CBCC 79: Marko & Alana - Saga Vols. 6 & 7

03/14/22 • 87 min

In Saga, Marko & Alana cannot escape sadness. Rather than running, they lean into it, and by sharing their sorrow, they gain strength. Any Star Trek V: The Final Frontier fans out there? Sybok knew what was up.

We race toward Saga's halfway point and the tragic cliffhanger ending to end all tragic cliffhanger endings, which is really saying something when discussing Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples' sci-fi romance masterpiece.

As we did the last episode, we consulted Helen Russell's "How to Be Sad: The Key to a Happier Life: Everything I've Learned About Getting Happier, by Being Sad, Better." If she can help us embrace our sadness, maybe she can help Marko & Alana through their tumultuous journey.

Issued Covered in this Episode: Saga # 31 - 42, collected in trade paperback Vols. 6 & 7. They were written by Brian K. Vaughan, fully illustrated by Fiona Staples, and lettered by Fonografiks. Image Comics originally published the issues between November 2015 and January 2017.

Previous CBCC Saga Episodes:

Previous Episode

CBCC 78: Marko & Alana - Saga Vol. 5

Saga is back! And if Saga is back, then we better get back to investigating Marko & Alana's tumultuous, universe-threatening romance. After we finished Saga Volume 4 on the podcast two years ago, we took a break, waiting for Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples to get back into the business of publishing rad comics. It took a little longer than we expected, but the single issues are flowing again, and it's time for us to catch up.

Knowing how challenging Saga can be on our emotions, we thought the best way to approach Marko & Alana this time around was through Helen Russell's self-help book, "How to Be Sad: The Key to a Happier Life: Everything I've Learned About Getting Happier, by Being Sad, Better." Sadness is not something to fight but embrace. Marko, Alana, and Helen will help us realize this natural human experience.

Issued Covered in this Episode: Saga # 25 - 30, which were collected in trade paperback Vol. 5. Written by Brian K. Vaughan, fully illustrated by Fiona Staples, and lettered by Fonografiks. The issues were originally published by Image Comics between February 2015 and July 2015.

Previous CBCC Saga Episodes:

Relevant Helen Russell Links:

CBCC Guest Appearances:

Lisa's YA Free Period Column:

Tiny Dancer

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Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

Next Episode

Creator Corner: Chris Samnee & Laura Samnee on Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters

Breaking News! Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee join us in the love nest to discuss their new all-ages comic book series, Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters. Yeah, we're just as surprised about their appearance here as you are, but we're mostly beyond excited to have our first creative couples session with those responsible for one of our favorite comics on the stands.

Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is a lovingly warm adventure tale set in a world of titanic beasts. With their dad missing, Rainbow and Jonna scour the land, stumbling into one danger after another. Thankfully, the littlest sister packs quite a punch.

In this week's episode, we chat with the Samnees about why this series demanded collaboration. We celebrate how Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters represents a true family project, inspired by their daughters and Chris Samnee's intense fear of birds. Yeah, we get into it.

We're honored to have Chris and Laura on Comic Book Couples Counseling, and you should feel honored too. This episode is the very first podcast Laura Samnee has ever recorded. We hope we haven't scared her off the format forever, but we think it's the start of some tremendous podcast potential.

Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Volume 1 is currently available from Oni Press. Volume 2 will appear on comic book shelves on April 6th, and issue #9 will arrive in shops on April 20th.

The comic is written by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee, featuring art by Chris Samnee, colors by Matthew Wilson, and letters by Crank! We do not give away too many spoilers beyond the premise, so venture within safely if you're new to this world. After this conversation, we're confident that you'll be as addicted to Jonna as much as we are, demanding at least a seventy-five issue run.

Be sure to continue this conversation with Chris Samnee via his Twitter and Instagram. You can also give Laura's one Instagram photo a Like by clicking HERE.

If you'd like to listen to the Ghost Cage #1 Interview with Nick Dragotta and Caleb Goellner referenced in the outro, you can do so by clicking HERE.

And here are the relevant Saga Marko & Alana links:

Finally, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcasts.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.