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Fables
Fables Vol. 18: Cubs In Toyland (Fables
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2013)"For years, Snow White and Bigby Wolf's cubs have grown up knowing that one of them was destined for a much greater, more grave role amongst the Fables community. But no one knew how soon it would come.
When Snow and Bigby's cub Therese receives a Christmas gift from an unknown admirer, this red plastic boat magically takes her on a journey to a desolate place known as Toyland. Will Therese be their savior? Or their destroyer? FABLES VOL. 18: CUBS IN TOYLAND is the latest epic from New York Times best-selling author Bill Willingham's hit series FABLES, as the Bigby Wolf cubs learn that adventures in the land of misfit toys is much less fun than it sounds.
Also collected here are all the backup stories that feature Bufkin's exploits in the land of Oz, beautifully painted by Shaw McManus (CINDERELLA: FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE)."
Collecting FABLES #114-123.
When Snow and Bigby's cub Therese receives a Christmas gift from an unknown admirer, this red plastic boat magically takes her on a journey to a desolate place known as Toyland. Will Therese be their savior? Or their destroyer? FABLES VOL. 18: CUBS IN TOYLAND is the latest epic from New York Times best-selling author Bill Willingham's hit series FABLES, as the Bigby Wolf cubs learn that adventures in the land of misfit toys is much less fun than it sounds.
Also collected here are all the backup stories that feature Bufkin's exploits in the land of Oz, beautifully painted by Shaw McManus (CINDERELLA: FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE)."
Collecting FABLES #114-123.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2013
45 people are currently reading
3635 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
993 books2,817 followersIn the late 1970s to early 1980s he drew fantasy ink pictures for the Dungeons & Dragons Basic and Expert game rulebooks. He first gained attention for his 1980s comic book series Elementals published by Comico, which he both wrote and drew. However, for reasons unknown, the series had trouble maintaining an original schedule, and Willingham's position in the industry remained spotty for many years. He contributed stories to Green Lantern and started his own independent, black-and-white comics series Coventry which lasted only 3 issues. He also produced the pornographic series Ironwood for Eros Comix.
In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables
In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 602 reviews
February 2, 2022
Holy shit.
That was dark.
And that's all I've got to say about that.
The last 2 issues are Ambrose telling a story about Bigby changing his fate. It has a sweet ending that I didn't quite expect. Very well done.
That was dark.
And that's all I've got to say about that.
The last 2 issues are Ambrose telling a story about Bigby changing his fate. It has a sweet ending that I didn't quite expect. Very well done.
April 2, 2021
In which two Wolf cubs go missing; we find Discardia a land of malevolent toys; Bigby seeks aid from gods ; and the first cub hero emerges! Deliciously dark and fairy tale styled, Bill Willingham goes full-on fable-esque and produces, for me, the best volume in the series! Essentially a modern fairy tale is told, with a typically very dark heart. 8.5 out of 12.
April 4, 2023
We are looking at easily one of the best fantasy writers of all time.
You won me over utterly and totally this time.
Each time i think to myself (they cant come up with something new, no way)
And they prove me wrong time and time again
Amazing team bill and mark and todd, even though i have reasons to believe todd was even better on the sandman.
So more of the prophecy about the cubs is revealed this issue.
Therese becomes the queen of toyland and after starting out as a horrifying spoiled queen (with good reasons ) she turns out great.
After the sacrifice of (the once thought villain and gonna wreak hell upon earth for not being the new north wind) darien the fisher king.
Last but not least we get an amazing side story of the fate of the big bad wolf bigby himself the king of monsters.
I feel like i am in the world of one thousand and one nights really pretty amazing stuff on par with the great Neil gaiman i wonder though if the ending will be amazing as well !!!
You won me over utterly and totally this time.
Each time i think to myself (they cant come up with something new, no way)
And they prove me wrong time and time again
Amazing team bill and mark and todd, even though i have reasons to believe todd was even better on the sandman.
So more of the prophecy about the cubs is revealed this issue.
Therese becomes the queen of toyland and after starting out as a horrifying spoiled queen (with good reasons ) she turns out great.
After the sacrifice of (the once thought villain and gonna wreak hell upon earth for not being the new north wind) darien the fisher king.
Last but not least we get an amazing side story of the fate of the big bad wolf bigby himself the king of monsters.
I feel like i am in the world of one thousand and one nights really pretty amazing stuff on par with the great Neil gaiman i wonder though if the ending will be amazing as well !!!
December 31, 2013
This story arc was absolutely marvelous. Probably my favorite Fables collection in ten books or so, and it's absolutely revived my faith in the series.
July 2, 2022
The prophecy of Snow White and Bigby's Cubs begins to take effect. Therese is tricked into going to Toyland. I like that Willingham's stories don't always have pat happy endings. They are often dark and scary like the original fairy tales. Mark Buckingham's art is terrific.
