Fables (comics)

Fables
File:Fables vol 1.jpg
Publication information
Publisher	Vertigo(USA)
Publication date	2003-present
Main character(s)	Bigby Wolf Snow White Prince Charming
Creative team
Created by	Bill Willingham
Written by	Bill Willingham
Penciller(s)	Mark Buckingham, Lan Medina, Steve Leialoha, Craig Hamilton

Fables is a Vertigo comic book series created and written by Bill Willingham. It takes place in a continuity of its own, and is unrelated to the larger DC Comics continuity. The series deals with various characters from fairy tales and folklore who have been forced out of their native lands by a mysterious enemy known as the Adversary. They travel to our world and form a clandestine community in New York City known as Fabletown. Characters from fables with non-human appearance must live at the "Farm" in upstate New York.

Willingham reinterpreted many of the characters, evident in the divorce of Snow White and Prince Charming due to infidelity on the part of the latter. The former was deputy mayor of Fabletown as the series begins. Another principal character is the Big Bad Wolf, who has not only reformed, but gained the ability to take on human appearance and serves as Fabletown's sheriff at the series beginning.

Earlier story arcs each take on the form of a different genre: the first is a murder mystery, the next a conspiracy thriller, and then a caper story.

Various artists have worked on the title. The covers are done by James Jean. The majority of the interior work has been done by Mark Buckingham. Other artists include: Bryan Talbot, Lan Medina, P. Craig Russell, and Linda Medley.

July 2006 saw the debut of a spin-off series, Jack of Fables, that focuses on Jack of the Tales. The series is co-written by Willingham and former Clockwork Storybook author Matthew Sturges.

1001 Nights of Snowfall is a planned hardcover prequel to Fables, it will be written by Willingham.

Characters

Main article: List of characters in Fables

Stories

Legends In Exile (issues 1 to 5): In which we learn about Fabletown, and Sheriff Bigby Wolf investigates the apparent murder of Rose Red, realises that not all is what it seems, confesses to an interest in Snow White and finally gets to do the big parlour room scene where everything is revealed.

A Wolf in the Fold (prose story from the Legends In Exile trade paperback): In which we learn something of the history of Bigby Wolf and Snow White, discover how they came to the mundane world, how Snow persuaded Bigby to join them in Fabletown and how the Wolf became a shapeshifter.

Animal Farm (issues 6 to 10): In which many of the non-human looking Fables who are restricted to the Farm in upstate New York rebel and Snow White is caught in the middle of an attempted revolution. We learn how popularity among the mundanes can save a Fable's life and Snow is saved by one of the last people she would have expected.

Bag 'O Bones (issue 11): A tale set during the American Civil War, in which Jack finds that Death itself can represent just another opportunity.

A Two-Part Caper (issues 12 and 13): In which a mundane journalist finds out entirely too much about the Fables and Bigby has to cook up a plan to silence him, only to find himself at odds with Bluebeard.

Storybook Love (issues 14 to 17): In which Bluebeard hatches a plot to rid himself of Bigby and Snow by enchanting them into running away together to somewhere where they can be disposed of quietly. Hunted by the homicidal Goldilocks, the pair must deal with their stalker, while Snow finds out more about Bigby's affection for her and about his unusual ancestry. In the meantime, Prince Charming finds himself with an uncharacteristically noble thought and decides to run with it.

Barleycorn Brides (issue 18): In which Bigby relates the details of a Smalltown tradition to Flycatcher after catching one of its inhabitants trying to steal a magic barleycorn.

The Last Castle: (Prestige format one-shot): In which Boy Blue relates the tale of the last stand against the Adversary's forces in the Homelands.

March of the Wooden Soldiers (issues 19 to 21 and 23 to 27): In which Prince Charming decides to run for Mayor of Fabletown, while the community is rocked by the apparent escape from the Homelands of Red Riding Hood. Meanwhile, the Adversary sends his first troops into the mundane lands and the increasingly pregnant Snow White has to prepare the Fables for a battle and comes to realise her true feelings.

Cinderella Libertine (issue 22): In which we find out that Cinderella's apparently frivolous lifestyle is only a front.

War Stories (issues 28 and 29): In which Bigby reminisces on a mission behind enemy lines during World War II.

