Anyone NOT like Fables?

[Johan]

Why not? maybe you like it but...?

Id like to hear some opinions from the other side before i go out and pick up a few trades.

Thanks.

[vazel]

I know there's at least one on this board that has nothing but bitter spite aimed at the series.

[rick]

I'm not the bitter one, but I have to admit that I have never been able to get into the series at all.

[vazel]

I'm not the bitter one,No your not. ;) but I have to admit that I have never been able to get into the series at all.I think some explanation of why you don't like it would be helpful for a newbie like him new to the series wanting to cull as many opinions from the entire spectrum. I too would like to know why people don't like it.

For me this series has no flaws. Even the art from both Mark Buckingham and James Jean is top notch. Some of Mark Buckingham's work in Fables has even been compared to Jack Kirby. And I'm just dying for them to make James Jean's covers available in poster form.

[rick]

No your not. ;)I think some explanation of why you don't like it would be helpful for a newbie like him new to the series wanting to cull as many opinions from the entire spectrum. I too would like to know why people don't like it.

For me this series has no flaws. Even the art is amazing from both Mark Buckingham and James Jean is top notch. Some of Mark Buckingham's work in Fables has even been compared to Jack Kirby. And I'm just dying for them to make James Jean's covers available in poster form.


I know I'm just no fun, but the writing just never grabbed me, it's as simple as that.

I do really like the concept itself though.

Honestly, it sounds to me like you really shouldn't care what someone who doesn't like the book thinks. You sound like you enjoy it, so I think you should get the trades.

[stealthwise]

I know there's at least one on this board that has nothing but bitter spite aimed at the series.

Me, I take it?

Yeah, yeah, here's the rundown for me:

Great concept, mediocre execution, vastly overrated title.

Johan, give the first trade a try, and if you like it, great, pick up some more. If not, it doesn't really seem to get much better through up to volume four.

[Kevin Vetter]

I read the 5 issues I think and had enough. No real reason other than I just didn't find it interesting.

[Siddon]

I think it is uneven, I would rather a series be linear with a plot that moves from point A to point B to point C while Fables just seems to meander around. Thats not to say its not a good series but there is always 1 very good arc, 1 okay arc, and 1 arc that bores me to tears. It's one of the four or five weakest books I buy on a monthly basis.

[matthewaos]

I didn't happen to read anything regarding Fables, but I want to.

[Ilash]

For the record, as much as I enjoyed the first trade, Fables does get much better from there. It basically improves constantly throughout the first 50 issues or so and has since then kept a pretty steady level of very good to great.

[Bellis]

I liked the concept, but I really don't rate Bill Willingham as a writer. The first trade didn't want me to read on at all (stilted dialogue, unlikeable characters) and I don't believe in slogging through something to see it improve if nothing at all grabs you at the beginning.

[dancj]

If not, it doesn't really seem to get much better through up to volume four.
The consensus of opinion seems to be that each of the first four books is better than the previous (though personally I'd be vol 3 at the top)

Dan

[dancj]

I liked the concept, but I really don't rate Bill Willingham as a writer. The first trade didn't want me to read on at all (stilted dialogue, unlikeable characters) and I don't believe in slogging through something to see it improve if nothing at all grabs you at the beginning.
If it counts for anything I've been very unimpressed by Bill Willingham's stuff outside of Vertigo, but within Vertigo he's pure gold for me

[Johan]

would the hardcover book be a good way to start? i hear fables starts slow...is this story better than the first few trades?

[gorthon616]

Once the novelty factor dies down, it really reads like a generic ad nauseum Vertigo style story. Which I'm not really sure what I mean than that, other than I thought that it wasn't as clever or well written as it seemed to think it was.

I wouldn't say it's bad, just like most people it didn't grab me in any particular way. Imo, the core fan group is people who "like that kind of story" in the same way that I like superhero stories. And just like I'll shift around and pick up whatever is the best out of that crop of comics, I would say that for this kind of thing Fables was probably one of the best out of it's own crop.

But I don't think of it as anything special really.

[scratchie]

would the hardcover book be a good way to start? i hear fables starts slow...is this story better than the first few trades?I wouldn't recommend the hardcover. Although it's advertised as a good "gateway" book, it actually has some minor character spoilers in it.

There was another thread about this recently, and the consensus seemed to be (A) The first volume is not the best.
(B) If you want to start with one of the best volumes first, try "March of the Wooden Soldiers" or "Homelands".

