Group Read: Fables by Bill Willingham

If you are interested in Fables by Bill Willingham then you've hit upon the right place. Join in wherever you are. If you've finished the series then comments are most welcome.

Please use the spoiler function!

Now let's get started.

Reading Order:

I'm not sure what reading is best but I am going to follow the suggestions posted in this link. I'll come back and list them all out.

http://myreadingbooks.blogspot.com/2013/11/so-you-want-to-read-fables-updated.ht...

Please suggest away if you've read the series already.

There you have it. The next one is yours.

I haven't read this GN series yet, but I've been thinking about it for awhile. This may be a good time to try it.

I have been working on the Fables series and my next one will be Volume 11: War & Pieces. I wanted to fit the Jack of Fables series in as well but wouldn't you know it, my library is missing the first Jack of Fables! I am hoping they get a new copy so I can mesh the two series. I love this series and it makes a perfect refresher between heavier reading.

>4 Storeetllr: Mary it would be great to have another newbie along for the ride.

>5 DeltaQueen50: How perfect that you are here Judy. You gave me the book bullet for this series. That stinks that your library is missing Jack of Fables volume 1!

Thanks, Ro. I just put the first three Fables volumes on hold at the local library.

I wish you could come for a visit, Judy; the library also has Jack of Fables Vol. 1. :)

I would love to visit, Mary! I've only been to Colorado once, but thought it was beautiful - plus you are there plus Jack of Fables I - what more could a girl want!

I've never read any from this series, but I've been meaning to do so for quite a long time. Perhaps this group read is the push I need. My January reading list is already filling up, but I will try to join later in the year.

>9 mathgirl40: Welcome Paulina! No worries to start right away. I fully expect for this thread to go over into next year. This is a long series.

I'm not a member of this group but have been slowly reading my way through the Fables GNs in 2015 so hopefully no-one will mind me posting.... Coincidentally, I am exactly where Judy is with Volume 11: War & Pieces up next. Also like her, my library didn't have the Jack of Fables series but I have put in a purchase request for Jack of Fables: Vol 1.

I haven't decided how engaged I'll be in LT next year, but if I hang around a bit I'll probably join in with this. I've finished the first three volumes and am hoping to get to at least a couple more during the holidays.

>11 souloftherose: I am such a cheapskate, Heather, that I am waiting for my library to replace the book. They have the rest of the Jack books and they are usually pretty good about keeping a series complete, so I am pretty hopeful.

>11 souloftherose: Welcome Heather and >12 PawsforThought: Welcome Paws! Heather, no worries about not being a group member. The Challenge group is really flexible, much like the 75ers, in welcoming anyone to group reads.

>13 DeltaQueen50: Ha ha Judy! You tickle me.

I'm in! I'm just about to start Arabian Nights (and Days which is Vol 7. One of my favourite series.

>15 klarusu: Welcome!

Just read Fables Vol. 1. I liked it okay, but it reminded me a little of that TV show where a bunch of fairytale characters came to our world ~ I think it was called "Once Upon a Time" ~ and though I watched it a few times didn't enjoy it much. The GN was quite different, of course. For one thing, the Evil Queen of Snow White fame was in charge in the TV show as opposed to King Cole and Snow White in the GN; and the Big Bad Wolf wasn't in the TV show. I really enjoyed the text-only story at the end that told of how Fairyland was taken over, how the Wolf and Snow met, and how Fabletown came to be. One of my favorite parts was Prince Charming's comeuppance, and I really got a kick out of the Beauty and the Beast bit. I liked the illustrations, and the storyline was coherent and pretty compelling (though I guessed the solution to the mystery before the end). From the way it ended, it looks like the subsequent volumes are going to be even better.

I love this series. I'm at about vol. 18 or 19 or something!

>17 Storeetllr: Oh, yes, this is similar to Once Upon a Time, but the Fables series was first. :-)

Oooohhh... A Fables Group! I have read the first 5 books in the series so I am looking forward to possibly diving back in with book 6 in the new year.

>19 lkernagh: I'm at the same place as you. I'll probably pick back up when I get back from Christmas break.

Has anyone read the spin-off series, The Fairest: Volume 1?

(I'm sneaking on over from the 75 group)

Quick question for the group: Do the GNs need to be read in order? I read Vol. 1 and have Vol. 3, but Vol. 2 still hasn't come in from the library hold I put on it, and I really want to continue reading. Should I wait for 2 before reading 3? Thanks!

