Saga #39

Previously in Saga #38

Saga #39 | Writer: Brian K. Vaughan | Artist: Fiona Staples | Letters & Design by: Fonografiks | Publisher: Image Comics

It appears I completely misread the final page of issue #38. I assumed that Hazel’s reaction to “feeling” Izabel’s death was acknowledging that her spirit remained with Hazel. It was actually the opposite. Hazel felt the moment Izabel left her, and it sends her crying to her parents. Of course, Marko assumes it’s not a big deal, that Izabel is off helping Alana. Prince Robot knows better. The news that he allowed Izabel to go off alone doesn’t go over well, but Petrichor volunteers (really, insists) on going to find out what happened.

I was right about one thing: Hazel feels terrible for the way she treated Izabel before she left. This is too much for a child to deal with, but Hazel has already endured way more than a girl her age should. Since we know she narrates this story in the future, it’s getting easier to see how her bold, snarky, and direct personality developed. It’s one of my favorite parts of the series.

Things aren’t going too well for The Will, either. He’s fired, the company that employed him is folding, and his license to kill is effectively revoked. He’s just regular old Billy now.

The issue closes with a mystery that is sure to play a huge part in the story going forward. The March (Izabel’s killers) arrive at the Robot embassy on Phang and find all but one have been slaughtered, and the survivor isn’t long for that world. He warns that a group is about to kill everyone on Phang, but dies before he can confirm who they are.

I have high hopes for the next few issues as the attack on Phang is intriguing (especially if it’s as I suspect and the work of an unlikely alliance), and I have my fingers crossed that Petrichor out on her own will provide us more time with the character.

That said, I still can’t believe Izabel is gone.