[Siddon]

would the hardcover book be a good way to start? i hear fables starts slow...is this story better than the first few trades?

I don't think "The Good Prince" is a good jumping on point, like I said earlier it's a very uneven series (much like Preacher) its not contiunity heavy but it does have some semblance of a constant plot.

Animal Farm vol 2. is a pretty good start point, its the best of the series, though I feel its a very bad idea to only read the "best" story.

March of the Wooden Soldiers Vol 4. is where you should start, it outlines the War which has been the focus of the book for the last few volumes, its a middle of the road storyline and it has the OGN The Last Castle which is the book at its best.

If you love the series then you can try some of the earlier volumes but if you are just luke warm on it then you can just skip to Homelands Vol 6., Sons of the Empire Vol 9. and then the Good Prince vol 10..

So in conclusion your reading order should be

March of the Wooden Soldiers Vol 4.

If you love it

Legends in Exile vol 1
Animal Farm vol 2
Storybook Love vol 3

If you like it

Homelands vol 6
Sons of the Empire vol 9
The Good Prince vol 10

The other volumes

Vol 5 The Mean Seasons - Covers the aftermath of the war, ties in most of the subplots of the first 4 volumes but doesn't have anything that great in it.

Vol 7 Arabian Knights and Days - Which is a very bad sub-plot story that introduces a bunch of characters you don't need to know about. The worst of the series

Vol 8 Wolves - Is a throw-back story to cover the main characters from the earlier issues, its okay but Sons of the Empire cover the important plot points.

[Matthew K.]

I like every TPB I've read so far...granted some are more grasping than others, but each has it's merits and as a whole I really enjoy the series.

No complaints.

[Sanagi]

It has its ups and downs, and sometimes it feels like Willingham is still writing Sandman Lite, but overall I don't dislike it.

[Agent_Torpor]

Depends on the arc. Some i've read have been beyond awesome. Some, I couldn't be arsed to care about the characters involved (i.e. recent "good prince". Zzzzz)

I am lookin' forward to the new Cinderella arc coming up, though. And the James Jean covers are always spot-on.

[The Adventurer]

What some people are calling "ups and downs" are not such at all. One of Fable's greatest strengths is how it is not stuck in one "genre". It is one of those rare titles that can literally do ANYTHING at ANYTIME without breaking its own rules. Its opening arc is a murder mystery, its follow up is a political thriller, etc... not every arc will jive with everyone for that reason. But the fact that there is litterally something for everyone in this series is reason enough for everyone to check it out.

And on top of that, the main meta-plot of top notch and runs constantly through the series, seamlessly woven between the different genre tones. Which is why you should start at the beginning, and if the murder mystery part of the first arc doesn't grab you at least give volume 2 a shot as its tone is completely different.

[ddqfpluskick]

I don't like Bill Willingham, but I do like Fables.

[Ryan Day]

I wouldn't say I dislike it, but I found it just kind of okay. Entertaining enough, but not really compelling; I didn't feel the need to keep reading after the first four volumes.

Strangely, I didn't even feel motivated to pick up the issues drawn by Mike Allred and Aaron Alexovich, two of my favourite artists.

[GeorgeG]

This is one of my favorite series each month.

The one thing I have an issue with--albeit a small one in the grand scheme of things--is that the "quality" has taken a hit.

I find it to be a great read. But, I don't know, say half way through the run Buckingham's (and perhaps editorial) effort seemed to wane.

If you compare the beginning of the series to the middle to where it's at now, you'll know what I mean (actually see it).

Buckingham would have a full page of art in the beginning. This would include panels (of course), but also art on the sides of the page and art on the top and bottom of the page as well. He basically framed the story page-to-page.

Then each page was numbered. Look at your titles each month and see who includes numbering nowadays--especally from DC & Marvel.

For me, the feel of the book was so right.

Then the numbering went. The art running vertically went. Then even the art running horizontally went. Some of it has returned, but not completely.

I just wish things would get back to where things started.

[Sanagi]

What some people are calling "ups and downs" are not such at all. One of Fable's greatest strengths is how it is not stuck in one "genre".
Which has nothing to do with what I called "ups and downs." For instance, the murder mystery at the beginning is very cliched. That's a down, not because of its genre, but because it doesn't do the genre well.

