. Alana wears fuzzy bedroom slippers around the house, Sophie and Brand roast marshmallows around a fire while out on their quest for dragon sperm, and many of the characters constantly question their own values and commitments and try to be better and do the right thing, especially with respect to one another. As Hazel says at one point:
“Every relationship is an education. Each new person we welcome into our hearts is a chance to evolve into something radically different than we used to be.”
In this volume, there are heartbreaking developments as the characters try to help those they love. But we know at least that Hazel will endure; her story isn’t over, and she promises, at the end of this volume, that her “education” is only beginning.
It seems inaccurate to say Fiona Staples is “just” the illustrator rather than a full co-author. In fact, Staples gets top billing in Volume 5, apparently having contributed to the storyline as well as the artwork. Her pictures are incredible - creative, expressive, and full of meaning, adding layers and implications far beyond the words. Vaughan’s dialogue is clever, satirical, and engaging, but Staples adds pure genius to the finished product.
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Evaluation: This is an outstanding “saga” whether you like graphic novels or not. In fact, usually I prefer pure text. But in this series, the artwork adds immeasurably to the story, and brings it alive in a way I’m not sure pure text could accomplish. This is not by any means a series for kids - you will see graphic (in both senses) depictions of childbirth, oral sex, anal sex, masturbation - just about anything you can think of (or more accurately, might have never thought of!).
Another great aspect of this series is that no one gender or race has claim to any particular qualities, whether courage or compassion. But overall, the females tend to be more formidable, powerful and tough, and the guys more nurturing. The political commentary is as powerful as it is subtle. This series is hilarious, moving, exciting, romantic, action-packed, and crazily mentally stimulating, all at once.
Alana is from the planet Landfall, where inhabitants have wings on their backs, and
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Marko is 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.There are many other memorable species and characters in this series, such as the people (and even animals) of the Robot Kingdom, who have CRTs for heads. Prince Robot III is leading the intergalactic hunt for Marko and Alana, because their love story gives lie to the party line that the people from these two species can’t, and never will, get along.
One of the members of the Robot Kingdom, Dengo, believes that the Robot Kingdom cares more about the war between the wings and the horns than about its own people. Dengo is also devastated because his own son died, and in a desperate measure to force the Robot Kingdom to pay attention to its people, he kidnapped the robot princeling and now is holding Alana, Marko’s mom, and Hazel as hostages.
In one scene both hilarious and poignant, Alana tries to talk sense into Dengo, trying to convince him of the truth, insisting he knows the truth, saying to him “It’s written all over your face.”
Meanwhile, Marko has a temporary alliance with the robot princeling's father, Prince IV. Both are trying to get to Dengo and Alana to get their children back.
In fact, the love of children is central to this story. And the aspects of child-rearing - with its stress, frustrations, exhausting challenges, and joy - and family - are incredibly moving and endearing.
A side story concerns a mercenary named “The Will” who was chasing Marko and his family but was mortally injured, and needs dragon sperm to save him. Working on that particular project are Marko’s horned ex-girlfriend Gwendolyn, a wild cat who can distinguish lies from truth (L.C. or Lying Cat), The Will’s brother Brand and his hilariously normal-looking dog, and the little girl Sophie.
With all of this wild weirdness, most of the characters seem like “regular” people [sic] with the same insecurities, hopes, fears, and passions that most “people” have. Alana wears fuzzy bedroom slippers around the house, Sophie and Brand roast marshmallows around a fire while out on their quest for dragon sperm, and many of the characters constantly question their own values and commitments and try to be better and do the right thing, especially with respect to one another. As Hazel says at one point:
“Every relationship is an education. Each new person we welcome into our hearts is a chance to evolve into something radically different than we used to be.”
In this volume, there are heartbreaking developments as the characters try to help those they love. But we know at least that Hazel will endure; her story isn’t over, and she promises, at the end of this volume, that her “education” is only beginning.
It seems inaccurate to say Fiona Staples is “just” the illustrator rather than a full co-author. In fact, Staples gets top billing in Volume 5, apparently having contributed to the storyline as well as the artwork. Her pictures are incredible - creative, expressive, and full of meaning, adding layers and implications far beyond the words. Vaughan’s dialogue is clever, satirical, and engaging, but Staples adds pure genius to the finished product.
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Evaluation: This is an outstanding “saga” whether you like graphic novels or not. In fact, usually I prefer pure text. But in this series, the artwork adds immeasurably to the story, and brings it alive in a way I’m not sure pure text could accomplish. This is not by any means a series for kids - you will see graphic (in both senses) depictions of childbirth, oral sex, anal sex, masturbation - just about anything you can think of (or more accurately, might have never thought of!).
Another great aspect of this series is that no one gender or race has claim to any particular qualities, whether courage or compassion. But overall, the females tend to be more formidable, powerful and tough, and the guys more nurturing. The political commentary is as powerful as it is subtle. This series is hilarious, moving, exciting, romantic, action-packed, and crazily mentally stimulating, all at once.