Oh, yes, also wanted to say that I hope everyone who celebrates had a wonderful Christmas yesterday!

I think I am on number 6...!

>20 Tanglewood: I am planning to read it at some point, but I haven't yet .

>21 Storeetllr: I would suggest reading them in order, yes.

Love this series and most of the spinoffs - I've been reading them in publication order and that has worked well. Particularly when the Jack of Fables spinoff comes in. I don't like those as much as the main story and reading in publication order helps alternate those with the Fables collected editions.

This page has the trade paperback editions in publication order through Fables Vol. 14

Volume 14: Witches is next up for me.

My library actually has these so I may give them a try.

Good to see so many people on board already.

>25 hailelib: Welcome and yes, if your library has them, go for it!

I started Book 1 of the Deluxe Edition which contains Volumes 1 and 2, plus a little bonus. I'm almost through the first volume and I'm loving it so far. It's so well done with a lot packed in each panel and page. I love when GNs do this.

Just finished Fables, Volume 2. I liked it very much ~ a lot more than the first, in fact. So glad I decided to continue with the series!

>27 Storeetllr: You just made my day! I finished Volume 1 last night. I am now really looking forward to Volume 2!

I started reading these last year, and loved them. I NEED to get back to them. I am thinking that I am ready for Volume 4.

I've been reading the series via the deluxe editions. I still have to get to book 10 (the great crossover issues) which is sat on the tbr shelves. Book 11 is already out so will probably pick that up as part of my Thingaversary and 12 is due in May and if they continue with the release schedule 13 will arrive in November so that's also a possibility for me to get to. For those starting out on the journey then I hope you enjoy it.

I've already read through Volume 5 The Mean Seasons. They are available via Hoopla and its too easy to download them and tear right through them. Volumes 4 and 5 were fantastic. I loved the Bigby WWII stories in Volume 4. I had to Google to see who Kay was because I honestly didn't remember. Volume 5 was rather sad but so well done.

I'll read volume 6 soon and then give it a rest until February where I will pick up the Jack of Fables. I love a trickster.

I said I was going to start this series later in the year, but I couldn't resist and finished the first volume, Legends in Exile. I enjoyed it very much and will definitely continue. I'll try to wait until February before starting the next volume, so that I can take care of my other January challenges and group reads.

>31 luvamystery65: Thanks for the tip. I hadn't thought of checking Hoopla, but they are indeed all available, and I can put my new tablet to good use!

>32 mathgirl40: Glad you enjoyed the first one. Good luck holding back once you get on Hoopla. The Jack of Fables is not available on Hoopla but the regular Fables is.

I just finished book six. My favorite was the opening story with the wooden solider. Now I just have to wait for book seven to come in from the library.

These books are addictive!

I have finished the first three volumes of Jack of Fables and I am enjoying this side series. After all who doesn't like a bad boy?

Next month I will turn back to the main Fables with Volume 11 and 12 before going back for a few more Jacks.

Thanks to my special Christmas elf who send me Volume 1 of the Jack story!

>35 DeltaQueen50: Judy I love Jack too, but I do love a trickster. He is going to be my Valentine for Fantasy February. ;-)

Catching up here. This month I couldn't help myself and I read Volumes 1-8 of Fables. The standouts for me were, Volume 2: Animal Farm and Volume 5: The Mean Seasons. Special mention to Volume 8: Wolves as I loved Bigby's war stories. Goldilocks is a psycho but she makes things interesting. I love Jack! I'm also enjoying the tourists spy stories.

Up next for me is Jack of Fables Volumes 1-6

I have completed Volumes 11 and 12 of the main Fables and even though Volume 12 ended on a cliffhanger, it is recommended that the next three Jack of Fables should be next so I have already placed an order for Jack of Fables, Volume 4, 5 & 6.

I still love this series but both these volumes were intense and Volume 12 was quite a downer. I am anxious to get back to Volume 13 to see where the story is headed.

I have finished with Jack of Fables, Volumes 4, 5, and 6 which I mostly enjoyed. I found both volume 4 and volume 6 a little short, but they have set me up for The Great Fables Crossover which I will get to next month.

>39 DeltaQueen50: Judy I am so excited that you have delved into the world of Jack of Fables. I look forward to catching up with you. You gave me this Fables book bullet.

I just finished the second book, Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm, and liked it very much. I enjoyed all the references to Orwell's book but unfortunately, didn't get the references to Lord of the Flies that others have mentioned because I've never read that book. I guess that's a gap I should fix one day.