[DeeSnider]

Well I love Fables as well as Jack of Fables, but I don't think they're flawless. I feel like Willingham's writing gets cliched at times, and his "jokes" often fall pretty flat for me. I am soooo bored with the one page Babe the Blue Ox fantasies. They never really did much for me and at this point I just skip them.

But mostly that's just me playing devil's advocate. Both titles are always at the top of my "to read" stack the weeks they come out.

[40footwolf]

I thought that the first trade was good, if a little bit pompous and dull, the second trade was completely brilliant and then it sort of plateaus towards being "Pretty Good" up to The Mean Seasons, which was sort of dull.

I haven't read past that yet, though, so maybe it gets a lot better.

[Fatguy]

I didnt hate it, but I only read a couple of the very early issues and I just didnt get interested.

[Jack Destruct]

Nothing at all grabbed me about the First trade, so I ended up selling it on eBay. I'd heard that it's supposed to get better, but buying umpteen number of trades for a lacklustre series that 'might' get better just isn't going to happen.

I guess it's not aimed at me though, 'cause I obviously don't do the Fantasy thing seeing as IMO Sandman is the most overrated comic of all time.

[Dr. K]

I like Fables and, to a lesser extent, Jack of Fables, but I can understand why some people don't. Dialogue and characterization are Willingham's strong points, and those work very well with the concept of the series, but the plotting and pacing are really not that spectacular.

I would not recommend starting with March of the Wooden Soldiers. Despite what I said above, Willingham gets everything right in that storyline - it all comes together very well. But it's not representative of the series as a whole, and that's a shame.

If you like the concept and you don't take it all that seriously, it's definitely an entertaining read. But, despite glimpses of genius, it's not the grand story unfolding chapter by chapter for which it's mistaken. It's more like bits and pieces of that kind of story mixed up with tangential side-stories, character studies, jokes and diversions. All that stuff doesn't gel together though, making it very uneven.

That said, it's still one of my favorite reads, even though the critic in me doesn't think it's all that.

[Siddon]

Nothing at all grabbed me about the First trade, so I ended up selling it on eBay. I'd heard that it's supposed to get better, but buying umpteen number of trades for a lacklustre series that 'might' get better just isn't going to happen.

I guess it's not aimed at me though, 'cause I obviously don't do the Fantasy thing seeing as IMO Sandman is the most overrated comic of all time.

For a poster like you I would say if you need something to read I would go

Vol. 2 Animal Farm - which is the best standalone series and more a thriller
Vol. 4 March of the Wooden Soldiers - which is two WAR stories
Vol. 10 The Good Prince - which catches you up with the series and is very LOTR

[mgs]

I don't think I'm the bitter one either, but I do feel like rick.I'm not the bitter one, but I have to admit that I have never been able to get into the series at all.

It just doesn't appeal to me. It was one of those concepts that I did not see too much originality in, as many other comics at the time had taken fairy tale characters and put them in someone's own sense of creativity. It was one book that I tried, but in comparison, did not warrant any additional spending on.

[Trey]

While I enjoy the few stories i've read and love the concept, I feel there is so much more to explore with the concept, I find the characters and stories rather mundane. I would've went darker stories, and would not have focused on minor fables.

Depending on which major fables I could use, I would've liked more human supporting members. I've read vol. 1,2, and 6, plus the 1001 nights. And I don't remember many regular norms.
Also the Adversary meta plot is not very compelling.

[will_butler]

I read the first two trades and found them rather boring. I refuse to give a series more than a year to warm up, so I never went back.

Will

[dancj]

If you didn't enjoy the second trade, you probably made the right decision. That's fairly representative of the book

[f4faith]

While I enjoy the few stories i've read and love the concept, I feel there is so much more to explore with the concept, I find the characters and stories rather mundane.

That is certainly my feeling. And to top it off, well, as a woman, having Snow White (one of the most boring and dim of the female characters from fairy tales) constantly praised because a Wolverine wantabe sniffs her and that's "true love" and then given credit for things she did not do (Arabian Nights?) got old about 3 issues in. There are any number of really interesting female characters some more obscure than others that I'd rather have seen highlighted and explored.

[jesse_custer]

I think the overall premise is weak. The series also takes too long to get started. I don't see the point in having to buy three or four trades before I really start enjoying things.

[The Adventurer]

While I enjoy the few stories i've read and love the concept, I feel there is so much more to explore with the concept, I find the characters and stories rather mundane. I would've went darker stories, and would not have focused on minor fables.

