Saga Volume 1

BOOKLIST (STARRED) --Vaughan, writer of the hugely successfulY: The Last Man,isn't one to think small. In this opener to his ambitious new series, bits of sfspace opera and classic fantasy mesh in setting a sprawling stage for anintensely personal story of two lovers, cleverly narrated by their newborndaughter. Though recently soldiers from opposite sides of a massiveintergalactic war, moth-winged Alana and ram-horned Marko simply want peace andanonymity to raise their daughter (an abomination to the powers that be) awayfrom conflict and hatred. Vaughan's whip-snap dialogue is as smart, cutting, andwell timed as ever, and his characters are both familiar enough to acclimateeasily to and deep enough to stay interested in as their relationships bend,break, and mend. While Vaughan will be the star power that attracts readers,do-it-all artist Staples is going to be the one who really wows them. Hercharacter designs dish out some of the best aliens around, the immersiveworld-crafting is lushly detailed and deeply thought through, and the spaciouslayouts keep the focus squarely on the personal element, despite the chaoticcosmos they inhabit. Add another winner to Vaughan's stable of consistentlyepic, fresh, and endearing stories.