Fables Vol. 16: Super Team (edition 2011)

After defeating Baba Yaga, Bufkin finds an Oz at the top of the tree, the Fables create a superhero taskforce to take on Mr. Dark, and Bigby's father makes the ultimate sacrifice. Although the superhero idea comes across as slightly ludicrous, this is still a great installment in the series. I especially appreciated learning more about The North Wind's history with Bigby and seeing him take such decisive action as regards to his family and then see how Bigby deals with his own epiphany about his father. I can't wait to see what new obstacles the Fables will meet (it had better be good to live up to the previous ones) and to find out how the Briar Rose storyline will continue. ( )

This is the 16th book in the Fables series. It was a decent installment in this series. The story surrounding Mister Dark comes to a climax and we learn a little more about Bufkin in the Office.

In this issue Ozma creates a Super Team to take on Mister Dark, but the North Wind gets to him first. The book also includes a little story about Bufkin the Monkey and a story about Sleeping Beauty.

Bufkin is returned to his homeland in this story and another storyline is started with Sleeping Beauty, but the main point of this installment is to take care of the Mister Dark storyline.

Ozma and Pinocchio decide to put together a Super Team to go and fight Mister Dark. They hold auditions and make silly looking skin-tight costumes for the group. All in all it is a little silly but also a bit ironic...you know...having fables in super hero suits.

Ozma and Pinnochio’s plot is set astray when the North Wind gets ideas of his own.

The illustrations are in keeping with previous issues and I enjoyed them, they fit the tone of the story well. It was also nice to have the whole Mister Dark storyline finally tied up.

Overall a decent addition to the series. I enjoyed the way the Mister Dark story was tied up, but thought the whole Fables as super heroes thing was a bit goofy. I am intrigued to see where the Sleeping Beauty bit ends up going. Highly recommended to fans of fairy tale retellings and urban fantasy. ( )

I just adore this series, a beautiful execution of an amazing idea. Perfection. ( )

Reason for Reading: Next in the series.

This was a strange volume that felt like a cheesy outtake. It settles the main story arc but in a rather tongue in cheek manner which didn't really seem to take the Dark Man story line seriously in the end. First we start with a short episode involving Bufkin, Mirror and Frankie who are trapped inside the ruins of the office. I enjoyed this short episode which is totally unrelated to the rest of the book but does either set up a new story arc or finish off one character. We'll have to wait and see. I found it quite ticklish to see that Eric Shanower had guested as the artist for this volume which ends up in Oz. Then the main section of the book centres on the Super Team storyline which deals with several characters storylines and the overarching Dark Man story is concluded. I just wasn't impressed with this turn of events and found everyone involved in it especially Pinocchio and Ozma incredibly irritating, I usually enjoy Pinocchio. And the superhero theme incredibly fluffy and not very funny. Finally, the volume ends with another non-related one story arc which brings a new character (or one who hasn't been seen for a long time, I can't remember) into play. The volume leaves off with several new story arcs to follow and the title of the next volume, due out this summer, gives us a clue as to where the story will be going. ( )

Hmm, some good stuff here, as always, but some of the humour fell a bit flat for me, and I found the resolution of a major storyline more than a little bit rushed and unsatisfactory. We're also being presented with a lot of unconnected threads that are obviously setting up the next arc. It gives this volume a decidedly fragmented feel, although looking back later (once we've seen where this is all heading) it may feel better integrated. ( )