Depending on which major fables I could use, I would've liked more human supporting members. I've read vol. 1,2, and 6, plus the 1001 nights. And I don't remember many regular norms.
Also the Adversary meta plot is not very compelling.

Thank god you're not writing the book then, you'd have made it TERRIBLE

[jadrax]

I just don't like the concept, flicked through one of the books once and it did nothing for me.

[Matthew K.]

I just don't like the concept, flicked through one of the books once and it did nothing for me.

I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I find the stories rather captivating. The main "concept" itself doesn't really get showcased 100% in every story, either if that's your main turn-off.

[LightningRunner]

I'm in the midst of reading the first trade, and I don't see what all the hoopla is about. It seems like it's an unliterary mystery story with a mildly-interesting premise. The whole idea of all these characters from fables living together doesn't really make sense, nor does it elevate comic books to the status of being a medium for adults.

[stealthwise]

I'm in the midst of reading the first trade, and I don't see what all the hoopla is about. It seems like it's an unliterary mystery story with a mildly-interesting premise. The whole idea of all these characters from fables living together doesn't really make sense, nor does it elevate comic books to the status of being a medium for adults.

Bin... Go.

[dancj]

nor does it elevate comic books to the status of being a medium for adults.
It's not supposed to. TBH that boat has long left anyway as most comic readers are adults.

Either way though, Fables isn't about breaking new ground or anything like that. It's just about telling good enjoyable stories. Not everyone likes them, but there are a lot of us who thinks they're great!

[filterpunk]

I picked up #35-37 of the monthlies and just couldn't get into the writing. I think part of that had to do with there being a lack of energy to any of it; everyone was just sort of this static talking head and the dialog reads very stiffly. I'm paraphrasing, but at times it read like, "I am a dragon. I am going to breathe fire on you." Could just be the issues I read, but I'm having trouble motivating myself to read more.

What's odd is that I really, really liked what little I've read of Jack of Fables.

[Cassiefan]

it was ok i read the first rade and wasnt impressed by it.

[LightningRunner]

I've spent a great deal of money on bad comics in my time, but for some reason, the six dollars I paid for the first Fables trade hurts so much more than any of my other mistakes. I expected this to be a fantastic series and I find it completely forgettable.

[Johnny_Luck]

I have yet to ever pick up a trade. a few years ago some people I know were calling it super amazing but every time I go to the store I pick up each of the trades I saw, look inside and put it back down, the art was horrid and I knew it wouldn't be possible for me to enjoy the story with art like that.

[Matthew K.]

I'm suffering from Fables withdrawl...I haven't read a story in weeks.

///

@Johnny_Luck: I see your point about the art, I found it a bit hard to get into at first (since there's a lot of thick black lines and a drab/limited color palette). Generally, I like the art to be excellent looking all the time and the story as well.

I even paged through the first trade once or twice before really deciding to purchase it--based on recommendations from some friends here on CBR and reviews that it was a superb book (plus, it was a comic sale day...the time I usually try out new titles or publishers). Later, as I read the story I just became engrossed and I really am quite fond of the art now, and the stories even more so.

Similar experience with Y: the Last Man, who's art seem a bit undetailed and not very captivating at first (but now I dig Pia Guerra's work much so and BKV has never disappointed me).

[dancj]

I have yet to ever pick up a trade. a few years ago some people I know were calling it super amazing but every time I go to the store I pick up each of the trades I saw, look inside and put it back down, the art was horrid and I knew it wouldn't be possible for me to enjoy the story with art like that.
Surely you can't be talking about the Mark Buckingham art? That stuff's sublime

[Agent_Torpor]

Surely you can't be talking about the Mark Buckingham art? That stuff's sublime

Frankly, I liked Niko Henrichon's fill-in art in the most recent issue a helluva lot better than Buckingham's stuff. Rose Red actually looked like a hot piece of ass for once!

[The Dry Cleaner]

I don't think "The Good Prince" is a good jumping on point, like I said earlier it's a very uneven series (much like Preacher) its not contiunity heavy but it does have some semblance of a constant plot.

Animal Farm vol 2. is a pretty good start point, its the best of the series, though I feel its a very bad idea to only read the "best" story.

March of the Wooden Soldiers Vol 4. is where you should start, it outlines the War which has been the focus of the book for the last few volumes, its a middle of the road storyline and it has the OGN The Last Castle which is the book at its best.

