What do you think?
Rate this book
Jack of Fables
Jack of Fables, Vol. 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape
Last seen hitchhiking from Hollywood, Jack's now a wayward Fable in the heartland of America. His extreme road stories and encounters with other notorious, renegade Fables are just a few of the situations in store for this fan-favorite character.
Collecting: Jack of Fables 1-5
Collecting: Jack of Fables 1-5
128 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2007
33 people are currently reading
2243 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
993 books2,820 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
February 24, 2021
When you have a successful franchise, there's soon talk of a spin-off; and on many occasions that spin-off is rubbish, as a spin-off of Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile, Jack of Fables is pretty pretty good!
Jack's got over a million dollars in a suitcase, the freedom of the Mundy (human) world and nowhere to call home, as he hitchhikes away from Hollywood, surely not that much can go wrong from there? Right? With the introduction to a whole other part of this reality, Bill Willingham and co. give us more on the now super-Fabled Jack, and a surprise break-out character from Fables; this spin-off is, albeit quite different to Fables, just as interesting. 8 out of 12.
Jack's got over a million dollars in a suitcase, the freedom of the Mundy (human) world and nowhere to call home, as he hitchhikes away from Hollywood, surely not that much can go wrong from there? Right? With the introduction to a whole other part of this reality, Bill Willingham and co. give us more on the now super-Fabled Jack, and a surprise break-out character from Fables; this spin-off is, albeit quite different to Fables, just as interesting. 8 out of 12.
July 24, 2019
Every bit as good as Fables. It turns out every fairy tale with someone named Jack in it is all about the same person, Jack of the Tales. Jack is a womanizing, douche bag, conman always looking to strike it rich. Just when his schemes are bout to succeed, his wicked ways come back to bite him in the ass. Some of the characters are self aware about their nature as being in a story and can take a metaphysical twist.
Jack gets snatched up by this group that is looking to make Fables fade away by removing them from the public zeitgeist. We meet a bunch of Fables we haven't seen before as the Golden Boughs might as well be a second Fables farm. He immediately hatches an escape plan to break out.
Jack gets snatched up by this group that is looking to make Fables fade away by removing them from the public zeitgeist. We meet a bunch of Fables we haven't seen before as the Golden Boughs might as well be a second Fables farm. He immediately hatches an escape plan to break out.
July 5, 2020
Better the second time.
September 19, 2017
Okay, one of you mundy assholes pull over and give me a ride.
This volume starts off right after the Jack events from Volume 6 of Fables. Basically, Jack has nothing but a few million dollars to his name and is banished from Fabletown after breaking a bunch of Fable laws. So he's aimlessly hitchhiking and traveling when suddenly he gets kidnapped. He's then brought to a place called Golden Boughs Retirement Village where "Mr. Revise" sucks the magic from fables to make them like mundies. Cue plot line because Jack, of course, wants to escape -- dramatically.
I absolutely love the original Fables series, but I didn't like Jack of Fables that much. Maybe it's because my standards for this series and its spin-offs are crazy high now... Also I guess Jack just doesn't interest me as much as Bigby and Snow do.
But since I want to follow the reading order guide, I am going to read the next volume of Jack of Fables. 3.25
This volume starts off right after the Jack events from Volume 6 of Fables. Basically, Jack has nothing but a few million dollars to his name and is banished from Fabletown after breaking a bunch of Fable laws. So he's aimlessly hitchhiking and traveling when suddenly he gets kidnapped. He's then brought to a place called Golden Boughs Retirement Village where "Mr. Revise" sucks the magic from fables to make them like mundies. Cue plot line because Jack, of course, wants to escape -- dramatically.
I absolutely love the original Fables series, but I didn't like Jack of Fables that much. Maybe it's because my standards for this series and its spin-offs are crazy high now... Also I guess Jack just doesn't interest me as much as Bigby and Snow do.
But since I want to follow the reading order guide, I am going to read the next volume of Jack of Fables. 3.25
February 3, 2013
If you liked the original FABLE series then you will like this offshoot, especially if you liked the Jack character.
Tale follows Jack after his big incident in the regular series. I won't say what it was to avoid spoilers.
Kewl things about the first book of the JACK series:
1. We get to see a lot of Fable characters make their first appearance, like Alice in Wonderland.
2. We find out what happened to Goldilocks
3. Jack is caught by an evil Fable, who holds many other Fables hostage on a prison farm in Idaho. The big focus in this book is how Jack goes about escaping.
