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Fairest (Collected Editions)
Fairest, Volume 2: The Hidden Kingdom
New York Times bestselling, award-winning creator Bill Willingham presents a new series starring the female FABLES. Balancing horror, humor and adventure in the FABLES tradition, FAIREST explores the secret histories of Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Snow Queen, Thumbelina, Snow White, Rose Red and others.
In a stand-alone tale, Beast must hunt a beauty, but what is her relation to his past? And then, in a 6-part epic, Rapunzel lives one of the most regimented lives in Fabletown, forced to maintain her rapidly growing hair lest her storybook origins be revealed. But when word of her long-lost children surface, she races across the sea to find them--and a former lover.
In a stand-alone tale, Beast must hunt a beauty, but what is her relation to his past? And then, in a 6-part epic, Rapunzel lives one of the most regimented lives in Fabletown, forced to maintain her rapidly growing hair lest her storybook origins be revealed. But when word of her long-lost children surface, she races across the sea to find them--and a former lover.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2013
135 people are currently reading
1685 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
993 books2,818 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 262 reviews
May 5, 2021
In which we have the first Fables reality volume not written by Bill Willingham; In which we get to see a lot more of the superb Fables' Rapunzel; In which we get a first look at the Japanese Fables; In which we get yet more sneaky sneaky Totenkinder scheming. Superbly rendered by Inaki Miranda portraying and merging Japan of the past and the ultra modern present; and the Western blond paleness of Rapunzel with Japanese colour, fashion and textiles. Very much an image led volume although the Japan Fable's story is really interesting, but 6 issues is nowhere enough. A solid 7 out of 12..
January 24, 2022
3.5 stars
Lauren Beukes takes over for Willingham and it shows a bit.
And while this one wasn't quite as good as the first volume, but it was still a really interesting look at a character that (as of yet) hasn't played much of a part in the main Fables story.
Rapunzel goes to Tokyo to find her lost children and we get a story of her lost years.
You do find out a bit about her new origin story and how she came to be in the tower. Also, that there's a tie between her and Frau Totenkinder that was interesting.
Any disappointment I had with this was I think because I was hoping for more of the older Rapunzel storyline, and reading about her past in The Hidden Kingdom just didn't do it for me quite as much.
The last issue has a cute story about Reynard the Fox (in his human form) going on a date with that tree dryad that Gepetto brought out of the woods with her brother.
Overall, this was a good installment and I'm looking forward quite a bit to the next volume in the series.
Lauren Beukes takes over for Willingham and it shows a bit.
And while this one wasn't quite as good as the first volume, but it was still a really interesting look at a character that (as of yet) hasn't played much of a part in the main Fables story.
Rapunzel goes to Tokyo to find her lost children and we get a story of her lost years.
You do find out a bit about her new origin story and how she came to be in the tower. Also, that there's a tie between her and Frau Totenkinder that was interesting.
Any disappointment I had with this was I think because I was hoping for more of the older Rapunzel storyline, and reading about her past in The Hidden Kingdom just didn't do it for me quite as much.
The last issue has a cute story about Reynard the Fox (in his human form) going on a date with that tree dryad that Gepetto brought out of the woods with her brother.
Overall, this was a good installment and I'm looking forward quite a bit to the next volume in the series.
April 8, 2019
I find these volumes in the Fables world to be some great storytelling. This story has been developing for long story now and it's still so good and so interesting. The story keeps adding new characters and developments that make sense and aren't so ridiculous. Thinking about fairy tales, fables and nursery rhymes, there are infinite amounts of stories and characters out there and it really makes for a rich world. It somehow feels so natural and normal in the story telling. The team behind this is pretty amazing.
I am enjoying this offshot of Fables in Fairest about some of the other women of fairy tales. This is about Rapunzel and she is one person not to mess with. Just don't mess with her. I love that they bring in a little bit of the Asian mythology since this is set in tokyo and we get the cunning vixen or fox lady. It's a very famous archetype in Asian mythology.
This series makes me happy and I'm entertained reading it.
I am enjoying this offshot of Fables in Fairest about some of the other women of fairy tales. This is about Rapunzel and she is one person not to mess with. Just don't mess with her. I love that they bring in a little bit of the Asian mythology since this is set in tokyo and we get the cunning vixen or fox lady. It's a very famous archetype in Asian mythology.
This series makes me happy and I'm entertained reading it.
