Jack of Fables: The Fulminate Blade

Title: Jack of Fables Vol. 8: The Fulminate Blade

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

With Jack Horner, former star of JACK OF FABLES, permanently transformed into a dragon, Vertigo reboots the series with a new hero, Jack Frost. The world in which this story takes place is the world in which Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers lived, only thousands of years later. All that remains is superstition and feudalism and all of the old technology is regarded as magic now. Jack seeks the magic blade which will defeat the Giant King. But of course nothing is as it seems since the good guys always reveal themselves to be evil in the end.

I was a bit disappointed by this volume. I've come to expect all kinds of great things from the Fables and Jack of Fables series. And this one really just disappointed me. I felt the plot was rushed and lacked the finesse of characters. The witch fell flat. The king fell flat. Hell, even MacDuff the wooden magical owl fell flat. I finished reading the volume and didn't want more. That's a bad sign. Hopefully, Volume 9 gets better...

Jack of Fables:

Jack of Fables: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 7: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Jack Frost, son of Jack of Fables, has left our world and has decided to make his way to the Imperial Homeworld, where his mother is still trapped under a city of thorns. Along the way he will encounter many fantasy monsters, brigands and troops of roving goblins, and have to battle his way through them.
And while Jack Frost undertakes his quest, Jack of Fables is slowly transforming into something unexpected -- and deadly.

I've liked the Jack of Fables series, but it has been getting a bit old. I was done with Jack's antics. I needed something new. Thankfully, Jack's son Jack Frost has more or less taken over the volume. And he's out to make a name for himself as a hero. His naiveté intrigues me. He's just so heroic and innocent, such the opposite of his father. I wonder where the story will lead to next? Here's hoping we see more of Jack Frost and that lazy dragon!

Jack of Fables:

Fables: The Great Fables Crossover

Title: Fables Vol. 13: The Great Fables Crossover

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 232

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

All nine issues of the long awaited crossover between Vertigo's two popular series Fables and Jack of Fables are collected here.The world of Fables is introduced to a whole new set of characters...The Literals. The Literals are characters that embody, literally, different literary genres such as Mystery, Comedy and Romance. One of The Literals goes by the name The Storymaker, one who can vanquish the world of Fables with one stroke of his pen.When Jack discovers the existence of The Literals and their leader Kevin Thorn aka The Storymaker, Jack must leave his own book and crossover to the world of Fables to warn Fabletown about Kevin Thorn. Does the The Storymaker plan to close the book on the Fables universe once and for all?

I loved The Literals! How could you not? Mystery, comedy, blockbuster, noir, science fiction, and especially fantasy... And come on, horror as a little girl? Perfectly creepy! The fight between the Fables/Literals/half-Fables (that would be Jack of course) was perfect fun. I loved seeing the culmination of the volumes length buildup between the Litearls and Jack and the Page Sisters and Mr. Revise and Kevin Thorne. It made for an interesting read. The only thing I didn't like: no mention of Mr. Dark. I hope we get back to that storyline in Volume 14 Witches...

P.S. Bigby as a little girl? Priceless!

Fables:

Fables: The Dark Ages

Title: Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Tourists of the world unite! If you've ever craved a guided tour of Fabletown's secret Manhattan location, prepare to be voraciously satiated. Pinnochio has a field day taking a certain VIP around the city. And exactly which Fabletown denizens are no longer active (dead, alive or otherwise) just might shock you into a comic book coma. Also in this volume, you'll find the 4-part story featuring Freddy and Mouse, two local rogues who just want to get along and perhaps turn a bit of profit in the post-war, topsy-turvy world. Meanwhile, in Fabletown, a new political group forms called the Society of Seconds, and what they want doesn't seem very reasonable at all.

First of all, look at that cover! It is gorgeous! I was mesmerized by the cover for at least 10 minutes without even starting the volume. But don't worry, once I got into the volume I most heartily enjoyed that as well. Such twists and turns. I've come to expect surprises with every Fables volume, but this one really got me. I admit it, I teared up with Boy Blue's story. I wanted to smack Rose Red. I championed Bigby and Frau's attempts to save Fabletown. And I tried to hide myself away from Mr. Dark. The art continues to be more and more intricate and beautiful. I can't wait until tomorrow when I can start the next volume!

