Saga burst onto the scene in 2012, breathing new life into the world of independent comics. Written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples, Saga has created some truly unforgettable moments in the wild and imaginative world they have built. The story is centered around a forbidden love between two characters on opposing sides of a galaxy-wide war.
The series definitely does not pull any punches and it has delivered some Game of Thrones level moments of surprise. While the creators are taking a break after the last issues epic conclusion, fans may need some new series to dive into in the meantime. Here are 10 comic series for fans to read until Saga returns.
10 Isola
Created by Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl, Isola is a visually stunning story about fantasy and friendship. While the series is still new, it is quickly becoming a must-read title. Similar to Saga, Isola is an independent series published by Image. Isola tells the story of a queen who has been transformed into a tiger and she must travel into the underworld with her loyal companion to find someone who can turn her back into a human. The series is beautifully illustrated and rarely needs dialogue to convey a wide spectrum of emotion and heart. The fantasy elements and stunning visuals make Isola a great new series for anyone who is a fan of Saga.
9 Descender
Descender is a space opera that takes place in a dystopian future in which robots have become intelligent and waged war across space. As humanity fought back, they banned androids as they try to rebuild a functioning society. Descender tells the story of a brave young robot boy and his efforts to try to survive in this dangerous future.
The series has a truly unique art style that makes it feel dreamlike at times. Similar to Saga, this series involves an entire galaxy full of civilizations, each with unique styles and dangers. The young robot at the center of this story is full of heart, making this series a gripping and memorable read.
8 Deadly Class
One of the best aspects of Saga is the suspenseful and stylish action sequences. Deadly Class is an imaginative action series from creators Rick Remender and Wesley Craig. The series centers around a secret school full of highly skilled assassins. Criminals, politicians, and gang leaders send their children to this hidden school to be trained in the deadly arts. In a school full of assassins, any moment has the potential to turn into a lethal conflict. Deadly Class is an excellent series to read for anyone who is a fan of fast-paced stories that are full of action.
7 Hellboy
Created by Mike Mignola, Hellboy is an original character that has been around for decades. The world of Hellboy has been continuously growing since 1993. Mignola has meticulously both drawn and written the characters within this world, so there is a rich history to read from.
Hellboy has made his way onto the big screen several times and he has had his own animated series in the past. Each adventure in this world balances dark religious tones with a light sense of humor, making it a unique and fun world that is full of monsters. Fans of Saga would enjoy diving into the rich world that Hellboy has been a part of for decades.
6 Paper Girls
Also written by the legendary Brian K. Vaughan, Paper Girls is about a group of young girls who are delivering papers door to door early in the morning when they get wrapped up in a surreal event. The story involves time travel, dystopian futures, and even a bit of fantasy. It is a fun series that has many layers that make it an absolute page-turner. Vaughan is a brilliant creator that has an uncanny ability to create a wide variety of characters that are all relatable and down to earth. Paper Girls has his unique signature all over it and it is a great series for readers of all ages.
5 Black Science
Black Science is a wildly original science fiction story about the limits of reality and space as people know it. The series follows a group of scientists who have made a breakthrough in dimensional travel, a forbidden form of scientific research. The group of scientists is sent on a whirling journey into the dark realms as they go from one dimension to the next.
While the science-fiction aspects may be a lot to handle at first, this series handles high-stakes action and space travel effortlessly. Black Science is a thought-provoking series about the morality of scientific discovery, while also creating some memorable action sequences along the journey.
4 Y: The Last Man
Y: The Last Man is an incredible series written by Brian K. Vaughan in the early 2000s. This series won plenty of awards and made Vaughan a popular name in the world of comics. The series was released by Vertigo and has become a classic must-read title for many comic fans. Yorick Brown and his pet monkey are seemingly the last remaining males after a global event has suddenly decimated the male population. This series is a post-apocalyptic epic tale that is memorable and still relevant. Y: The Last Man is the perfect fit for Saga readers because the two series share similar DNA despite having wildly different stories to tell.
3 The Sandman
Another legendary comic series released by Vertigo, The Sandman was written by Neil Gaiman in 1989. The Sandman is a masterpiece and it has been regarded by many as one of the best comic series ever created. The series explores the realms of dark fantasy, introducing many characters that went on to have their own original stories.
The art itself is dreamlike and haunting at times. Morpheus rules the world of dreams, and from that world, the series tells many stories of horror. With a unique blend of mythology, history, and fantasy, The Sandman is truly one of a kind and should be on everyone's must-read list.
2 Monstress
Written by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Sana Takeda, this epic fantasy series is incredibly ambitious. Monstress tells the story of a young girl and her powerful link to a monster. The artwork in this series is from another world, creating some truly surreal visuals that should be framed and hung on a wall. The world-building in Monstress is effortlessly done, making the world feel real with a rich history to be explored. Saga fans would love this series for the incredible art and the expansive fantasy elements throughout the world. Monstress is a great series that is seemingly just getting started.
1 East Of West
East Of West is a nonstop thrilling tale that takes readers on an instantly memorable journey. Set in an alternate history, America is divided into different warring factions when the apocalypse begins. The four horsemen of the apocalypse arrive, changing the course of history permanently. On the surface, this series is a great science fiction epic with beautiful artwork, but at its heart, it is all about the unbreakable emotional bond between a father and his son. Fans of Saga will love the emotional aspects and the incredible action sequences of East Of West. This series is an excellent adventure, complete with sudden twists and suspenseful moments that make an unforgettable impact.