The Mean Seasons (issues 30 to 33): In which an election occurs and Snow gives birth, only to realise that the non-human appearance of the children means that they'll be restricted to the Farm, where Bigby cannot go. The angry Bigby goes into self-imposed exile, while Snow and their children go to the Farm, where a series of strange deaths and an unexpected family visit keep them occupied.

Jack Be Nimble (issues 34 and 35): In which Jack goes to Hollywood with a lot of stolen valuables and sets up a film studio. His plan: to increase his popularity among the mundanes by releasing films about himself.

Homelands (issues 36 to 38 and 40 and 41): In which Boy Blue goes on a mission to the Homelands with the aim of assassinating the Adversary. He travels a long road before reaching his goal and uncovering the true identity of the Adversary.

Meanwhile (issue 39): In which we find out what's going on in Fabletown during Blue's adventures. A traveller returns, catches up with some old friends and is given a new mission, and a traitor is discovered.

Arabian Nights (and Days) (issues 42 to 45): In which a delegation of Arabian Fables led by Sinbad the Sailor visit Fabletown and things take a turn for the worse when it transpires that they've brought a D'jinn with them.

The Ballad of Rodney and June (issues 46 and 47): A side story of the seemingly ill-fated love of Rodney, a wooden soldier in the Adversary's armies, and June, a medic assigned to his unit.

Wolves (issues 48 and 49): In which Mowgli searches for the missing Bigby and brings him a message from Fabletown.

Happily Ever After (issue 50): In which Bigby returns and gets revenge against the Adversary, and a wedding occurs.

Big and small (issue 51): In which Cinderella continues her mission in the Cloud Kingdom. However, in order to solve a dilemma that could ruin her progress in forging an official alliance with the giants, she is turned into a mouse and enlists the aid of Smalltown's resident medic.

Sons of Empire (issues 52 to 55): In which the Adversary calls a conference of the Imperial elite to decide the ultimate fate of Fabletown and Pinocchio has to face up to his divided loyalties.

1001 Nights of Snowfall (Hardback format one-shot): In which we learn of a time early in Fabletown's history, when Snow White was sent as an emissary to the Arabian Fables. When the Arabian Fables take offence at having a woman sent to negotiate with them, Snow must amuse the Sultan with a new story every night to keep her head.

Awards

To date, Fables has won seven Eisner Awards; Best New Series in 2003, Best Serialised Story three times ('Fables In Exile' in 2003, 'March of the Wooden Soldiers' in 2005 and 'Homelands' in 2006) and Best Cover Artist (for James Jean) in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Collections

1. Willingham, Bill (April 25th, 2003). Fables: Legends in Exile. Lan Medina, Steve Leialoha, Craig Hamilton (Illustrators). ISBN 1840236140. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Collects issues 1 to 5. Includes the new prose story A Wolf in the Fold.
2. Willingham, Bill (August 2003). Fables: Animal Farm. ISBN 140120077X. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Collects issues 6 to 10.
3. Willingham, Bill (May 2004). Fables: Storybook Love. ISBN 140120256X. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Collects issues 11 to 18.
4. Willingham, Bill (November 30th, 2004). Fables: March of the Wooden Soldiers. Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha (Illustrators). ISBN 1401202225. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Collects issues 19 to 21, 23 to 27 and The Last Castle one-shot.
5. Willingham, Bill (April 30th, 2005). Fables: The Mean Seasons. Mark Buckingham (Illustrator). ISBN 1401204864. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Collects issues 22 and 28 to 33.
6. Willingham, Bill (January 27th, 2006). Fables: Homelands. David Hahn (Illustrator). ISBN 1845761243. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) Collects issues 34 to 41.
7. Willingham, Bill (July 5th, 2006). Fables: Arabian Nights (and Days). ISBN 1845762789. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) Collects issues 42 to 47
8. Willingam, Bill (forthcoming). Fables: Wolves. ISBN 1401210015. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Collects issues 48 to 51

External links

• Fabletown Forums
• The Official Bill Willingham Homepage
• Official Vertigo site, including complete issue #1
• Interview excerpt with cover artist James Jean in PDF
• Fabletown Library
• The Old Forest, featuring in-depth character bios and source story information.