Fables:

Fables: Sons of Empire, The Good Prince, and War and Pieces

I read these three volumes back to back, so I decided to just do a combined review.

Title: Fables Vol. 9: Sons of Empire; Vol 10: The Good Prince; Vol. 11 War and Pieces

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2007; 2008; 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 200; 240; 192

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Collecting FABLES #52-59! Pinocchio suffers seriously divided loyalties between his father, the evil Adversary, and his fellow Fable refugees in New York. Plus, Bigby Wolf reluctantly decides it's finally time to square accounts with his long-estranged father, the North Wind, and makes a journey with Snow White and their kids to find him.

Collecting issues #60-69 of the hit series, collecting the epochal "Good Prince" storyline. Flycatcher is drawn into the spotlight as he discovers the startling truth about his own past as the Frog Prince. At the same time, he learns that the Adversary plans to destroy his foes once and for all. How can the meek Flycatcher stop this deadly foe?

The final battle between the free Fables of the mundane world and the Empire occupying their former Homelands is about to begin, and the scrappy storybook heroes have already managed to even the odds considerably. With his previously unstoppable wooden soldiers neutralized, the Adversary is about to get his first taste of high technology in the form of steel-jacketed bullets and laser-guided bombs. But the ruler who conquered a hundred different worlds didn’t do it by fighting clean—and he’s still got a surprise or two left to spring on the residents of Fabletown.

I continue to devour these volumes, much as Bigby devours a huge store of meat. I love the story lines. Willingham has taken all the old fairy tales and put his own spin on them. I love the characters. Blue has become a recent favorite, but I continue to love Cinderella and Flycatcher and Snow White and Bigby, and really of them. I love the paintings. Each cell is intricately drawn. But also we get panels along the top and sides. Very intriguing and eye-catching. I am very happy with how they handled the war with the Adversary. There were enough twists and twins in there to keep me engaged throughout. I love the strategies each side tried to varying successes. The only thing I am sad about is the loss of Prince Charming. He was such a fun character! I hope he's not permanently lost.

This series has officially become an epic. And now it's come to an end. Well, not really. The war has come ot an end by there are many stories left to tell. Unfortunately I again have to wait for the library for the next volume. I'm hoping they get it marked for holds on Tuesday so I can pick it up on my lunch hour. But I have to restrain myself and keep some of the already published volumes for my Fables Reading Challenge for next year.

Fables:

Peter and Max by Bill Willingham

Title: Peter and Max: A Fables Novel

Author: Bill Willingham and Steve Leialoha

Publisher: Vertigo 2009

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 400

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables

How I Got It: borrowed from library

Set in the imaginative realm of the award-winning comic book series FABLES, the book takes place long ago, in the deepest dark of The Black Forest. Two brothers — Peter Piper and his older brother Max — encounter ominous forces that change them both irreparably. Thus begins an epic tale of sibling rivalry, magic, music and revenge that spans medieval times to the present day, when their deadly conflict surfaces in the placid calm of modern day Fabletown.
PETER & MAX: A FABLES NOVEL features the prose of award-winning comic book writer Bill Willingham and the lush ink drawings of FABLES artist Steve Leialoha. The novel also reveals secrets of some of the regular FABLES series cast members including Bigby Wolf, Frau Totenkinder and Bo Peep. Also included is an 8-page sequential story by Willingham and Leialoha that serves as a bridge to the FABLES titles.

So excited about this story! Throughout the entire novel, I had this image of sitting in front of fire listening to a storyteller tell a tale. The writing throughout felt like a conversations. it didn't have stilted descriptions or unrealistic dialogue. I enjoy the style so much I kept stopping to wonder how Willingham can write like this. I want to write like this. It seemed so effortless.

In regards to the story itself, I loved how Willingham weaves all the Peter stories into one seamless tale. We see Peter and Max both in the Homelands and on the outskirts of the Farm. We get appearances by many other Fables throughout. My favorites still has to be Frau Totenkinder (or the Witch of the Black Forest or whatever name she happens to go by). I loved that the story was associated with the comic series, but not dependent on reading the Fables series to enjoy the book. Overall a hit!