I have surely spent the month of February with the Fables community. I read the following which I'll hide with the spoiler function but I really did my best not to put anything too spoilery in it.

Fables 1001 Nights of Snowfall Not necessary to read but gives some backstory to several of the characters. Snow White is an emissary to the Arabian Fables and is trapped like Scheherazade of Arabian Nights fame. She spins a nightly story to save her neck.
Fables, Vol. 9 Sons of Empire This volume is about The Adversary plotting for war and the Fables plotting to get a jump on them. It's also about Fathers and Sons. Bigby and his father explore their relationship and Pinocchio tests Geppetto.
Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince This volume features Ambrose, The Frog Prince. He is truly the purest Fable. He remembers his past and in an attempt to redeem himself helps many others. One of my favorites
Fables, Vol. 11: War and Pieces In this volume the war is on and no one is safe. I loved this volume a lot too!
Fables, Vol. 12: The Dark Ages The consequences of war are explored in this issue. A very creepy new guy is introduced.

Jack of Fables, Vol. 1: The Great Escape Jack gets kidnapped and taken to The Golden Boughs, a prison for Fables. Leave it to Jack to figure a way out. Jack gains a side kick.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 2: Jack of Hearts Jack heads to Sin City where he has a run in with Lady Luck No bueno! There is also some back story of when Jack was Jack Frost. Jack is so bad he's good in this one.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 3: The Bad Prince Jack gets recaptured and then stuck with his captors. Jack learns of his connection to Wicked John and also tells of how he sold his soul to the Devil.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 4: Americana I loved this volume only because we get a chance to meet some of the Americana Fables. Also, Hillary Page goes on her own adventure but nothing goes according to plan.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 5: Turning Pages My least favorite so far. Jack has a back story where he is a bad guy with no redeemable qualities. This gives us a glimpse of what Jack really thinks of anyone other than himself and there is no wink wink cuteness at all. We also get some background on the Page sisters and meet a few more Literals.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 6: The Big Book of War Jack has his own war front going on that has nothing to do with the Homelands. Of course Jack saves the day in his own mind. Things settle down but then once again are out of control.

I enjoyed Jack of Fables but he is a cad and should probably be read in small doses. Next up for me is the Crossover edition where the storylines of the Fables, Jack and the Literals all meet up.

>42 luvamystery65: I've been reading the series in publication order and that puts the Jack books pretty much alternating with the main Fables books. I think it's better that way. Small doses of Jack are better than a binge IMHO.

>43 SuziQoregon: That makes sense Juli. Thanks for that advise.

I have just finished Fables, Vol. 13: The Great Fables Crossover, Jack of Fables, Vol. 7: The New Adventures of Jack And Jack and Fables, Vol. 14: Witches. I enjoyed them all, I won't go into any details here but have posted a few thoughts about each one on my thread. I have decided that I am going to take a break of the Fables series in April and check out some other graphic titles that are on my wishlist. Will carry on with the Fables series in May.

I just took a little side trip to Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson. Cinderella packs a punch and you get some back story of how she started in the spy business. Good, not great. You won't miss out if you skip it.

I just finished volume 3, which was a mixed bag but still very enjoyable. I thought the final story, "Barleycorn Brides", was quite charming though very different from the other stories.

Just requested #8 from the library...!

So I read a Fables, Vol. 17: Inherit the Wind and Fables, Vol. 18: Cubs in Toyland. Wow I really thought by reading the synopsis that volume 18 was going to be just okay, but it was so intense. It had tragedy and redemption. I absolutely loved it.

I started reading the Fables comics somewhere around issue 50, then went back and got the collections to cover the first part of the story. I've read all the spin-offs as well, Jack of Fables, Fairest, Cinderella. Gets a little gory for my taste at times, but it's an interesting take on how all the fairy tale/folk tale worlds could fit together. Fables-The Wolf Among Us is the one story-line still publishing. "Once Upon a Time" does seem very much like a Disney take on the same idea, but keeping to Disney versions of the characters and adding from other public domain literary sources, like Peter Pan.

I've had a break of several months since I last read anything from the Fables series or spinoffs. I made up for it this weekend.

I read Fables Vol. 14: Witches and liked it a lot. I enjoyed the focus on the residents of the 13th floor and I love that Frau Totenkinder is still full of surprises.