If you love the series then you can try some of the earlier volumes but if you are just luke warm on it then you can just skip to Homelands Vol 6., Sons of the Empire Vol 9. and then the Good Prince vol 10..

So in conclusion your reading order should be

March of the Wooden Soldiers Vol 4.

If you love it

Legends in Exile vol 1
Animal Farm vol 2
Storybook Love vol 3

If you like it

Homelands vol 6
Sons of the Empire vol 9
The Good Prince vol 10

The other volumes

Vol 5 The Mean Seasons - Covers the aftermath of the war, ties in most of the subplots of the first 4 volumes but doesn't have anything that great in it.

Vol 7 Arabian Knights and Days - Which is a very bad sub-plot story that introduces a bunch of characters you don't need to know about. The worst of the series

Vol 8 Wolves - Is a throw-back story to cover the main characters from the earlier issues, its okay but Sons of the Empire cover the important plot points.

if you like any of that try http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=6464718&posted=1#post6464718 please.

[twilight]

I was a little underwhelmed by the first trade but I like the concept so much I'm willing to explore further.

-Twi

[The Dry Cleaner]

I was a little underwhelmed by the first trade but I like the concept so much I'm willing to explore further.

-Twi

try this then: http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=6464718&posted=1#post6464718

[The Dry Cleaner]

:confused: how about this: http://www.comicvine.com/comic/fables/9723/&i=44959&v=g ? :confused:

[twilight]

try this then: http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=6464718&posted=1#post6464718

Nah,I like to read things in order.

I can't stand doing it any other way.

-Twi

[The Dry Cleaner]

Nah,I like to read things in order.

I can't stand doing it any other way.

-Twi

come over and post replys on http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=6464843&posted=1#post6464843 ty.

[The Dry Cleaner]

Nah,I like to read things in order.

I can't stand doing it any other way.

-Twi


I agree... how can you learn about teach charator if you dont read in 123 order?

Try: http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=212354 and post there too.

What is this about a hard cover book???? can anyone shed more light on it for me?
I think this would all make a good movie seris too.

http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/item/45000/44959/76589-fables_400.jpg

What's up with this: http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/10000/9723/9723-122029-1-fables_400.jpg - Free preview???


What's up with this: http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/10000/9723/9723-123647-1-fables_400.jpg - Free preview???

[The Dry Cleaner]

While I enjoy the few stories i've read and love the concept, I feel there is so much more to explore with the concept, I find the characters and stories rather mundane. I would've went darker stories, and would not have focused on minor fables.

Depending on which major fables I could use, I would've liked more human supporting members. I've read vol. 1,2, and 6, plus the 1001 nights. And I don't remember many regular norms.
Also the Adversary meta plot is not very compelling.



If "DARKER" is what your looking for then you will love: http://www.comicvine.com/comic/grimm-fairy-tales/19824/
so let us know what you think. ok?

[vazel]

did you forget to take your meds? j/k

the hardcover book is Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall. It's tales about the Fables when they were in their fableworlds. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1001_Nights_of_Snowfall

[The Dry Cleaner]

did you forget to take your meds? j/k

the hardcover book is Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall. It's tales about the Fables when they were in their fableworlds. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1001_Nights_of_Snowfall
oh ok thank you

[Matthew K.]

all the fonts in this thread are driving me crazyier than I already am.

[The Dry Cleaner]

all the fonts in this thread are driving me crazyier than I already am.GrOw Up! lol lol.................

[The Dry Cleaner]

While, I feel there is so much more to explore with the concept, I would've went darker stories, and would not have focused on minor fables. Depending on which major fables I could use, I would've liked more human supporting members.

Ok, maybe you realy should go for it and write your own version. I would like to see your take on things. Alright?

What is a minor fable in your mind?

[MartinRedmond]

I like reading it while prancing around the backyard playing a gazoo with children chasing me while singing tralallaalalaaa. If only Neil Gaiman was writing it. It would be even more of a master piece storytelling of storytelling storytelling weaving of stories to tell.

[MartinRedmond]

Dark grim fairy storytelling tales of graphic novel storytelling.

[The Dry Cleaner]

While, I feel there is so much more to explore with the concept, I would've went darker stories, and would not have focused on minor fables. Depending on which major fables I could use, I would've liked more human supporting members.

Ok, maybe you realy should go for it and write your own version. I would like to see your take on things. Alright?????

What is a minor fable in your mind?????