Fables: Arabian Nights (and Days)

Title: Fables Vol. 7: Arabian Nights (and Days)

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Collecting issues #42-47 of writer Bill Willingham's Eisner Award-winning creation, FABLES: ARABIAN NIGHTS (AND DAYS) opens a new front in the struggle between the Fables and the Adversary as the worlds of the Arabian Fables are invaded — leading to an unprecedented diplomatic mission to Fabletown and a bad case of culture shock! This seventh volume of the popular Vertigo series also includes "The Ballad of Rodney and June," the 2-part story of forbidden love among the Adversary's wooden soldiers, and features stellar Art by Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Jim Fern, Jimmy Palmiotti and Andrew Pepoy.

When I went to read Volume 7, I found out that the library didn't have it!! Horrors upon horrors. Someone had lost it. A new copy was on order, but no availability date. I was saddened. But I decided to read on in the series. I would just have to fill in the blanks later. Thankfully Vol. 8 didn't rely heavily on Vol. 7. But I still wanted to read it. Thursday I received an email from the library that Vol. 7 was available. Thank goodness! I rushed to the library Saturday (would have gone Friday, but Veteran's Day so closed) and snatched it up. I even thought about reading it before finished the book I was reading, but I restrained myself.

The storyline about the Arabian Fables lands was interesting. I liked the twist on the djinn (genie in the bottle). He's not your Disneyfied version, but much closer to the legendary djinns of mythology. It was a good bridger bringing in Sinbad, Mowgli, Red Riding Hood, and Boy Blue. I liked it.

However, I felt like "The Ballad of Rodney and June" was superior storytelling. It starts out as a simple story about one of the wooden soldiers, but then it becomes something more. We get insight into the Adversary's army. We see how the wooden soldiers think. And we get a twist... I won't give it away, but I imagine it will become important as the series progresses. I can't wait to see Rodney and June again!

Fables:

Jack of Fables: The Big Book of War

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 6: The Big Book of War

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

The Siege of the Golden Boughs occurs in which Bookburner's army attacks Revise's compound. Jack returns not as a prisoner but as its Commander in chief. A further explanation of the Literals, and their extended family of characters who symbolize literary notions is explored. Secrets and setups are revealed such as the relationships between Jack and the Page sisters.

Back to Jack's big story involving Golden Boughs and the Bookburner. I loved this volume. It had it all: action, romance, drama, cliffhangers, comedy. We finally learn about the connection between the Bookburner and Revise and all the Literals. I love how they've expanded the world beyond the Fables. We are getting to see how all the worlds are connected and in fact rely on one another to survive. That's something that the Bookburner fails to grasp. if he succeeds in destroying all the Fables, what does he then do? He would have no purpose, no goal. He would cease to exist. Interesting concept... I am continually amazed by how well written this series and the parent series, Fables, are. I love them to pieces.

Jack of Fables:

Jack of Fables: Turning Pages

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 5: Turning Pages

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Get ready for Jack's adventures out West, as Smiling Jack Candle crosses paths with a grim sheriff from back East who carries no gun. Collecting issues #22-27 of the series Publishers Weekly says "any sophisticated comics fan will enjoy."

Jack in the Wild West! Very entertaining. I liked the story. However, I think the better story was when we moved back to present day with the Page Sisters, Mr. Revise, and the Bookburner. The story's getting so complicated and twisted... just the way I like it. I loved seeing the different personalities of the Page Sisters as not just women for Jack to shag but women with their own agendas. It certainly clarified a few things for me. And we get to see more of the interaction of Kevin Thorne and Priscilla Page. I wonder what's going to happen next? Oh yeah, and we see what Jack's about to get himself into by returning to Golden Boughs. Interesting, interesting.

Jack of Fables:

Fables: Wolves by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables Vol. 8 Wolves

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/ 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables

Fabletown's ex-sheriff Bigby Wolf and ex-deputy mayor (and power behind King Cole's former mayoral throne) Snow White finally tie the knot in this arc from the series about the fairy-tale characters who walk among us (or, at least, New Yorkers). That can't happen before Mowgli finds missing, moping Bigby and the latter undertakes a reprisal mission against the Adversary.

Collecting issues #48-51 of writer and creator Bill Willingham's award-winning Vertigo series, WOLVES also includes newly-created maps of Fabletown and the Homelands illustrated by Willingham and, as a special bonus, Willingham's complete script to the double-sized issue #50.

