If you’re currently reading the Image comic book series Saga and you enjoy the convenience of getting your comics digitally through Apple’s iOS apps, make some alternate plans to obtain Saga #12 when it’s released tomorrow, as Apple has banned the sale of the issue through their apps because it contains graphic sexual content.

Saga writer and co-creator Brian K. Vaughan issued a press release today regarding the ban, noting that Saga #12 contains “two postage stamp-sized images of gay sex,” and that previous installments of the series featured what he considered to be much more graphic imagery.

The former Lost writer explained that everything that goes into the comic is there to advance the story and that they’re “not changing shit.”

How awesome is this? One of the premiere writers in comics, Gail Simone, who’s best known for her work on DC series such as Batgirl, Birds Of Prey, Secret Six, and Wonder Woman, will be writing an upcoming relaunched Red Sonja for Dynamite Entertainment beginning this July, the publisher announced on Friday.

This is huge for a variety of reasons. Primarily, Red Sonja is one of those comics that unjustifiably winds up thrown in the pile of other comics with scantly clad super heroines – ones who aren’t necessarily presented in a positive light for female readers, with art and writing that rarely has a strong female voice or vision behind them. With Simone being one of the most outspoken and progressive voices in comics, however, a truly awesome, kick-ass, brutal lead lady will surely be within the pages of Red Sonja, especially without the restrictions of a major corporation-backed publisher.

Every holiday season, “He’s a mean one, Mr.” Henchman21 and “Cindy Lou” MK2Fac3 give a lot of comics. Seriously, you guys, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics? I mean, it is possible.. theoretically. Naturally, they look forward to some gifts more than others. I mean, who doesn’t? So, let’s take a look into the depths of their Santa bags, grab some comics, and they’ll let YOU know what the top books to buy for this holiday season. Hardcovers and trades, they’re all here.

What’s this? What’s this!? Hunter’s writing again. What’s this? He’s writing in a pair. What’s this, I can’t believe my eyes, I must be dreaming, wake up, Hench, this isn’t fair! What’s this!? What’s this? What’s this? There’s something very wrong. What’s this? There are people singing songs. What’s this? The streets are lined with little creatures laughing. Everybody seems so happy, have I possibly gone daffy? What is this? The GoD List. Holiday Edition.

Saga #5
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art by Fiona Staples
Letters and Design by Fonografiks
Cover by Fiona Staples
Image Comics
Release Date: July 18, 2012
Cover Price: $2.99

Any comic that starts off in a bathroom is obviously going to be a lot of fun. Saga #5 delivers that fun and does it with some superbly written dialogue. This is my first look at this series, but I can definitely see why it has gotten so much hype. With a wide array of characters, this series seems to have a lot of stories going at once.

Without spilling the beans, so to speak, I can say that Prince Robot IV receives some stunning news. But even so, he has a mission to complete…one that directly involves Marko and Alana, forcing them to almost cross some personal boundaries. In other news, The Will has a bit of a personal crisis of his own, one that leaves him discontent. But personally, my favorite in the whole comic is Stalk, though we see very little of her in this issue. I cannot say too much, unfortunately, for fear of dropping a spoiler. Trust me, there is a lot going on in this issue.

Saga #3
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Arty by Fiona Staples
Letters by Fonografiks
Image Comics
Release Date: May 16, 2012
Cover Price: $2.99

Within the arguably isolated realm of comic fans, mostly everyone has heard of Saga by Issue #3 and my awesome local comic shop cannot even keep it on the shelves. Even without the unintentional controversy over the first cover, the huge amount of press it has received is almost infamously positive. While there is a rebellious streak in me that doesn’t want to like what everyone else likes, with this title I am honored to join the happy choir.

Why does Saga engender such good feelings and good reviews to match? Honestly, this series does not break exceptionally new ground in terms of premise. Fans of Firefly are no strangers to intelligent soap operas being played out in space, and fans of Game of Thrones are familiar with fantastical kingdoms vying for supremacy where the personal is political. Feel free to insert many other references of your own, because as far as settings go, many would apply. What makes writer Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples‘ Saga such an imperative to check out is the nuanced blend of sci-fi and fantasy. The series also seems interspersed with enough politics, sex, drama, and action sequences to catch all the other folks who may or may not care about either of those genres.