There's also a 2 part story with an adult Ambrose that is kind of the precursor to the end. The rest of the series ends up being about Snow White, Rose Red and their family with the rest of the Fables filling up the "B" plots. Gene Ha is one of my favorite artists and he kills it with these issues.
There's also a 2 part story with an adult Ambrose that is kind of the precursor to the end. The rest of the series ends up being about Snow White, Rose Red and their family with the rest of the Fables filling up the "B" plots. Gene Ha is one of my favorite artists and he kills it with these issues.
January 22, 2013
The creepiest Fables volume in ages. For my money, Toyland is far scarier than Mr. Dark was.
For a long time, Fables has been feeling a little played out, and since the defeat of the Adversary we've had some good individual stories (Peter & Max), but no satisfactory arcs. Mr. Dark, who I assume was supposed to be the Bogeyman, was too simplistically and single-mindedly evil to be truly worrisome, and was defeated handily by the North Wind almost as an afterthought.
With this volume and its predecessor, I think Willingham, Buckingham et al. have found their groove again. The story of Wolf & Snow's cubs is now the driver, and it's a good engine for stories. I was thinking about this volume for days after finishing it. It ends brilliantly, with the beginning of a conversation you'd love to be in on, but never will be. Looking forward to Vol. 19!
For a long time, Fables has been feeling a little played out, and since the defeat of the Adversary we've had some good individual stories (Peter & Max), but no satisfactory arcs. Mr. Dark, who I assume was supposed to be the Bogeyman, was too simplistically and single-mindedly evil to be truly worrisome, and was defeated handily by the North Wind almost as an afterthought.
With this volume and its predecessor, I think Willingham, Buckingham et al. have found their groove again. The story of Wolf & Snow's cubs is now the driver, and it's a good engine for stories. I was thinking about this volume for days after finishing it. It ends brilliantly, with the beginning of a conversation you'd love to be in on, but never will be. Looking forward to Vol. 19!
March 31, 2015
I've had soft copies of Bill Willingham's FABLES for quite some time in one of my flash drives, but I never actually read any of it yet. I was thinking I wanted to find the perfect moment to indulge in this widely-acclaimed fairy-tale saga. That time only came when I finally stumbled upon a hard copy version of this volume. I bought it and immediately started perusing through the pages. I knew nothing of Fables except for the premise itself (one that has been used in the television adaptations of Grimm and Once Upon A Time), so I read Cubs in Toyland with limited expectations and what I got was something so profoundly frightening and upsetting that the very next night I was already browsing and digesting my soft copies of Fables from the first issue to the twenty-sixth.
Truth be told, I never realized how much I was missing out and for someone who had only fallen in love with Neil Gaiman's The Sandman just four years ago, I thought that I would not find anything that would remotely replace it--but Fables might just be a possible strong contender. This was an enchanting series with layers upon layers of folklore, myth and interesting character narratives that would leave any reader, novice or devout, quite insatiable. Cubs in Toyland was specifically haunting.
What started as a tale of a spoiled pretty child named Therese being transported into a land of toys became something akin to the first piercing wound of terror; a re-imagining of the usual story trope of children escaping into fantasy landscapes (such as Neverland, Oz or Wonderland) only to find deadlier, irreversible consequences in their wake. In Cubs, the escape was not at all fantastical or whimsical--the grim revelation of an island filled with broken, murderous toys was not really the heart of darkness of the story itself, but the masterstroke delivery of the writing. In this volume, childhood daydreams are given a whole new depth of torment and despair. A brother and a sister--whose births are prophesied for both great and terrible things-- must face the ultimate test of their survival and skills. The sacrifices that they entail would harden any child and force her to grow up and put away her toys before such playthings could rot her core.
Therese was scarcely old enough to understand her bratty and simplistic behaviors upon first arriving at the shores of broken toys, and her display of vanity and ignorance were eventually her most tainted qualities. Her innocence can also be liken to barbarism, especially when she was crowned as queen of the Toyland which she hardly took seriously, insisting for all her subjects to serve her needs; including her hunger that is not only physical but spiritual. Her brother had come to rescue her halfway through the story but realized that she might be beyond saving unless he pays the price for her redemption. Once the deed was sealed and Therese found out about her brother's woes, her childhood and all the sweetness that mingled with it had gradually perished, and she started a solemn quest of restoring the toys through the most poignant way imaginable. She later travels back to her own world, only to meet her mother and other siblings as a grown and weary young woman when she was only gone for several days (for time moves differently in Toyland).
This volume was an unforgettable cautionary tale about greed and ignorance and that even children can reflect such darkness no matter how much they possess ambiguity as creatures who are yet to develop moral self-awareness. Therese's tale was a grievous one but ultimately a necessary transformation toward her personal enlightenment. This was an easily enjoyable volume despite its bleak storyline. Anyone who wants to read about Fables can pick up this volume first if they want. The horrific impact weaved into the plot itself will still have the same effect.
