Fiona Staples Saga
Any medium is capable of having an underlying message that is beyond itself. Even the simplest of subjects such as logo, or complex subjects such as a novel, can evoke messages or themes that relate to bigger issues. More specifically, the graphic novel Saga, written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples, introduces several topics ranging from the justification of violence to normalization of female nudity. While these topics are prevalent in the comic book, they are at the background, as the main plot of hunting down the protagonists Marko and Alana, and their love child, Hazel, does not distract from the existential issues. Through the use of repeated imagery and dialogue, the graphic novel introduces straying from traditional
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Referring back to the cover of Saga, it shows Marko and Alana, with Hazel being held by Alana. Both Marko and Alana are clutching their weapons, a sword and gun-like weapon called a heartbreaker, respectively. Marko has his arm around Alana, but Alana is standing in front of him, in the line of danger. Alana faces forward her hand firmly stuck to her gun, almost displaying her preparedness for any upcoming danger. This also shows that she is ready for whatever danger lies in front of her. On the contrary, Marko looks to the side, adding for additional protection from his vantage point. But, Marko holds his sword by the middle, not but the grip, which reveals his unwillingness to use this weapon. Alana is the true protector of the family, displayed through everything previously mentioned, which deviates from typical depictions of the family and the roles of women. Usually the man in the family is the dominant protector, but in Marko and Alana’s relationship, the opposite is true. Furthermore, in other forms of media, the female character would be the one exhibiting reluctance in regards to using weapons, not the male character, who is often portrayed as an arms-loving patriot. But in this case, again and again Alana takes up these roles, while Marko fails to embody typical depictions of
Referring back to the cover of Saga, it shows Marko and Alana, with Hazel being held by Alana. Both Marko and Alana are clutching their weapons, a sword and gun-like weapon called a heartbreaker, respectively. Marko has his arm around Alana, but Alana is standing in front of him, in the line of danger. Alana faces forward her hand firmly stuck to her gun, almost displaying her preparedness for any upcoming danger. This also shows that she is ready for whatever danger lies in front of her. On the contrary, Marko looks to the side, adding for additional protection from his vantage point. But, Marko holds his sword by the middle, not but the grip, which reveals his unwillingness to use this weapon. Alana is the true protector of the family, displayed through everything previously mentioned, which deviates from typical depictions of the family and the roles of women. Usually the man in the family is the dominant protector, but in Marko and Alana’s relationship, the opposite is true. Furthermore, in other forms of media, the female character would be the one exhibiting reluctance in regards to using weapons, not the male character, who is often portrayed as an arms-loving patriot. But in this case, again and again Alana takes up these roles, while Marko fails to embody typical depictions of