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Fables: The Deluxe Edition
Fables: The Deluxe Edition, Book Thirteen
The #1 NEW YORK TIMES Best-Selling Series
WINNER OF 14 EISNER AWARDS
FOUR-TIME HUGO AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST GRAPHIC STORY
Once Upon a Time...
Imagine that all the characters from the world's most beloved storybooks were real—real and living among us, with all of their powers intact. How would they cope with life in our mundane, unmagical reality?
The answer can be found in FABLES, Bill Willingham's celebrated reimagining of the venerable fairy tale canon. From Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf to Goldilocks and Little Boy Blue, the folktales of old are reborn here as exiles living in the magically camouflaged New York City neighborhood of Fabletown.
Acclaimed by critics and readers alike, these modern classics of comic book storytelling are now collected for the first time in a series of beautiful hardcover volumes. FABLES: THE DELUXE EDITION BOOK THIRTEEN includes the harrowing coming-of-age tale "Cubs in Toyland," as well as the shattering events of "A Revolution in Oz" and "Snow White" from issues #114-129 of the award-winning Vertigo series, and features a new introduction by Lauren Beukes, acclaimed author of THE SHINING GIRLS and BROKEN MONSTERS, as well as a special sketchbook section by series artist Mark Buckingham.
WINNER OF 14 EISNER AWARDS
FOUR-TIME HUGO AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST GRAPHIC STORY
Once Upon a Time...
Imagine that all the characters from the world's most beloved storybooks were real—real and living among us, with all of their powers intact. How would they cope with life in our mundane, unmagical reality?
The answer can be found in FABLES, Bill Willingham's celebrated reimagining of the venerable fairy tale canon. From Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf to Goldilocks and Little Boy Blue, the folktales of old are reborn here as exiles living in the magically camouflaged New York City neighborhood of Fabletown.
Acclaimed by critics and readers alike, these modern classics of comic book storytelling are now collected for the first time in a series of beautiful hardcover volumes. FABLES: THE DELUXE EDITION BOOK THIRTEEN includes the harrowing coming-of-age tale "Cubs in Toyland," as well as the shattering events of "A Revolution in Oz" and "Snow White" from issues #114-129 of the award-winning Vertigo series, and features a new introduction by Lauren Beukes, acclaimed author of THE SHINING GIRLS and BROKEN MONSTERS, as well as a special sketchbook section by series artist Mark Buckingham.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2016
17 people are currently reading
480 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 68 reviews
December 13, 2021
"Hay que honrar la grandeza, sin importar de qué fuente oscura y terrible proceda"
¡Cuán poderosa e inagotable es la imaginación de Willingham!. Cuando pensaba que ya no podría exprimir más las historias de Villa Fábula, viene y se escribe un guionazo.
El tomo abre con el final de la historia de Bufkin en las tierras de Oz y su epílogo. Me gusta mucho como el autor toma un personaje secundario y lo hace crecer poco a poco a medida que transcurren los capítulos hasta convetirlo en protagonista.
Después de cerrar ese ciclo, vuelve a historia principal, a los relatos sobre Lobo y Blanca. Esta parte es bastante macabra y cruel, como los cuentos de hadas tradicionales. No me esperaba para nada lo que ocurre aquí y Willingham da una vuelta magistral a la trama, mostrándonos que no hay nada totalmente rosa en la vida de nuestras Fábulas.
Es difícil describir este tomo sin adentrarse en spoilers, sí podemos decir que aquí nos encontraremos con aspectos del pasado de algunos personajes que van a complejizar enormemente el devenir de sus vidas. Esto llegará a su clímax con un evento que nos deja sin respiro y nos obliga a correr tras el tomo siguiente.
Ya no queda mucho para el cierre, los acontecimientos van precipitándose y nosotras nos precipitamos hacia el penúltimo tomo…
¡Cuán poderosa e inagotable es la imaginación de Willingham!. Cuando pensaba que ya no podría exprimir más las historias de Villa Fábula, viene y se escribe un guionazo.
El tomo abre con el final de la historia de Bufkin en las tierras de Oz y su epílogo. Me gusta mucho como el autor toma un personaje secundario y lo hace crecer poco a poco a medida que transcurren los capítulos hasta convetirlo en protagonista.
Después de cerrar ese ciclo, vuelve a historia principal, a los relatos sobre Lobo y Blanca. Esta parte es bastante macabra y cruel, como los cuentos de hadas tradicionales. No me esperaba para nada lo que ocurre aquí y Willingham da una vuelta magistral a la trama, mostrándonos que no hay nada totalmente rosa en la vida de nuestras Fábulas.
Es difícil describir este tomo sin adentrarse en spoilers, sí podemos decir que aquí nos encontraremos con aspectos del pasado de algunos personajes que van a complejizar enormemente el devenir de sus vidas. Esto llegará a su clímax con un evento que nos deja sin respiro y nos obliga a correr tras el tomo siguiente.
Ya no queda mucho para el cierre, los acontecimientos van precipitándose y nosotras nos precipitamos hacia el penúltimo tomo…
July 5, 2022
Cubs in Toyland
The prophecy of Snow White and Bigby's Cubs begins to take effect. Therese is tricked into going to Toyland. I like that Willingham's stories don't always have pat happy endings. They are often dark and scary like the original fairy tales. Mark Buckingham's art is terrific.
