Brian K. Vaughan’s epic run on Saga is set to return during the Fall of 2019. Ever since the series began, it has been an epic tale of drama that seems to encompass bits and pieces of every imaginable genre. Through all of the series tragedies and losses, there have been equal moments of heart and humor. However, last August, the series began its hiatus on a massive cliffhanger. This major character death left many shocked and eager for the series to return. To prepare for the emotional hardships that are bound to come when the series returns at issue 55, here is our list of Saga’s 10 most heartbreaking moments (so far).
10 Alana’s Fadeaway Problem
As the series entered its 20th issue, Alana, another main character and mother to Hazel, the narrator, also began a drug problem. While hiding out as a TV star, the pressures of being a refugee with a young baby just became too much for her. So, Alana began a short-lived dependence on the drug, Fadeaway. What makes this arc in the series so heartbreaking is that Alana was always such a strong character and determined mother.
It was sad to see her fall in any form or fashion. However, Alana’s struggle in this situation helps add to her character and make her more relatable. Even though the cast of characters are all members of alien species, there are still deeply human elements within each of them that help make the series so compelling. The character arcs between Marko and Alana especially, are no exception.
9 Squire’s Abduction
While Prince Robot IV was off on a search for Marko and Alana, his first son was born. Shortly after, though, the young boy would be abducted and his mother would be killed. This kidnapping arc would last several issues, but the boy would eventually reunite with his true father and come to be called Squire. Though Squire was only a few days old at the time of his abduction, it was still heartbreaking to see an innocent child brought into the hardships of war. However, these events don’t rob Squire of his innocence and he eventually grows to have a loving relationship with his father. As he eventually comes to join Marko and Alana’s group, Squire’s behavior is not affected by the mishaps of his early days.
8 Marko And Alana’s Reunion
For a surprising amount of time, Marko and Alana were separated from each other, with Hazel falling under Alana’s care and protection. While Alana struggled to keep the two alive, Marko began a long fight back to his family. By the time the two finally make their way back to each other, it is a very happy moment as Marko also brings Alana back into herself. Immediately, the two embrace and it’s hard to not get as emotional as the two of them. Though this is not one of the series’ many sad moments, the reunion pulls at the heartstrings just as much as any other big moment in the series.
7 Hazel’s Time In Prison
During their separation from Marko, Hazel, her grandmother, and Alana were all placed in prison. Though this experience could have easily been far worse for Hazel, she still learned a lot about the world that a child her age could stand to not know. Hazel’s teacher also played a big role during this time and it was nice to see Hazel have another important role model at this stage in her life. The most heartbreaking thing about this arc in the series is that Hazel is forced to grow up. Though she is still an innocent child, she learns a lot about the real world in this arc and has to grow beyond what a child her age should have to learn and experience.
6 The Trials Of The Will
Since his introduction, The Will has been one of the more interesting and complex characters to be in Saga. As a bounty hunter, The Will was originally tasked with hunting down Marko and Alana. After some time passes, The Will eventually ends up unemployed, fat, and living on the planet, Sextillion. As the character Isanthe is introduced, she captures The Will and holds him hostage while also putting him through immense psychological torture.
At this point in the story, we already know a lot of “who” The Will is. The torture sequence really exposes readers to a lot of the “why” The Will is. Readers are taken into his past and shown some of The Will’s relationships that really help flush out his character. Even though some readers may have disliked The Will as a character before and after this issue, there is no denying that he is a very complex and disturbed individual that, even at times, you can’t help but feel bad for.
5 The Death Of Prince Robot IV
Prince Robot IV has been a nuisance to Marko and Alana almost from the start of the series. Therefore, it was a really interesting dynamic to see when he eventually joins their team. Prince Robot IV’s arc, though almost as crazy as Marko and Alana’s, leads him down a much darker path to the point where he almost loses his sanity. However, by the time he dies, Prince Robot is far from the same character he started as. Though he can still be cruel to those he despises, he is a loving father to Squire and a good ally to the team. Considering how far he’d come since his introduction, seeing Prince Robot IV die still struck a nerve.
4 Kurti (Hazel’s Brother)
Kurti was not around for very long. Towards the end of Alana’s second pregnancy, Hazel began to imagine what a younger brother would look like for her. As a result of her magic abilities, a “hologram” of sorts of her imaginary brother appeared. What made Kurti’s death so tragic was that he was never actually born. He only existed as a manifestation of what could have been. Following an unfortunate event, Alana has an emergency abortion in order to save her life. As Hazel waits in the room outside, she begins talking with her imaginary brother. Hazel eventually comes to make peace with her loss and continues to learn life lessons that prepare her for her future role. Readers can’t help but be heartbroken as the family of the main character experiences such a major loss.
3 Kurti (Hazel's Friend)
While taking refuge on an alien planet, Hazel and her family come to befriend a family of possum-like creatures. Kurti was one of the sons of the family and close to Hazel in age. The two became fast friends and would often play together. They’d also occasionally get into trouble, with some life threatening encounters thrown into the mix as well. However, Kurti and Hazel would survive nonetheless. The most tragic part about Kurti is that he could have easily been saved. As the planet was under imminent destruction, Hazel and her family began to flee. Kurti’s family, on the other hand, remained behind, believing that their deity would protect them from harm. Readers had to watch as Kurti and his family were swallowed by blackness.
2 Izabel's Permanent Disappearance
Izabel effectively acted as a babysitter for Hazel for most of her early years. Although, she was technically a parasite. Izabel initially couldn’t leave the bounds of her forrest unless she had a soul to latch on to. In exchange for her assistance, Marko and Alana agreed to let her latch onto Hazel. This led to a rather interesting relationship, as Izabel was almost a sister to Hazel. Izabel would eventually come to perish at the hands of the two bounty hunters who replaced The Will. Furthermore, since she and Hazel were literally attached at the soul, it made Izabel’s death all the more heartbreaking. The moment she was gone, Hazel immediately knew that something was wrong. Since she was still so young, readers couldn’t help but feel and relate to Hazel’s loss.
1 Marko Says Good-Bye
As mentioned previously, the 54th issue of Saga ended on the series’ biggest cliffhanger so far. That cliffhanger is the death of Hazel’s father, Marko. After the return of The Will, who is now brainwashed, Prince Robot IV and Marko do all they can to fight him off. In the end, Marko ends up with a hole in his chest. Marko’s death is easily the biggest in the series so far. He’s been one of the main characters since the very beginning. His relationship with Hazel and Alana was also very strong and loving, making this loss all the more tragic. At the moment, his death has yet to be resolved. Readers don’t know if there will be a final goodbye to his family, or if he simply defended them until his last breath.