4. Pretty good humor.
Enjoy.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B plus to A minus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus to A minus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B plus; FABLE FOCUSES: B to B plus;
WHEN READ:2011 (revised review July 2012); OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
Tale follows Jack after his big incident in the regular series. I won't say what it was to avoid spoilers.
Kewl things about the first book of the JACK series:
1. We get to see a lot of Fable characters make their first appearance, like Alice in Wonderland.
2. We find out what happened to Goldilocks
3. Jack is caught by an evil Fable, who holds many other Fables hostage on a prison farm in Idaho. The big focus in this book is how Jack goes about escaping.
4. Pretty good humor.
Enjoy.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B plus to A minus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus to A minus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B plus; FABLE FOCUSES: B to B plus;
WHEN READ:2011 (revised review July 2012); OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
February 26, 2024
Jack the Giant Killer, Little Jack Horner, Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack and Jill, Jack Be Nimble, Jack Frost, and Jack O’Lantern…these are all names that Jack of Fables is known by. As his shirt on the front cover says, ensemble books are for losers, so he now fronts his own story upon his escape from Fabletown.
For lack of a better term, Jack is a complete a$$hole. He thinks of himself as a charming trickster, and while he can hoodwink some, I found his bad-boy persona grating. Never a fan of playboys both in real life and in books I found Jack self-centered, arrogant and insufferable. But, this book was fun for its sly mixing and matching of fairy tale characters.
Although I have not read the previous Fables books, this story is able to bring readers up to speed as to Jack’s banishment from Fabletown and what he did in the meantime before this book starts. His time in the real world is brought to a close and he is apprehended by a secret society and sent to the Golden Boughs Retirement Community, where fable characters are kept until they pass out of memory in the human world.
We meet a host of little-known nursery rhymes and lesser-known fairy tale characters, including my favorite, Sam. I won’t reveal who he is (once I figured it out my mind was blown) or who else populates this book, for my biggest pleasure was figuring out who was who. Jack desperately wants to escape and enlists the help of one other crossover fable from the previous book, Goldilocks. Her story, and her relationship with Jack, are dysfunctional, but the two of them manage to put together a plan of escape.
The (nearly) great escape scenes were great and set up storylines for the future. While no fan of Jack, I will want to eventually read the continuing series. The artwork was great, and I cared for many of the supporting cast, so I want to see how these fables fare in the Mundy (mundane) world!
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2017/01/2...
For lack of a better term, Jack is a complete a$$hole. He thinks of himself as a charming trickster, and while he can hoodwink some, I found his bad-boy persona grating. Never a fan of playboys both in real life and in books I found Jack self-centered, arrogant and insufferable. But, this book was fun for its sly mixing and matching of fairy tale characters.
Although I have not read the previous Fables books, this story is able to bring readers up to speed as to Jack’s banishment from Fabletown and what he did in the meantime before this book starts. His time in the real world is brought to a close and he is apprehended by a secret society and sent to the Golden Boughs Retirement Community, where fable characters are kept until they pass out of memory in the human world.
We meet a host of little-known nursery rhymes and lesser-known fairy tale characters, including my favorite, Sam. I won’t reveal who he is (once I figured it out my mind was blown) or who else populates this book, for my biggest pleasure was figuring out who was who. Jack desperately wants to escape and enlists the help of one other crossover fable from the previous book, Goldilocks. Her story, and her relationship with Jack, are dysfunctional, but the two of them manage to put together a plan of escape.
The (nearly) great escape scenes were great and set up storylines for the future. While no fan of Jack, I will want to eventually read the continuing series. The artwork was great, and I cared for many of the supporting cast, so I want to see how these fables fare in the Mundy (mundane) world!
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2017/01/2...
January 28, 2024
Now that Fables is in the 'Public Domain', I thought it was time I read the entire series (including all spinoffs and specials) from start to finish in sequential tpb reading order. Here we go!
Fables First-to-Finale reading #7
Jack of Fables vol 01: The (Nearly) Great Escape
So this one picks up right after Jack left Hollywood with only a suitcase of money. Before you know its The Prisoner and Jack is in The Village. So, of course, it's jailbreak time!
The (Nearly) Great Escape is a blast with its fair share of fables we haven't seen before and one we have. Some real fun laugh out loud moments.
