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Saga, arguably one of the most daring comic book series ever, is approaching the end of its second major story arc, and we’ve got an exclusive reveal of its cover art, which features a familiar, cuddly face.
Saga #72, by writer-artist duo Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, not only features an extreme close-up of the no-nonsense psychic seal man Ghüs, but it also ushers in what promises to be a shocking conclusion to the comic’s second story arc as the series draws closer to its final arc–which we’ve known for a long time now will wrap up by its 108th issue. But don’t just take our word for it; we got a quote from Vaughan urging volume readers to get caught up with the rest of Saga‘s devout readership to experience its explosive season finale (and subsequent trauma bonding) live and in living color.
“What the hell has Ghüs seen that makes him look like that?” Vaughan wrote. “No spoilers from Fiona or me, but if you’ve been reading Saga in our collected volumes, you’ve still got time to get all caught up on our latest issues and then join us ‘live’ for the shocking conclusion to this arc, a very important one for 12-year-old Hazel and her star-crossed family.”
Alana, Hazel, and Bombazine on the cover of Saga #55. ©Fiona Staples/Image Comics If you’re not caught up on Saga and require a primer, we’ve got you covered. Before Saga‘s “intermission,” which saw Vaughan and Staples take a sabbatical in 2018 to plot out the comic’s second half before its finale, readers were left on the shocking cliffhanger that Hazel’s father, Marko, was slain in battle by The Will. Upon Saga’s return with in issue 55, we saw a time skip where Hazel, Alana, and Squire slummed it, peddling the space version of snake oil baby formula to make their way off-world.
Somewhere along the way, Alana does a shady drug deal, the kids get into playing music, Alana gets her head shaved, and the trio joins the circus. Elsewhere, Petrichor enacts her revenge on The Will and is subsequently traumatized by their rash actions. Meanwhile, Ghüs and Upsher apprehend Special Agent Gale with the assistance of Ianthe, halting his dogged pursuit of Alana and Hazel. Mayhaps Ghüs’ puzzled expression on issue 72’s cover has something to do with Agent Gale’s imprisonment or lack thereof?
In tandem with Hazel’s coming-of-age tale is a brooding Squire who is fully entrenched in his emo phase. This tumultuous period sees him at the crossroads of being the loveable kid Alana took on as one of her own, and a ruthless killer like his deceased father, Prince Robot IV, once was. All this and more will likely come to a head in Saga #72, coming to a comic book store near you this December.
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