Note: Some spoilers within for previous issues in this series.

Saga tells the continuing story of the little family of (the late) Marko and his wife Alana - a mixed-race couple - and their daughter Hazel. The family struggled to stay together in spite of a war between their two races.

Alana was from the planet Landfall, where inhabitants have wings on their backs, and Marko was from its moon, Wreath, where all people have horns on their heads. The two defied all convention (and propaganda, viz: those people have horns on their heads!) and fell in love. Hazel was born with both horns and wings, and it is Hazel who narrates the story.

Marko and Alana just wanted to find a way to be safe and happy and live in peace, but it wasn’t possible. The three of them were pursued throughout the galaxy by a number of beings trying to exploit them or kill them (or first one, then the other).

In Volume 9, however, both Marko and Sir Robert - once an enemy but eventually an ally - were murdered. It is now three years later. Alana, Hazel and Sir Robert’s son Squire are trying to make their way through the universe, surviving on scraps and barely escaping all those who still want to kill them. Squire has not spoken since the death of his father. Suddenly, in the previous issue, that all changes, but it does not seem to be a change for the better. (As Hazel asks him, “When did you turn completely psycho?”)

In the previous issue, Alana got an offer for security jobs on a boat for her and the kids, but only if she could get them on board in 30 minutes. Alana finds them just after they made up from a fight, and Alana hears Squire speak for the first time. Then they take off running for the boat.

Meanwhile, The Will, who is with Lying Cat, Gwendolyn, and Sophie, is suddenly confronted and attacked by Petrochor, partner of the dead Sir Robot. Will survives, and tries to kill her in turn. In the resulting cross fight, one of the group dies.

Evaluation: As usual, Vaughan’s text is full of humor, pathos, and astounding insights into life that will have you coming back for every new issue. Illustrator Fiona Staples is outstanding. ( )