And in the end lunatics will be lunatics and Jack is still Jack! The cover states no one deserves his own collection, and I couldn't agree more!
Fables First-to-Finale reading #7
Jack of Fables vol 01: The (Nearly) Great Escape
So this one picks up right after Jack left Hollywood with only a suitcase of money. Before you know its The Prisoner and Jack is in The Village. So, of course, it's jailbreak time!
The (Nearly) Great Escape is a blast with its fair share of fables we haven't seen before and one we have. Some real fun laugh out loud moments.
And in the end lunatics will be lunatics and Jack is still Jack! The cover states no one deserves his own collection, and I couldn't agree more!
![Profile Image for [Name Redacted].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1347082397i%2F287915._UY200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 26, 2011
I like "Fables", but I do not like the character Jack. I had no intention of reading his title, until I discovered that there would be a cross-over. I ordered the first two TPB volumes from eBay, grudgingly, and stopped reading "Fables" at vol. 12 because I intended to read through "Jack of Fables". My lack of enthusiasm for Jack meant that I did not get around to beginning vol. 1 of his series until several months had passed by. Having now read it, I feel I can say "Meh".
It's not that it's a bad series. The idea behind the actual plot is rather neat -- that there is a force intent on sanitizing and neutering these manifestations of the human imagination, and that this is why many of our stories have become bland and "Disney"-ified -- but Jack is not a sympathetic or exciting or even very interesting protagonist. He is, simply put, a douchebag. A sexist, narcissistic douchebag. There's not much more to him. The "Fables" story that led to his exile was actually quite interesting, because his plan was genuinely clever and it made perfect sense that such a shallow, worthless creature would fit right in over in Hollywood. They say he's supposed to be a trickster figure, but from the beginning of the series they establish him less as a trickster and more of an inveterate loser. His schemes always self-destruct, and he is always a failure. I just don't think that there's enough to this character to carry an entire series, even if its run was relatively short.
I'll read the second volume. I bought the two together. But I'm not sure I'll carry on beyond that. I might just check Wikipedia to find out what I've missed between vol. 2 of "Jack of Fables" and "The Great Fables Crossover".
It's not that it's a bad series. The idea behind the actual plot is rather neat -- that there is a force intent on sanitizing and neutering these manifestations of the human imagination, and that this is why many of our stories have become bland and "Disney"-ified -- but Jack is not a sympathetic or exciting or even very interesting protagonist. He is, simply put, a douchebag. A sexist, narcissistic douchebag. There's not much more to him. The "Fables" story that led to his exile was actually quite interesting, because his plan was genuinely clever and it made perfect sense that such a shallow, worthless creature would fit right in over in Hollywood. They say he's supposed to be a trickster figure, but from the beginning of the series they establish him less as a trickster and more of an inveterate loser. His schemes always self-destruct, and he is always a failure. I just don't think that there's enough to this character to carry an entire series, even if its run was relatively short.
I'll read the second volume. I bought the two together. But I'm not sure I'll carry on beyond that. I might just check Wikipedia to find out what I've missed between vol. 2 of "Jack of Fables" and "The Great Fables Crossover".
June 6, 2011
I started reading these books because I have come to the section of the Fables volumes that has "The Great Fables Crossover" with these books. Here the crossover did exactly what it was supposed to do, because I had never planned on picking up these books previously. I didn't like Jack that much to begin with. I never once cared what he was doing while the other books were going on. Still, I thought I would give it a shot.
Jack has not evolved as a character at all. He's a womanizing, egomaniac. He's supposed to be one of the great tricksters of all time but I'm not convinced he has the brains that the author insists he does. I get what is going on here. Tricksters in Fairytale lore are arrogant and not particularly likeable. If he changed, he wouldn't be Jack. I get it, but I don't have to want to read it. The brevity of fairytales is missed when having to be exposed to this character over multiple books.
Also, this book expanded the Fables universe quite a bit with the introduction of the fables from the "Golden Boughs." Alice is there, the Wizard of Oz folk, Humpty Dumpty, etc. Only trouble with this is, I thought the Adversary was a killing machine? Is there anyone who "didn't" make it out of the homelands alive other than the handful we saw in the books? (Some of them even had resurrections, Aslan from Narnia is at times dead and at times alive.)
I don't know how much longer I'm going to stay in these. I'm pretty sure it's not worth it for the crossover, as I'll probably figure things out.
