Review: Fables 22: Farewell by Bill Willingham

Oh my, what to say about the final volume of the Fables series? Fables 22: Farewell by Bill Willingham) is a collection of "final stories," illustrated by Mark Buckingham and a host of other artists, which conclude some story arcs and leave others in a satisfying place.

The chapters within this volume range from a single page to several, and there are at least two prose (non-illustrated) segments as well. I particularly liked the stories about the Wolf family (Bigby, Snow, and the cubs), the Lady in the Lake, Rose Red, and King Cole. We get a peek into the distant future and learn what will become of the characters and their families . . . kind of.

I say kind of because some of the story arcs end right at a moment of transition, meaning that Willingham has shown us the characters' paths but is not leading us down them. It's up to us to figure out what may happen next. In other cases, we are given something more definitive (deaths, happily ever afters).

In general, I liked Farewell. I'm okay with some ambiguity, and I don't think the Fables universe will ever be fully at peace or at rest. I'm not so sure what I think about the integration of the mundy world (I don't want to say more for fear of spoilers), but I can live with it.

I thought it was fun that all the Fables artists had a chance to add to this final volume, but at the same time I was grateful that Buckingham drew the bulk of the book. I totally understand why so many artists contributed to Farewell, but the variety of styles meant that some of the continuity between stories was lost. Still, all in all the art -- especially the fold-out cover and fold-out end to the final story -- was fabulous. The scan is an example of Buckingham's work.

There a few extras in the back of the book, including notes from Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham, some reproductions of swag, biographies of all the people who worked on the series, plus a key to the fabulous cover.

I'm sad to say good-bye to Fables. I enjoyed the crazy journey and learning about how the Fables characters coped in our world while trying to defeat the enemy who exiled them from their own worlds. It may be the end to main Fables stories, but I'm happy to have a few spin-off volumes left to read.

Good luck to the Fables team in the years to come. I can't wait to see what else they have to offer us.

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Review: Camelot (Fables 20) by Bill Willingham

Camelot, volume 20 of Bill Willingham's Fables series, set us up for the grand finale of the entire story arc and the Fable characters' ultimate quest of good over evil. Although this volume has a transitional feel, the plot lines and character development all move forward, hinting at what's to come.

Rose Red: The main focus of  Camelot is on Rose Red's embracing of the mantel of hope and her resurrection of the Arthurian round table, with new knights who have new causes. The foundational ideal is second chances, which has the unfortunate side effect of causing a rift between Rose and her sister, Snow White.

The Wolf family: The Wolfs must cope with their various crises, and some of the best scenes of the book involve one or the other of this family. As in Snow White (which I reviewed yesterday), these are still emotional and changing times for the family.

Geppetto: In a short piece about the Geppetto, we learn that the old woodcarver still has a few tricks up his sleeve. We'll have to wait to see if he uses them for good or ill.

Camelot art and general thoughts: The artist for the majority of volume 20 is Mark Buckingham, who really excelled here, particularly in the panels that depicted the after/next life. Super work. Although this volume acts as a bridge to the end of the series, it returns to the classic Willingham humor and epic storytelling. If you've made it this far into Fables, you'll want to read this volume carefully, so you'll be ready for the end. This isn't my favorite Fables volume, but I think it's an important installment.

Final story: Camelot ends with a two-part story called "The Boys in the Band." The members of Boy Blue's old band take it on the road, ending up in an alternative Scotland, where they have some action-packed adventures. The story is drawn by Steve Leialoha, who took a somewhat minimalist approach. The darkly inked panels work well for the tale, which hints at some of what's to come in the final two Fables volumes.

published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2014
ISBN-13: 9781401245160
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Cubs in Toyland and Snow White by Bill Willingham

As the brilliant Fables series by Bill Willingham winds down to its end (only two more volumes left, one in May and one this summer), I'm catching up with the last three already-published volumes. Today I cover Fables 18 and 19, and tomorrow I focus on Fables 20. Then I'll be caught up, left to wait for the next issue.

If you are new to Fables or want to know about the spin-offs and other related series, you absolutely must read Kelly's awesome guide. The latest edition can be found over at Book Bloggers International (click the link), and you'll want to bookmark the post because you'll return to it a lot.

Here are my thoughts on Cubs in Toyland (#18) and Snow White (#19). A number of things happen in these volumes, some of which tell us the ultimate fates of characters who have been around from the very beginning.

• The Cubs: Three cubs play big parts in these volumes. Therese learns that it isn't always great to get what you wish for but if you accept the consequences of your actions you can sometimes find a way to make amends. Darien learns what it means to be the pack leader. Ghost provides help when it's most needed.
• Bufkin: When we last saw him, Bufkin--the unwinged flying monkey--was in great trouble. Thanks to his fellow Ozians, he escapes death but doesn't necessarily escape danger. He and his friends have many heroic adventures until they settle in for their final years.
• Bigby and Snow: Wow! A lot happens to our favorite couple, and I can't really talk about any of it without revealing major spoilers. Their story appears in Snow White, although we learn some interesting things about Bigby at the end of Cubs in Toyland. I hate to be so vague, but you'll thank me later for staying silent.
• General thoughts on Bufkin: I haven't been a huge fan of Bufkin, but I ended up pleased with the direction his life took. I was surprised by the humor, action, and even love included in his story arc. Shawn McManus drew the chapters focused on Bufkin. He used bright colors, and I thought he was especially good at rendering facial expressions. Well done!
• General thoughts on the Wolf family: So many emotions in these chapters, and I couldn't get enough of them. What a roller coaster ride--plus Snow White ends on a bit of cliff hanger. Argh! But I loved how the final panels circled around to pick up the loose threads of Cubs in Toyland. The Wolf family story was drawn by Mark Buckingham, who is my favorite Fables illustrator. He draws an awesome Bigby.
• Other stuff: In these two volumes, we learn more of Mrs. Sprat (now known as Leigh Duglas), Geppetto, and Beast (as in Beauty and the). We also discover something surprising about Leigh's former sword master. All of this promises to affect the future of the main characters and maybe of Fabletown itself.