RECOMMENDED: 10/10
* It is advisable to start with the series from the beginning but this volume could be a notable exception. Its prose and message are devastating and filled with utmost clarity.
Truth be told, I never realized how much I was missing out and for someone who had only fallen in love with Neil Gaiman's The Sandman just four years ago, I thought that I would not find anything that would remotely replace it--but Fables might just be a possible strong contender. This was an enchanting series with layers upon layers of folklore, myth and interesting character narratives that would leave any reader, novice or devout, quite insatiable. Cubs in Toyland was specifically haunting.
What started as a tale of a spoiled pretty child named Therese being transported into a land of toys became something akin to the first piercing wound of terror; a re-imagining of the usual story trope of children escaping into fantasy landscapes (such as Neverland, Oz or Wonderland) only to find deadlier, irreversible consequences in their wake. In Cubs, the escape was not at all fantastical or whimsical--the grim revelation of an island filled with broken, murderous toys was not really the heart of darkness of the story itself, but the masterstroke delivery of the writing. In this volume, childhood daydreams are given a whole new depth of torment and despair. A brother and a sister--whose births are prophesied for both great and terrible things-- must face the ultimate test of their survival and skills. The sacrifices that they entail would harden any child and force her to grow up and put away her toys before such playthings could rot her core.
Therese was scarcely old enough to understand her bratty and simplistic behaviors upon first arriving at the shores of broken toys, and her display of vanity and ignorance were eventually her most tainted qualities. Her innocence can also be liken to barbarism, especially when she was crowned as queen of the Toyland which she hardly took seriously, insisting for all her subjects to serve her needs; including her hunger that is not only physical but spiritual. Her brother had come to rescue her halfway through the story but realized that she might be beyond saving unless he pays the price for her redemption. Once the deed was sealed and Therese found out about her brother's woes, her childhood and all the sweetness that mingled with it had gradually perished, and she started a solemn quest of restoring the toys through the most poignant way imaginable. She later travels back to her own world, only to meet her mother and other siblings as a grown and weary young woman when she was only gone for several days (for time moves differently in Toyland).
This volume was an unforgettable cautionary tale about greed and ignorance and that even children can reflect such darkness no matter how much they possess ambiguity as creatures who are yet to develop moral self-awareness. Therese's tale was a grievous one but ultimately a necessary transformation toward her personal enlightenment. This was an easily enjoyable volume despite its bleak storyline. Anyone who wants to read about Fables can pick up this volume first if they want. The horrific impact weaved into the plot itself will still have the same effect.
RECOMMENDED: 10/10
* It is advisable to start with the series from the beginning but this volume could be a notable exception. Its prose and message are devastating and filled with utmost clarity.
September 17, 2019
I am going to start my review with a "Damn!"
There. Now with that out of the way, this was one hell of a great volume. I've always been a fan of Fables and think highly of the series as a whole. Certain volumes, like Vol 18, truly stand out. Perhaps I appreciated this volume due to the amazingly dark stories that were told. Also very surprising. No worries I shall not give any of the rather large secrets away. Read it and be shocked your own damn self.
Remember back in Vol 17 when we were told this rhyme?
"The first child will be a king.
The second child a pauper.
The third will do an evil thing.
The fourth will die to stop her.
The fifth will be a hero bold.
The sixth will judge the rest.
The seventh lives to ages old, and is by heaven blessed."
Well Vol 18 does explain a lot of that odd prophecy. In Vol 17 we saw Winter become the new North Wind, thus fulfilling part of the prophecy, but Vol 18 fills in more of the prophecy. There are two stories in this volume. The first, or "main" story arc, is "Cubs in Toyland" where Therese (Bigby and Snow's daughter) is tricked into going to "Toyland" by a rogue toy tugboat. As odd as that sounds it ended up being a story that was very dark and yet sad as well. Toyland ends up being not what people think and once you figure it out- the formerly sad "discarded" toys take on a whole new sinister light as you learn their true stories. A very dark idea and I appreciated how it fit into the story. It also helped to explain the toys behavior. As far as Therese, she is a piece of work. I look forward to Vol 19 to figure out the consequences of the "Toyland" story. Sorry if that was vague, but I merely wish to whet your appetite for this entertaining story. Worth your time, IMHO.
The second, smaller, story arc I really enjoyed. It's a tale from before there was any Fabletown or anything. It was the time when the Fables were "themselves". So we are told a really interesting and enjoyable tale about Bigby Wolf, back when he was the Big Bad Wolf. What a cool character, as he is portrayed, at once menacing but honorable. I appreciated the character. The entire beauty of the turn of events which give a great lesson about the inexorable nature of fate I found to be clever. Though this story is short, it will rank up there with one of my favorite ones. The green witch, Bigby and Sorcerer triangle of competing interests and schemes made for a great story. The idea of an entity capable of collecting and dispensing fates is also very cool. As far as the ending and how it did fulfill fate- I liked that as well. Made me smile.
