Saga type Music genre Jazz

Saga is currently on hiatus, but the popular and critically acclaimed sci-fi comic is far from over. Writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Fiona Staples ended issue #54 with a few jaw-dropping plot twists. As the Saga creators explained to EW afterwards, they needed a break to recharge their creative energies. Anyone interested in catching up before Saga‘s inevitable return (or existing fans who want to revisit the run in full) would do well to check out Saga: Compendium One, a massive new paperback collecting all 54 issues so far. Check out the new cover by Staples exclusively below.

For those who don’t know or need a refresher, Saga is the story of Hazel, a young girl born into war. The universe is engulfed by a conflict between two races: The winged, technology-proficient inhabitants of the planet Landfall, and the horned, magic-wielding people of the planet’s moon Wreath. Hazel’s father Marko is from Wreath, and her mother Alana is from Landfall. That makes Hazel the product of a star-crossed romance, the only person in the universe with both wings and horns. Saga began with her birth, and has been following her growth and development; as of issue #54, she’s still a young child. The new cover features her upraised hand, wearing a green bracelet.

“Hazel’s family has come a long way since we launched Saga in 2012, and it’s very cool to see that much story all in one volume!” Staples tells EW. “We owe our readers massive thanks for getting us to this point, and I couldn’t be more excited for the next leg of the journey.”

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That’s not all the Saga scoop we have for you, though. EW can exclusively reveal that the hiatus after issue #54 represents the precise midway point of the series.

“I love Fiona’s new cover, and I’m so proud that these first 54 issues and the last seven years of our work together will be available in one gorgeous and affordable package that you can either binge over a single long vacation, or slowly savor until our series returns. And Fiona and I are excited to finally share with everyone that this compendium represents the first half of our story, a planned 108-issue epic!” Vaughan tells EW. “We’re so grateful to our amazing readers for their support and patience, and we hope this compendium will be the perfect holiday gift to help introduce your loved ones to the continuing adventures of Hazel and her star-crossed family.”

So there you have it. 54 issue of Saga down, 54 to go. Saga: Compendium One, collecting the first half of the series, will hit stores on Oct. 16. Stay tuned for whenever Vaughan and Staples are ready to announce their triumphant return.

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