I also read Jack of Fables Vol. 8: The Fulminate Blade and the great thing about it was that Jack wasn't in it at all. This one focuses on Jack Frost and I thought it was a lot of fun.

I just finished the Jack of Fables, Volume 8: The Fulminate Blade, Jack of Fables, Volume 9: The End and Fables, Volume 15: Rose Red. I enjoyed the Fables but was happy to see the end of Jack of Fables as that series seemed to go downhill over the last 3 or 4 books.

>51 SuziQoregon: Volume 14 Witches is one of my top Fables. I'm glad the series keeps surprising. I'm also in agreement with you about Jack Volume 8. The new Jack of Frost was so much more likeable.

>52 DeltaQueen50: I was glad to be done with Jack as well. He was pretty great in the early Fables and Volumes 1 & 2 of Jack of Fables, but after that it got old. I did like the new Jack Frost and his sidekick.

>53 luvamystery65: I was sad that that all the spin-off characters were killed off. I would have enjoyed having some of them show up in the regular Fables series.

Fables, Vol. 19: Snow White / Bill Willingham
3 stars

There were other tangents in the book, but the main one focuses on Snow White. Bigby has gone away to find two of their children, and someone from Snow's past has returned - someone she didn't want to see...

The Snow While thread was the good one for me in this volume. The rest of the happenings (the first 1/3 of the book), I really didn't care about, which is why the lower rating. 3 stars from me is “ok”, but this is one of the lower rated volumes in the series for me. I was surprised at the ending, on a couple of fronts.

I have just finished Fables, Vol. 16: Super Team which (I hope) has finished the Mister Dark storyline. I then branched off in the Fairest series, reading Volumes 1 - 3. I really like this series with it's focus on women Fables and I am hoping some of these stories carry over into the regular Fables.

This month I read Fables, Vol. 17: Inherit the Wind and Fables, Vol. 18: Cubs in Toyland. Both these volumes revolved around Snow White and Bigby Wolf's cubs and while I enjoyed the story in volume 17, I was totally turned off by the events in volume 18. I then read Fairest in All the Land a spin-ff from the series where Cinderella is asked to solve a series of murders. This one I enjoyed a lot. I will carry on with the series, but may take a little break at this point.

>57 DeltaQueen50: I don't think I've tried any of the spin offs yet (though I plan to). I have vol. 20 here at home and need to get 21 and 22, then I'm done. It will probably be after that that I start with the spin off(s).

>57 DeltaQueen50: Judy I absolutely loved Volume 18. It was very difficult but I thought it was well done. We rarely disagree.

I thought Fairest in All the Land was great fun.

>58 LibraryCin: I am enjoying many of the spin-offs as much, if not more than the actual series. The "Fairest" series have all been stellar.

>59 luvamystery65: I totally agree that Cubs in Toyland was well done, I just found it so bleak and unforgiving compared to the rest of the series. I guess I have a soft spot in my heart for the Bigby Wolf family and hate to see bad things happen to them!

>60 DeltaQueen50: Thanks! I double checked and I do have the first of both the Fairest and the Cinderella series' on my tbr.

>61 LibraryCin: I am going to stick with the spin-offs for a bit so I just put in a library order for 2 of the Cinderellas and a couple of other stand-alones, 1001 Nights of Snowfall and Werewolves of the Heartland. By the time I get through those I will most likely be ready to resume the regular Fables series.

>62 DeltaQueen50: Oh, yes! I did read 1001 Nights of Snowfall a while back. I did also read the print/text book sort of based on Fables? Peter & Max: a Fables Novel, it is called.

I have read Werewolves of the Heartland and 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham and I liked both of these books. I then read the two Cinderella spin-offs by Chris Roberson and I loved the first one but found the second one a little repetitive and the story, compared to the first, a little lacking. I will most likely resume my reading of the Fables series next month.

Finished Book Ten of the deluxe editions which incorporates the great fables crossover together with werewolves of the heartland. Was again a little disappointed with the climax to a major story arc with the ending of the crossover edition. Had a similar feeling when the war with the adversary finished as well.

Ahhhh, I've been trying to think of a good spot to offer this.

I have an extra copy of Volume 19 of the Fables series (Snow White). I somehow managed to order it twice, so I have an extra. I could put it in a little free library somewhere, but since it's volume 19, I don't want someone to pick it up, not realizing.

So... I can mail it to someone if someone here would like it and is ok with p.m.ing me your mailing address. Be warned that I do have cats (and I've had both copies for a while now).