Fables #83 Review

Fables is a book that many people have commented on. With Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges ready to take over the JSA, I thought it was time that the Revolution start looking at this series. I have read the first few collections and they were excellent.

This issue is the start of a crossover with Jack of Fables. I will attempt to post reviews of the whole crossover.

Creative Team
Writers: Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Pencils: Mark Buckingham
Inks: Andrew Pepoy

Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: The story so far…Fabletown has been destroyed. The Fables are on the run and hiding at the Farm. Mister Dark is setting up his home on Bullfinch Street. Tensions are mounting as the Fables begin fighting among themselves. Bigby (the Big Bad Wolf in human form) and Beast (from Beauty and the … ) are ready to fight each other.

Stinky the badger is telling the legend of how (formerly Little Boy) Blue will return to defeat the Adversary, claim the throne, and unite the Fables. From now on Stinky will lead the Blue Way. All followers will wear a blue scarf.

Bigby and Beast turn into their animal forms and attack each other. The fight is very violent. It continues until their wives (Snow White is married to Bigby, Beauty is married to Beast) get between them and talk them down. Snow orders Bigby to return to their home.

Once they are home, Snow questions him. Their children listen. Snow wants to know why Bigby would let his animal instincts take over when he has spent centuries showing others that he has been redeemed. Bigby says that he feels a dark force working on him. It is the influence of Mister Dark. He caused Bigby and Beast to fight. Bigby has to leave before Mister Dark makes him hurt someone he loves.

Stinky gets a phone call for Rose Red (Snow’s sister). Jack wants to talk to her but she is asleep. Snow talks to him. He is calling to warn them that the world will be ending in a day or two. One of the Literals, Kevin Thorn, can wipe them out with the stroke of his pen.

Beast is skeptical of Jack’s story. Snow is doubtful but remembers the last time they ignored one of Jack’s warnings. The Wooden Soldiers almost destroyed them. King Cole suggests sending Bigby to Jack. That would get him away from Mister Dark’s influence. They agree.

In New York City…a mugger kills an elderly couple.

Mister Dark comments that his influence is spreading among the weak souls. His power is growing.

Comments
The Good: This is one of the most amazing series I have read. The effortless way that Willingham combines all of the world’s legends and fables is a great job of writing. The concept is original. I am enjoying the world building he has done. Reading the collections shows how the series has grown. It started with Bigby as a detective and grew from there.

I have read the first couple of books and had no problem following this story. Mixing this many well known fables (Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Little Boy Blue, King Cole, the Old Woman who lived in a shoe, and many others) and having the story make sense is a good example of storytelling. I liked Willingham’s first series (The Elementals) but never dreamed he was this good of a writer.

Buckingham and Pepoy turned in a solid art job. They have their hands full with all of the different animals and characters among the Fables. Then they are expected to turn around and draw a scene in a New York alley. Keep up the good work.

The Bad: Nothing on the story side. Artwise, at times it seems rushed and scratchy but for the most part it is good.

Overall: A must read series. Anyone looking for something different should give this series a chance. This is a perfect time to try it during the crossover. With a television series in development, Fables will be getting more and more exposure. The collections should be available to help support the new readers.