Thus this was a great volume. The main story will certainly shock you with the huge events in regards to the Cubs and the second story will entertain you about the good old Bixby, when he was cool and really the Big Bad Wolf. Good artwork throughout, though it never does rise to the level of great, and an entertaining story which continues to surprise with some great twists and outcomes. A volume that will take you across the entire range of emotions from shock to appreciation. As far as myself? I'm going to go get Vol 19. So highly recommended for any Fables fan. Umm if you're not a Fables fan..don't start here. You'd be about 18 Volumes late. Not the place to start this series.
There. Now with that out of the way, this was one hell of a great volume. I've always been a fan of Fables and think highly of the series as a whole. Certain volumes, like Vol 18, truly stand out. Perhaps I appreciated this volume due to the amazingly dark stories that were told. Also very surprising. No worries I shall not give any of the rather large secrets away. Read it and be shocked your own damn self.
Remember back in Vol 17 when we were told this rhyme?
"The first child will be a king.
The second child a pauper.
The third will do an evil thing.
The fourth will die to stop her.
The fifth will be a hero bold.
The sixth will judge the rest.
The seventh lives to ages old, and is by heaven blessed."
Well Vol 18 does explain a lot of that odd prophecy. In Vol 17 we saw Winter become the new North Wind, thus fulfilling part of the prophecy, but Vol 18 fills in more of the prophecy. There are two stories in this volume. The first, or "main" story arc, is "Cubs in Toyland" where Therese (Bigby and Snow's daughter) is tricked into going to "Toyland" by a rogue toy tugboat. As odd as that sounds it ended up being a story that was very dark and yet sad as well. Toyland ends up being not what people think and once you figure it out- the formerly sad "discarded" toys take on a whole new sinister light as you learn their true stories. A very dark idea and I appreciated how it fit into the story. It also helped to explain the toys behavior. As far as Therese, she is a piece of work. I look forward to Vol 19 to figure out the consequences of the "Toyland" story. Sorry if that was vague, but I merely wish to whet your appetite for this entertaining story. Worth your time, IMHO.
The second, smaller, story arc I really enjoyed. It's a tale from before there was any Fabletown or anything. It was the time when the Fables were "themselves". So we are told a really interesting and enjoyable tale about Bigby Wolf, back when he was the Big Bad Wolf. What a cool character, as he is portrayed, at once menacing but honorable. I appreciated the character. The entire beauty of the turn of events which give a great lesson about the inexorable nature of fate I found to be clever. Though this story is short, it will rank up there with one of my favorite ones. The green witch, Bigby and Sorcerer triangle of competing interests and schemes made for a great story. The idea of an entity capable of collecting and dispensing fates is also very cool. As far as the ending and how it did fulfill fate- I liked that as well. Made me smile.
Thus this was a great volume. The main story will certainly shock you with the huge events in regards to the Cubs and the second story will entertain you about the good old Bixby, when he was cool and really the Big Bad Wolf. Good artwork throughout, though it never does rise to the level of great, and an entertaining story which continues to surprise with some great twists and outcomes. A volume that will take you across the entire range of emotions from shock to appreciation. As far as myself? I'm going to go get Vol 19. So highly recommended for any Fables fan. Umm if you're not a Fables fan..don't start here. You'd be about 18 Volumes late. Not the place to start this series.
December 27, 2021
I found this one quite dark. Poor Dare. Poor Tiger.
January 12, 2015
Fables 18 - Cubs in Toyland
Yes, this is what I signed up for when I became addicted to the Fables series. I was literally biting my nails reading this, thinking “no, they wouldn’t do that, there will be a different outcome to the story” and then “I can’t believe they actually went through with this! When did I forget that these are not stories for children?!” It totally took me by surprise. I’m so delighted that the authors managed to confound my expectations. It’s impressive how Willingham always finds a new myth to introduce and seamlessly weave into his story. Even though I gave a high rating to the previous books out of sheer love for the series on the whole, I admit to having started to have doubts and to worry. For me, it’s back on track now and I’m as eagerly anticipating the next instalment as I used to.
Yes, this is what I signed up for when I became addicted to the Fables series. I was literally biting my nails reading this, thinking “no, they wouldn’t do that, there will be a different outcome to the story” and then “I can’t believe they actually went through with this! When did I forget that these are not stories for children?!” It totally took me by surprise. I’m so delighted that the authors managed to confound my expectations. It’s impressive how Willingham always finds a new myth to introduce and seamlessly weave into his story. Even though I gave a high rating to the previous books out of sheer love for the series on the whole, I admit to having started to have doubts and to worry. For me, it’s back on track now and I’m as eagerly anticipating the next instalment as I used to.
March 30, 2025
The divergence from the main story line continues, the whole volume is dedicated to the cubs Therese and Dare, with an adventure, or better fitting a tragedy of their own, fulfiling 2 roles of those ordained in the prophecy of the cubs in the previous volume.