Have I mentioned how sad I'm going to be when the final book comes out in July? Fortunately, I haven't yet read all the spin-offs, so I can stay with the Fable characters a little longer.

Both published by DC Comics / Vertigo
Cubs in Toyland, 2013, ISBN-13: 9781401237691
Snow White, 2014, ISBN-13: 9781401242480
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: A Double Take from Bill Willingham's Fables Series

Werewolves of the Heartland is a spin-off adventure in Bill Willingham's Fables series.

Bigby Wolf is scouring the country for a possible new location for Fabletown. When he comes across Story City, Iowa, he senses something is not quite right, but he doesn't act fast enough and is hit by a drugged dart. When he awakes, he discovers he has been captured by rogue werewolves, led by an old friend of his. Although most of the pack consider Bigby to be a god among wolves, others are bent on his destruction. Woe to those who think they are stronger and cleverer than Bigby.

Bigby Wolf has always been one of my favorite Fables characters, so I'm always happy to read an issue centered on him. In this installment, we learn a few secrets of Bigby's past and get a glimpse of his true powers and strength. Bigby is complex, and different sides of personality come into play in this volume. I'm fascinated with how he can be so kind one minute and so terrible the next.

This action-packed story doesn't add a lot to the main Fables plot line but gives us insight into Bigby's background. We also meet a new character, whom we're sure to see again. This issue was drawn by Craig Hamilton and Jim Fern, who did a great job, especially with rendering the transitioning werewolves.

Inherit the Wind is volume 17 in Bill Willingham's main Fables series. There are three principle story lines that are interwoven throughout the book.

My favorite story (no surprise here) is centered on the Wolf family. Bigby, Snow, and the kids are at the home of the North Wind. A new North Wind must be chosen from the blood line, which means one of the Wolf children will take his or her grandfather's place as king. I loved the different personalities of the children, and the way the new wind was finally revealed. This was a fun story.

I was less interested in Bufkin's story. When we last saw him, he had escaped the Fabletown library and was on the run from the Nome King with a ragtag gang of fellow fugitives. After a promising start, they find themselves once again captured. This story ends on a kind of cliff-hanger. I'm hoping what I think happened, didn't really happen.

Finally, I'm following with interest the transformation of the new Ms. Spratt, former lover of Mr. Dark, who now goes by the name of Leigh Duglas. She is in training, determined to get strong and tone her new, lean body. She, of course, is motivated by evil intent and cannot be trusted. There is sure to be a reckoning when she's reunited with the other Fables characters.

This volume is illustrated by Mark Buckingham, who (as I've said before) is my favorite Fables illustrator. I particularly like how he drew the characters needed for the North Wind panels: the zephyrs and air movement were nicely done.

Werewolves of the Heartland published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2013
ISBN-13: 9781401224806
Inherit the Wind published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2012
ISBN 13: 9781401235161
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Super Team (Fables 16) by Bill Willingham

If you're into comics then you probably already know that the long-running Fables series is coming to end this summer. There is a collected volume coming out sometime this spring and then the last one will be published in June (I think).

I'm determined to be caught up with the series before the last volume hits the bookstores, so you can expect several Fables reviews in the coming weeks.

As always with long series, there is no way not to spoil the earlier plot lines, but I won't give away anything in this volume: Fables: Super Team, Volume 16.

Short take: Oh how I loved this installment. Super Team reminded me of just how funny Willingham can be.

The main story line of volume 16 is Pinocchio's hair-brained scheme to hand-select a group of Fables characters and redefine them as superheros (to be known as the F-Men, although women are included). He's even come up with caped costumes and a series of identifying symbols. In the scan at the right (from near the beginning of the book), Ozma has just tried on her costume for the first time, and Pinocchio is telling her how the superhero universe works.

Of course, the ultimate plan for Pinocchio and all the Fables characters is to find a way to defeat Mr. Dark once and for all. Some of the action in this book takes us to Dark's new headquarters in Darkland, where he's developed an interesting relationship with Mrs. Sprat. Meanwhile, sideline stories focus on Beauty and the Beast; Bufkin and the Magic Mirror; and Snow, Bigby, and their family.

Super Team has everything you want out of a Fables issue: jokes, action, plot twists, and a satisfying end with a hint of what we can expect in the next volume. An added bonus is that the bulk of the book was drawn by (or at least under the direction of) Mark Buckingham. He may be my favorite of the various Fables artists because I so easily relate to his interpretations of the characters.

Super Team ends with a short story titled "Waking Beauty," which is illustrated by Terry Moore. The artistic style of the story is a departure from the main book, but is very appealing. Some of the panels (like the one shown at the left) have incredible details. Willingham didn't forget the humor here either -- check out the sign with instructions for the princes who hope to rouse Beauty from her sleep.

Before moving on to volume 17, I'll be taking a detour by reading Werewolves in the Heartland, which is a Bigby-centric story. I thank Kelly from The Written World for writing what I consider the definitive guide to reading the Fables books and the spin-offs. Check out her "So You Want to Read Fables" post.

