Review: Fables 12: The Dark Ages by Bill Willingham

Volume 12 of Bill Willingham's Fables series, The Dark Ages, is very much a transition book, and I've always had problems with these types of books. Yes, I understand that for a long series to continue, some plot lines must be wrapped up and new issues and characters have to be introduced. Unfortunately, very few authors write exciting transition novels, and Willingham isn't one of them.

But let me be very quick to add that The Dark Ages is a Fables book, and I love the characters and the premise. So I'm not saying this book is bad, I'm just saying it isn't my favorite one in the series.

As I indicated, the major story line of the first 11 books has been resolved; thus this volume starts out by letting the citizens of Fabletown and the farm enjoy some downtime in the aftermath of the war. Unfortunately, the good times don't last because, as in our own world, there is always some evil person or being ready and able to fill the void.

The Dark Ages introduces us to a new bad guy--a very creepy one at that--and lets us see his initial acts of destruction and the first-response actions of the Fable folks. The leadership of the Fable community is also undergoing a transition in the postwar period, and some beings on the new team are having trouble coping with the changes and their newfound power.

These are the seeds for the next story arc, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the situation develops. Some of the changes in volume 12 are drastic, and it's no wonder a few of the characters are feeling blue. We readers are too.

The scan I've included here gives you an idea of the artwork for The Dark Ages but includes no spoilers to the book. It does, however, show you just how far-reaching the new evil has spread. (Click the image to enlarge it.)

Fables is a branching story, with a couple of spin-offs, tangents, and a prequel. So I will be leaving the main Fables books now to catch up on the Jack of Fables sub-series. I'll also take the time to read the prequel at this point. If you're starting the series and are confused (like I was), worry no longer. Thanks to the wonderful Kailana of The Written Word, I now have a reading plan. Be sure to see her fabulous post "So You Want to Read Fables?" Kailana's suggested reading order is designed to avoid spoilers while providing the needed background for each new volume.

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Published by DC Comics / Vertigo 2009
ISBN-13: 9781401223168
Source: bought (see review policy)
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