It finishes with a mini story from Bigby's days as the big bad wolf, telling of how unknowingly he set the wheels of a fate that he did not fully comprehend, bargaining for one of assured death...
Something big and meaningful needs to happen soon in the next volume, its starting to be tiring to have volumes that seemingly are straying from the big story, or as I hope, enough preparations and let's dive into the foray of the final arc (will rate it 3 stars on that hope, and the fact that it was entertaining on its own)
MiM
It finishes with a mini story from Bigby's days as the big bad wolf, telling of how unknowingly he set the wheels of a fate that he did not fully comprehend, bargaining for one of assured death...
Something big and meaningful needs to happen soon in the next volume, its starting to be tiring to have volumes that seemingly are straying from the big story, or as I hope, enough preparations and let's dive into the foray of the final arc (will rate it 3 stars on that hope, and the fact that it was entertaining on its own)
MiM
December 29, 2013
Bloody hell. Cubs. Toys. Fairy tales. And possibly one of the grimmest stories I've ever read.
September 9, 2014
There are two stories in this collection Cubs in Toyland and The Destiny Game, I'll talk about Toyland first and in the bottom of my review will be about Destiny Game.
A fairy tale with a HUGE moral ending, this is what's in store for you in this Cubs in Toyland arc. It is both simple and elegant like a fairy tale with a huge gut punch, this is why I love this series so much:
World: The Fables world has been firmly established after 100+ issues but what makes Willingham and Buckingham amazing is the fact that we still go to new and interesting places, given that the source materials that they can draw from it's not surprising, it's the way that they use it, here we have Toyland. Toyland not in the way you would imagine and not looking the way you would imagine, Willingham creates a bleak and creepy idea of Discardia and Buckingham shows it to us it his master illustrative glory. It's different that's for sure and not to ruin the experience for you, you will find it amazing
Story: A fairy tale in the purest sense, and one that reminds us of the stories told by the Brothers Grimm. The moral lesson is strong in the end, and full of consequence, it is a powerful tale that you did not see coming and when it does it you it is a gut punch. The world in which it takes place is wonderfully realized and designed for this tale and the pacing and paneling is done meticulously by Willingham and Buckingham. The moral of the story at first seems lost in the cuteness of the cubs but is soon very clear as the story progresses, a tale that changes the Fables universe and as always shows as with all moral tales, consequences are real and things can not be undone. Powerful.
Characters: Wonderful and deep, in this tale we get to see two cubs come into their own. Through the many issues that we have seen the cubs their personalities have been somewhat established both good and bad, and now in this tale Willingham explores these two cubs in an interesting setting that if fit for...well children. The other characters (which I won't spoil) are full of Fables charm and oddness and people who've read enough of Fables will love them. Good stuff.
Destiny Game: Short two issue arc about Bigby during the Homeland year and it's a great tale with a wonderfully poetic ending. I won't spoil it for you cause it is quite good. The new characters introduced especially the green woman is interesting and fun and this short tale was actually quite emotionally powerful, good stuff!
I am a huge fan of this series and even after 123 issues I still enjoy the journey that Willingham and Buckingham take me on, the characters are so familiar to me now and I feel emotionally invested in this series. If you are here after 123 issues you honestly don't need to read review anyways :)
Onward to the next book!
A fairy tale with a HUGE moral ending, this is what's in store for you in this Cubs in Toyland arc. It is both simple and elegant like a fairy tale with a huge gut punch, this is why I love this series so much:
World: The Fables world has been firmly established after 100+ issues but what makes Willingham and Buckingham amazing is the fact that we still go to new and interesting places, given that the source materials that they can draw from it's not surprising, it's the way that they use it, here we have Toyland. Toyland not in the way you would imagine and not looking the way you would imagine, Willingham creates a bleak and creepy idea of Discardia and Buckingham shows it to us it his master illustrative glory. It's different that's for sure and not to ruin the experience for you, you will find it amazing
Story: A fairy tale in the purest sense, and one that reminds us of the stories told by the Brothers Grimm. The moral lesson is strong in the end, and full of consequence, it is a powerful tale that you did not see coming and when it does it you it is a gut punch. The world in which it takes place is wonderfully realized and designed for this tale and the pacing and paneling is done meticulously by Willingham and Buckingham. The moral of the story at first seems lost in the cuteness of the cubs but is soon very clear as the story progresses, a tale that changes the Fables universe and as always shows as with all moral tales, consequences are real and things can not be undone. Powerful.
Characters: Wonderful and deep, in this tale we get to see two cubs come into their own. Through the many issues that we have seen the cubs their personalities have been somewhat established both good and bad, and now in this tale Willingham explores these two cubs in an interesting setting that if fit for...well children. The other characters (which I won't spoil) are full of Fables charm and oddness and people who've read enough of Fables will love them. Good stuff.