Note on the images: All rights remain with the original copyright holder. Click the images to see them full size.

Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2011
ISBN-13: 9781401233068
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Fables 15: Rose Red by Bill Willingham

It's my understanding that the long-running Fables series, by Bill Willingham and his team of artists, is coming to an end this spring with two final books: number 21 in April and number 22 in June. I've loved most of the main story arcs, and I'll be sad to say good-bye to my friends in Fabletown.

Of course, there are several spin-off books and series. I've already read the Jack of Fables books, but I still have the Cinderella books, a Bigby book, and the Fairest series to look forward to.

The title of volume 15 is Red Rose, and the collected issues focus on two main story lines plus a number of extras. As always, I'll avoid spoilers for this volume, but I can't help but reveal what's happened earlier in the series.

Rose Red and Snow White: The first part of the book includes tales of Rose and Snow's childhood and how they ended up on separate paths. We also learn the true story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (hint: those dwarves weren't really all that nice) and how she met her prince. I really enjoyed this story arc and especially loved the panels that showed the two as little girls (see scan).

Frau Totenkinder / Bellfower: The second part of the book focuses on Totenkinder, now transformed and calling herself Bellflower. This section moves at a swift pace, as the powerful witch tries her hand at both defeating Mister Dark and finding a new life. Lots of action and unexpected twists; you'll have to read the book to see if she succeeded in either quest.

Extras: The final part of volume 15 consists of some short pieces featuring Thumbelina, the Three Blind Mice, and Pinocchio. Although the Pinocchio story ended on an intriguing note, I didn't love this part of the book.

The Art: The Rose Red chapters were penciled by Mark Buckingham and Inked by Steve Leialoha and others. The colors are vibrant and the facial expressions and body postures are lifelike and convey so much more than just the words do. Buckingham and Leialoha were responsible for much of the Totenkinder chapters, and the details and darkness of those panels enhance the story perfectly.

I was less taken by the art in the short stories: the color range in the Thumbelina panels is primarily limited to greens and browns, and I found the lack of detail in the drawings to be disconcerting after the richness of the earlier stories. The art for the Mice adventure has a smudgey appearance, which felt like a good fit.

Recommendation: Rose Red renewed my interest in the Fables series, which was waning after the Jack books and the Great Crossover volume. The endings of the stories included in volume 15 promise changes--some that will have broad repercussions on all the Fables and some that will affect just a few characters on a more personal level. I rate Rose Red as one of my favorite issues.

Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2011
ISBN-13: 9781401230005
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Fables 14: Witches by Bill Willingham

It's been a very long time since I reviewed a volume in Bill Willingham's imaginative Fables series. I read all the Jack of Fables spin-off arc and then came back to the main story through volume 13: The Great Fables Crossover.

Now that Jack is out of the limelight and the Literals seem to have been banished, the story returns to the destroyed Fabletown, the Farm, and the regained Homelands. I was happy to see familiar faces and to get a hint at where the main story may be going.

This post assumes you've read the previous volumes, but there are no spoilers for Fables 14: Witches. Click on the scans to see them full size.

• What happens? There are three story lines. One focuses on Frau Totenkinder, Ozma, and the other spellcasters; one takes us to the lost Fabletown Business Office, where Bufkin has been trapped; and the other takes us to Ambrose in the conquered Homelands.
• The witches: The power seems to be shifting on the thirteenth floor, as Frau Totenkinder takes on her youthful form and leaves (in secret, she thinks) the mundie world in hopes of finding a way to conquer Mr. Dark. Meanwhile Ozma  is plotting a way to take advantage of Totenkinder's absence.
• Bufkin: Stuck in the Business Offices with only Franky and the Magic Mirror to talk to, Bufkin is getting restless. When he discovers that Baba Yaga has gotten free, he realizes it's up to him to defeat her. He is at a loss until the Magic Mirror reminds him of all his book learning
• Ambrose/Fly: Although he's determined to have a negative-free kingdom, Ambrose soon learns that it will be impossible. Forced to dispense justice from the throne, he struggles with how he can remain kind yet strong.

• Thoughts on the story: I'm so happy to be back to the old Fables. I love the mix of humor (much of it adult) and action. Some of the characters are truly frightening, but then we see a puppy Dalmatian (one of the 101!), and he's just so darn cute (see the scan above right) we temporarily forget Mr. Dark. It was fascinating to see Bufkin in a new light, to learn the Magic Mirror's story, and to see Ambrose find some peace and balance. Although the collection doesn't end on a major cliffhanger, the seeds are planted for the next volume, and I can't wait to read it.
• Artwork: The illustrations in Witches are great. I love the rich colors and the characters were well drawn. I haven't been a fan of all the artwork in the past, but this volume is a winner. The bad guys look bad, the creatures are expressive, and the action is easy to pick up on. Bravo to the team of artists, which includes Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Lees Loughridge, and Todd Klein. The cover is by Joao Ruas, who also created the covers for the individual issues (see the scan to the left).

Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2010
ISBN-13: 9781401228804
Source: Bought  (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Ten Short Takes: Catching Up with Book Reviews

Here are ten books I read or listened to in 2014 I never got around to reviewing on Beth Fish Reads (though reviews and blurbs may have appeared elsewhere). This post catches me up on books I don't plan on reviewing individually in this space.

Humming a Tune

Wonderland by Stacey D'Erasmo is an introspective novel about Anna, a middle-aged indie rock star who goes on tour in hopes of staging a comeback. Although the audiobook (read by Xe Sands) was well done, the novel suffered from lack of cohesiveness. (Houghton Mifflin, 9780544074811). Rock-and-roll journalist Lisa Robinson has seen it all and met them all. Her memoir There Goes Gravity, is a gossipy, witty, sometimes nostalgic insider's look at the popular music scene both on the road and at home. A must-read for music fans. (Riverhead Hardcover, 9781594487149) Rebecca Rotert's Last Night at the Blue Angel is set in the 1960s and tells the story of a blues singer as she and her daughter face an uncertain future while preparing for her last gig at a rundown Chicago club. An enthralling character study and social commentary. (William Morrow, 9780062315281)

Graphic Duo

Brian K. Vaughan's Saga series continues to surprise me. I never thought I'd be so caught up in a comic series that had science fiction roots. Love, war, family, and fascinating beings and worlds give this ongoing series universal appeal. A little humor lightens the mood. The beautiful illustrations are by Fiona Staples. (Image Comics) Jeff Lemire's Sweet Tooth series is one of my favorite comics. In a dystopian world, children who have been born with animal parts are hunted out and destroyed in the name of scientific study. Your heart will go out to our hero, the young Sweet Tooth, a fantastically complex character. This series has ended, so you can now read the entire story arc in collected volumes or in individual issues. (Vertigo)

Elements of Mystery

Everyone knows by now that Robert Galbraith is really J. K. Rowling. In The Cuckoo's Calling, the first in her Cormoran Strike series, she proves her diversity as a storyteller. Strike, a London private detective, is asked to investigate an already closed high-profile suicide case because a client insists it was actually murder. Great plotting and characters. (Mulholland Books, 9780316330169) Joshua Ferris's To Rise Again at a Decent Hour is not a mystery per se, but it involves elements of identity theft and a fringe religious cult. If I hadn't been listening to it for a freelance assignment, I wouldn't have finished this disjointed story of a dentist's journey to self-discovery. Others have loved the novel. (Little, Brown, 9780316033978) Susanna Kearsley's The Splendour Falls is a little bit mystery and a little bit romance. Enjoyable escape reading, the book is set in modern-day France but involves both World War II and a 13th-century queen. (Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781402258619)

Foodie Finds

Meet Paris Oyster is Mireille Guiliano's love story to her favorite bivalve. A charming and informative look at all things oysters, including species, how to order them, how to eat them, and what to drink with them. Although she generally likes her oysters raw, the book includes a handful of classic and simple recipes. A fun resource. (Grand Central Life & Style, 9781455524082) Daniella Martin has the answer to humankind's future food supply: eat insects. In Edible, she makes a strong case for the importance of insects in the human diet throughout evolution and argues that eating insects is key to providing low-fat, high-quality protein to large numbers of people with minimal environmental cost. She may be right. (New Harvest, 9780544114357)

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Review: Sven the Returned by Brian Wood

One of the graphic novel series I read this summer was Brian Wood's Northlanders, which is historical fiction that takes place during the time of the Vikings. Instead of focusing the entire fifty-issue series on a single character or plot line, Wood wrote seven independent story arcs, each of which is set in a different location and in different years, spanning roughly from the 700s to the 1200s. Here are my thoughts (with a minor spoiler) in a bullet review.

What's it about? The first volume, Sven the Returned, is set in the Orkneys in 980 BCE. Sven, the son of a Viking lord, left his northern home when he was a boy, rejecting his inheritance as much he felt his family rejected him. He eventually ended up in Constantinople, where he made a good a life for himself as a Varangian. When he learns of his father death, however, Sven decides to return to the islands to claim his wealth and defeat his uncle, who has taken over the lands.

The good. I was initially drawn to the series because it was about Vikings and because I loved the artwork (by Davide Gianfelice) (click the scans to see full size). I also appreciated that the story was fairly realistic, with almost no fantasy or myth elements. You should be aware that Northlanders is most definitely an adult series, with plenty of violence and some sex.

The not so good. Sven wasn't a very sympathetic character and came off as selfish and greedy. This made it difficult for me to feel sorry for his situation and to root for him to regain his inheritance, especially because he wanted the money and didn't really care about what happened to the people. In the end, he showed a better side of himself, but it was not enough and a little too late. Furthermore, the women in the book, were not very well developed, although I liked Enna, a Scotswoman, whom Sven met when he was living in Orkney wilderness.

My main problem with the book had to do with the setup of the comic itself. There were quite few instances in which Wood resorted to descriptors instead of illustrating what was happening. For example, instead of demonstrating a change in seasons through the artwork, Wood includes a narrative bubble that reads, "Months pass, winter comes" (p. 84). In another instance, instead of showing us through facial expressions that Sven is attracted to a young woman, Wood adds a thought bubble that says "And she had my heart" (p. 112).

My final complaint was that the ending was fairly predictable and that a few plot points were glossed over or dropped.

General thoughts. Unfortunately I can't wholeheartedly recommend Sven the Returned. In fact, for the reasons I discussed, I don't plan on reading more of Brian Wood's Northlanders series. On the other hand, it's important to remember that each story arc in the series is independent, and the other collected volumes may be much more successful.

DC Comics / Vertigo, 2008
ISBN-13: 9781401219185
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Bullet Review: The Unwritten: Inside Man (Vol. 2) by Mike Carey and Peter Gross

In July 2012, I reviewed the complex and intriguing start to a literary graphic novel series: The Unwritten by Mike Carey and Peter Gross. I have no explanation for why I waited eighteenth months before reading volume 2. It's a shame because the premise is unique and the story is a genre-bending mix that has something for everyone.

In a nutshell, Tom Taylor's father, the world-famous author of the Tommy Taylor wizard books (kind of like Harry Potter), has disappeared. Although Tom has spent years living under the shadow of his namesake (some reviewers have said the inspiration is A. A. Milne's son, Christopher) and wants desperately to be treated as person separate from his father's fictional character, he also wants to find his dad.

This review doesn't spoil volume 2 but assumes you've read volume 1.

• What happens? In Inside Man, Tom Taylor is transported to France, where he is imprisoned while awaiting his trial for the murder of six people (see the end of volume 1). Besides trying to avoid his enemies and hoping to be proven innocent of murder, Tom wants to resume searching for his missing father, abetted by Savoy (you'll find out who he is in the book) and Elizabeth Hexam, whom we've already met. In the midst of chaos, Tom discovers something startling about himself.
• Thoughts on the plot. The story is not told in a linear fashion, and the plot backs up in time a couple of times to catch us up with the present so we understand what brought each character to the moment of action. Carey pulls this off well, and I was easily able to follow along. As with the first volume, Inside Man weaves real life with fantasy/magic, literary references, and historical events. I don't think the book is difficult to understand, but the complexity of the plot invites you to pause, so you can try to unravel the ultimate mysteries of the main story arc: who exactly is Tom Taylor and what happened to his father?
• Comment on reviewing. I realize you may be scratching your head, wondering what the Unwritten books are all about. That's because it's almost impossible to review these books without spoiling them completely.
• Notes on the artwork. I like the muted colors and the expressive drawings, and I'm especially impressed with the way Gross's illustrations reflect the different aspects of Tom's adventures. For example, the style changes when the action moves from Tom's present-day situation to scenes that portray historical events. The pages that represent blog posts, a Twitter stream, newspapers, and a Web search have immediately recognizable looks and help create another layer to the novel. The scan is from Tom's introduction to prison and was picked to avoid spoilers (click to enlarge).
• Recommendations. Although Unwritten is not a particularly deep series (at least not so far), it requires some attention, so don't pick these graphic novels expecting a quick, light read. I recommend them for people who like books with interwoven layers, stories within stories, and stories about stories; mystery fans; and maybe even fans of Harry Potter. I'm hooked and have promised myself not to wait forever before picking up volume 3.

Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2010
ISBN-13: 9781401228736
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Thoughts: Jack of Fables Volumes 6 to 9 by Bill Willingham

As many of you know, I've been working my way through Bill Willingham's wonderful graphic novel Fables series. A while back, I had reached the point in the main story line at which I had to veer off and read the Jack of Fables subseries. I reviewed the first five Jack books separately, but got stalled in my reading because Jack's story just doesn't interest me as much as the core books.

I miss the main Fables stories, so this weekend I decided to quit dragging my feet and finish up with good ole Jack. Now I can't wait to get back to Fabletown and all my favorite Fables characters.

If you don't know who Jack of Fables is, he's also known as Jack Horner, Jack the Giant Killer, and Jack B. Nimble. He's a troublemaker who believes he's the greatest Fable of them all. He's constantly scheming and always selfish, and he thinks he's God's gift to Fable women.

Here are the highlights of the final four books starring Jack:

• The Big Book of War (Jack of Fables 6): Jack learns who his real father is, with some surprising repercussions. We also discover that the original fairy tales were different from the stories we humans have told for centuries and learn why Mr. Revise hid the ancient books, rewriting the stories for human consumption.
• The New Adventures of Jack and Jack (Jack of Fables 7): Jack Frost, Jack's son, enters the story. He is an innocent who decides to become a hero for hire. Meanwhile, Jack of Fables has angered one of the artists and is now a fat, ugly guy who eventually turns into a dragon.
• The Fulminate Blade (Jack of Fables 8): Jack Frost discovers his powers and becomes a true hero, even though he's not always the brightest bulb in the lamp.
• The End (Jack of Fables 9): Jack Frost is hired to kill a dragon; yes, that dragon is none other than his father, Jack of Fables. Meanwhile, the Page sisters are attempting to find all the original fairy tale books, and many ex-pat Fable creatures have decided to move back to Fabletown to rejoin their colleagues. All roads lead to the dragon's den, where chaos ensues.

Although Jack of Fables becomes a tiresome character, Bill Willingham's witty dialogue, detailed drawings, and trademark humor are found throughout all these novels. In addition, they each contain interludes with Babe the Blue Ox, who has been shrunk to miniature size. He spends most of his days dreaming up his ultimate fantasy life.

I don't think I'm alone in my opinion that the Jack books are not Willingham at his finest. I much prefer to read about Fabletown, situated in a magical part of New York City, and the upstate New York Fable Farm, where the creatures who can't pass unnoticed in the human world live.

Regardless, I'm not sorry to have gotten to know Jack, and I suspect we'll see him again. I'm also looking forward to reading the much more successful Cinderella spin-off and the Fairest subseries. There are also a couple of stand-alone graphic novels that tie into the greater Fables world.

According to my friend Kelly, I was supposed to stop at Jack of Fables 6 to read the The Great Fables Crossover book, but I forgot, so I'll get to that one next. For a great post about how all the Fables books are interrelated, check out Kelly's "So You Want to Read Fables...?" over at her blog The Written World. She provides an easy-to-follow reading order guide plus a brief history of the series and subseries.

Published by DC Comics / Vertigo
Vol 6: 2009 (ISBN-13: 9781401225001)
Vol. 7: 2010 (ISBN-13: 9781401227128)
Vol. 8: 2011 (ISBN-13: 9781401229825)
Vol. 9: 2011 (ISBN-13: 9781401231552)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Jack of Fables: Americana by Bill Willingham

In Americana, the fourth installment of Bill Willingham's Jack of Fables books, Jack is (as usual) looking for easy money to put him back in the lap of luxury. But before he can put his latest scheme in motion, he has to put Humpty Dumpty together again. And that he does.

Setting out with the egg, Pathetic Fallacy, and Raven (a Native American Fable), Jack jumps a train to Americana, the home of the New World Fables. There we meet various people of legend, including Huck Finn and Roaring Twenties gangsters.

Unfortunately for Jack, his enemies have hired the great Natty Bumpo to track him down. That guy was one serious tracker, and no matter where Jack hides, Natty eventually finds him. Thanks to the self-sacrificing Paul Bunyan, Jack and his friends escape capture. Will they find the legendary golden treasure? And if they do, will they be able to hold on to it?

Although the story line in Americana is not my favorite of the fable books, Willingham and his team are at their funniest. There are several (adult) laugh-out-loud moments that make the book well worth your while. The scan (click to enlarge) is from when Jack tries hiding out in Canada. Apologies to my friends north of the border, but I had to share this page.

The book ends with tangential story of the Fables putting on Hamlet, starring Alice of Wonderland fame. Although a few scenes made me chuckle, I'm not quite sure what it has to do with the larger story arc. Perhaps I just missed it.

As with all the Fables books, a number of artists worked on Americana, and this entry was nicely drawn. The drawing style varies a bit throughout the series, and Americana's illustrations were visually appealing to me. In the scan, you can see what a great job Jack did when he reconstructed Humpty Dumpty.

Buy Jack of Fables: Americana at a bookstore near you.
DC Comics / Vertigo, 2008
ISBN-13: 9781401219796
Rating: B+
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Review: Jack of Fables 3: The Bad Prince by Bill Willingham

If you've been following my Fables reviews, then you know I wasn't all that crazy about the first two entries in Bill Willingham's Jack of Fables spinoff series. I'm so glad I decided to keep reading, though because volume 3, The Bad Prince is one of my favorite Fables installments.

Here are the major plot lines as best as I can do without including spoilers. Jack is on the run from a questionable organization that is out to control the memories of the Fable beings and thus strip the world of magic. The person in charge is named Mr. Revise. In The Bad Prince, we learn more about the background of Revise and his family.

While Jack and his new sidekick, the Pathetic Fallacy (who now wants to be known as Gary), are wandering around the American Southwest, they're picked up by one of Revise's minions. That adventure proves to be an eye-opener for our buddy Jack. He learns something about his origins, and we witness an event of great significance. Jack, however, is so busy stewing over his origins that he hasn't yet realized what happened.

Finally, somewhere in Manhattan, a Mundy (human) may be about to expose the Fables and their Fabletown home to the world at large. Click on the scan to see the first page in this story arc. There are no spoilers on the page, and you'll get an idea of artwork.

As always, there is quite a bit of humor (visual and verbal) in the story. In addition, I like the artists for The Bad Prince, and despite the cover, Jack is pretty handsome in this book.

I'm now looking forward to the next Jack books, the great cross-over book, and my return to the main Fables series.

The story is by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges, and the art team includes Tony Akins, Russ Braun, Andrew Pepoy, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein. The cover art is by Brian Bolland.

Buy The Bad Prince at an Indie or at a bookstore near you. This link leads to an affiliate program.
Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2008
ISBN-13: 9781401218546
Rating: B+
Source: review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Thursday Tea: Fables 9: Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham

The Book: Volume 9 of Bill Willingham's Fables series, Sons of Empire, is a collection of short stories. The title story focuses on the great battle between the Adversary and the folks in Fabletown, which is the underlying plot of the series. This is a grim tale of good and evil and involves spies, warfare, and political intrigue.

Other stories are much lighter and quite fun. We learn how Punz (Rapunzel) deals with her long hair when she must go out into the world of humans, we see Bigby's young wolf cubs learn to hunt (and get into mischief), and we meet the three blind mice.

My favorite stories have to do with the Bigby family Christmas. When I started reading this volume of Fables, I had no idea how appropriate it would be for the season. Fun to meet Santa and to learn that he is real (well, in the context of Fabletown). The scan (click to enlarge) shows one of Bigby's sons asking the question everyone wants to ask. To discover the answer, you'll have to read the book. (Yes, I'm a tease.)

The Tea: We've had colder Decembers here in central Pennsylvania, but it's still cold enough to make me look forward to my afternoon tea break. This week I'm drinking Bentley's Orange Spice tea. Believe it or not, I can't find a Bentley tea site online, so I don't have a link for you. But the tea has a nice citrus-spice aroma and it's very warming. I've always liked black tea with orange in it, and for a basic tea, this one is satisfying.

The Assessment: We've already established the fact that Bigby is probably not much of a tea drinker. But I'd like to think that Punz or Snow White or maybe even Santa would go for a cuppa. And if they do drink tea, I bet they wouldn't turn down a homey, simple tea like Ceylon orange spice.

What About You? As we race toward the holiday season, have you had time to read? If so, what's holding your interest this week? Are you drinking tea? Or have you switched to hot buttered rum or a little eggnog?

Fables 9: Sons of Empire

Fables 9: Sons of Empire at Sea at Powell's

Fables 9: Sons of Empire at Book Depository
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Thursday Tea was the brainchild of Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog.

Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2007
ISBN-13: 9781401213169
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Rating: B
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
FTC: I buy all teas myself, I am not a tea reviewer.

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Thursday Tea: Fables 8: Wolves by Bill Willingham

The Book: I don't know how he does it, but Bill Willingham manages to make each new Fables book better than the last. Volume 8, Wolves, is probably my favorite of the novels so far. I'm sure it's because the book stars Bigby Wolf (as in the Big Bad Wolf), and I might just have a bit of crush.

Without getting too spoilery for those who are thinking of reading the series, I'll just say that Bigby's been going through a rough time and has hidden himself away either to wallow in his troubles or to attempt to move on and start over. He's looking pretty haggard lately, as you can see in the scanned panel (click to enlarge it); or his expression may be the result of that empty bottle.

The book involves a string of adventures involving a diversity of beings from the Lilliputians to the giants of Jack and the Beanstalk fame. In this volume, unlike the previous novels, the action takes the Fable folk far from home, even all the way to Russia. We have spying, politics, and even a little romance, and as promised by the title, Bigby, Mowgli, and a couple of wolf packs play major roles.

Willingham has a team of artists, nine of whom worked on this volume. As always when reading a Fables book, it's very important to take the time to really look at the artwork; not only for the characters' expressions but also for the fun details.

The Tea: Last year when I was in Washington, DC for the National Book Festival and the Baltimore Book Festival, I visited a tea shop called Teaism with Julie from Booking Mama and Swapna from S. Krishna's Books. I loved their Keemun tea so much, I now keep a small supply on hand. Here's the description: "Perhaps the most important black tea from China with a slight smokiness and notes of sugar cane and red wine. Lower grades are often used in English Breakfast blends." Yes, I'm still drinking it black with no sweetener!

The Assessment: Umm, well, I don't really see Bigby as a tea-drinking kind of guy; strong black coffee would be more his style. On the other hand, I bet his real favorite drink doesn't involve caffeine at all (click on the scan for a hint). Time to buy him a new bottle and pour us both a mugful.

What About You? Our rain is back so I'm all about warm drinks and curling up with a good book. What are you reading today and have you discovered anything good to pour in your mug?

Wolves at an Indie

Wolves at Powell's

Wolves at Book Depository
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Thursday Tea was the brainchild of Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog.

Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2006
ISBN-13: 9781401210014
'Source: Review (see review policy)
Rating: B+
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
FTC: I buy all teas myself, I am not a tea reviewer.

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Review: Fables 7: Arabian Nights (and Days) by Bill Willingham

Sometimes series get bogged down after while, sometimes they drag, sometimes they become predictable. That is decidedly not the case with Bill Willingham's Fables books. Each one continues to be complex and imaginative. The series does not retell traditional fairy tales; instead, it places familiar characters in a completely new setting.

These days, most Fables live in the modern world among us Mundies because they've been run out of their homelands by The Adversary. Life in Fabletown (hidden in New York City) and on the farm (for creatures that cannot take on human form) can be pleasant and even loving and fun, but there is a constant underlying worry that The Adversary will finally catch up with them.

East meets West in the first story in Fables 7: Arabian Nights (and Days). The enemy has invaded Bagdad, and it's not just the Western occupying Mundy forces. Thus Sinbad—along with his advisers, harem, and slaves—arrives in Fabletown seeking refuge. Although Sinbad is treated with respect, Prince Charming's administration insists that all of Fabletown's inhabitants be free.

After some deliberation, Sinbad agrees to follow Fabletown's laws, declaring that he'll emancipate his slaves. Unfortunately, his primary adviser cannot accept Western ways and so decides to seize power for himself by releasing a dangerous D'Jinn. Can the Gingerbread House Witch and the North Wind find a way to save Fabletown with minimal collateral damage?

The second story in Fables 7 is about two wooden beings, Rodney and June, who fall in love and want to become human so they can marry and have children. They are given a chance to meet with Geppetto, who has the power to grant them their wish. The couple's transformation will require a great sacrifice, and that situation sets us up for future story lines.

The scan at the right (click to enlarge) shows life on the Fables' farm. I picked it so you could get an idea of the great artwork and colors and to let you see one of the lighter scenes. I also carefully avoided any kind of spoiler.

If you decide to read Willingham's Fables series, you'll want to start with the first volume and read them in order. The stories build on each other, and the characters grow and change and are affected by their experiences. You'll also want to look carefully at the drawings—Willingham and his artists include many visual and puns throughout the books.

Note that the Fables series is drawn by a team of artists: Mark Buckingham, Jim Gern, Steve Leialoha, Jimmy Palmiotti, Andrew Pepoy, Daniel Vozzo, Tod Klein, and James Jean.

Arabian Nights (and Days) at an Indie

Arabian Nights (and Days) at Powell's

Arabian Nights (and Days) at Book Depository
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Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2006
ISBN-13: 9781401210007 Source: Bought (see review policy)
Rating: B
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Homelands (Fables 6) by Bill Willingham

If you like fairy tale retellings, adult humor, and graphic novels, you can't beat the Fables series by Bill Willingham. In the sixth entry, Homelands, we follow two principal stories.

The first tale reveals what happens to Jack (as in "and the Beanstalk," "and Jill," "Be Nimble," and more) after he disappears from Fabletown. It seems that he looted the town's treasury and then lit out for Hollywood to become a movie producer. He wants to make a trilogy of his own life story that will be the biggest fantasy ever to make it to the big screen.