Jack has not evolved as a character at all. He's a womanizing, egomaniac. He's supposed to be one of the great tricksters of all time but I'm not convinced he has the brains that the author insists he does. I get what is going on here. Tricksters in Fairytale lore are arrogant and not particularly likeable. If he changed, he wouldn't be Jack. I get it, but I don't have to want to read it. The brevity of fairytales is missed when having to be exposed to this character over multiple books.
Also, this book expanded the Fables universe quite a bit with the introduction of the fables from the "Golden Boughs." Alice is there, the Wizard of Oz folk, Humpty Dumpty, etc. Only trouble with this is, I thought the Adversary was a killing machine? Is there anyone who "didn't" make it out of the homelands alive other than the handful we saw in the books? (Some of them even had resurrections, Aslan from Narnia is at times dead and at times alive.)
I don't know how much longer I'm going to stay in these. I'm pretty sure it's not worth it for the crossover, as I'll probably figure things out.
January 11, 2021
actual rating: 3.5
I read several volumes of this back in the day but never finished it so I decided to start a reread. Way more interesting to me than the main Fables title right off the bat but my issue with Fables was always that they chose the absolute most boring characters to focus on and with Jack as the main character here that's absolutely not an issue. What can I say, I love a story about an absolute asshole that you're going to root for anyway.
I read several volumes of this back in the day but never finished it so I decided to start a reread. Way more interesting to me than the main Fables title right off the bat but my issue with Fables was always that they chose the absolute most boring characters to focus on and with Jack as the main character here that's absolutely not an issue. What can I say, I love a story about an absolute asshole that you're going to root for anyway.
December 26, 2021
Jack was never one of my favorite Fables but I still enjoyed his adventures and mischiefs very much! At this point Bill Willingham can do no wrong in my eyes with the direction of the series and Jack just proved this once more! I will definetely keep reading the spin-off series!!
June 18, 2008
The choice of Jack as the spin off character for the Fables series is not one I would have made. I found him reasonably amusing in the original series, but in my experience a protagonist you can't like is sort of a problem... and I enjoy Jack as a character, but he's kind of unlikeable as a person. So, while the writing and drawing of this volume was good, it doesn't have the heart of the original series and therefore is nowhere near as compelling. That said, the plot was interesting, Jack's narration was entertaining, and I was excited to finally see what happened to Goldilocks.
February 9, 2016
Update: Here's my full review http://bookishrealmreviews.blogspot.c...
Okay to be honest in order to appreciate this spin-off series you have to like Jack from the original Fable tales. If you don't then this spin off series may not be for you. Jack is rude, arrogant, stubborn, and an all around jack ass, but I find it hilarious so I'll definitely be reading some more of these before I read the 13th volume of Fables.
Okay to be honest in order to appreciate this spin-off series you have to like Jack from the original Fable tales. If you don't then this spin off series may not be for you. Jack is rude, arrogant, stubborn, and an all around jack ass, but I find it hilarious so I'll definitely be reading some more of these before I read the 13th volume of Fables.
August 21, 2025
I didn't expect this to be very good -- I only read it because I love the Fables series. Jack wasn't even an interesting character in Fables. However, this series shows the world from his perspective and turns it into a (good) action movie. Jack is captured and forced into a prison/community where the bad guy is trying to get rid of fables so that they fade from memory. As the title states, Jack escapes. Well done. I will read more.
October 25, 2019
While the main Fables series is completed, there seem to be a plethora of other spin-offs available. That is absolutely fine by me as I am a big fan of Fables. I am also a fan of dry humor. Combine the two and you have "Jack of Fables".
Remember Jack? Jack the Giant-Killer, Jack Nimble? Yes. Him. Turns out jack had stolen money from Fabletown and then moved to Hollywood. He made movies and became famous as well as wealthy. However, the fables sent their Sheriff (Beast) to retrieve their lost funds. Poor Jack has all his goods and companies confiscated and is sent off on the road with a suitcase full of money.
As Jack begins his epic trek through America he is kidnapped by a group calling themselves The Literals. They run Golden Boughs Retirement Village. It is a place where lesser known Fables are incarcerated, lose their powers and eventually fade from the minds of humanity. A terrible place. But does anyone think such a place can hold the mighty Jack? Read this and see.