Destiny Game: Short two issue arc about Bigby during the Homeland year and it's a great tale with a wonderfully poetic ending. I won't spoil it for you cause it is quite good. The new characters introduced especially the green woman is interesting and fun and this short tale was actually quite emotionally powerful, good stuff!
I am a huge fan of this series and even after 123 issues I still enjoy the journey that Willingham and Buckingham take me on, the characters are so familiar to me now and I feel emotionally invested in this series. If you are here after 123 issues you honestly don't need to read review anyways :)
Onward to the next book!
January 19, 2013
This was potentially the most disturbing volume of Fables to date. I am torn as to whether or not I am rating it with three stars because the story itself was so unsettling or whether I am able to objectively look at it and say...yup...this isn't as good as other volumes. So I suppose I will write my review and see.
To begin with, I don't feel like much happened in this volume despite containing so many issues. The story was largely focused on some of the cubs with very few other fables showing up. What happened to those unfortunate Fables was horrific and devastating and will certainly have repercussions in the world. I suppose if I had just read this story in text, it would not seem as gruesome, but Mark Buckingham's illustrations make the story doubly grotesque.
I do agree with my three stars and I don't really want to talk about this anymore, so I will leave it at that.
To begin with, I don't feel like much happened in this volume despite containing so many issues. The story was largely focused on some of the cubs with very few other fables showing up. What happened to those unfortunate Fables was horrific and devastating and will certainly have repercussions in the world. I suppose if I had just read this story in text, it would not seem as gruesome, but Mark Buckingham's illustrations make the story doubly grotesque.
I do agree with my three stars and I don't really want to talk about this anymore, so I will leave it at that.
March 4, 2014
Like nothing I have ever read, and yet hauntingly familiar. And terrible.
If that sentence, plus *****, is not enough to have you read this graphic novel, let me know.
If that sentence, plus *****, is not enough to have you read this graphic novel, let me know.
February 22, 2013
loved it. I couldn't put it down. Therese and Dare.. I cried. I'm aching to get the next volume but I still have to wait for it's release. I can't wait to see what unfolds with Spratt and Winter and Therese being back and Bliss and all the other Fables. the next few months are going to kill me >_____<
I get so into these books/comics/G.Novels/what-have-you that they compel me to look up characters I do not know or stories I haven't heard before. I love how its not just one straight line. nothing is ever in a straight line. reading the fables in a huge jumble of stories with stories added at almost random keep me on my toes. you cant just read one storyline and put it down. this way you are constantly being pulled into the fabled tales and you push on to find out more.
I said almost at random because if you take note all the stories relate at one point or another, answer questions and or tell you something you'll need in order to later understand. I've heard people prefer the earlier Fables volumes however personally I find the later volumes more to my liking. not only do I still get swept away into different worlds but it also makes me want to go out and learn more, read more and broaden my understanding of literature as a whole. the ealier volumes, dont get me wrong, were amazing but I feel they have matured as they continued. Fables is and probably will be for a very long time part of my must read list.
I get so into these books/comics/G.Novels/what-have-you that they compel me to look up characters I do not know or stories I haven't heard before. I love how its not just one straight line. nothing is ever in a straight line. reading the fables in a huge jumble of stories with stories added at almost random keep me on my toes. you cant just read one storyline and put it down. this way you are constantly being pulled into the fabled tales and you push on to find out more.
I said almost at random because if you take note all the stories relate at one point or another, answer questions and or tell you something you'll need in order to later understand. I've heard people prefer the earlier Fables volumes however personally I find the later volumes more to my liking. not only do I still get swept away into different worlds but it also makes me want to go out and learn more, read more and broaden my understanding of literature as a whole. the ealier volumes, dont get me wrong, were amazing but I feel they have matured as they continued. Fables is and probably will be for a very long time part of my must read list.
April 24, 2023
Another outstanding, albeit unsettling, installment in this long-running series. No surprise that I'm absolutely looking forward to all the remaining volumes.
Nom nom.
Nom nom.
November 18, 2018
Wow this one was very interesting!
May 17, 2015
The eighteenth volume in the Fables series focuses on the children of Bigby Wolf and Snow White. Therese, the spoiled pretty one, is lured off on an adventure to Toyland by a charming little talking boat.
Yeah, it's not quite that cheerful, though. Bill Willingham takes that old Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer special and turns it dark, dark, way dark.
Before Therese is able to leave "Toyland," some of the worst parts of the prophecy given the Snow about her children in a previous volume come true. One of the things I like about Fables is that character deaths usually (not always, but usually) stick. Even though the characters are immortal magical beings, and sometimes literally gods, they do die and we haven't seen too many of them come back from the dead like in superhero comics.
The secondary story at the end, spanning two volumes of the regular comic series, is about Bigby Wolf, back in the early days when he was the Big Bad Wolf. It's an unexpected twist on his story arc, and quite ingenuous.
The Fables series has been consistently high quality and while it was up and down for a while, the last few volumes have been mostly pretty solid.
