Read All the Comics!: Fables

I’m so behind on my writing. Partly because I missed a day of writing and partly because this is where Fables gets really good, so I’ve read a lot in the past two days. Here I go!

Fables 12-13

Bigby deals with an intrepid reporter who’s discovered this group of immortal beings. That the reporter thinks they’re vampires doesn’t negate the need for the matter to be dealt with. The ensuing caper isn’t bad, but ultimately feels like filler.

Apparently Sleeping Beauty's curse isn't that particular.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Fables 14-27

Fables: Last Castle

Issues 14-17: Bluebeard and Goldilocks conspire to assassinate Bigby and Snow. They fail and are killed for their troubles. Snow discovers she’s pregnant. (Bigby’s the father. They were under an enchantment at the time.)

This is where Fables jumps up a tier. This is a super fun arc as Snow starts to admit her attraction for the wolf. Prince Charming starts to display hidden depths when it comes to protecting the welfare of Fabletown.

I like how Buckingham draws the transformation.

Snow's heart starts to thaw.

Last Castle: A one-shot depicting the last stand in the homelands before the Adversary conquers the last bit of resistance. Boy Blue’s romance with Red Riding Hood is horribly tragic in a Gift of the Magi kind of way, but with more death.

I swear I made the O Henry connection on my own.

Issue 18: A cute little story about Thumbelina playing Smurfette to a town of Liliputian men.

As good a time as any to call out James Jean's exceptional covers.

Issue 19-21, 23-27: The March of the Wooden Soldiers arc. Baba Yaga, masquerading as a not-dead Red Riding Hood, leads an army of soldiers against Fabletown. It’s an epic battle that’s very well executed by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham

Heh.

Aww.

Issue 22: We find out that Cinderella is basically Fabletown’s James Bond, working for Bigby. She’s awesome.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Really good

Fables 28-29

A war story about Bigby’s time in WWII. He meets Frankenstein’s monster. It’s an unnecessary interlude to what’s been a stellar string of issues.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Fables 30-35

The series makes the leap to Pure Joy. All of the drama with Snow giving birth, Charming winning the mayoral election, and the resulting fallout is so darn fun to read.

Heh.

Then there’s the gut punch revelation of Snow’s seventh baby. It’s absolutely heartbreaking when Snow finally meets her child for the first time and she’s forced to push them away.