August 5, 2022
Fables tries out horror and I like it. Willingham hands the Fables reins over to Lauren Beukes and she has an interesting story to tell. It's about Rapunzel who has mainly stayed at the edges of Fabletown so far. It is a flashback story to the days before the comic started (2002). Rapunzel goes to Tokyo and discovers another Fabletown there. A thousand years ago, she found herself adrift in the Hidden Kingdom which is were all of the Japanese Fables come from. Buekes does a great job of bringing all the Japanese folklore together, kitsune, kappa, tanooki, drowned ghosts. I thought Rapunzel's story was compelling. I liked the the changes to her legend although I would have loved to have learned the rest of the stuff with Totenkinder. She gets to pull a Samara from The Ring climbing out of that well. Freaky as hell.
Inaki Miranda's art from this period is polarizing to my eyes. His character designs are interesting. A lot of his pages look great but he has a problem drawing side profiles of faces that aren't in the correct perspective. He's much better at it nowadays.
Bill Willingham returns to write the final issue. Reynard the Fox goes on a date with the dryad protecting Gepetto and it goes poorly. Humorous stuff. Barry Kitson's art always does it for me.
Inaki Miranda's art from this period is polarizing to my eyes. His character designs are interesting. A lot of his pages look great but he has a problem drawing side profiles of faces that aren't in the correct perspective. He's much better at it nowadays.
Bill Willingham returns to write the final issue. Reynard the Fox goes on a date with the dryad protecting Gepetto and it goes poorly. Humorous stuff. Barry Kitson's art always does it for me.
February 15, 2024
According to this, it turns out that Rapunzel is the main character in Japanese folklore. This unfortunately makes the story less interesting than if it had just focused on Japanese folklore. Also, it doesn't help that the quality of the art and writing is lower than in the first volume of the series.
March 10, 2016
Rapunzel reveals her backstory of her travels into the Hidden Kingdom and how she created friendships but also enemies. When news reaches her that her children may still be alive she travels to Asia with some allies to find them.
Artwork was very good on average.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
Artwork was very good on average.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
August 20, 2013
Now this was much better than the previous volume of "Fairest". Still a lot of male characters around that seem to only be there to assert a male presence (I'm not saying that this spin-off should be all-female, just that being "about the women of Fables" should not translate into "about the women of Fables as seen/told by the men". Which is exactly what the "bonus" issue does, mind you.
Other problem I had : I was really happy that Rapunzel , I just wish that it hadn't But well, it could have been worse... I just hope that this issue will be addressed in future volumes of Fairest and/or Fables.
I really liked the take on Japan, great use of mythology and popular culture there.
All in all it hasn't completely redeemed this spin-off in my eye but at least it shows promise.
Other problem I had : I was really happy that Rapunzel , I just wish that it hadn't But well, it could have been worse... I just hope that this issue will be addressed in future volumes of Fairest and/or Fables.
I really liked the take on Japan, great use of mythology and popular culture there.
All in all it hasn't completely redeemed this spin-off in my eye but at least it shows promise.
January 8, 2024
I don't think I was expecting "Rapunzel Does Japan" but it was a fun adventure in the wider world of Fables.
To be fair she'd fit right in in Roppongi...
To be fair she'd fit right in in Roppongi...
March 2, 2015
Once again, Bill Willingham and company have created a fresh spin on a fairy tale. And he takes Rapunzel to a very adult and at times disturbing journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Rapunzel has been looking for her children for many, many years. Even though she was forced to forget them, she never really does. That was a poignant note in this story. An interesting touch was that Rapunzel's hair grows continually, and she experiences very rapid growth spurts of her hair under strong emotion. You can guess how that plays into the story! Her companion is one of the Crow brothers, who is also her hairdresser. Her time in Japan opens the doorway to a story full of Japan's very imaginative, and in some ways very frightful folklore.
If you're like me and Japanese horror movies scare the you know what out of you, you might find this volume therapeutic. There is an interesting twist on the drowned maiden in the well. And I will never look at hairballs the same way again.
There are some dark elements in this one, probably the most out of all the Fables/Fairest volumes I've read, so reader beware. Having said that, I loved it just as much as the other ones. Rapunzel is both sympathetic and at times, really kind of scary. I've never thought much about her, so this volume definitely has me seeing her in a different light.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars
Rapunzel has been looking for her children for many, many years. Even though she was forced to forget them, she never really does. That was a poignant note in this story. An interesting touch was that Rapunzel's hair grows continually, and she experiences very rapid growth spurts of her hair under strong emotion. You can guess how that plays into the story! Her companion is one of the Crow brothers, who is also her hairdresser. Her time in Japan opens the doorway to a story full of Japan's very imaginative, and in some ways very frightful folklore.
If you're like me and Japanese horror movies scare the you know what out of you, you might find this volume therapeutic. There is an interesting twist on the drowned maiden in the well. And I will never look at hairballs the same way again.
There are some dark elements in this one, probably the most out of all the Fables/Fairest volumes I've read, so reader beware. Having said that, I loved it just as much as the other ones. Rapunzel is both sympathetic and at times, really kind of scary. I've never thought much about her, so this volume definitely has me seeing her in a different light.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars
October 5, 2013
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
News of "Fairest" had me excited. I thought that having a new perspective on the Fables from different writers was going to be exactly what their world needed. Then the first issues hit and it was Willingham on the writing chores. Damnit. A few issues later and a different arc and aha! We got it. Lauren Beukes.
This is what I'd hoped this series would become, would be. An edgy, surreal and bold take on the histories of the women of Fabletown. Buekes fires on all cylinders, weaving horror and fantasy together flawlessly with Rapunzel as the leading lady of the story. What could have been schlocky becomes something fantastic as Rapunzel gets her hands dirty in Japan, sheds quite a bit of blood herself, and is shown to be so much more than a damsel in distress. The infusion of Japanese fables, animal spirits, and hidden kingdoms made this the best fables story since before The Arabian Nights arc.
If you like horror and grotesquerie, like Buekes at all, or are willing to give Fables another go, I'd suggest picking this one up from a local comic shop, not the library. It's worth having on your shelf.
Writing: A
Art: A
News of "Fairest" had me excited. I thought that having a new perspective on the Fables from different writers was going to be exactly what their world needed. Then the first issues hit and it was Willingham on the writing chores. Damnit. A few issues later and a different arc and aha! We got it. Lauren Beukes.
This is what I'd hoped this series would become, would be. An edgy, surreal and bold take on the histories of the women of Fabletown. Buekes fires on all cylinders, weaving horror and fantasy together flawlessly with Rapunzel as the leading lady of the story. What could have been schlocky becomes something fantastic as Rapunzel gets her hands dirty in Japan, sheds quite a bit of blood herself, and is shown to be so much more than a damsel in distress. The infusion of Japanese fables, animal spirits, and hidden kingdoms made this the best fables story since before The Arabian Nights arc.
If you like horror and grotesquerie, like Buekes at all, or are willing to give Fables another go, I'd suggest picking this one up from a local comic shop, not the library. It's worth having on your shelf.
Writing: A
Art: A
December 14, 2014
This was a good story and good art in the tradition of the Fables series (where it spins off from), but I found it somewhat incomprehensible at points. Perhaps it was the tie-ins to Japanese folklore (of which I am ignorant) or asides to build plot, or rapid shifts into and out of flashbacks, but I was lost at several points, and I know this tale could have been so much better with a little more inclusiveness for the audience (a skill at which Mr. Willingham excels, without talking down).
Not enough to make me abandon the series, but I hope the next one returns to the high standards of Fairest, Vol. 1: Wide Awake and the Fables series.
Not enough to make me abandon the series, but I hope the next one returns to the high standards of Fairest, Vol. 1: Wide Awake and the Fables series.
November 5, 2019
The Hidden Kingdom was quite good. I am always a fan of any story, fantasy or sci-fi, that can create an interesting world. The story of a second group of Fables who fled to Tokyo and set up their own version of Fabletown was different.
The Rapunzel aspect of the story was certainly different. The cast of characters, heavily influenced by Japanese lore, and their relationships are told in a past and present narrative. Without being spoilery, Rapunzel finds out that her twin children are alive. She thought them long dead. Frau Totenkinder decides to help her, for a price. What follows in a strange adventure through Japan. One not only involving Fables, but criminal elements like the Yakuza as well.
While the present story was interesting, I rather enjoyed the past story more. The fall of the ancient Kingdom to the Enemy and the treachery that brought it about, as well as Rapunzel's tale was original. I like the rather unique style of this story. It's very similar to the "normal" Fables tone, but has subtle differences. I give Lauren Beukes credit for crafting a Fables story that is at once unique, but pays homage and stays true to the Fables lore that birthed it. The artwork was also quite good.
The volume also has a short story about Reynaud the Fox. It is more of a humorous story than anything else. Nothing great, but a nice amusing addition to the end of the volume. The artwork in the Fox story is excellent though.
So far the Fairest volumes have been pretty good overall. I'll be following this spin-off of the Fables series, especially if it keeps this level of story and art quality.
The Rapunzel aspect of the story was certainly different. The cast of characters, heavily influenced by Japanese lore, and their relationships are told in a past and present narrative. Without being spoilery, Rapunzel finds out that her twin children are alive. She thought them long dead. Frau Totenkinder decides to help her, for a price. What follows in a strange adventure through Japan. One not only involving Fables, but criminal elements like the Yakuza as well.
While the present story was interesting, I rather enjoyed the past story more. The fall of the ancient Kingdom to the Enemy and the treachery that brought it about, as well as Rapunzel's tale was original. I like the rather unique style of this story. It's very similar to the "normal" Fables tone, but has subtle differences. I give Lauren Beukes credit for crafting a Fables story that is at once unique, but pays homage and stays true to the Fables lore that birthed it. The artwork was also quite good.
The volume also has a short story about Reynaud the Fox. It is more of a humorous story than anything else. Nothing great, but a nice amusing addition to the end of the volume. The artwork in the Fox story is excellent though.
So far the Fairest volumes have been pretty good overall. I'll be following this spin-off of the Fables series, especially if it keeps this level of story and art quality.
September 7, 2016
Rapunzel fights dirt. In a boxing ring, my money is on her.
Once again, the series changed the Disney image I had of a princess. This time Rapunzel isn't only a survivor, but an entrepreneur who sells hair extensions for a living. But behind that peaceful exterior, Rapunzel suffers. Her newborn babies were stolen from her and she cannot miss an opportunity to find them, even if it means risky her life.
The action was fast-paced, introducing a change of scenery as we traveled with her to Japan. What I found less attractive, was the seductive covers on both sides. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with erotica, but it makes it very hard to read on a subway near children or seniors. Sadly, my hair isn't as long as Rapunzel to hide the covers and read in peace.
Once again, the series changed the Disney image I had of a princess. This time Rapunzel isn't only a survivor, but an entrepreneur who sells hair extensions for a living. But behind that peaceful exterior, Rapunzel suffers. Her newborn babies were stolen from her and she cannot miss an opportunity to find them, even if it means risky her life.
The action was fast-paced, introducing a change of scenery as we traveled with her to Japan. What I found less attractive, was the seductive covers on both sides. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with erotica, but it makes it very hard to read on a subway near children or seniors. Sadly, my hair isn't as long as Rapunzel to hide the covers and read in peace.
August 1, 2013
So, I really wish they would stop making excuses to bring Jack back. No more flashbacks, he's dead, move on. Also, aside from the covers, subpar drawing, but that's nothing to the stupid story. Japan and Rapunzel, with tons of characters you didn't care about or even know the name of. Felt kind of like a weird Japanese horror film/7 samurai mashup with lesbians, because, why not just make Rapunzel a lesbian... the only redeeming factor was the little final story with Renard Fox. Aside from that, nothing special and, I gotta say, for a spin off series, I think they'd want to make it a little friendlier to new readers, but no, this was way heavy with the mythology.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2015
Fun setting, highly entertaining and surprising take on a character that is hindered a bit by bad pacing at the tail end (intended spelling) of the tale.
Rapunzel has always been one of those background characters in fables that I wished had more story time, well my prayers are answered and this tale is all Rapunzel. It is both interesting and at the same time frustrating due to the setting, pacing and the story:
World: It's Japan, Rapunzel went to Japan? Apparently so, and for the most part the book does capture some of the feeling of the East albeit with the expected stereotypes. It's a fun world cause the fables there will be new to people unfamiliar with Japanese culture, from the Kappa to the Kitsune it's a fun and interesting fables. The hidden kingdom also is quite interesting and a good place to set this tale. I did however find that the art throughout the series to be, off. It was not bad, it just did not appeal to me. Special note on the Renard tale in the end, pretty awesome!
Story: I liked the story for the most part, we get to see a character close up which in most of the fables series has been in the background. I liked looking at Punz's back story, where she went, her relationship with her mother and Frau. I liked the Japanese setting and the places that this story took us. What I did not like was how the story went kind of nuts after the world building and back story. The final two chapters felt kind of rushed and the conflict a bit to deus ex. Other than that I liked the tale. I also really really enjoyed the one shot Renard story, it was fun.
Characters: Rapunzel get's the spotlight and it was great, she's an interesting character and Joe and the other cast of characters that surround this tale are also very interesting. I did find that the conflict between Rapunzel and the Kitsune to be a bit of a stretch but oh well. Good stuff!
Enjoyable, I am very much having a blast with this series, two arcs in a row of characters that in the main series we would not get to have time for. It's a good thing indeed!
Onward to the next book!
Rapunzel has always been one of those background characters in fables that I wished had more story time, well my prayers are answered and this tale is all Rapunzel. It is both interesting and at the same time frustrating due to the setting, pacing and the story:
World: It's Japan, Rapunzel went to Japan? Apparently so, and for the most part the book does capture some of the feeling of the East albeit with the expected stereotypes. It's a fun world cause the fables there will be new to people unfamiliar with Japanese culture, from the Kappa to the Kitsune it's a fun and interesting fables. The hidden kingdom also is quite interesting and a good place to set this tale. I did however find that the art throughout the series to be, off. It was not bad, it just did not appeal to me. Special note on the Renard tale in the end, pretty awesome!
Story: I liked the story for the most part, we get to see a character close up which in most of the fables series has been in the background. I liked looking at Punz's back story, where she went, her relationship with her mother and Frau. I liked the Japanese setting and the places that this story took us. What I did not like was how the story went kind of nuts after the world building and back story. The final two chapters felt kind of rushed and the conflict a bit to deus ex. Other than that I liked the tale. I also really really enjoyed the one shot Renard story, it was fun.
Characters: Rapunzel get's the spotlight and it was great, she's an interesting character and Joe and the other cast of characters that surround this tale are also very interesting. I did find that the conflict between Rapunzel and the Kitsune to be a bit of a stretch but oh well. Good stuff!
Enjoyable, I am very much having a blast with this series, two arcs in a row of characters that in the main series we would not get to have time for. It's a good thing indeed!
Onward to the next book!
March 4, 2019
That was a creepy mess.
August 11, 2016
This 2nd installment of 'Fairest', a spin-off from 'Fables', gives us some history on Rapunzel. She of the hair has more of a past - and more skeletons in her closet - than you might expect.
I like the concept of this series - to give us some backstory of the ladies fair that we don't get in the main series because they aren't really part of the larger arc, per se, though there's a part of me which wonders why the ladies story can't be fit into the wider world and why they need to be shunted to the side, as it were.
But, that aside, I found this story interested, and it certainly adds a layer to Rapunzel that I wouldn't have thought from prior encounters with her.
My favorite part of the story, though, was that it takes place in Japan and we get to see our first glimpse at Japanese fables.
I also find myself wondering just how many backstories Frau Totenkinder can possibly actually be a part of...
I liked the story, overall, though there was a bit of a troublesome ending and I wonder if it'll play some part in another story, or if it's just going to be forgotten
The artwork was good, but some of the transitions were awkward and abrupt.
***
There's also a short story after Rapunzel's which focuses on a dryad at the farm and her attempts at dating, told from the perspective of Reynard the fox. Since this is meant to be the ladies' series I sort of wonder about telling the story from a guy's PoV, but, still, it was an ok story, if a bit of a throw-away - despite the ominous tones of the last page.
I like the concept of this series - to give us some backstory of the ladies fair that we don't get in the main series because they aren't really part of the larger arc, per se, though there's a part of me which wonders why the ladies story can't be fit into the wider world and why they need to be shunted to the side, as it were.
But, that aside, I found this story interested, and it certainly adds a layer to Rapunzel that I wouldn't have thought from prior encounters with her.
My favorite part of the story, though, was that it takes place in Japan and we get to see our first glimpse at Japanese fables.
I also find myself wondering just how many backstories Frau Totenkinder can possibly actually be a part of...
I liked the story, overall, though there was a bit of a troublesome ending and I wonder if it'll play some part in another story, or if it's just going to be forgotten
The artwork was good, but some of the transitions were awkward and abrupt.
***
There's also a short story after Rapunzel's which focuses on a dryad at the farm and her attempts at dating, told from the perspective of Reynard the fox. Since this is meant to be the ladies' series I sort of wonder about telling the story from a guy's PoV, but, still, it was an ok story, if a bit of a throw-away - despite the ominous tones of the last page.
April 7, 2019
As expected, this doesn't nearly enough reach the quality of the main series. Altough Fairest #1-7 on the first tpb was a decent Briar Rose story, on the second one "The Hidden Kingdom" the lack of talent narrative is evident and Willingham's style of story-telling is missed. And I was so hyped for the moment Japanese myths and legends would be implemented in the universe, although not in so poor a manner. Seems like a waste Japan was used so offhandedly when it could produce at least 2-3 main arcs in FABLES. Instead it was put in a spin-off just to fill up pages.
Something odd about reading Fables characters written by some other guy, it loses it's glance and originality. Maybe this impression is heavier cause I just finished reading the Fables and I had the momentum to expect something more.
A 2/5 is decent for the amount of extra info we get for our so-loved characters (Rapunzel is the daughter of who?! That I didn't expect :P). It is, after all, a series dedicated to the origins of all the femmes fatales and expected to offer background info lavisly. The art was just meh, not memorable.
Something odd about reading Fables characters written by some other guy, it loses it's glance and originality. Maybe this impression is heavier cause I just finished reading the Fables and I had the momentum to expect something more.
A 2/5 is decent for the amount of extra info we get for our so-loved characters (Rapunzel is the daughter of who?! That I didn't expect :P). It is, after all, a series dedicated to the origins of all the femmes fatales and expected to offer background info lavisly. The art was just meh, not memorable.
November 13, 2013
Japanese setting makes for a less interesting story to me. Far to many characters and tropes I am unfamiliar with.
November 15, 2018
The art gets 5 stars. The story, though, just isn't my cuppa' tea.
Donated to me by a friend. Since I haven't read other parts of "Fairest" or "Fables", I'm sure I missed some stuff. Also I didn't understand many of the references to things from Japanese culture.
Donated to me by a friend. Since I haven't read other parts of "Fairest" or "Fables", I'm sure I missed some stuff. Also I didn't understand many of the references to things from Japanese culture.
August 15, 2024
This spin off from the Fables series is the collected story of Rapunzel and her crazy growing hair. It goes into her history and fast forwards to here in Tokyo dealing with Japanese fables and the yakuza.
I think there were to many things going on here and I sort of last track in some places. Even so, great artwork.
I think there were to many things going on here and I sort of last track in some places. Even so, great artwork.
July 29, 2013
Oh-ho, look what jumped up into my hands just a week after finishing Fairest, Vol. 1: Wide Awake! I'm unexpectedly up-to-date with the graphic novels, $15 short on my rent, and very excited about how much I enjoyed Fairest, Vol. 2: Hidden Kingdom.
The heroine of this volume is Rapunzel, or - if you're an aficionado of Japanese rather than European folktales - Okiku, the doomed servant of the Banchou Sarayashiki (The Dish Mansion of Banchou). Lauren Beukes, who wrote this installment, did a clever job of combining the two characters and their respective stories into a wholly original and entertaining new drama. Even the author's original spins to the two legends have a disturbing, fantastical feel in the tradition of the best-loved folktales, such as Rapunzel/Okiku building a "nest" out of her hair in order to give birth to her children and Mayumi's lipless ghost haunting reflective surfaces. Inaki Miranda's pencils are perfect for this story, especially combined with Eva de la Cruz's colors, although I didn't care for some of the character designs. Komoko's cyber-punk-esque suit and Mayumi's hokey neo-ninja get-up looked like crummy costumes from a forgettable "Shounen Magazine" series and at worst reflects the dumb Oh-those-wacky-Japanese trend in Western comics. Personal pet-peeves aside, I really enjoyed this story. Rapunzel is a tough chick and her story is fascinating, intriguing, and heart-breaking. I can't wait to read more about her in Fables!
Oh right, I almost forgot to mention: there are also straight girls who make out if you're into that kind of thing.
The one-shot at the end of this volume was a little less interesting. Written by Bill Willingham, the mastermind behind Fables, it is basically about a bad date between Reynard T. Fox and Alder, princess of the dryads. Reynard's point of view makes the narration interesting but otherwise, I gotta admit, the story was pretty boring. (To be fair that is pretty much how I feel about any awkward date in a TV show, movie or comic.) Barry Kitson's pencils aren't much to talk about either, just another get-the-job-done house style. A dull story could really get a boost from an original artist; I'd love to see a Fairest story penciled by Sean Murphy, Garry Brown or Cliff Chiang. In the end, the final story made for decent filler but, unlike the one-shot in the first volume of Fairest, it didn't hold up to the main story.
Now that I'm caught up on the graphic novels its time to catch up with the monthly issues. I'll be sure to let you know how the next volume turns out as soon as its released, because Fairest is fast becoming one of my favorite series of the year. And how!
The heroine of this volume is Rapunzel, or - if you're an aficionado of Japanese rather than European folktales - Okiku, the doomed servant of the Banchou Sarayashiki (The Dish Mansion of Banchou). Lauren Beukes, who wrote this installment, did a clever job of combining the two characters and their respective stories into a wholly original and entertaining new drama. Even the author's original spins to the two legends have a disturbing, fantastical feel in the tradition of the best-loved folktales, such as Rapunzel/Okiku building a "nest" out of her hair in order to give birth to her children and Mayumi's lipless ghost haunting reflective surfaces. Inaki Miranda's pencils are perfect for this story, especially combined with Eva de la Cruz's colors, although I didn't care for some of the character designs. Komoko's cyber-punk-esque suit and Mayumi's hokey neo-ninja get-up looked like crummy costumes from a forgettable "Shounen Magazine" series and at worst reflects the dumb Oh-those-wacky-Japanese trend in Western comics. Personal pet-peeves aside, I really enjoyed this story. Rapunzel is a tough chick and her story is fascinating, intriguing, and heart-breaking. I can't wait to read more about her in Fables!
Oh right, I almost forgot to mention: there are also straight girls who make out if you're into that kind of thing.
The one-shot at the end of this volume was a little less interesting. Written by Bill Willingham, the mastermind behind Fables, it is basically about a bad date between Reynard T. Fox and Alder, princess of the dryads. Reynard's point of view makes the narration interesting but otherwise, I gotta admit, the story was pretty boring. (To be fair that is pretty much how I feel about any awkward date in a TV show, movie or comic.) Barry Kitson's pencils aren't much to talk about either, just another get-the-job-done house style. A dull story could really get a boost from an original artist; I'd love to see a Fairest story penciled by Sean Murphy, Garry Brown or Cliff Chiang. In the end, the final story made for decent filler but, unlike the one-shot in the first volume of Fairest, it didn't hold up to the main story.
Now that I'm caught up on the graphic novels its time to catch up with the monthly issues. I'll be sure to let you know how the next volume turns out as soon as its released, because Fairest is fast becoming one of my favorite series of the year. And how!
October 2, 2013
I read interview of Lauren Beukes and got immediately interested in her work. Started reading one of her shortstories and was completely sold after few pages (she reminds me of William Gibson in a very good way). Since I heard she also writes comicbooks I just had to pick up "Fairest". So Lauren Beukes (writer of vol.2) was the reason I started from vol.1 which was quite a disappointment.
Good thing that vol.2 "The Hidden Kingdom" is very much better storywise than vol.1 "Wide Awake".
Story is about Rapunzel (yup, the girl with hairgrowth of 4 inches per hour). Her past is really dark and she is haunted about her lost newborns that were tricked from her. In this collection she gets mysterious message that leads her to Tokyo to find her lost babies. In Japan a tons of japanese fairytale/folklore characters are introduced to the story ... in past and present.
Artwork wise vol.2 wasn't as good in my opinion as vol.1. Even Adam Hughes covers weren't as great as before ... but that mostly is because or darker subject matter.
Lauren Beukes writes great story and she is brilliant with her japanese references and that completely forgives lack in artwork.
This collection definitely is worth a check.
Good thing that vol.2 "The Hidden Kingdom" is very much better storywise than vol.1 "Wide Awake".
Story is about Rapunzel (yup, the girl with hairgrowth of 4 inches per hour). Her past is really dark and she is haunted about her lost newborns that were tricked from her. In this collection she gets mysterious message that leads her to Tokyo to find her lost babies. In Japan a tons of japanese fairytale/folklore characters are introduced to the story ... in past and present.
Artwork wise vol.2 wasn't as good in my opinion as vol.1. Even Adam Hughes covers weren't as great as before ... but that mostly is because or darker subject matter.
Lauren Beukes writes great story and she is brilliant with her japanese references and that completely forgives lack in artwork.
This collection definitely is worth a check.
November 14, 2013
The story was good and the art by Inaki Miranda was great. Miranda got the familiar characters like Frau Tottenkinder exactly right, something no other guest artist has done. And the other art is fantastic, it's a real pleasure to see all of the detailed and gorgeous panels. The little story at the end was fine, it wouldn't have mattered to me if it wasn't there, but it was kind of cute with a dark twist at the end. I'm seriously not into the covers though. I am not now or will ever be a fan of marketing these books as though they're soft p/rn. The front cover had absolutely nothing to do with the book. If it had been a violent picture with her hair writhing all over the place, that would have represented the story. It didn't happen in the book and it makes no sense representing the book. And though the back cover at least has a place in the story, it's such a small part of the story, why pick out the one small sexy scene and put that on the cover? This must be what men are paying for, they must know their markets. I'm just sick of having covers that I can't leave out in the open because my father might see when he's visiting. It's a dark action story, I would have liked covers that reflected that.
January 21, 2016
I thought this volume was a lot stronger than Fairest, Vol 1: Wide Awake but it was still lacking something. I liked the characters and their motivations but I was expecting more. I think part of the problem is that each story/character is contained to ONE graphic novel and there isn't as much time to expand upon a story line as I would like so it feels rushed and compact rather than explained fully. I will be continuing with the series though because I love love love it.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
January 4, 2014
It's almost a truism of Vertigo books, by this point, that the first collection of stories is the series finding its feet, and volume 2 is where things really take off. That's definitely the case with Fairest - Lauren Beukes takes over from Willingham, and treats us to a story of Japanese mythology, and of Rapunzel's past catching up with her. I'm not an expert on the mythology of Japan, so there were times I was running to Wikipedia, but that was only for the in-depth stuff - the basics of the story all would have been understandable with zero knowledge of Japan (although knowledge of the mythos of Fables would be helpful). Beukes tells a story that's scary, funny, sexy, and thrilling - she understands the core of what makes Fables enjoyable and stuffs it all into her scripts.
June 18, 2014
This started as a disappointing three stars for me. All the sly asides to Japanese culture and manga just didn't fit with my conception of Rapunzel. And yes, I read the story. I realize that they came up with an explanation of how she ended up in the Hidden Kingdom of Japanese Fables. I just didn't see a reason for it beyond wanting to introduce some Japanese folk tales to the Fables universe, and maybe wanting to give the book an edge.
But in the second half of the story the plot takes a turn and Rapunzel is the only one who could make it work. It suddenly made sense, which made me feel free to like it, and it took on a creepier, horror movie tone, which meant I did like it. Enough to bump it from disappointed three stars to enthusiastic four.
But in the second half of the story the plot takes a turn and Rapunzel is the only one who could make it work. It suddenly made sense, which made me feel free to like it, and it took on a creepier, horror movie tone, which meant I did like it. Enough to bump it from disappointed three stars to enthusiastic four.
November 13, 2015
"Fairest" is a spin-off series from "Fables", and each volume follows one of the principal female characters from that series. The creators delight in combining diverse characters from different tales. So in volume 1 it was Briar Rose, AKA Sleeping Beauty and her encounters with Ali Baba and the Snow Queen.
Volume 2 follows Rapunzel and her adventures in both feudal and present day Japan(!). So there are a host of Japanese characters that I was not familiar with, along with some of our favorites from Fabletown, including Jack, Bigby and Frau Tottenkinder.
A fun and somewhat disturbing romp through the life of Rapunzel and her hair.
Volume 2 follows Rapunzel and her adventures in both feudal and present day Japan(!). So there are a host of Japanese characters that I was not familiar with, along with some of our favorites from Fabletown, including Jack, Bigby and Frau Tottenkinder.
A fun and somewhat disturbing romp through the life of Rapunzel and her hair.
November 25, 2015
One of the best cross-over fairy tales that I have read, both in terms of depth of story and visual story-telling. Out of the entire Fables series so far, this is a well crafted issue that can stand on its own without you having read the other ones. I especially love the incorporation of Japanese fables without hitting you over the head and over explaining things. Highly recommended.
September 5, 2015
This was quite an interesting volume as we see Rapunzel travelling to Tokyo to find her lost children. The Hidden Kingdom served as a prequel to The first volume of Fables.
The short story featured Reynard's pursuit of Princess Alders, it was comical and interesting to say the least.
The short story featured Reynard's pursuit of Princess Alders, it was comical and interesting to say the least.
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