CBR: Bill Willingham on "Fables" vs "Once Upon A Time"

**CBR News** · 12-04-2011, 07:58 AM

"Fables" creator Bill Willingham goes on the record [em]exclusively[/em] with CBR News to dispel continuing rumors and beliefs that ABC's "Once Upon A Time" is in any way a theft of his Vertigo title.

Full article here.

**Rimmer** · 12-04-2011, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by CBR News

"Fables" creator Bill Willingham goes on the record [em]exclusively[/em] with CBR News to dispel continuing rumors and beliefs that ABC's "Once Upon A Time" is in any way a theft of his Vertigo title.

Full article here.

Mr. Willingham seems like a very standup guy, and I for one, am glad he's not getting into that whole, "they ripped me off" stuff. Fables is an excellent series and I hope for its continued success in the future and for a long run. I hope it ends when Mr. Willingham WANTS it to end, nothing more.

**Hi-Fi** · 12-04-2011, 08:26 AM

Wow. What's the interviewer problem? It's like he wanted blood. So heavy-handed...

**Seresecros** · 12-04-2011, 08:31 AM

The interviewer certainly seemed disappointed once it became clear this wasn't an exclusive scoop where Willingham would rant against Hollywood thieves. But at least they were humble enough to post the interview as it happened, without sugar-coating their bias.

**snarkbunny** · 12-04-2011, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Hi-Fi

Wow. What's the interviewer problem? It's like he wanted blood. So heavy-handed...

Ummm. Willingham wrote the questions, too. I think to provide a bit of levity into the mix as well.

**gwangung** · 12-04-2011, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Hi-Fi

Wow. What's the interviewer problem?

Yeah, it's almost like he's an internet comics fan.

**Zak213** · 12-04-2011, 09:20 AM

I liked how humble he was and as a fan of both, im glad he did this.

**mushroom2703** · 12-04-2011, 09:38 AM

Alongside the books Willingham recommended at the bottom, what other fairytale-fantasy comics should I be reading?? Go!

**DonC** · 12-04-2011, 09:49 AM

Well, that should put an end to that debate.*

* For about ten minutes.

**CBR News** · 12-04-2011, 10:19 AM

We've added an editorial note to the end of the piece to clear up some confusion:

[Editor's Note: There's been some confusion in the reaction to this piece: the above interview was conducted by Bill Willingham with Bill Willingham. It is an editorial done in Q&A format, conducted by the author.]

**Werehunter** · 12-04-2011, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Hi-Fi

Wow. What's the interviewer problem? It's like he wanted blood. So heavy-handed...

I had the same thought until I read the Editor's Note at the bottom. Very clever way for him to get his message out.

**Flinkman** · 12-04-2011, 10:57 AM

Okay yeah, I was gonna say....that interviewer was really trying to kick up some drama! lol glad that's not the case, and I'm glad Willingham is being so great about it. Fables in fantastic and Once Upon a Time is too...there's room in this world for both.

**snarkbunny** · 12-04-2011, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by gwangung

Yeah, it's almost like he's an internet comics fan.

It did sound like a lot of message board threads, didn't it?

Originally Posted by mushroom2703

Alongside the books Willingham recommended at the bottom, what other fairytale-fantasy comics should I be reading?? Go!

Fables, and Fairest.
I would add "Growing Up Enchanted" to the list as well.

Originally Posted by DonC

Well, that should put an end to that debate.*
* For about ten minutes.

Sadly, you may be right.

**Sandinista** · 12-04-2011, 11:17 AM

Sounds like Bill is trying to convince himself. What a lame, bizarre defense of a show that is a BLATANT rip off of his comic book series.

I cannot believe that he's cool with it. The very fact that this is the SAME CHANNEL that was circling his series for adaptation seem to completely not bother him. Did they pay him hush money?

ABC's actions with Once Upon a Time should chill every single budding screenwriter out there. Good luck pitching your awesome and original screenplay idea out there...they may like it so much that after giving you a polite "no" they'll immediately hire a couple of hacks to rip off your entire idea and pass it off as their own.

Just lost a lot of respect for Bill Willingham for being such a pusillanimous coward. I hope ABC rips off Proposition Player too. See if that gets a reaction.