Saga #66 Review: Strange Places, Familiar Faces

Saga #66

Review

Rating

9

Good

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Artist: Fiona Staples

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: September 19, 2023

Format: Single-issue

In a story arc finale without the main cast of characters, "Saga" still touches on the emotionally strong hooks that make the series so beloved.

Saga #66

Review

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Artist: Fiona Staples

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: September 19, 2023

Format: Single-issue

In a story arc finale without the main cast of characters, "Saga" still touches on the emotionally strong hooks that make the series so beloved.

Rating

9

Good

“Saga” is one of those series for me that feels refreshing to go back to every time a new issue drops. It’s always a treat exploring more of its eccentric universe filled with loveable scumbags, weirdos, and sweethearts. Having just caught up with the issues after the three-year hiatus, reading “Saga” again feels like being reunited with some old friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. On its 66th issue, the comic has brought back some familiar faces fans have been waiting to see again. While most of the post-time-skip arcs have been great, these last few issues really showed how the creative team didn’t miss a step since their time away from the series.

With all that said, let’s dive into my review of Saga #66!

Image: Image Comics

Overview

Gale's hunt for Alana and Hazel leads him to a familiar-looking lighthouse. He skulks in, hoping to find his next lead, but instead meets a surprising new face in the basement. He finds Ianthe, the former diplomat and would-be assassin, held captive in a cell. Their pleasantries don’t last long as knockout gas fills the room and puts Gale to sleep.

He wakes up tied to a chair with Upsher and Ghüs aiming a gun at his face. The special agent and former reporter do some catching up. But it doesn't take long for the high-tension situation to escalate in unexpected ways.

Image: Image Comics

Review

In a neat twist, this story arc finale shifts the focus completely to what’s going on with Gale. This means the huge cliffhanger from the last issue has more time to simmer in our minds. After all, what would Saga be without its love for leaving readers hanging after dropping an incredibly shocking moment? Saga fans are used to that kind of pain at this point. But that’s all part of the fun of it. While #66 is a bit like a sharp detour from the main story, it still does plenty of what has made the series such a fun read throughout the years.

This issue continues with the recurring theme of the post-time-skip story arcs: How differently people can change because of a traumatic loss. In Alana, we’ve seen her choose to move on with her life to protect the kids. While Petrichor, on the other hand, is hellbent on exacting revenge on the man who killed her beloved. With Upsher’s return to the story, we see what it's like when someone chooses forgiveness instead. Having such a hopeful character for once feels refreshing for a story like Saga. Whether Upsher has really reformed Ianthe or not remains to be seen. But for now, this issue sets up plenty of intriguing possibilities for the story to go from here.

But if you ask me personally, I think the best part of the whole issue is Ghüs finally being back in the story. And he’s not playing around in this one. Any issue that has Ghüs gets plus points from me, I’ll tell you that. There’s just something so hilarious about seeing a cute little seal boy with a deadly ray gun ready to off someone at a moment’s notice. Then considering some of the banter from Gale, there are hints that Ghüs is much more violent than he seems. It’s those little character quirks throughout the cast that keep me engrossed in the comic’s strange universe.

Image: Image Comics

Final Thoughts

Saga continues its long-running and well-deserved reputation of being one of the best creator-owned comics ever made. Even in an issue without the main cast of characters, the story pulls you in with its sharp writing and beautiful art. It’s always a good time to jump back into Saga as the series has been great from top to bottom for a long time. And it’s showing no signs of slowing down from here.

Why You Should Read Saga

• Events in this issue set up intriguing possibilities for the story to go. 
• It’s hype seeing some fan-favorite characters return to the story.
• The story continues to introduce unique character developments throughout the cast.