In Praise of 'Fables'

[Rob on the Job]

I can't remember ever being as consistently pleased with a comic series as I am with Bill Willingham's "Fables."

It is a series that has surprised me at every turn -- not only with plot/sub-plots that turn out differently than my comic book experience had prepared me for -- but also [and especially] in terms of character developments.

Let me give you a "for instance."

When Prince Charming defeated King Cole for the mayoralship of Fabletown, and Bigby Wolf stepped aside as sheriff for Beast, I expected to see Charming and Beast fumble badly, or prove vicious and corrupt, or just about anything other than what they turned out to be -- intelligent and capable administrators.

Little Boy Blue -- not only was he NOT just an office drone, but he was a fearsome warrior and the spy of all spies.

And so it goes, right down the line ... from revolutionary pigs to the Tourists, from a foul-mouthed Pinnochio to a debonair Reynard the fox, every arc brings a constant surprise.

I knew "Fables" was getting to me when I truly feared Bill Willingham would kill off some of my favorite characters. I read each new arc with a combination of anticipation and dread.

Quite simply, one of the finest and most imaginative series ever published, IMO.

[snarkbunny]

I love Fables.

First and foremost for the characters, they are not cardboard. Everytime you begin to think that you can slot a character, Willingham pulls the rug out from under you (Flycatcher being the current example) and introduces new sides to them making them all complex and multi-faceted.

Secondly for the how, Okay it's JoF that has the dialogue that makes me laugh out loud more often, but like my favourite novels I can reread Fables and it's never trite. Plus everytime I look at the art, I find something new in the details.

Thirdly for the plots, every time I think I know what is going to happen next, I'm wrong, but what happens is logical and follows from previous events (okay, the spell on Yusuf is the exception).

[Rob on the Job]

I love Fables.

First and foremost for the characters, they are not cardboard. Everytime you begin to think that you can slot a character, Willingham pulls the rug out from under you (Flycatcher being the current example) and introduces new sides to them making them all complex and multi-faceted.

Secondly for the how, Okay it's JoF that has the dialogue that makes me laugh out loud more often, but like my favourite novels I can reread Fables and it's never trite. Plus everytime I look at the art, I find something new in the details.

Thirdly for the plots, every time I think I know what is going to happen next, I'm wrong, but what happens is logical and follows from previous events (okay, the spell on Yusuf is the exception).

Snark -- you hit it out of the park.

The characters are complex, just like real life. The dialogue sounds true-to-life. And it is never predictable.

Oh, and the artwork ain't bad, either.

[brundlefly]

I knew "Fables" was getting to me when I truly feared Bill Willingham would kill off some of my favorite characters.

Already happened for me many issues back. RIP Bluebeard. :(
I like plenty of the other characters, though; just didn't see that one coming.

You guys already listed off the great aspects of the series. I'll just add: the initial concept/premise, which was (to me) very original and different from what was going on in other comics at the time (and even now). That's what hooked me initially, and the quality of the writing and the characters has kept me reading it.

[stealthwise]

I read the first three volumes, and found myself asking "Who cares?" by the end of it. There's so much potential with this high concept, but I find Willingham going in directions that I just don't care about, and creating characters that I find to be completely boring.

[Schornforce]

This is my favorite series. I just love everything about it. It takes such classic characters that I'd enjoyed and gives them a fresh spin. Most of the characters aren't evil or good (etc.)-- despite how they may have been written once upon a time, which keeps them interesting. I love cameo appearances and that helps me enjoy Fables and Jack of Fables more and more. I love spotting my faves in crowd scenes. I also enjoy the occasional backup tales they have spotlighting background Fables.

This book also is one of the only ones to deliver a REAL surprise. Most other comics, I can spot a "twist" or "reveal" coming, but not with Fables. I also love the book because Mr. Willingham seems to listen to fans on his message boards and has (or had-- I haven't been in months) a genuine rapport with them. The only problem I had with the boards, is that the fans would often speculate on what happens next and would get it right. That would spoil the surprises for me.

[rwe1138]

If this book was a woman, I would make sweet, sweet love to it. Methaporically speaking, of course.

[The Adventurer]

Most consistently excellent comic on the stands. Bare none.

[whassup_bun]

I've heard nothing but praise for Fables so I ordered all the TPBs today. I read the first volume in a store and thought it was fantastic. What really bothers me though is the quality of the paper, it feels almost like newspaper. Is that a problem for you guys? I just thought they would have used better paper for a TPB. Gotta wait til February for the books to arrive though:(

[The Adventurer]

DC TPs have had that paper stock forever. It's an ongoing issue.

[Rob on the Job]

If this book was a woman, I would make sweet, sweet love to it. Methaporically speaking, of course.

Especially the pages with Beauty and Snow White.

Already happened for me many issues back. RIP Bluebeard. I like plenty of the other characters, though; just didn't see that one coming. ...

Bluebeard?

BLUEBEARD?!

(haughty sniff) We have nothing to talk about, Sir Fly.

[snarkbunny]

Bluebeard?

BLUEBEARD?!

(haughty sniff) We have nothing to talk about, Sir Fly.

Bluebeard was an awesome antagonist. I was extremely disappointed that we never got a Bigby-Bluebeard showdown (esp. if Bigby ever found out that Bluebeard was responsible for the Goldilocks/camping spell)

[Apathy Boy]

It took a while for FABLES to grow on me. The first trade was just awful: a ton of cliches and a blindingly obvious solution to the murder mystery. The second trade was mediocre, but nothing special. But I finally got hooked with the third trade. I was flat-out shocked that Willingham killed off Bluebeard, which really amped up the "anything can happen" feel of the series. Plus, I loved the turns in the Snow White - Bigby Wolf drama.

[Rob on the Job]

Bluebeard was an awesome antagonist. I was extremely disappointed that we never got a Bigby-Bluebeard showdown (esp. if Bigby ever found out that Bluebeard was responsible for the Goldilocks/camping spell)

I agree ... Bluebeard was Bad-Ass No. 1. While it's surprising he was snuffed [apparently] relatively early-on in the series, his passing mirrored the unpredictable day-to-day nature of our reality while also breaking the comics cliche of bad guys successfully defying death.

[sgt pepper]

I read the first three volumes, and found myself asking "Who cares?" by the end of it. There's so much potential with this high concept, but I find Willingham going in directions that I just don't care about, and creating characters that I find to be completely boring.

You know, I was feeling the same after the first two volumes, and probably most of the third. But damned if it isn't one of my favorite comics out there now. Based on what I've seen of your posts and what your tastes seem to be, I'd be surprised if after reading a few more volumes you didn't fall in love with it.