The third entry in Bill Willingham's Fables series, Storybook Love, is a collection of short graphic stories about the fable creatures (from fairy tales and folk tales and some early novels) who were long ago exiled from their homes and are now living among the mundies (humans) in the New World.A few of the stories give us additional background on some characters, like the role Jack (of beanstalk fame) played in the American Civil War and how the Lilliputians found their wives. The main stories are a continuation from Fables 2: Animal Farm, and set us up for the next book in series.
There is plenty of action in these stories, and at times it is near impossible to stop reading until the end of the scene. In addition, there are plenty of instances of what I call art humor. My favorites in this book have to do with the businesses in Fabletown, for example, one bar is called the Yellow Brick Roadhouse, and Nod's Books is advertising its comics nook.
Although I recommend reading the Fables books in order, there is a synopsis of the first two volumes at the beginning of Storybook Love so you can get caught up with the series. Remember though, these are not your childhood fairy tales; they are full of wheeling and dealing, bloody fighting, and sex.
There is a long list of artists on the title page of the book, but Mark Buckinham and Steve Leialoha are listed on the cover. The consistency of the characters, the details in the drawings, and the facial expressions are terrific and help keep me coming back to these books.
Storybook Love at an Indie
Storybook Love at Powell's
Storybook Love at Book Depository
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Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2004
ISBN-13: 9781401202569
YTD: 96
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Rating: B+
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
ISBN-13: 9781401202569
YTD: 96
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Rating: B+
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
Just wait, they just keep getting better! I love all those little pieces of "art humor." Every time I reread one of these books, new things jump out at me too. That's what makes them the most fun I think. I'm so glad you are enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and heads up about this book. Sounds like it's up my ally. I never really read a graphic novel before - will def. keep this in mind. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've never really read graphic novels which is surprising since both my husband and brother-in-law write and produce comic books which have been turned graphic novels.
ReplyDeleteEven though they're not really my thing this series does sound interesting.
wheeling and dealing, bloody fighting, and sex...
ReplyDeleteno, these appear not to be your kid's comic books.
Actually, as you know, The Grimms' tales were also full of conflict, blood, envy, danger....
ReplyDeleteAs someone whose writing contains two little boys, I don't think children are ever unaware of adult life.
But it's still our job to try to protect them--by helping them interpret, if nothing else, this crazy world.
Love fairy tale retellings and such. Will have to look into these!
ReplyDeleteSounds like lot of fun, many bloggers seem to like these books/
ReplyDeleteI read the first of these, I should really really get some more in the series.
ReplyDelete