Yeah, it's not quite that cheerful, though. Bill Willingham takes that old Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer special and turns it dark, dark, way dark.
Before Therese is able to leave "Toyland," some of the worst parts of the prophecy given the Snow about her children in a previous volume come true. One of the things I like about Fables is that character deaths usually (not always, but usually) stick. Even though the characters are immortal magical beings, and sometimes literally gods, they do die and we haven't seen too many of them come back from the dead like in superhero comics.
The secondary story at the end, spanning two volumes of the regular comic series, is about Bigby Wolf, back in the early days when he was the Big Bad Wolf. It's an unexpected twist on his story arc, and quite ingenuous.
The Fables series has been consistently high quality and while it was up and down for a while, the last few volumes have been mostly pretty solid.
February 19, 2018
There are two storylines in this volume. The first deals with the land of misfit toys, similar to the one in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer but oh so much darker. The toys abduct one of Wolf and Snow White's children to be their Queen, and then her brother follows to rescue her. What happens next is..well, too dark for me to spoil here. There's also a passage of many years in this volume so we have some time skipping.
The other storyline involves Bigby Wolf and how his fate became "assigned" to him. This story also features some time skipping.
This was a good volume with a lot going on, but even for a series known for being dark at times this one was dark. The art was great as usual and even after all this time this series still seems pretty fresh.
The other storyline involves Bigby Wolf and how his fate became "assigned" to him. This story also features some time skipping.
This was a good volume with a lot going on, but even for a series known for being dark at times this one was dark. The art was great as usual and even after all this time this series still seems pretty fresh.
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June 15, 2017
In which we: are treated to two harrowing and exceedingly bleak tales about the cubs Therese and Darien; have confirmed Mr. Willingham's commitment to the original tone of fairy tales; witness the death of a noble old creature; discover that Bigby cheated fate to secure the life he now leads; and learn that, for dear Ambrose at least, things work out all right in the end.
January 25, 2014
Toyland, and broken toys in need of forgiveness. Fates and destinies. Great tale. If you have not yet started reading this series then you should.
March 10, 2019
I WANT COLIN BACK! 👿
May 21, 2023
Holy shit! This was dark, and it's probably my favorite. No, it IS my favorite. Just when I thought Vol. 4 couldn't be beaten, Vol. 18 and Therese and Dare come along and blow my frickin' mind. I'm reeling. How?!? Oh my god. I gotta keep reading. Fuck me.
February 18, 2013
The last couple installments of the Fables trade back books have been good but not as excellent as previous books in the series. This book however was truly excellent. I really enjoyed it a lot.
Bigby’s and Snow’s children are growing up and being forced to assume responsibilities. Winter inherited her kingdom in the last book and this book focuses on Therese and Dare. Therese follows her creepy toy boat’s advice and ends up in Toyland. Toyland is a land inhabited by evil toys that needs a new Queen. As Therese struggles to survive and struggles with her sanity, her brother Dare sets off to try and find her.
This was an excellent installment in this series. I loved the adventures in Toyland and how involved we are getting with Bigby’s and Snow’s kids. The prophecy about Bigby’s and Snow’s kids is slowly coming to light. We’ve meet the child that will become a king, in this story we read about the child that does an evil thing and the child that dies to stop her.
The evil toy kingdom is one that’s been written about before. Mike Raicht’s The Stuff of Legend graphic novels do an excellent job exploring a similar theme. This is a dark story and it is very well done. I love how the story wraps up and what Therese decides to do to atone.
There is also a side story about the Fables going to explore Mister Dark’s old castle and finding Nurse Sprat.
The illustration was excellent and in keeping with previous installments. Fans of the series should be pleased with this addition, it’s one of the best Fables installments released in a while.
Overall a very solid addition to the Fables series. I really enjoyed reading more about Snow and Bigby’s children and how they are slowly fulfilling the prophecy. This whole series is recommended to fans of fairy tales and urban fantasy who love graphic novels.
Bigby’s and Snow’s children are growing up and being forced to assume responsibilities. Winter inherited her kingdom in the last book and this book focuses on Therese and Dare. Therese follows her creepy toy boat’s advice and ends up in Toyland. Toyland is a land inhabited by evil toys that needs a new Queen. As Therese struggles to survive and struggles with her sanity, her brother Dare sets off to try and find her.
This was an excellent installment in this series. I loved the adventures in Toyland and how involved we are getting with Bigby’s and Snow’s kids. The prophecy about Bigby’s and Snow’s kids is slowly coming to light. We’ve meet the child that will become a king, in this story we read about the child that does an evil thing and the child that dies to stop her.
The evil toy kingdom is one that’s been written about before. Mike Raicht’s The Stuff of Legend graphic novels do an excellent job exploring a similar theme. This is a dark story and it is very well done. I love how the story wraps up and what Therese decides to do to atone.
There is also a side story about the Fables going to explore Mister Dark’s old castle and finding Nurse Sprat.