At this point, I don't know if I have anything inventive to say about the Fables series. I love each and every volume. This one was no exception. We see the reappearance of Bigby Wolf (always one of my favorites). Plus, the kids the grown so much. I love seeing all six (I mean seven! hee hee Frau Totenkinder) kids grow and change. They're such fun little side characters. And Cinderella makes a very integral appearance to the mission in the Cloud Kingdoms. Can't wait for the next volume, but I will have to as it's on hold at the library.

Fables:

Jack of Fables: Americana by Bill Willingham

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 4: Americana

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Jack hits the road in search of a lost city of gold in this new collection featuring issues #17-21. Aided by his sidekicks Paul Bunyan, Humpty Dumpty, Gary the pathetic fallacy and the mysterious Hillary Page, Jack's in for the adventure of a lifetime!

Another hit! Jack has really grown on me in the last few volumes. He's more than just the bad boy of Fabletown. His stories just keep getting more and more involved. This time we encounter a few old favorites (Hello Mr. Dumpty and Alice) and a few new ones (Goodbye Mr. Burner). I have loved the twists and turns. Finding out the connections between all the fables, and more importantly the stories themselves, has been a great adventure. And this volume has zombies! Best volume yet!

Jack of Fables:

Jack of Fables: The Bad Prince by Bill Willingham

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 3: The Bad Prince

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series; A to Z Titles: J

No sooner have Jack and Gary escaped Lady Luck (see Jack of Hearts) than the Librarians of Golden Boughs recapture them for return to Mr. Revise. Worse still, they’re reunited with Wicked John, the fellow Fable who resembles Jack. An argument ensues, and after a mini-van crash at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the adventures really begin. Willingham and company are in top form (artist Andrew Robinson’s work on the final chapter is outstanding), so Jack and the crew are witty and snarky as ever, even in what is basically an interlude explaining histories and telling secrets. --Tina Coleman

Another win. Honestly I don't think any of the Fables series volumes are going to score lower than 4 stars. I just love them and this one is no exception. After the incident at Golden Boughs, I thought Wicked John would play a bigger role in a future volume. I am glad to see the snarky Wicked John make a repeat appearance. We get to see more of Jack's history and his current mistakes. I really love see how he screws up these situations. Just love it. And the Pathetic Fallacy (aka Gary)! I knew there was more than meets the eye. I just love that they've explained more about the entire Storytime world and how the Fables interact with it. Big reveals in this volume! And the next one looks just as good.

Jack of Fables:

Jack of Fables: Jack of Hearts by Bill Willingham

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 2: Jack of Hearts

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2007

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

In this volume collecting issues #6-11, Jack reveals the secret of his former relationship with the illustrious Snow Queen — when he took her powers and became known as Jack Frost. And in present times, he lands in Las Vegas and meets his lovely new bride, a directionless heiress. Could it possibly be "happily ever after" at last?

Two great continuing adventures of Jack. He is really growing on me as a character. Not quite as good as the main Fables series, but definitely a great little read. I enjoyed the story about the Snow Queen. Shows us what she was like before becoming the partner of the Adversary. And the little (hee hee) twist as to what caused her illness: Very nice! Wonder if that will come back up again. Entertaining back story. The Vegas story was interesting, but mostly for the interludes featuring the Page sisters and Mr. Revise. I am really liking the whole deleting fables side plot. Very interesting stuff. Can't wait to see what happens to Jack next!

Jack of Fables:

Jack of Fables: The (Nearly) Great Escape by Bill Willingham

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2007

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Jack is forced into the Golden Boughs Retirement Community, a jail of sorts where Fables are imprisoned until society-at-large forgets about them, thereby diminishing their magic powers. Enlisting the support of Goldilocks and a cage full of fairies, Jack plans the entire retirement community's escape. Willingham and Sturges give Jack a bad-boy attitude, making him an everyman hero that readers won't always identify with, but will enjoy watching flub and fake his way to freedom, complete with clever riffs on the Turtle and the Hare, the Toothfairy, Mother Goose and Humpty Dumpty.

Not as great as the main Fables series, but definitely a good read. Jack has always been on the periphery of the Fables series. He finally gets his starring role. This volume picks up right where Fables: Homelands leaves off. Jack has been cast out of Fabletown forever, but soon finds himself among other Fables. Some of whom are no longer remembered. But this isn't a nice home. It's a prison run by the horrendous Mr. Revise and his Senior Librarians, the Page sisters. We meet Humpty Dumpty, the Tortoise and the Hare, The Carpenter and the Walrus, Goldilocks (her return!), Paul Bunyan and Babe, and even Alice. All were great side characters. I especially love Goldilocks. She's so psychotic, it's just fun to see her work. A great Jack story. Can't wait to read the rest.