I enjoyed this "offshoot" Fables story. So far the first volume was funny and Jack is a great character. I will pray that the quality of the humor and the story remains in keeping with the standards of this first volume. We shall see. Did you enjoy the Fables series? Do you like Jack? Do you like dry humor? If any of these are true then grab "Jack of fables" vol 1.
If you've never ready any Fables, don't be daft and start with this one. While not necessary, the background/concepts will be easier to grasp and enjoy if you have a background. That being said, the funny story and Jack's personality can easily appeal to someone with no "Fables" story-arc background, since it is not truly germane to the plot other than as a frame of reference for the world-building. Either way- highly recommended.
Remember Jack? Jack the Giant-Killer, Jack Nimble? Yes. Him. Turns out jack had stolen money from Fabletown and then moved to Hollywood. He made movies and became famous as well as wealthy. However, the fables sent their Sheriff (Beast) to retrieve their lost funds. Poor Jack has all his goods and companies confiscated and is sent off on the road with a suitcase full of money.
As Jack begins his epic trek through America he is kidnapped by a group calling themselves The Literals. They run Golden Boughs Retirement Village. It is a place where lesser known Fables are incarcerated, lose their powers and eventually fade from the minds of humanity. A terrible place. But does anyone think such a place can hold the mighty Jack? Read this and see.
I enjoyed this "offshoot" Fables story. So far the first volume was funny and Jack is a great character. I will pray that the quality of the humor and the story remains in keeping with the standards of this first volume. We shall see. Did you enjoy the Fables series? Do you like Jack? Do you like dry humor? If any of these are true then grab "Jack of fables" vol 1.
If you've never ready any Fables, don't be daft and start with this one. While not necessary, the background/concepts will be easier to grasp and enjoy if you have a background. That being said, the funny story and Jack's personality can easily appeal to someone with no "Fables" story-arc background, since it is not truly germane to the plot other than as a frame of reference for the world-building. Either way- highly recommended.
April 1, 2018
Jack Horner/Jack the Giant-Killer is a big shot in Hollywood, but when he walks away from it, he is captured and brought to a “retirement home” for Fables. Really, it’s a prison and they aren’t allowed to leave. Jack manages to convince the others to try to escape.
I quite enjoyed this! As with all the Fables graphic novels, the illustrations are amazing. I enjoyed the little gallery at the end of various sketches of some of the characters, as well. I liked the new characters at the prison, the Page sisters (called “librarians” but really, their jobs have them in “Retrievals”, “Security” and “Research”). I will definitely be continuing this spin-off series! (Now, if only I would go back and finish the original Fables series – I only have a couple more to go!)
I quite enjoyed this! As with all the Fables graphic novels, the illustrations are amazing. I enjoyed the little gallery at the end of various sketches of some of the characters, as well. I liked the new characters at the prison, the Page sisters (called “librarians” but really, their jobs have them in “Retrievals”, “Security” and “Research”). I will definitely be continuing this spin-off series! (Now, if only I would go back and finish the original Fables series – I only have a couple more to go!)
January 6, 2018
This was very good, but for whatever reason I didn't like it quite as much as the regular Fables series. So in this volume Jack gets caught by a group that imprisons Fables for whatever reason until their magic is gone and everyone has forgotten them. Not much is said about why this is being done, but as expected Jack was a little more then they were prepared for.
September 24, 2016
I did like this spinoff and this first entry finds us in the midst of a prison escape. Jack leads a group to escape a mad villain who is trying to rid the world of magic. There were some great introductions but the story lacked that punch, it just ends without any threat. This isn't a strong lead in for the spinoff but the foundation is there for further adventures.
July 18, 2012
Compared to the main Fables series, this one seems a little fluffier.
March 26, 2019
Jack has always been a problem for the Fables, he is always looking to make that quick buck, he never feels guilt or self-doubt and he is always in it for himself. Still this makes an interesting read. Jack is an asshole. Vulgar, but true. He is also a rebel, quick witted and willing to cause considerable damage to any existing structure/society that tries to control him. His is an anti-hero, but I will continue to read these volumes as I would like to find out what he gets up to and whom he meets along the way.
April 17, 2019
Having in mind the fact that Jack of Fables was one of my worst characters in the first dozens of FABLES issues, this spin-off series with him as a protagonist was half-good. Good enough for me to continue reading, good enough for everyone who enjoys/enjoyed the main series to give it a go. Surely it's not of the same quality, especially art-wise, but it's readable on the first 5 issues. :)
April 28, 2020
Every bit as bad as I expected it to be!
