Comics
5 Skull Review: ‘Saga’ #10
Saga continues its incredible pace and adds a tear jerking element to this week’s issue as this current story arc comes to a climatic head. Every issue of “Saga” has given the story extra levels of depth that showcase BKV’s incredible writing skills and imagination. This issue brings us back to Marko, Alana, and the gang as The Will and Gwendoyln close in on their position.
WRITTEN BY: Brian K. Vaughan
ART BY: Fiona Staples
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: 2.99
RELEASE DATE: February 20th
This current story arc of “Saga” has been including flashbacks to start off each issue giving the reader a greater insight on Alana and Marko’s background, seeing the love bloom has been helpful in understand the nature of their unique relationship. This issue expands on the universe that BKV has created as the planetoid that Marko and his mother are on begins to hatch; this is a great twist to the story because it has a devastating effect later in the issue. As the book propels forward many of the events that have been occurring throughout come to fruition in a climactic event that will change the lives of some major characters in the book.
BKV, once again, showcases his incredible skill and imagination; the book flows so well from start to finish as Hazel’s narration links events to themes and creates more continuity throughout the book. This creative element is a magnificent one. Hazel has unique perspective on the situation and her omniscient view point gives her a more profound opinion on unfolding events. Many big things happen in this issue but there aren’t any particular elements that overshadow the issue which is incredible considering the magnitude of the shitstorm that takes place. BKV has very candid and vulgar dialogue, he’s not afraid to riddle conversations with F-bombs while also adding layers of intrigue and comedy.
As always, Fiona Staples weaves magic with her artistic abilities, the realism she entwines into story that, at its base is pure scifi\fantasy, is incredible. Many of Fiona’s illustrations carry dirty element which gives the book a darker and horrific look.
“Saga” is a premier comic book. BKV and Fiona Staples do a spectacular job bringing this beast to life.
5/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – GreenBastard
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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