Fables

Fables #122

/ / Comics

fables-122-coverMy enjoyment for the recent Cinderella mini-series and Fairest has made me take a dip in the broader Fables Universe. Fables #122 begins a new arc featuring the Big Bad Wolf and the mysterious Green Woman who has the power not only to see one’s fate, but assign it as well.

The comic begins with the wolf chasing the young sorceress through the woods and granting her a reprieve only when she offers to tell him his destiny. Learning he only has three days to life, the most powerful beast in the land slips of in deep meloncholy until another creature informs him that his destiny isn’t written in stone.

The woman of the wood doesn’t see fate, but assigns it. And, more importantly to the wolf, she can reassign it if she so wishes. Written by Bill Willingham with some great art by Gene Ha, the first issue of the new arc works extremely well playing on half-truths and magic most fables are known for. I’ll be back. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Fairest #8

/ / Comics

fairest-8-coverI thoroughly enjoyed last month’s issue of Fables starring film noir versions of Beauty and the Beast, so I was a little sad to see the series move on to a new arc so soon. That said, I can say the first issue of this new Rapunzel storyline by Lauren Beukes and artist Inaki Miranda is worth picking up.

Rapunzel receives a deadly message in Japanese delivered by flying paper cranes that confirms, as she always believed, tha her lost children are still alive. Unable to convince Snow White or Bigby, Rapunzel has no choice but to set out on her Jack Horner and here barber Joel Crow (that hair isn’t going to cut itself) to see where the mystery will lead.

The fact that she’s even willing to go to Frau Totenkinder, the witch who stole her for her golden hair and raised her as her own, only proves how desperate and determined Rapunzel is to find her missing children. Fairest #8 does a great job at introducing the cast of characters for this new arc and laying down the quest, and lengths Rapunzel will go to fulfill it. Best of the week.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Fairest #7

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fairest-7-coverWith the series’ first arc wrapped up the latest issue of Fairest gives us a hard-boiled detective story set in 1940’s Los Angeles centered around Beauty and the Beast. The issue is narrated by the Beast, who has lived the life of a knight and detective protecting his wife over the years from her own hidden beastly side.

Matthew Sturges writing and Shawn McManus art compliment each other perfectly as most of the comic is shown in an extended 40’s film noir style flashback as the Beast tries to stop one of his wayward wifes spells leading to more death. Complicating things is the appearance of St. George, also on the hunt for the killer not realizing she’s the Beast’s confused wife.

Although I enjoyed the first story arc of the series I was looking forward to a change and this issue certainly delivers. I’m a little disappointed that it appears the rest of the story will take place in present day when the story presented here worked so well because of the period it took place, but I’m more than willing to give this arc a long look. Best of the week.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Fairest #6

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fairest-6-coverThe first story arc of Fairest comes to a close. In part six of “Wide Awake” the Snow Queen faces off against Hadeon. Although last issue’s final panel made it seem like Snow would be getting help from the seven faerie godmothers the issue takes an immeadiate turn as Snow has to go one-on-one against the witch.

Luckily for the Snow Queen she gets an unexpected ally when Briar Rose shows up to face the woman who tried to kill her at birth. And, as so happens when magic backfires, Briar Rose turns out to be just the right woman to put the bitch down for good.

There’s plenty of action here, although the comic is constantly cutting away from it for some reason. And in the end Hadeon gets what she deserves and true to Jonah Panghammer‘s word Ali Baba find true love (now he just has to keep in mind her short temper).

The series may not quite go out with a bang. It’s still quite good but I’m ready for the comic to move in a different direction. Next month brings us a new arc featuring Beauty and the Beast in 1940’s Los Angeles. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Fairest #5

/ / Comics

fables-5-coverAs Ali Baba and Briar Rose dig themselves out of the wreckage caused by the battle of two powerful witches the Snow Queen and Hadeon (who was summoned by the number of times mentioned by Jonah Panghammer in telling the story of Briar Rose and the Snow Queen) begin round two.

Another really strong issues gives us plenty of action as the witches duel and Ali Baba and Briar Rose continue to bicker and we finally learn why Rose has been so cold to the thief since he awakened her with love’s first kiss.

What’s more interesting, however, is the change in the Snow Queen who has broken the shackles which Panghammer finally allowed her to see and, just as Ali Baba is considering it, begins to give a romantic tryst with the untrustworthy thief some serious thought.

Next issue’s opening arc finale promises more actions and “the consequences of pissing off seven faerie godmothers.” Count me in. Must-read.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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