Comics
Review: ‘Saga’ #13
Finally after a wait that seemed like an eternity, “Saga” returns to the scene in fantastic fashion. This book is a genre mesh of epic proportions but for those unfamiliar with this title; picture “The Lord of the Rings”, “Firefly”, and “Star Wars” having some sort of weird love triangle baby and “Saga” is what you would get. The team behind this series is mind blowing in every way shape and form. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples put on a how-to-make-a-masterpiece clinic. I have nothing but praise for these two.
WRITTEN BY: Brian K. Vaughan
ART BY: Fiona Staples
PUBLISHER: Image
RELEASE DATE: August 14
PRICE: 2.99
“Saga” doesn’t pick up exactly where its previous issue left off, instead it goes back a ways to catch up with Marko and Alana after their minor confrontation with an enormously destructive space baby. Being the first book of a fresh arc this issue jumps around to the different characters that were left out of issue #12 to give a little refresher on their current situations. For those who don’t own the trades (get on that) the way this book refreshes allows for a greater understanding of the overall plot line. The pacing of this book is excellent; though there is no significant action till the end the story remains very interesting to read, there is also a certain amount of intrigue added to the plot as it seems word may get out that a being as unique as Hazel has come into existence. This, of course, is one of the main reasons both Wreath and Landfall are trying to get this situation dealt with in the quietist way possible.
BKV’s writing is a joy to experience. The story flows so well from one page to another, even when the scene changes there is always a panel that makes it a good end point for the new scene to begin. One of my favourite aspects of BKV’s writing is his dialogue. BKV doesn’t give a shit about censorship and this warms my icy heart. The banter between characters can make the reader feel a swing of emotions. One second you’re laughing to yourself at a hilarious comment, and next you’re feeling a twinge of empathy for an emotional character. The use of Hazel as a narrator causes this book to have a very different feel than many other narratives; her perspective adds an additional layer of intrigue to the plot.
Comic book art comes in all styles and colours, some sketchy, some clean, and others just downright weird. “Saga” sets itself above the bar through the artistic capabilities of Fiona Staples. Her style has a rustic look, but holds a truly realistic element that brings the fantastic creatures to life. The art is augmented by the application of colour,giving the drawings a beautiful flow. LIKE BKV, Fiona doesn’t give two shits about censorship, and is able to deliver adult-themed images that can blow your socks off.
If you can’t tell, I absolutely love “Saga” and have since day one, not only because of the creativity within the art and story itself, but because the universe is vast, complicated, and genuinely awesome. A little something has been missing in my life these past few months, and this week I got it back.
4.5/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – GreenBasterd
Editor’s Note: This issue contains my favourite line from any comic this year, “Like secondhand smoke from her first crush”. Beautiful.
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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