Image: Fiona Staples/Image Comics

Y: The Last Man writer Brian K. Vaughan, together with artist Fiona Staples, made a long-awaited announcement today at Vaughan’s spotlight panel at the 2021 New York Comic Con. Saga— their heart-wrenching, twist-filled, sexy, violent, operatic space epic — will return to publication after a lengthy hiatus in 2022.

“I’ve really missed connecting with readers through the pages of Saga,” Staples said via news release, “so I’m thrilled to roll up my sleeves and dive into this world again. The next arc is already going places I never imagined.”

Saga was a perennial bestseller in comic shops and bookstores from the moment it hit stands in March 2012. But with Saga #54, published in July of 2018, Vaughan said the series had hit its middle point, and would be on indefinite hold so that he and Staples could rest and focus on other projects. In classic Saga style, despite knowing the series would be on pause for years, Saga #54 still ended with a sudden and devastating character death.

“I can’t thank readers and retailers enough for their patience,” Vaughan said via news release. “I think our next 54 issues will be even more shocking, strange, and spectacular than the first 54, so we can’t wait to be back on the shelves at your local comic shop soon.”

Image Comics also shared a first look at the long-awaited Saga #55: The cover, featuring the familiar young character of Hazel (the book’s narrator) and two new adult faces.

Saga #55 will be an extra-long issue — 44 pages rather than the usual 22 — for the same price. The book will hit shelves on Jan. 26, 2022.