September 8, 2022
No not Toto!!!
June 22, 2010
In my journey to read the "Fables" series, I find it is time to switch over and get myself up-to-date with the "Jack of Fables" series.
I've heard from various corners that "Jack of Fables" is not as good as the original "Fables" series. Personally, Jack was not one of my favourite characters when he was in "Fables" and I didn't miss him when he left. So, I went into this wondering whether I was going to be entertained enough to want to continue the series. The first thing, one sees is that the artist is different, recognizably so, but his work is in the same style as that of "Fables" in that the book looks and feels comfortable to the "Fables" reader.
The first story comes from a couple of frames from a "Fables" volume when Beast casually mentions he is off to see Jack in Hollywood as he has broken innumerable Fables' rules. So here we see Jack living high as a Hollywood mogul, making movies based on his stories when Beast appears to take back what Jack has stolen from them and sends him packing for breaking Fable's rules of engagement while in the mundy world. While hitchhiking with a suitcase full of money Jack is kidnapped and taken to a private retirement home with large grounds, very similar to the Farm, only this is guarded and certainly a jail. Here he meets many new Fables, most are not recognisable but a few are such as Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox, Humpty Dumpty, Mother Goose and Dorothy and her pals from Oz. But a great surprise meets us at the end of the first chapter when we meet, alive and very well, a previously known fable whom we've thought to be dead for quite some time now in the Fables universe.Of course Jack must escape this prison and the rest of the volume continues with that storyline as he gets a small group together to plan and execute an escape.
I really enjoyed this volume. I remember Jack being very egotistical and he still is but his one-liners are funny and I've taken a bit of a liking to him. Jack may think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread but his plans never follow through the way he envisions them, taking him down a notch or two in the reader's eye. The great escape was a plot worthy of a Fables volume and just the type of thing I had hoped to see in this off shoot series. Jack's back on the road again by the end, so we'll see where he ends up next. I do hope it keeps some of the characters we've met so far in the story line. A great start to a spin-off series! Here's hoping Volume 2 continues to deliver.
I've heard from various corners that "Jack of Fables" is not as good as the original "Fables" series. Personally, Jack was not one of my favourite characters when he was in "Fables" and I didn't miss him when he left. So, I went into this wondering whether I was going to be entertained enough to want to continue the series. The first thing, one sees is that the artist is different, recognizably so, but his work is in the same style as that of "Fables" in that the book looks and feels comfortable to the "Fables" reader.
The first story comes from a couple of frames from a "Fables" volume when Beast casually mentions he is off to see Jack in Hollywood as he has broken innumerable Fables' rules. So here we see Jack living high as a Hollywood mogul, making movies based on his stories when Beast appears to take back what Jack has stolen from them and sends him packing for breaking Fable's rules of engagement while in the mundy world. While hitchhiking with a suitcase full of money Jack is kidnapped and taken to a private retirement home with large grounds, very similar to the Farm, only this is guarded and certainly a jail. Here he meets many new Fables, most are not recognisable but a few are such as Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox, Humpty Dumpty, Mother Goose and Dorothy and her pals from Oz. But a great surprise meets us at the end of the first chapter when we meet, alive and very well, a previously known fable whom we've thought to be dead for quite some time now in the Fables universe.Of course Jack must escape this prison and the rest of the volume continues with that storyline as he gets a small group together to plan and execute an escape.
I really enjoyed this volume. I remember Jack being very egotistical and he still is but his one-liners are funny and I've taken a bit of a liking to him. Jack may think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread but his plans never follow through the way he envisions them, taking him down a notch or two in the reader's eye. The great escape was a plot worthy of a Fables volume and just the type of thing I had hoped to see in this off shoot series. Jack's back on the road again by the end, so we'll see where he ends up next. I do hope it keeps some of the characters we've met so far in the story line. A great start to a spin-off series! Here's hoping Volume 2 continues to deliver.
September 19, 2019
Okay, now I understand the crossover. My bad!
I loved seeing Alice and hopefully we will see more of her.
New storylines to enjoy 🤗
I loved seeing Alice and hopefully we will see more of her.
New storylines to enjoy 🤗
July 11, 2012
"Jack of Fables" is a spin-off of the comic book "Fables", which shows the adventures of Jack Horner after his exile from Fabletown. A preview of the series was shown in Fables #50 and culminated in the publishing of its own issue. If you're an avid reader of the "Fables" series as I am then there are no need for introductions, just a wee bit of recap.
"Jack of Fables: The (Nearly) Great Escape (Volume 1)" collects Issues #1-5 which follows Jack's adventures after his stint in Hollywood where he, as a movie mogul, successfully completed a hugely popular series of movies based on himself and his life. However, he had his power and money stripped from him by Fabletown authorities, when Lilliputian Jill snitched on him. I can't say I blame her--Jack has always been known to be a playboy.
The story opens up with Jack getting abducted whilst hitch-hiking across America and taken to the Golden Boughs Retirement Village, where he is essentially held prisoner. As one of the Page Sisters succinctly puts it, "We're experts in the capture and imprisonment of Fables. We'll have no problem breaking you again if you misbehave." Well, yes, nobody would--not with those Bagmen around.
Along the way we get to meet some new Fables, and some not-so-new ones. The criminally-insane Goldilocks is one example (and I thought that Bigby and Snow White were successful in finally finishing her off), Fables from long-forgotten stories whose stories have been conveniently "forgotten" in the Mundy world, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, and the most interesting of all, the Pathetic Fallacy (who prefers to be called Gary) whose name should be interpreted as a literary concept rather than being a character from literature.
Following his first encounter with "Revise", who wants to purge the world of superstition by locking up Fables until the world forgets them, Jack then plans and executes the first successful breakout from the Golden Boughs. While some of the escapees were captured or killed, many are now free and on the run from Revise's team.
Book Details:
Title Jack of Fables: The (Nearly) Great Escape (Volume 1)
Author Bill Willingham
Reviewed By Purplycookie
"Jack of Fables: The (Nearly) Great Escape (Volume 1)" collects Issues #1-5 which follows Jack's adventures after his stint in Hollywood where he, as a movie mogul, successfully completed a hugely popular series of movies based on himself and his life. However, he had his power and money stripped from him by Fabletown authorities, when Lilliputian Jill snitched on him. I can't say I blame her--Jack has always been known to be a playboy.
The story opens up with Jack getting abducted whilst hitch-hiking across America and taken to the Golden Boughs Retirement Village, where he is essentially held prisoner. As one of the Page Sisters succinctly puts it, "We're experts in the capture and imprisonment of Fables. We'll have no problem breaking you again if you misbehave." Well, yes, nobody would--not with those Bagmen around.
Along the way we get to meet some new Fables, and some not-so-new ones. The criminally-insane Goldilocks is one example (and I thought that Bigby and Snow White were successful in finally finishing her off), Fables from long-forgotten stories whose stories have been conveniently "forgotten" in the Mundy world, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, and the most interesting of all, the Pathetic Fallacy (who prefers to be called Gary) whose name should be interpreted as a literary concept rather than being a character from literature.
Following his first encounter with "Revise", who wants to purge the world of superstition by locking up Fables until the world forgets them, Jack then plans and executes the first successful breakout from the Golden Boughs. While some of the escapees were captured or killed, many are now free and on the run from Revise's team.
Book Details:
Title Jack of Fables: The (Nearly) Great Escape (Volume 1)
Author Bill Willingham
Reviewed By Purplycookie
April 24, 2016
This is the first TPB of the Fables spin off comic Jack of Fables and collects issues # 1–5 of that title. Bill Willingham is here joined by Matthew Sturges on the writing chores and the art is well handled by Tony Akins and Andrew Pepoy. The result is a fun comic, but nowhere near as good as Fables itself. It may be that Sturges writing pulls Willingham (who is continually raising the quality of the stories in Fables) down a notch or two, or it could be that this idea just isn't as good as its parent.
It is ironic, to say the least, that the TPB cover (which was also the cover of issue # 1) sports Jack in a t-shirt with the text "Ensemble books are for losers" when it is more than likely that the failings of Jack of Fables when compared to Fables hinges on the fact that part of the latter's success is the very fact that it is an ensemble book. Jack is interesting in his own right, but the total focus on him, together with his continuous metafictional addressing the reader(s) in captions (as a sort of very reader aware voice over narration), while interestingly done, just does not suck me in the same way Willingham succeeds in the Fables story.
Sure, the plot is interesting and provides for a fun read, and I will most likely be checking out more Jack of Fables TPBs in the future, but (and this is a very big but) unlike with Fables it is not like I will be almost feverishly anticipating the next volume (which in the case of JoF is already out I believe) in order to buy it as soon as it hits the stores.
Still, as stated, good, just not as good as Fables.
It is ironic, to say the least, that the TPB cover (which was also the cover of issue # 1) sports Jack in a t-shirt with the text "Ensemble books are for losers" when it is more than likely that the failings of Jack of Fables when compared to Fables hinges on the fact that part of the latter's success is the very fact that it is an ensemble book. Jack is interesting in his own right, but the total focus on him, together with his continuous metafictional addressing the reader(s) in captions (as a sort of very reader aware voice over narration), while interestingly done, just does not suck me in the same way Willingham succeeds in the Fables story.
Sure, the plot is interesting and provides for a fun read, and I will most likely be checking out more Jack of Fables TPBs in the future, but (and this is a very big but) unlike with Fables it is not like I will be almost feverishly anticipating the next volume (which in the case of JoF is already out I believe) in order to buy it as soon as it hits the stores.
Still, as stated, good, just not as good as Fables.
January 25, 2010
the mention of some of my favorite fables, and the artwork, bumped this up to 2 stars for me. The drawing isnt groundbreaking by any means, not that ive read enough comics to be able to judge. Its just drawn/colored well in my opinion.
It's addmitingly fun for me to see characters from some of my favorite tales wandering around, on the other hand they are nothing like the stories they're taken out of. Which doesnt make it bad, its creative, but the story line is what fails it. The plot is pretty blah, giving me flashbacks to 'who framed roger rabit' among other things.
I hated the main character.He is supposed to be a 'loveable jerk' im sure, one that may 'change for the better' further in the series. The rest of the cast is kinda fun, with the irritating exception that all female characters so far have just been busty and horny, or busty and cranky. Those seem to be the only persona's allowed women in this first volume.
So it was interesting, but i wouldnt recomend it to anyone. And althoughim sure i hope it gets better down the line Im not interested enough to read past here.
*EDIT*
i did get the 2nd one from the library so i may as well bust through it.
It's addmitingly fun for me to see characters from some of my favorite tales wandering around, on the other hand they are nothing like the stories they're taken out of. Which doesnt make it bad, its creative, but the story line is what fails it. The plot is pretty blah, giving me flashbacks to 'who framed roger rabit' among other things.
I hated the main character.He is supposed to be a 'loveable jerk' im sure, one that may 'change for the better' further in the series. The rest of the cast is kinda fun, with the irritating exception that all female characters so far have just been busty and horny, or busty and cranky. Those seem to be the only persona's allowed women in this first volume.
So it was interesting, but i wouldnt recomend it to anyone. And although
*EDIT*
i did get the 2nd one from the library so i may as well bust through it.
August 6, 2007
I really like the Fables series of comic books, but I was a little skeptical about a spin-off series featuring only Jack of Fables. I should not have doubted Bill Willingham and crew, though - with Jack of Fables Vol. 1, The (Nearly) Great Escape, they've turned out a light-hearted yet exciting story, picking up with Jack right where the Fables story left him, kicked out of his self-made (with stolen money) movie empire Nimble Pictures and looking for his next adventure. My favorite part of the book is that, while it's told from Jack's POV, through Jack's voice, Willingham still manages to poke fun at Jack with Jack's own arrogance. Jack still manages to get out of every situation - by the skin of his teeth most of the time - and you get to both love him as a hero and laugh at him as a pompous jackass with a distorted world-view. It's a love-hate relationship with the only real protagonist of the story, and I love that kind of tension. I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
August 3, 2011
Jack brings the inovative concept of Fables and blends it with a bit more humor. Jack (from all of those stories featuring a Jack) has left Fabletown behind and has recently lost his Hollywood studio and all the cash that comes with it. This time he finds himself facing a life sentence at Golden Bough Retirement Village where the mysterious Mr. Revise imprisons Fables to void their magic and make them Mundy. Jack, not one to be told what to do, decides to hatch an escape plan. Possibly the best part of this volume is that we see what has happened to some of the Fables we have not seen as of yet. We also get a good taste of the American Fables like Paul Bunyan and the Wizard of Oz cast. Other famous faces include Alice (as in Wonderland) and Mary Mary who is quite contrary. Jack is a likeable rogue and I look forward to the next volume.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews