Collect Saga on a Budget: Practical Guide

Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples is unanimously considered one of the best comics of the 21st century. Published by Image Comics since 2012, this family space opera has redefined the expectations of independent comics. The good news for the budget collector: Image Comics prints massively and does not practice artificial scarcity. Aside from the first issue, most of the series is very approachable.

The particularity of Saga for the collector is its format: a unique series, without spin-offs or crossovers, with continuous numbering. You don't need to chase dozens of tie-ins or side series. It is a linear and clean collection which is built methodically issue after issue. Consult our guide toSaga key numbersto identify the most significant numbers in the series.

Affordable key numbers: Saga good deals

Saga #1(2012) in first printing is the grail of the series (100-300 euros depending on condition), but later reprints can be found between 10 and 20 euros.Saga #12(first number after the first hiatus) trades under 5 euros.Saga #55(2022, return after the big 3-year break) is between 4 and 8 euros and marks a historic moment in the series.

The “end of chapter” numbers (#6, #12, #18, #24, #30, #36, #42, #48, #54) are slightly more popular because they conclude arcs, but remain under 5 euros each. It is a collection where regularity takes precedence over speculation.

Available formats and value for money

Saga shines with the diversity of its reading formats. THEIndividual TPBs(10 volumes covering #1-54) can be found second-hand for between 6 and 10 euros each. THECompendium One(collection #1-54 in a massive volume) is the best page/euro ratio on the market at 25-35 euros used. THEDeluxe Hardcovers(3 volumes) offer a premium format between 20 and 30 euros each used.

Single issues vs collected editions

For Saga, the choice between single issues and TPB is strategic. Single issues offer the collecting experience (first printings, original covers without dust jacket text) but the total cost for #1-67 in singles easily exceeds 150-200 euros. The TPB/compendiums offer the same story for 50-70 euros in total. The budget collector will favor collected editions, reserving singles for personally significant numbers.

Where to find Saga at a low price

Specialized comic bookstores regularly sell TPB Saga during stock renewals. Readers' garage sales are an excellent opportunity: Saga being a "finishable" series (unlike superheroes), many readers sell once they have finished reading. Facebook groups selling French comics regularly offer complete TPB Saga lots at advantageous prices.

On eBay, search "Saga Image lot" or "Saga TPB lot" for discounted volume sets. Sellers who liquidate Image collections often sell Saga in bundles of 5-10 volumes at a 30-40% discount off the unit price.

Budget strategy: build the complete collection

At 50-60 euros, our recommendation: Compendium One (25-30 euros used) which covers the first 54 issues, plus TPB volumes 9-10 (or singles #55-67) for the post-hiatus suite (20-25 euros). You thus obtain the entire series published to date for a very controlled budget.

Ultra-tight budget of 20 euros: start with TPB volumes 1-2 (12-15 euros for the two used ones). These first 12 issues are a complete story and enough to find out if the series is right for you before investing further.

Modern keys under 20 euros

Saga #55(2022, post-hiatus return) is under 8 euros and marks the start of a new chapter.Saga #7(first appearance of a popular character, The Will and Lying Cat on the cover) remains under 6 euros.Saga #67(last issue published before the current hiatus) is under 4 euros and could appreciate depending on the editorial follow-up.

Saga is a long-term investment: the series is not over, and its eventual conclusion could create a significant resurgence of interest in the first issues. Buying the singles cheaply now is a reasonable bet on future appreciation.