Saga has had its share of villains, but their newest character is the most despicable.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Saga #56, on sale now from Image Comics.
Saga has had its share of villains, many of whom either redeem themselves or are shown to have a softer side. But as with many things in the comic since its return from hiatus, things are very different now. Saga #56 (by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples, and Fonografiks) seemed like it was introducing a new ally before backfiring in the darkest way possible. Despite his first appearance, Saga‘s new antagonist is the series’ most demented yet.
When the TV-headed Prince Robot first appeared in Saga, he wasn’t exactly any hero. He was assigned to kill the series’ protagonists, one of whom was an infant. But as time unfolded, Robot revealed himself to be a traumatized, sexually repressed combat veteran with unhealthy ties to his family. Further into the story, as the comic approached its tragic mid-series cliffhanger, Prince Robot joined Alana and Marko’s wandering family, fully cementing his redemption as a character.
Saga introduced The Will in the same issue, and he took the same job as Prince Robot. But rather than being a soulless mercenary, he’s shown to be a lovesick cat-owner with an abusive upbringing. Even as he made deadly moves against Alana and Marko, it was very hard for readers to root fully against him. Though he stayed on the wrong side of the conflict, his motivations were relatable, and he could clearly be the good guy in another life.
This couldn’t last forever, though. Issue #53 had The Will behead Prince Robot with his bare hands. The tragic villain killed the redeemed one. In the following issue, The Will kills Marko. Not only does this issue mark the midpoint of the series’ expected run, but it also symbolized the ‘death’ of the comic’s sympathetic villains. The Will had turned fully to the dark side, and the next villain introduced isn’t even half as kind as him.
Saga #56 showcased the newest villain without compassion, empathy, or regret. When Alana’s smuggling operation got commandeered by a massive skull-and-crossbones pirate spaceship, they initially think they stumbled into an outlaw’s paradise. Surrounded by stragglers and defectors of the war from all over the galaxy, they began to feel they were finally in the right hands.
The pirates were delighted to find out Alana has kids. Some of the crew scooped up Hazel and Squire, treating them to an endless music library and free ice cream. Alana, inspired by the hospitality, agreed to carry out an operation for the pirates in exchange for a license to legitimize her business. But upon her acceptance, the captain demanded proof that she doesn’t have wings.The captain hated the war, but he still blamed the ongoing conflict primarily on the winged people of Landfall. Alana doesn’t want her shirt taken off, so she bashed the skipper’s head for trying to touch her. But the captain insists on seeing skin. Upon her continued refusal, the skipper gave her an ultimatum: shirt off, or he’ll violate and murder her children in front of her.
Alana has led her daughter through terrorists, detention centers, and general poverty, but this new threat is more disturbing than any of those combined. As Hazel recounted in the issue, “Who Mom DID trust was anyone with at least one serious vice. It’s the virtuous she told me to watch out for.” Just like in real life, when humans are living desperately, they can become so disillusioned by ‘righteous’ authority figures that they become perfect victims for the most despicable criminals. Hopefully, issue #57 will pull the heroes out of their predicament.
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