Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples' Saga is a science-fantasy epic comic book series and one of the best comics currently producing new issues. From Staples' captivating renderings of various alien worlds to Vaughan's always-compelling writing, even a casual comic book fan can find plenty to love in the series.
The biggest draw, however, is the characters who populate Saga's world, because while it focuses on a married couple and their daughter, it's filled with an ensemble of extraordinary variety. Which among them are the most intelligent?
Ghüs
A seal-like creature who initially appears as a herder living near the author D. Oswald Heist, there's no doubt that Ghüs is one of Saga's most likable characters. However, in Saga's world especially, being likable does not translate to intelligence.
Ghüs displays plenty of ability when it comes to keeping watch over a flock, or children, and he even has moments where he has a great idea, but compared to the other main characters in the story, he's a bit out of his depth in the intelligence department.
Prince Robot IV
Although he progresses from an antagonist to an ally, Prince Robot IV is a great example of why nepotism isn't the best way to pick who hunts down the state's perceived enemies. Having seen action on the battlefield, the prince is no stranger to combat, but his experiences in that realm are rarely shown.
Instead, Saga's answer to Star Wars' Darth Vader is close to catching Alana and Marko near the beginning, but is taken out of commission and, eventually, forced to work with them. Perhaps the Prince could rule his kingdom well, but he's a fish trying to climb a tree.
Gwendolyn
If Gwendolyn were simply "Marko's ex," she wouldn't even be in contention, but this initial role ramps up quickly as she s forces with The Will to track Marko and Alana down. Even though she becomes more villainous as the series continues, she's still one of Saga's best characters.
She eventually grows into Sophie's mentor and shows that she's capable of formulating brilliant tactics to escape peril several times. Without her, The Will would have been dead more than once, which would have been a shame for the series... even if it would've helped Marko.
Lying Cat
Lying Cat is the unofficial mascot of Saga, and gets her name from her species' ability to detect when people are lying, although this detection only works if the person knows they're telling a lie. Still, she's one of Brian K. Vaughan's most unique creations.
She earns her relatively high place because of this ability; after all, being able to tell when someone's lying would grant its quite a tremendous bit of information power in any situation. Every statement is up for analysis.
Upsher and Doff
The amphibious journalist-and-photographer pair are inseparable both work-wise and emotionally until Doff's death at the hands of Ianthe in issue #50. Although they work for a tabloid, and the real focus of their work is getting eyeballs, they clearly have a higher purpose: to go after the compelling truth.
Despite the obstacles put in their paths by freelancers and government operatives, the two of them always managed to find a way around these restrictions. They may have never printed what they got, but getting it in the first place is impressive enough.
Izabel
Anyone who's ever said that kids can't be wiser than adults has never met a kid like Izabel. Originally a teenager killed by a landmine long before Saga began, Izabel is a ghost who hitches a ride with Marko and Alana in exchange for being the newborn Hazel's babysitter.
She may be cynical and sarcastic (and understandably so), but even though she had never left her world until meeting up with Hazel's family, Izabel is very wise about how this universe works in of people and how they act toward one another.
The Will
It was no question that The Will would come back in Saga's second half, especially after he murdered Prince Robot IV at the end of issue #53 and Marko issue #54. Whatever Vaughan and Staples have in store for the monster is sure to be an incredible read.
Outside of the main family, The Will is the smartest character in the series, able to follow the family's trail much better than Prince Robot IV, and to get his way out of tight situations thanks in part to his training as a freelancer. But it's also due to the character having quite the brain... even if it's used to diabolical ends.
Marko
Marko is both a father as well as a former soldier who foreswore violence entirely, convinced that an act of violence brings upon the aggressor evil in turn. Considering he witnessed the accidental murder of a civilian in his tour of duty, that's no surprise.
His decision to do this in a world of war is irable, but his concerns also prove true; every time the group engages in violence, it complicates their lives, even if it's necessary at times for them to do so. He is also, of course, an amazing parent, which involves its own kind of intelligence.
Alana
Perhaps the fiercest woman in her galaxy, Alana is definitely the most resourceful. The amazing thing about her and Marko's relationship is that it takes both of them to not only parent, but keep each other safe. She's saved him, Hazel, and herself plenty with her smarts.
This quality hasn't changed one bit in Saga's second half, either: even without Marko, as she mourns his loss, she is able to find a new place not only for her and Hazel, but for Squire as well. Smuggling may not be the most irable business, but she plays the hands she's dealt, and does it masterfully.
Hazel
Hazel's birth, and her status as the child of parents from the warring species, is what sets the entire comic book series in motion, and she's arguably the actual main character because of her narrating from the future.
Throughout her childhood so far, Hazel has proved incredibly precocious for her age in so many ways, and her narration shows that she only continued to gain wisdom as she grew up. Her future perspective is what makes her the most intelligent character of Saga.