Chances are, if you’re reading comics at all, you’re reading Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ Saga. And if you aren’t, chances are that people have recommended Saga to you as a story you’d love in spite of that. Volume Eight of the series just came out in trade, and a new story arc starts next month. Vaughan and Staples have plenty to say about that…as well as their thoughts on the idea of Lin-Manuel Miranda adapting Saga into a musical?
In an interview with Vulture, Vaughan and Staples were hugely enthusiastic about what a diverse, intelligent readership Saga seems to have. Vaughan says, “I’ve learned that we are extremely lucky to have an incredibly diverse, eclectic global audience comprised of very smart human beings ranging in age from 12 to 93.” Referencing his devout loyalty to snail-mail “letters pages” in his comics, he also marvels that, “they all somehow still own stamps and know how to navigate the Postal Service.”
Staples is touched by the in-person support the comic has gotten saying that the fanbase they’ve gotten to know through the letters column “reflects what I’ve seen at real-life events like signings: our readers are all kind, intelligent, enthusiastic people. Many of them are willing to stand in line for hours for a sketch, then line up all over again to get a second one. They make me wish my sketches were better.”
It isn’t just your average comics readers who are passionate about Saga. The book has many celebrity fans as well. People like Tessa Thompson and Lin-Manuel Miranda (two of TMS’ absolute faves!) have tweeted about Saga, praising it to anyone who will listen. And while folks like Thompson are hoping that a Saga film might be in the future (with Thompson angling for the role of Alana??? Which would be amazing???), Vaughan is happy for it remain its best self in its original medium:
“I thought Tessa was fantastic in Thor, and it’s very flattering that she even knows our comic exists. But right now, Fiona and I have no plans to adapt Saga, much less to start casting it, so we haven’t been in communication with any actors…I know I’m a grumpy old man, but I’m always more delighted by readers talking about the actual comics than people talking about how eager they are to have their favorite comics be “elevated” into another medium. Adaptations are great (watch Runaways, now on Hulu!), but for me, comics have always been the destination, not a stepping-stone to get somewhere else.”
However, that apparently doesn’t mean that a stage musical is out of the question. Lin-Manuel Miranda gave Saga props in the New York Times, and Vaughan was floored. When asked to describe what seeing that was like, Vaughan said:
“I love that column about creators and books in the Times, so I was reading it myself when I saw that epic Saga shout-out. We’ve never spoken with Mr. Miranda, but seeing Hamilton on stage was one of the greatest experiences of my artistic life, and it’s a ridiculous honor to know he reads our work. I know I said we’re not pursuing adaptations, but if Lin-Manuel ever wants to mount a Saga musical, it’s all his, wouldn’t you say, Fiona?”
Staples’ response? “Absolutely! I bet Fard has great pipes.”
And suddenly, I can hear Hazel singing:
In the shadow of a civil war there is quiet
For just a moment
in our spaceship-tree…
Get on it, Miranda!
(image: Image Comics)
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