Jack of Fables:

Fables: Homelands by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables Vol. 6: Homelands

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

This clever, enjoyable series written by Willingham, has a rather ingenious premise: what if all the characters of fairy tales lived, loved, schemed, and fought in a modern-day city of their own? This installment contains two fun story arcs. One, a cute satire of contemporary Hollywood, stars Jack, of beanstalk fame, portrayed as a rather unsavory trickster. Making his way to Hollywood with a fistful of cash, he becomes a wildly successful producer of films based on his own mythological exploits. Eventually, though, his ruthless business practices and unsavory past catch up with him. In a longer story, Little Boy Blue goes on an epic quest to find and kill a shadowy tyrant.

Another amazing Fables volume! I just can't get over how much I adore this series. I can't wait to get the next volume and speed through it. This one had two great stories. Usually I liked one of the stories more than the other one, but not this time. Jack has always been one of my faves and I'm glad he got his own story. Plus he has a whole spinoff series (don't worry, I got the first four volumes from the library already!). Jack in Hollywood, just seems natural. Plus we get to meet Jill (you know, of Jack and Jill). She's an interesting side character. I really hope we see more of her in the future.

Then the big story: Homelands. We know from the previous volume that the Adversary is continuing to expand the empire. We actually get to go the Homelands and see the expansion. And we meet the Snow Queen (Sigh! She's so evil, I love her). And we meet Gheppetto (sp?). And we remeet Red Riding Hood (kinda saw that one coming). And the Blue Fairy (I feel so sorry for her). And Mowgli (interesting character, hope we see more next volume). And Frau Totenkinder (she's becoming my absolute fave!). All in all, a great collection of new and relatively new characters to tangle with. I saw who the Adversary was a mile away, but it's still a great story. The series is really going now...

Fables:

Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Fables Series

A volume full of backstories about the fairy- and folktale characters who figure in the hit comic book Fables gets the kind of classy treatment success merits. Every story in it is drawn by a different artist who shows off his or her distinctiveness in manners ranging from traditional comics realism and photo-based naturalism to Maxfield Parrish-Howard Pyle sumptuousness and a panoply of caricatural styles.

I absolutely loved this volume. Another Fables volume lives up to the promise of a great story. All the backstories were entertaining. Variations on the fairy tales of yore. We start with Snow White becoming Scheherazade on a mission to secure the Sultan's alliance against the Adversary. Very nicely woven as the background to the other tales. The real Scheherazade even makes an appearance. Then we get stories involving Snow and PC and the dwarves, Reynard the fox, the Frog Prince, Bigby, an unlucky rabbit general, Snow and Rose Red and Frau Totenkinder (with appearances from other Fables), a mermaid, and King Cole. Each story flows into the next with crossover events and characters. Throughout we see the real history of the Fables before they escaped to NYC. Very entertaining to hear of the origins. I think my favorite was Frau Totenkinder's story. The evil witch isn't all she seems. She's become one of my favorite characters in the entire series. And of course, the artwork was amazing. Each illustrator had their own style, but remained true to the fairy tale magic throughout. Great side volume for the Fables series!

Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables: The Mean Seasons (Vol. 5)

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2005

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fairy Tales

Pages: 168

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Fables Challenge

The title story here depicts the year after the attack from the Adversary. Summer sees the birth of Deputy Mayor Snow White's sextuplets (the father is Sheriff Bigby Wolf); fall, Prince Charming's election as mayor; winter, bad decisions by the new administration; and spring, plans to counterattack the Adversary. Two shorter pieces show Bigby Wolf on a secret mission during World War II and Cinderella entrapping a Fable who is collaborating with the Adversary. Tony Akins draws the shorter stories with less detail than Mark Buckingham does the big one; both uphold Fables' snappy good looks. Ray OlsonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Loving this volume. We get to see Cinderella as something more than a vapid princess. And we get a little bit of Bigby's history. He is fast becoming my favorite character in the series. As much as I enjoyed the two shorter stories, I must say they don't hold a candle to the long story. The setup is perfect. We see the changing tide through the changing of the seasons. Very inventive! And we get to meet a few new characters, especially the interesting and mysterious Mr. North. I can't wait to learn more about him. We also get more mysteries as Beast and Beauty take over for Snow and Bigby and Prince Charming becomes mayor. They all find out that many things are not what they seem in Fabletown. Oh yeah, and the return of Rose Red. I thought her character had more potential than the rebel sister and she's starting to show it. Can't wait for the next volume...

