As you may have heard, Apple has banned this issue because of two small images on the open pages. However, you can still get it on the Comixology website. It will still sync with your iOS devices after you do this, so don’t fret. You can still get your SAGA on, this month.
The Good
Prince Robot IV has a hunch to where Alana, Marko, Hazel, and the rest of the group are, so he heads to Queitus to find D. Oswald Heist, who wrote the book A Nighttime Smoke, which Alana was reading in previous issues. Prince Robot believes the group was inspired by the works of Heist. The author, on the other hand, doesn't know what he's talking about since he wrote the book for a quick buck.
While most people will be focusing on, in this issue, will be the first couple of pages with the "controversial" panels. Ignore it. It has little to nothing to do with the issue. This issue is about growing Prince Robot IV as a character. The entire issue focuses on Prince Robot as someone who has experienced war, someone who has experience violence, firsthand, and someone who is willing to do what it takes to complete his mission. I love the fact that writer Brian K Vaughan takes the time to spend a whole issue developing this character further.
BKV does a phenomenal job with the dialogue between Prince Robot and Oswald Heist. I really liked how this conversation played out and that we get to learn a bit more about Prince Robot. This issue makes him a tad less of a horrible "person." Don’t get me wrong, a coulpe things happen here that reaffirm the fact he’s a villain, but he’s a bit more humanized in this issue. I really like Heist here. There's a lot more to the character than on the surface. BKV has once again created an extremely cool character.
I love the secondary characters in this issue, from the medical mouse in the opening, to the upright walking seal. Their time in the issue is incredibly brief, but I really enjoy the overall designs. It adds to the overall design and feel of the world as well. It lets the reader know that while they are out in space, there’s a bit of familiarity to everything around these characters. It’s not so alien, afterall.
Speaking of designs and art, Fiona Staples, once again, like every single issue on this series, does a phenomenal job in the art department. The opening splash page is a testament to how beautiful her art is on this series. Her line work, inks, and colors are brilliant here and throughout the rest of the issue. Her art is consistently amazing.
The Bad
It is a bit of a slower issue. Nothing huge. It works, but if there's anything here to complain about, it's this, and it's only a minor complaint.
The Verdict
Like I said, ignore the controversy with this issue because the last thing you should focus on is two small pictures on two different panels. It's not the focus of the issue and ultimately, it doesn't matter. This series stands out, on its own, every month as one of the best books in the business. BKV and Fiona Staples continue to build on the SAGA world here and we get to see a little more into Prince Robot's history as well as meet the writer of the book Alana was reading in earlier issues. While this issue lacks Marko, Alana, and company, and it may be a tad slow for some readers, it delivers. Every issue of this series is awesome.
Overall, I highly recommend this issue.