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Fables
Fables, Vol. 21: Happily Ever After
In this penultimate volume of Bill Willingham’s Fables, the residents of Fabletown look to live “happily ever after,” but there is a steep price to pay for happiness as Rose Red clashes with Snow White!
Collecting: Fables 141-149
Collecting: Fables 141-149
200 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2015
40 people are currently reading
2213 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
993 books2,822 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 350 reviews
May 15, 2021
In which Fabletown and The Farm's Fables begin to de-merge into two opposing camps; in which a sister opposes a sister; in which wild magic arrives; in which a Wolf becomes a Big Bad Wolf; and a bad prince doesn't change his ways!
All action non-stop frenzy-like penultimate volume that sort of annoyed me on first reading; on second (slower) reading it all kind of makes sense, as this is the world of fairy tales and fables where legacies, destinies and most important of all rules, all mean something. It sort of feels that key personalities are either made linear or ignored completely to suddenly turn this into a completely story-led adventure - but more fool me, it probably has always been so - anyways been a great story - 8 out of 12.
All action non-stop frenzy-like penultimate volume that sort of annoyed me on first reading; on second (slower) reading it all kind of makes sense, as this is the world of fairy tales and fables where legacies, destinies and most important of all rules, all mean something. It sort of feels that key personalities are either made linear or ignored completely to suddenly turn this into a completely story-led adventure - but more fool me, it probably has always been so - anyways been a great story - 8 out of 12.
February 2, 2022
3.5 Stars
I have to say there is a slight sense that everything is kind of slipping off the rails here.
I'm intrigued by Snow White and Rose Red's origin but I'm also nervous. There were several important deaths in this one that were troublingly lackluster.
When Blue died it was huge and really given the proper page time. These deaths?
If you blink, you'll miss some main characters getting taken out. I'm just going to assume that there were solid reasons behind them and that it will be explained in the next volume.
This one is a bit hard to review without giving away spoilers, but it's definitely a roller coaster ride!
Looking forward to the last volume!
I have to say there is a slight sense that everything is kind of slipping off the rails here.
I'm intrigued by Snow White and Rose Red's origin but I'm also nervous. There were several important deaths in this one that were troublingly lackluster.
When Blue died it was huge and really given the proper page time. These deaths?
If you blink, you'll miss some main characters getting taken out. I'm just going to assume that there were solid reasons behind them and that it will be explained in the next volume.
This one is a bit hard to review without giving away spoilers, but it's definitely a roller coaster ride!
Looking forward to the last volume!
July 28, 2022
Another great volume from Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham. The only thing bad about this series is that it's coming to an end. The title is a misnomer though. This volume is full of sad events and the end of many of the characters. Snow White and especially Rose Red are falling into their roles of a certain fairy tale archetype. I'm not a fan of how it alters their personalities even if the reader is the only one aware of it.
Now I have to work up the impetus to finish the last volume. I have a tendency of letting the last volume of a beloved series lay fallow as a way of keeping it from ending.
Now I have to work up the impetus to finish the last volume. I have a tendency of letting the last volume of a beloved series lay fallow as a way of keeping it from ending.
June 28, 2015
And so begins the end.
I think I need to keep this brief, because I’ll undoubtedly wax nostalgic, poetic, and philosophical at the conclusion of Vol. 22. I guess it’s good that you can’t see me as I type, as I’m an ugly crier, and I suspect there will be a fair bit of waterworks at that point (albeit incredibly masculine ones).
What can I say in brief about this volume, then? I suppose it’s fitting that a series that began with Snow White and Rose Red involved in key roles winds down the same way, and the reveal of how Snow and Rose came into the world was a clever one (no spoilers here, True Believers).
Lancelot versus Brandish? Classic. The typical Fables mix of humorous, absurd, and gut-wrenching.
The series of mini “Last So-and-So Story Ever” tales was a delightful addition, though the Charming/Sinbad throwdown was troubling.
I still find it weird that I ended up coming to really dig Charming, that devastatingly handsome debutante of debauchery.
And so we wait another month for the finale to arrive in my hot, sweaty, incredibly hairy palms (oh, like yours aren’t).
Until then.
I think I need to keep this brief, because I’ll undoubtedly wax nostalgic, poetic, and philosophical at the conclusion of Vol. 22. I guess it’s good that you can’t see me as I type, as I’m an ugly crier, and I suspect there will be a fair bit of waterworks at that point (albeit incredibly masculine ones).
What can I say in brief about this volume, then? I suppose it’s fitting that a series that began with Snow White and Rose Red involved in key roles winds down the same way, and the reveal of how Snow and Rose came into the world was a clever one (no spoilers here, True Believers).
Lancelot versus Brandish? Classic. The typical Fables mix of humorous, absurd, and gut-wrenching.
The series of mini “Last So-and-So Story Ever” tales was a delightful addition, though the Charming/Sinbad throwdown was troubling.
I still find it weird that I ended up coming to really dig Charming, that devastatingly handsome debutante of debauchery.
And so we wait another month for the finale to arrive in my hot, sweaty, incredibly hairy palms (oh, like yours aren’t).
Until then.
May 19, 2015
Man, I used to love this series. I started falling out of love after Fables, Vol. 18: Cubs in Toyland, and it hasn't really been the same since. He just seems like a kid breaking his own toys now.
The jumping back and forth between plots in this volume (and several before this) was just chaotic and frustrating. Although I liked a few of the wrap-up stories, particularly Briar Rose's, it was a messy way to tie up loose ends before the big finish.
There's only one left, so of course, I'll read it. If there weren't an end in sight, this would have been the last one for me.
The jumping back and forth between plots in this volume (and several before this) was just chaotic and frustrating. Although I liked a few of the wrap-up stories, particularly Briar Rose's, it was a messy way to tie up loose ends before the big finish.
There's only one left, so of course, I'll read it. If there weren't an end in sight, this would have been the last one for me.
October 12, 2015
Eugh... Honestly I'm just so disappointed to see what my favourite comic series has turned into. It's time to admit I've been inflating my ratings for Fables for a while, trying to convince myself it still is as good as I want it to be. But it's not. And it's actually kind of horrible to see characters I once really liked acting like complete idiots as they're ragged through this completely arbitrary and stupid 'can't fight fate' Rose Red v Snow White ultimate battle to the death bolloxing storyline.
I don't care. I just don't. Nobody is acting like they're established characters, and everyone is just accepting that RR and SW have to do battle even though NO FUCKING REASON is really given as to why it needs to happen until the end of the volume. And even then it basically boils down to 'because destiny says so'. It's the sort of crappy characters doing things because the plot needs them to writing that I thought Fables was better than. And it used to be. But it has't been particularly well written for a long time.
Eugh...there's one more volume to go, and I will read it, but at this point I'm not expecting much from this series anymore.
I don't care. I just don't. Nobody is acting like they're established characters, and everyone is just accepting that RR and SW have to do battle even though NO FUCKING REASON is really given as to why it needs to happen until the end of the volume. And even then it basically boils down to 'because destiny says so'. It's the sort of crappy characters doing things because the plot needs them to writing that I thought Fables was better than. And it used to be. But it has't been particularly well written for a long time.
Eugh...there's one more volume to go, and I will read it, but at this point I'm not expecting much from this series anymore.
May 13, 2015
Well. That was a disappointment, especially considering the next one is the last. Nothing major really happened, it was all about moving pieces around for the conclusion. Which I hope is more entertaining than this was. Yawn.
November 27, 2018
Again, another great volume. I freaking love this series!!
May 14, 2015
I know this series is in the tough position of having to provide closure for a lot of characters, and bring the series to a satisfying end. I'm just a little confused by the high body count, considering that it was long established that most popular fables could bounce back again and again by the power of their stories. Did that change at some point? In any case, it's distressing, though better than the butchery of the Unwritten crossover, which I am attempting to unread and put out of my memory forever. I appreciated the chance to catch up with some minor and major characters to find out what their "happily ever after" was looking like, but some of them were less than satisfying. Hopefully the series itself will have a satisfying resolution.
September 10, 2015
In this penultimate volume, we say goodbye to each supporting characters as the feud between Snow White and Rose Red reaching its climax. One of the best volumes in the series.
October 14, 2019
The Fables series is drawing to a close and that is obvious from the various ending stories of Fables characters. Now without being spoilery, this issue is the set up for a penultimate conflict. We find out the "origin" of Rose Red and Snow White, as well as the story of their mother and the family "curse". It seems they are fated to fight.
Lancelot and Prince Brandish have a fight and Bigby is back, but certainly not himself. This is an issue that feels important due to the fact it is setting up the final volume. Rose Red surprises me with her choice in the end and it is more ruthless than I had given her credit for.
The "Happily Ever After" I felt to be a play on the outcome. Even with all their victories, the Fables are not yet done paying the price and there yet remain battles to be fought. I certainly do look forward to Vol 22 and curious to see how it all ends.
Lancelot and Prince Brandish have a fight and Bigby is back, but certainly not himself. This is an issue that feels important due to the fact it is setting up the final volume. Rose Red surprises me with her choice in the end and it is more ruthless than I had given her credit for.
The "Happily Ever After" I felt to be a play on the outcome. Even with all their victories, the Fables are not yet done paying the price and there yet remain battles to be fought. I certainly do look forward to Vol 22 and curious to see how it all ends.
February 1, 2016
So, this series had some good bits and some not so good bits. I've been struggling a little with the last 50 or so issues in this series, just because it's felt so disparate and unconnected. I think the danger with any comic series that lasts this long but isn't intrinsically episodic is exactly what's happened here, the feeling that the author didn't really know where he was going.
Having said that, there have been sparks of genius, from learning about Rose and Snow's mother, to the final stories of the various characters, to the first fables finally returning home.
The art work is, as always, stunning, including a wonderful surprise turn from Terry Moore, one of the greatest comics artists/authors out there.
The rivalry between Snow and Rose has always been strong, but the enmity that has developed in the last few comics also feels a tad contrived.
I'm looking forward to the last, super sized episode in this series, but mostly because of the attachment I built with all the characters way back in the first 50 or so comics.
Having said that, there have been sparks of genius, from learning about Rose and Snow's mother, to the final stories of the various characters, to the first fables finally returning home.
The art work is, as always, stunning, including a wonderful surprise turn from Terry Moore, one of the greatest comics artists/authors out there.
The rivalry between Snow and Rose has always been strong, but the enmity that has developed in the last few comics also feels a tad contrived.
I'm looking forward to the last, super sized episode in this series, but mostly because of the attachment I built with all the characters way back in the first 50 or so comics.
June 17, 2015
I've been a fan of the Fables series for years, and would still recommend it for new readers -- but I have to tell them to stop well before this train wreck of character derailment.
It's possibly that the reader is supposed to believe that some powerful enchantment (or narrative force? or fate?) is leading to a conflict so insistently that all the characters take stupid pills -- because the characters we've loved for years act really irrationally here, especially Ozma, Totenkinder, and Rose and Snow.
The only saving grace here is the "Final Story" bits, either wrapping up the tale of other characters, or leaving them with hooks that make you wish they didn't end. Sinbad's "final story" is particularly good (as is another that I won't spoil here), but makes me wish that the final plot arcs of the book focused there rather than the Snow/Rose conflict.
It's possibly that the reader is supposed to believe that some powerful enchantment (or narrative force? or fate?) is leading to a conflict so insistently that all the characters take stupid pills -- because the characters we've loved for years act really irrationally here, especially Ozma, Totenkinder, and Rose and Snow.
The only saving grace here is the "Final Story" bits, either wrapping up the tale of other characters, or leaving them with hooks that make you wish they didn't end. Sinbad's "final story" is particularly good (as is another that I won't spoil here), but makes me wish that the final plot arcs of the book focused there rather than the Snow/Rose conflict.
May 24, 2015
In general, a good penultimate volume. I like how it brings in threads from Mr. Dark, Brandish, and Camelot, and I appreciate seeing many of my favorites for the last time. The "final stories" are also a lovely idea, especially the ones like the tales of Sinbad and Charming which suggest there are still more stories to be told. What I didn't like about this volume was the story of Rose Red, who seems to be undergoing a heavy-handed character change without a lot of reason ... but we'll see how that plays out in the last "issue".
January 24, 2016
Most of this volume is spent setting up the apocalyptic Fables finale. It suffers a bit thanks to the common knowledge of what's coming but still it's pretty good stuff.
Plot points:
Plot points:
February 17, 2016
I really like the little final stories additions, especially Beauty and Bliss's.
Read
August 8, 2015Body bags...
So, this is the penultimate arc. Where all the pieces are finally in place for the epic finale. If it's not the end, why do u already have tears in my eyes?
World: Buckingham is amazing as always, as are the other wonderful artists giving their talents for the final little tales in this amazing Saga. Even in the penultimate arc we still have massive world building here. A lot of character history and consequences. I won't spoil anything as if you are still here after 140 issues you will finish this journey.
Story: I have to say something that's a bit spoilery here because I need to express my opinion. I like Rose Red, she's a conplex and compelling character, but ever since the first arc of Fables has she been a character that both you want to love and at the same time loath because of the things she does and the ways she acts often. This last arc being very focused on her is nice, but I feel like it's the post Boy Blue thing again where what she does wins me not to her cause. Ok, enough about that. I also love the Spratt, Brandish stories as they both serve their purposes and man does it ever really work in the story. ONE last thing about Red, I don't really see why she would do the things she does with the ring, to me that's a bit out of character and that irks me a bit. Lastly, tears were shed this arc, wow the body count was high and some of these characters are so beloved. Their end was sad and sometimes I wished everyone could love happily ever after but that's not the case.
Characters: Deep and complex, I don't want to get into anything here because I feel like I've already said too much about stuff above. I miss the characters that are gone, I feel sad for the end of some stories, I feel joy at some of them and I feel Rose is a bit out of character.
I feel very torn cause I don't want this series to end and reading issue 150 will mean that...
Onward to the next book!
So, this is the penultimate arc. Where all the pieces are finally in place for the epic finale. If it's not the end, why do u already have tears in my eyes?
World: Buckingham is amazing as always, as are the other wonderful artists giving their talents for the final little tales in this amazing Saga. Even in the penultimate arc we still have massive world building here. A lot of character history and consequences. I won't spoil anything as if you are still here after 140 issues you will finish this journey.
Story: I have to say something that's a bit spoilery here because I need to express my opinion. I like Rose Red, she's a conplex and compelling character, but ever since the first arc of Fables has she been a character that both you want to love and at the same time loath because of the things she does and the ways she acts often. This last arc being very focused on her is nice, but I feel like it's the post Boy Blue thing again where what she does wins me not to her cause. Ok, enough about that. I also love the Spratt, Brandish stories as they both serve their purposes and man does it ever really work in the story. ONE last thing about Red, I don't really see why she would do the things she does with the ring, to me that's a bit out of character and that irks me a bit. Lastly, tears were shed this arc, wow the body count was high and some of these characters are so beloved. Their end was sad and sometimes I wished everyone could love happily ever after but that's not the case.
Characters: Deep and complex, I don't want to get into anything here because I feel like I've already said too much about stuff above. I miss the characters that are gone, I feel sad for the end of some stories, I feel joy at some of them and I feel Rose is a bit out of character.
I feel very torn cause I don't want this series to end and reading issue 150 will mean that...
Onward to the next book!
February 27, 2018
Everythings finally coming to a head. This volume has several short "Last Story" Vignettes that wrap up the stories of most of the major characters in just a page or two. The main story deals with Bigby Wolf's rampage, Mrs. Spratt and Brandish's machinations, and sadly, the final battle between Rose Red and Snow White. I have a feeling the last volume is going to be an emotional one. I hate to see this series end.
July 27, 2025
not sure i like where this seems to be going
August 9, 2015
This is the 21st volume (the 2nd to last) in the Fables series. It did an excellent job of continuing the whole Rose versus Snow storyline that has been ongoing. It also did a great job of wrapping up the stories of many other random characters throughout the series.
Rose Red has started her round table of knights in what she believes is a positive (but a bit misguided) way to rule the Fables and is determined to hunt down and kill the monster Bigby has become. Snow White has long ruled Fabletown and ends up throwing down against Rose Red to save the Fables’ way of live and to save her husband. There is a high body count in this volume as hero after hero falls to the claws and teeth of Bigby.
Additionally throughout there are some “Final Story of So and So” parts. These parts tell the last story of Sinbad, or the Frog Prince, or whomever...and give us us a quick look into where these characters are and what they are doing.
I really enjoyed this volume. The struggle between Rose Red and Snow White is pretty epic. I loved that Snow finally got her kick-butt armor and sword to mirror Rose’s. We also finally get to learn the origins of how Rose and Snow ended up in Fabletown.
The artwork for this series continues to be well done and easy to follow, so I really enjoyed that was well.
Overall I thought this was an excellent continuation of the Fables series. I just got volume 22 and am eager to see how everything wraps up. This has been a wonderful (and incredibly long-running) urban fantasy graphic novel series that I have really enjoyed.
Rose Red has started her round table of knights in what she believes is a positive (but a bit misguided) way to rule the Fables and is determined to hunt down and kill the monster Bigby has become. Snow White has long ruled Fabletown and ends up throwing down against Rose Red to save the Fables’ way of live and to save her husband. There is a high body count in this volume as hero after hero falls to the claws and teeth of Bigby.
Additionally throughout there are some “Final Story of So and So” parts. These parts tell the last story of Sinbad, or the Frog Prince, or whomever...and give us us a quick look into where these characters are and what they are doing.
I really enjoyed this volume. The struggle between Rose Red and Snow White is pretty epic. I loved that Snow finally got her kick-butt armor and sword to mirror Rose’s. We also finally get to learn the origins of how Rose and Snow ended up in Fabletown.
The artwork for this series continues to be well done and easy to follow, so I really enjoyed that was well.
Overall I thought this was an excellent continuation of the Fables series. I just got volume 22 and am eager to see how everything wraps up. This has been a wonderful (and incredibly long-running) urban fantasy graphic novel series that I have really enjoyed.
October 22, 2016
Ugh. I hate rating this volume so low, because it really it is a heart-rending approach to the end of a long series that I very much enjoyed. But... I'm just not buying the character's actions? Like... The Brandish plot line was really interesting and made some sense, but all this nonsense with Rose and Snow... the transition from sibling rivalry to war, betrayal, was really poorly written. It just kind of happened and the reader is supposed to go along with it as if it made sense for these characters.
And yeah, ok, the grasshopper's explanation was interesting, I guess, but it just didn't click for some reason. Like, then why is this all coming to a head right now? And why aren't Snow and Rose more concerned and appalled by it???
And it has really sucky implications for Snow's kids...
I don't know. I'm just worried that the author is going to ruin the series right before it's conclusion. His plot lines can be so squirrelly sometimes.
And yeah, ok, the grasshopper's explanation was interesting, I guess, but it just didn't click for some reason. Like, then why is this all coming to a head right now? And why aren't Snow and Rose more concerned and appalled by it???
And it has really sucky implications for Snow's kids...
I don't know. I'm just worried that the author is going to ruin the series right before it's conclusion. His plot lines can be so squirrelly sometimes.
June 10, 2025
This is one big turn of events, Rose turns out to be the final villain? the arch enemy of the fables? this is quite a surprise, and to pit her and Snow against each other in a manner that all their bonds and sisterly love, that has been a pillar thus far, is quite astonishing!
Also Bigby's return, while expected and anticipated, comes in a form that was totally unexpected, his return in his primal savage form, and his murderous spree is a thing against hope, even after knowing that he is being controlled, and not acting of his own free will is sad enough, this is a sad fate for the god of wolves and the son of the north wind.
The volume is quite shocking in the developments leading up to the finale, and without straying from the narrative, a conclusion for side characters is inserted as short episodes between chapters, and they are befitting the nature of each one, sometines in a funny way
MiM
Also Bigby's return, while expected and anticipated, comes in a form that was totally unexpected, his return in his primal savage form, and his murderous spree is a thing against hope, even after knowing that he is being controlled, and not acting of his own free will is sad enough, this is a sad fate for the god of wolves and the son of the north wind.
The volume is quite shocking in the developments leading up to the finale, and without straying from the narrative, a conclusion for side characters is inserted as short episodes between chapters, and they are befitting the nature of each one, sometines in a funny way
MiM
June 6, 2016
One thing is pointed out in this next to last Fables trade. Rose might be the passionate sister, but Snow is the one who wins wars (if one looks thru the history of the series, which one character does for the reader). Snow is not looking forward to the forthcoming battle, but she isn't ignoring it either.
Rose is doing an Anakin Skywalker (falling towards the dark side), and Snow is still irritated over her role of the black knight being dictated to her. Bigby has returned from the dead, but as often is the case that isn't a good thing.
Plus, hints are dropped as to why the end of Fabletown looms over all.
Rose is doing an Anakin Skywalker (falling towards the dark side), and Snow is still irritated over her role of the black knight being dictated to her. Bigby has returned from the dead, but as often is the case that isn't a good thing.
Plus, hints are dropped as to why the end of Fabletown looms over all.
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June 15, 2017
In which we finally realize: Willingham hates this series; hates the characters; hates his readers; evidently read "Gone Girl" and decided to follow its lead by abruptly making all of his characters behave stupidly out of character & awful. And we walk away from him in disgust as he mutilates the corpse of his once-wonderful series.
March 21, 2017
Whaaaaat is happening. I guess I could blame myself for letting so many months pass that I forget all these storylines but also this is really bonkers? And kind of needless? And why is everyone dying??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2015
It's true that not that much happens, but it's still a great build-up to the last volume! I'm not ready to say good-bye...
September 18, 2015
Everything is ending....one last volume to go
November 30, 2015
Not my favorite. Everything seems bleak and evil and I really dislike the jaunty little side stories. They don't hold much appeal to me (I *hate* Jack)
December 21, 2015
Even more plot set up and changing characters motivations to suit the story. The side show stories were again better - at least they had endings.
June 23, 2016
NOPE. Nope, nope, NOPE. Not happening. FIX IT. *edvard munch face*
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