Fables:

Fables: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2004

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 240

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Fables Series

How I Got It: borrowed from library

Willingham's happy idea of bringing the Fables--that is, the characters of Europe's best-known fairy tales--to contemporary New York rolls merrily, dangerously along in two stories. The former, "The Last Castle," guest-drawn by P. Craig Russell and Craig Hamilton, flashes back to the Fables' last stand in their home world; echoing the Disney and John Wayne Alamo flicks and Peter Jackson's Two Towers, it winningly introduces the long title story, in which Boy Blue reencounters the love he loses in "The Last Castle"--the grown-up Red Riding Hood. But is this the same Red? Reason for doubt precedes her in goblin sightings near a door between this and the Fables' worlds--and goblins can only be harbingers of impending attack by the Adversary, who drove the Fables into exile. Meanwhile, what's with these toughies in black suits who look like Pinocchio? Willingham never sacrifices a joke for the sake of a thrill, or vice versa, and artist Mark Buckingham continues matching Willingham joke for thrill, and vice versa. Ray OlsonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

"The Last Castle" was a great account the last battle. We finally get to know more about Boy Blue who has always been a background character until this point. I loved the inclusion of Red Riding Hood and Robin of Loxley and the Crow Brothers. And the story gives you som background leading to the main story...

"The March of the Wooden Soldiers." We finally get to see a battle between The Adversaries forces and the residents of Fabletown. We all knew it was coming, it just took four volumes to get there. The leadup and battle were artfully staged. I especially loved the scenes with Pinocchio. A very nice touch. And we get to revisit some of the Fable Farm residents. Plus Prince Charming redeems himself in battle, setting himself up to run for Mayor of Fabletown.

Overall, a very good volume. Can't wait to read the next installment.

Fables:

Fables: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham (Repost)

I am reposting my original review for Legends in Exile to count for my Fables Series Reading Challenge. I reread the volume, but didn’t have anything to add to my review.

Title: Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: DC Comics 2004

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 190

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon; Fables Series Challenge

How I Got It: borrowed from library

Definitely my favorite so far in the Fables series. This series is really growing on me. I just had to keep reading. Since it's a graphic novel, I read it in less than an hour.

The main story focused on the lingering problems of an unrequited love of Bigby to Snow, a fugitive Goldilocks, a poor Prince Charming, and a devious Bluebeard. I loved how they resolved (at least temporarily) some of the storylines set up in Volume 1. We also meet Briar Rose, second wife to Prince Charming (turns out Cinderella, who we met in Volume 1, was wife #3). And we encounter the mounted police made up of Fable rats and Lilliputians (you know, from Gulliver's Travels).

Beyond the main story, we got a story of Jack set in the Civil War, a two-parter concerning a nosey reporter, and the story of the Barleycorn vase. All three were entertaining, but the Jack story was my favorite. With an appearance and then disappearance of Death, Jack showed just how morally ambiguous he really is. I imagine this will come up later in the series.

Fables:

Fables: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham (Repost)

I am reposting my original review for Legends in Exile to count for my Fables Series Reading Challenge. I reread the volume, but didn’t have anything to add to my review.

Title: Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: DC Comics 2003

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 112

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon; Fantasy; Fables Series Challenge

How I Got It: borrowed from library

Definitely not as good as Legends in Exile, but still a good graphic novel. This story revolved around Fabletown's non-human inhabitants. They attempt a takeover of control of Fabletown and hopefully the Homelands. Of course, not everything goes as planned. And Snow White and Rose Red are caught in the middle. The twists and turns and intrigue weren't a surprise. I felt like I had read this story before. The plot was overdone and old. The characters were fairly interesting. However, Snow White was such a disappointment after her excellent debut. Read this volume in about an hour. It wasn't a wasted hour, but definitely not the best. Here's hoping that Volume 3 is better.

Fables: