Andrew Pepoy

I had worried a bit about the direction this series would take once the Adversary was defeated. In true Fairy Tale form, peace would ensue, kingdoms would be rebuilt and everybody would live happily ever after, right? Sounds pretty boring. Fortunately, Willingham elects to take an approach truer to the Fable name of the comic--the moral lesson that comes at the end of the story instead of the vague and magical happy ending. War is messy and bleak, and never as black and white as the show more propaganda makes it seem. In this volume the fallout of the conflicts in the previous two volumes rears its ugly head, and the Fables cast is given a whole new set of frightening challenges to take on.

This transition doesn't feel gimmicky at all, and reads more like the introduction of a new thread from a much greater picture. In fact, if you've been keeping up with the Jack of Fables series as well, in the war's aftermath we start seeing hints of exactly how some of the stranger and sometimes more convoluted aspects of Jack's adventures are going to begin tying back in with the main plot again. This certainly isn't the most fun or satisfying of the volumes to read, but it feels like a very necessary one. A lot is set up here, but most is left hanging for continuation in the next volume. One of the few really bright spots was the introduction of Lord Mountbatten, who I suspect may become one of my favorite characters in short order.

Overall I wasn't thrilled at how unfinished this volume felt, but it's obvious how much is set to unfurl in the next. I still enjoyed it, however, and appreciate Willingham's focus on the quality of the overall plot instead of cheap thrills on every page as some comics are wont to do. I will definitely be buying the next volume as soon as I am able. show less

This one belongs to Flycatcher and it doesn't disappoint. In Fly's rise to becoming King over Haven and the best line of defense between Fabletown and the Imperial Armies, he remains absolutely true to himself. Willingham is able to develop a story that allows Fly to avoid becoming a bloodthirsty warmonger while defeating army after army. It isn't without some cost, but that cost is seeing Bluebeard and Shere Khan banter back and forth and plot, so you know that this is well worth whatever show more payoff it will bring in future volumes.

I should say that Willingham doesn't devote 100% to Fly. He finally lets us in on most of Frau Totenkinder's plan (well, it seems halfway forthcoming). Bufkin and Charming come to an agreement that allows for better working conditions, but let's say this may have as much to do with the Forsworn Knight talking to Bufkin as anything. On the farm, we continue to build the obvious Boy Blue and Rose Red tension (c'mon, already). And the cubs finally learn about their invisible sibling in a comic drawn by Aaron Alexovich that tends to resemble Saturday morning cartoons more than Fables. show less

Summary: Rose Red has been depressed since Boy Blue died, and has all but abdicated her leadership of the Farm, instead staying in bed. But a surprise visitor - and a look back at her history with her sister Snow White - may be the only thing that can turn her around. Meanwhile, Frau Totenkinder prepares to defeat the terrifying Mister Dark the only way she knows how - in single combat.

Review: This installment of Fables had a lot of really great elements, and it also did a nice job of making show more the various post-defeat-of-the-Emperor storylines feel more like a cohesive whole. I loved the retelling of Rose and Snow's childhood (and teenaged) fairy tales - Willingham's got a way of taking the classic familiar story and making it just dark and twisted enough that you know it's not a kids' story any more. (Although I think Snow White and Rose Red is one of the darker fairy tales out there in a lot of ways... or maybe I'm just biased from having read Tender Morsels.) I also love Frau Totenkinder, and watching her kick ass is always a welcome treat. 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: This volume ends with enough of a bang that I'm really curious to see where the story's going next; wherever it is, I'm still hooked! show less

I;d really been enjoying the Jack of Fables spinoff so far, and this installment did not disappoint. We learn a very interesting backstory - of how he became the Snow Queen/s lover, and took on her powers for a while (becoming Jack Frost) Various myths are interconnected in here, making for a fun read and a fun peek in the past of various Fables. I never cease to be impressed with how cleverly some stories could be linked or woven together within the Fables universe.