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LibraryThing member lavaturtle
Saga, Volume 5 is another solid entry in the series. At the beginning Alana and Marko are each with one of the TV-heads, and the conflict they get drawn into (mirroring how the Landfall/Wreath conflict drew in the rest of the galaxy? There's a great, and solemn, discussion of this war and its
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impact on people at the beginning of the volume.) largely drives the plot. There's also a side plot featuring The Brand and several other characters on a quest to cure The Will. The characterization, especially of the children, is great as usual. Show Less
LibraryThing member ViragoReads
OMG this is getting insane! Marko is all sorts of fired up like I've never seen. And Dengo got in way over his head with the rebellion. And it's Alanna, Klara and Hazel who are going to pay for his stupidity. Just when we get the reunion we've been waiting for, there's another division. I'm trying
In this Volume things are really heating it. We've got three sides, one trying to keep the war going, one trying to stop it, and I'm not real sure about the third. I'm starting to wonder if anyone even knows what they're even fighting for. And my guess is the side that want to keep the war going is in it for either money or power, likely both. I just have this sinking feeling that we'll ever get a happy ending here.
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not to spoil.In this Volume things are really heating it. We've got three sides, one trying to keep the war going, one trying to stop it, and I'm not real sure about the third. I'm starting to wonder if anyone even knows what they're even fighting for. And my guess is the side that want to keep the war going is in it for either money or power, likely both. I just have this sinking feeling that we'll ever get a happy ending here.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I love the artwork but I just don't love the story, I honestly am not invested in them or in what's going to happen next. I know it's beloved of many friends and I'm curious to see what happens but I'm not desperately looking for the next instalment.
LibraryThing member krau0098
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
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.
The
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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.
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LibraryThing member vonze
I'm starting to feel that this series is appropriately named "Saga". It could go on forever. At the end of this volume, Hazel is finally a child. I'm starting to wonder where this series is going. Is Hazel a "chosen one hero"? Is she going to end the war? Make things worse? Be a victim? A leader?
Thankfully, in my opinion, Volume 5 is a little less shocking than previous volumes. Great world and characters, still for mature audiences.
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Again, none of that is answered in this volume.Thankfully, in my opinion, Volume 5 is a little less shocking than previous volumes. Great world and characters, still for mature audiences.
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LibraryThing member lissabeth21
Moving the story along quite a pace with this one.
LibraryThing member greeniezona
I was very sad when this came out, because I was on a self-imposed book-buying hiatus in advance of my trip to Book Riot Live. Luckily, Sandy took pity on me and lent me her copy.
I quite liked this volume, but was not as in love with it as I had been earlier volumes. Maybe I'm just sad that Alana
That's what I get for reading a Work in Progress?
Eager as ever for the next volume.
I quite liked this volume, but was not as in love with it as I had been earlier volumes. Maybe I'm just sad that Alana
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and Marko are separated, maybe it's actually an artifact of reading the TPBs instead of single issues. The story is split into so many character POVs now that the advancement of the story over a TPB seems small compared to the long wait until the next one drops. That's what I get for reading a Work in Progress?
Eager as ever for the next volume.
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LibraryThing member kmajort
This only gets better.
LibraryThing member macha
wonderful stuff, fabulous characters, a complex and yet very simple narrative. and a perfect collaboration between writer and artist.
LibraryThing member Herenya
This with the aftermath of Volume Four. Hazel, now a toddler/preschooler, has been abducted, along with some of her family; Gwendolyn, Sophie and Lying Cat search for a cure for The Will.
This volume is full of missions which succeed in some way... only to then fail in another way. I was relieved
This volume is full of missions which succeed in some way... only to then fail in another way. I was relieved
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that nothing worse happened, but I didn’t enjoy it much. There were a couple of deaths which disappointed me -- not because I was saddened by them (one was a character I don’t like much at all) but because their deaths didn’t feel necessary and they made the story less interesting and less complex. I like seeing characters grow and change, and there’s just less potential for a character to build new relationships or challenge other characters when they are dead... Show Less
LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ Saga, Volume Five collects issues no. 25-30 of the titular series. Continuing from Volume Four, three months have passed since commoner robot Dengo kidnapped Prince Robot IV’s newborn and hi-jacked the ship with Alana, Hazel, Izabel, and Klara. They meet up
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with a Rebellion against both of the two warring parties, aggrieved for the damage the war has done to neighboring planets. Prince Robot IV and Marko continue looking for their respective families and the respective kidnappers. Meanwhile, The Brand travels with Gwendolyn, Sophie, and Lying Cat to look for a way to heal her brother, The Will. The theme of sacrifice permeates Hazel’s narration as well as the bitterness that can build within families, both those biologically related and groups that find themselves thrown together and depending on one another. Vaughan and Staples continue to deliver the quality comicbook space opera that defines Saga and makes it unlike anything else currently in print! Show Less
LibraryThing member Cail_Judy
A solid addition to the Saga canon. It picks up the pace from volume four and provides closure to a few key plot points while keeping things moving forward. Such a blast to read.
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
This comic books series continues to be really excellent, with compelling artwork, intriguing storylines, and complex characters. I don't really have anything more to say except that the whole series is absolutely worth checking out.
LibraryThing member DrFuriosa
This series just keeps getting better. I'm mad that I have to wait for Volume 6.
LibraryThing member untitled841
The family is seperated and the strain of the universe bears down on both sids revealing the weaknesses they hoth have when they're not all together.
LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
This story arc was a series of people finding and losing one another. I still like the overall story but so far this one was the most depressing one I have read so far out of all of them. There is still two separate storylines and I’m not sure when they will converge again if they will. Will keep
Digital review copy sent to me from Image Comics
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reading this since I know at least one person survives most of this since she is telling the story. That and Lying Cat is by far my favorite character in this series. Digital review copy sent to me from Image Comics
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Awards
British Fantasy Award (Nominee — 2016)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Fiction — 2015)
Language
Original publication date
2015-09-15