Things don't go quite the way Jack had hoped, and the story marks the jumping-off point for the Jack of Fables series (which I plan to read).

The rest of Homelands focuses on Boy Blue and his attempt to infiltrate the Fables' original world, which is currently under the control of the Great Adversary. His ultimate motivation is to rescue the love of his life, Miss Red Riding Hood, and to defeat the enemy, if at all possible. In this tale, we learn some truths about Blue, Pinocchio, Geppetto, and Mowgli, among other familiar characters. We also see how Fabletown is faring under the Charming administration.

As I've said before, the people and creatures of the Fables books are not your childhood friends. The characters we meet have seen generations of life and several worlds, and they've grown and changed. Willingham's novels are wonderfully illustrated by a team of artists, who add action, emotion, and details to the basic plot.

Give it to me quickly: World-wise fairy tale characters tackle modern problems in this graphic novel series. Fables 6 focuses primarily on Jack, Geppetto, and Boy Blue.

Fables 6: Homelands at an Indie

Fables 6: Homelands at Powell's

Fables 6: Homelands at Book Depository
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Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2006
ISBN-13: 9781401205003
YTD: 58
Source: bought (see review policy).
Rating: B+
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: The Mean Seasons (Fables 5) by Bill Willingham

As always when I review a book in a series, I reveal no spoilers for this novel but I assume you've read the earlier titles.

Bill Willingham's Fables 5: The Mean Seasons focuses mostly on Bigby Wolf. In several short stories, we learn of his work to protect Fabletown from the enemy who drove the characters out of their homeland. We also read of Bigby's activities during World War II. The principal episode in Fables 5, however, is a more personal look at Bigby and Snow White.

Between Fabletown's mayoral election and political upheaval and Snow White's going into labor, Bigby has a lot on his mind. He is about to become a father for the first time (that he knows about!) and meanwhile must work with Beast (as in Beauty and) to make sure the post-election administration team can handle their new duties.

When Snow's babies turn out to be a mix of human and wolf, she realizes she must move to the Farm, where animal fable characters live away from the prying eyes of the Mundies (humans). The only problem is that Bigby's been banned from the Farm. Fortunately for Snow, she finds much help and support in her new home--some from a surprising source. She also learns a little bit about Bigby's childhood.

Each entry in the Fables series gets more complex and imaginative. Willingham's fairytale creatures are based on the stories you remember but are also much more than that. They've had centuries of experiences since the events that made them household names. They've changed, they've grown, and they are not necessarily what they seem. Throughout these very adult graphic novels, Willingham peppers the violence and harsh realities of Fabletown with humor, both verbal and visual.

In the scan shown here (click to enlarge) Snow is talking to her sister, Rose Red, about Bigby.

Fables 5: The Mean Seasons was drawn by a team of artists: Mark Buckingham, Tony Akins, Steve Leialoha, Jimmy Palmiotti, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein. The characters are consistently portrayed and their emotions and action are clearly presented. Many panels have fascinating details, and readers will linger over the illustrations.

Give it to me quickly: Some of Bigby's past is revealed in this entry in the Fables series, which is an adult look at how familiar fairy tale characters cope with the modern world and troubles from their past.

Fables 5: The Mean Seasons at an Indie

Fables 5: The Mean Seasons at Powell's

Fables 5: The Mean Seasons at Book Depository
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Published by DC Comics / Vertigo, 2005
ISBN-13: 9781401204860
YTD: 56
Source: bought (see review policy).
Rating: B+
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: March of the Wooden Soldiers (Fables 4) by Bill Willingham

In volume 4 of his Fables series, Bill Willingham takes a bit of darker turn than he did in the first novels. March of the Wooden Soldiers, includes much less humor and much more sorrow.

The book begins with Boy Blue's telling of the last days of life in the fable Homelands. A few hundred years ago, the Adversary's army finally breached the last fortress of the fable beings. The remaining characters either stayed to fight to the death or were given leave to flee. The survivors narrowly escaped to the mundy (our own) world before the last gates were locked, presumably forever.

Unfortunately, in modern-day Fabletown, Snow White (the deputy mayor) and Bigby Wolf (the sheriff) learn that at least one of those gates has been unlocked. Apparently, the Adversary's wooden army has been ordered to kill the fable beings and bring all the magical artifacts back to the occupied Homelands. A major battle ensues, and Willingham doesn't necessarily save all of our beloved characters.

The action is intense, bloody, and deadly. In the course of battle, some of the fable beings are revealed in their true state and with their full power--an awe-inspiring sight. This novel includes almost none of the art humor that made the first three volumes such fun to read. Joking would be inappropriate in these dire times.

March of the Wooden Soldiers demonstrates Willingham's versatility. The plot is intense, and the art matches the mood. Most of the panels are rendered in black, browns, and purples to match the story line. The page embedded here is one of the few done in brighter colors, but it shows no spoilers. Pinocchio and the Frog Prince are consoling Boy Blue. The three are on the stoop of their building in Fabletown. Note that Willingham, the writer of the Fables series, works with a team of illustrators.

As always, Willingham ties up the immediate plot lines by the end of the novel. At the same time, he moves the larger story arcs forward and teases us with clues of what's to come.

March of the Wooden Soldiers at an Indie

March of the Wooden Soldiers at Powell's

March of the Wooden Soldiers at Book Depository
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Published by Vertigo, 2004
ISBN-13: 9781401202224
YTD: 37
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Rating: B+
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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