The illustration was excellent and in keeping with previous installments. Fans of the series should be pleased with this addition, it’s one of the best Fables installments released in a while.
Overall a very solid addition to the Fables series. I really enjoyed reading more about Snow and Bigby’s children and how they are slowly fulfilling the prophecy. This whole series is recommended to fans of fairy tales and urban fantasy who love graphic novels.
January 21, 2013
Sorry everyone, slight rant incoming.
Positives first. I enjoyed the ending of the Cubs in Toyland arc, and I also enjoyed the 2 issue short about Bigby. Cubs in Toyland's conclusion had some real impact on the Fables world, which I can appreciate, as the previous volume felt like not much happened. However a few things are bothering me.
I feel like Fables has become a bit aimless in its plotting. While CiT was a nice story, I am failing to see where the series is going in the long run. That'd be fine if the short term stories were interesting and helped fill in some characters' backgrounds. But they're not doing that either. Hopefully my failure to see long-term plot opportunities is a shortcoming on my end, and not on Willingham's, because I would love to love Fables again. I really would. It has just been a long time since Fables has been something that I'd actually recommend to a friend. I would still recommend the first 10 or so trades, of course, as they are excellent.
I also am a bit frustrated with Buckingham's art. I don't know if my tastes are changing, or if he is slipping, but I feel like every character has about 3 stock faces: happy, unhappy, and neutral. Maybe it's just Fiona Staples' AMAZING facial interpretations and art in general from Saga that is spoiling me, but it really seems like Buckingham's art has been a bit lackluster in these past few volumes.
All in all I'm pretty sad to be giving Fables this poor of a review, because in the past I would always list it as one of my favorite ongoing comics. Boo :(
Positives first. I enjoyed the ending of the Cubs in Toyland arc, and I also enjoyed the 2 issue short about Bigby. Cubs in Toyland's conclusion had some real impact on the Fables world, which I can appreciate, as the previous volume felt like not much happened. However a few things are bothering me.
I feel like Fables has become a bit aimless in its plotting. While CiT was a nice story, I am failing to see where the series is going in the long run. That'd be fine if the short term stories were interesting and helped fill in some characters' backgrounds. But they're not doing that either. Hopefully my failure to see long-term plot opportunities is a shortcoming on my end, and not on Willingham's, because I would love to love Fables again. I really would. It has just been a long time since Fables has been something that I'd actually recommend to a friend. I would still recommend the first 10 or so trades, of course, as they are excellent.
I also am a bit frustrated with Buckingham's art. I don't know if my tastes are changing, or if he is slipping, but I feel like every character has about 3 stock faces: happy, unhappy, and neutral. Maybe it's just Fiona Staples' AMAZING facial interpretations and art in general from Saga that is spoiling me, but it really seems like Buckingham's art has been a bit lackluster in these past few volumes.
All in all I'm pretty sad to be giving Fables this poor of a review, because in the past I would always list it as one of my favorite ongoing comics. Boo :(
March 27, 2013
Good to see this comic back to form. This one is right up there with the best volumes in this amazing series, as we get a couple of story arcs. One deals with the cub Therese, stolen away to become Queen of Toyland, and her brother, Darrian, come to rescue her. This is a very moving story of redemption and coming of age. The other is a two-issue story that details how Bigby wolf came by his fate. The artwork by Mark Buckingham continues to be a delight, with the two issue story illustrated by guest artist Gene Ha, who's work is very Buckingham-esque. This is a nice return to form after the disappointment that was Werewolves of the Heartland.
January 18, 2013
Finally an arc with the cubs in which I didn't want to punch each of them. Dialogue at times was still weird given the cubs are nine years old -- I'm not a huge fan of writing children as stupid just because they're kids. Felt forced at times. The character of Dare was especially compelling towards the end of the story. The inclusion and layering of Babes in Toyland and the Fisher King were fun to follow. Beautiful story. I especially liked the two part at the end, "The Destiny Game." I hope they bring more of that particular storyline into play in the near future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2013
Bought this today, and read the whole thing in one sitting. This may be my favorite Fable collection yet, although it's been a long time since I read the first volumes, so that makes it difficult to judge. This story is great because it is grim and horrific. It has multiple layers that are revealed gradually. It has redemption at an ultimate price, and a major transition for more than one character. The artwork is beautiful. And the backup story was great too, with lovely, dark-hued artwork to match it's tone.
February 25, 2013
This is going to be a pretty short review. What I do want to say is that this volume twisted my view of some old fantasy tales. I don't think I can ever see Babes in Toyland or the Island of Toys in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer the same ever again. This is a truly tragic tale for several of the characters that we have gotten to know over the last few volumes, and I am interested in seeing how Bigby and Snow handle the events portrayed here over time.
Skip watching Once Upon a Time on television (all right the show isn't that bad). Read this tpbs instead.
Skip watching Once Upon a Time on television (all right the show isn't that bad). Read this tpbs instead.
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