There's also a 2 part story with an adult Ambrose that is kind of the precursor to the end. The rest of the series ends up being about Snow White, Rose Red and their family with the rest of the Fables filling up the "B" plots. Gene Ha is one of my favorite artists and he kills it with these issues.
Snow White
Bufkin's gets his sendoff after he confronts the Gnome King in the backup stories from the last arc. I enjoy the Bufkin stories, but then again I've always liked Baum's further adventures in Oz.
The main arc is about Snow White's family. The main push of the rest of Fables is all about Snow White and Rose Red. Bigby gets a magical car from Briar Rose. (See Fairest, Volume 1: Wide Awake to find out how she got the car.) He's off to find Dare and Therese who are missing. This arc takes place in parallel to Cubs in Toyland. Prince Brandish rears his misogynistic head, kidnapping Snow and forcing Bigby to return for a duel. Meanwhile Beast's time is up and the Blue Fairy returns for Gepetto. Beast cleverly gets out of trouble for the moment but we'll see where this leads. All in all, more fairy tale goodness from Willingham and Buckingham.
The prophecy of Snow White and Bigby's Cubs begins to take effect. Therese is tricked into going to Toyland. I like that Willingham's stories don't always have pat happy endings. They are often dark and scary like the original fairy tales. Mark Buckingham's art is terrific.
There's also a 2 part story with an adult Ambrose that is kind of the precursor to the end. The rest of the series ends up being about Snow White, Rose Red and their family with the rest of the Fables filling up the "B" plots. Gene Ha is one of my favorite artists and he kills it with these issues.
Snow White
Bufkin's gets his sendoff after he confronts the Gnome King in the backup stories from the last arc. I enjoy the Bufkin stories, but then again I've always liked Baum's further adventures in Oz.
The main arc is about Snow White's family. The main push of the rest of Fables is all about Snow White and Rose Red. Bigby gets a magical car from Briar Rose. (See Fairest, Volume 1: Wide Awake to find out how she got the car.) He's off to find Dare and Therese who are missing. This arc takes place in parallel to Cubs in Toyland. Prince Brandish rears his misogynistic head, kidnapping Snow and forcing Bigby to return for a duel. Meanwhile Beast's time is up and the Blue Fairy returns for Gepetto. Beast cleverly gets out of trouble for the moment but we'll see where this leads. All in all, more fairy tale goodness from Willingham and Buckingham.
February 10, 2017
As heartbreaking as the series can be sometimes, I still tend to read Fables as a bit of a feel-good tonic. Slipping back between the pages to meet up with familiar characters, the trademark sense of humour, and the rollicking adventures that not only pull from the fairy-tales themselves but add an original spin to every moment - I look forward to it every time.
Until Book Thirteen, which effectively ripped my heart out and trod it into the dirt.
It's still good reading, but of a different kind - eerie and solemn and grown up.
Until Book Thirteen, which effectively ripped my heart out and trod it into the dirt.
It's still good reading, but of a different kind - eerie and solemn and grown up.
November 4, 2025
I thought after the defeat of the 2nd arch villain in the series the stories would slow down. NOT SO! more incredible tales just in shorter arch that focus on individual/groups of characters instead of a gran plot. Highly recommended
November 9, 2020
Still as rich and unpredictable as in the beginning of the series, and that after writing over 100 issues.. Bill is somewhat a mystery to me. Sure it kind of loses a bit of its footing at the very end, as the execution feels a bit rushed and also forced, but everything before in the book is just gold.
I am totally not biased toward my favorite comic series. 5 out of 5 stars
I am totally not biased toward my favorite comic series. 5 out of 5 stars
August 11, 2018
¡Pedazo de tomo! Tiene cosas que no esperaba para nada y que me impactaron bastante, otras que sé que se tienen que resolver de forma positiva y, bueno, alguna lagrimilla también solté al final de la primera historia. Esto se va acabando y ahora mismo no me atrevo ni a hacer teorías.
November 25, 2016
Revolution in Oz (114-124). A fun story. The artwork and the three-page increments of story both seem just about perfect for Oz — even if I never got a good impression of the setting of Oz itself. Bufkin and Lily really grew on me as characters by the end [6/10].
Cubs in Toyland (114-121). Now that I've read all the way through to the end of Fables, I think I can definitively say that "Cubs in Toyland" is the best story in the comic, eclipsing even Fables, Volume 10: The Good Prince. Part of that is the delight of really getting to know some of the cubs (through some great characterization), but Willingham pulls a neat trick; by incorporating them back into the myths that came before their birth he shows us how the great legends are repeated again and again. However, this story is also joyful for how terrifying it is. Willingham does a great job of going to the heart of the scariest Fables, the dark and creepy ones that feel all too real — the ones that have been bowdlerized in the modern day. It's here that he reinvents them best, more than in the Dark Man or any of his other "scary" elements. And the ending of this story, it just KILLS. [10/10]
The Destiny Game (122-123). This shorter story nicely puts the idea of fate and destiny on its head, but it also does a great job of explaining who Bigby is and how he might have come to such a different end than what might have been expected [8/10].
Snow White (125-129). The first time I read this, Brandish seemed to come out of nowhere. It took rereading this in the Deluxe editions to realize that he was a character in Fables, Volume 15: Rose Red. There's a lot that's dramatic and traumatic in this plot, and I enjoy the continued focus on Snow and her family. However I also find Brandish's misogynstic and abusive nature a little much. Still, a generally good story that pretty much gets the end game of Fables going [7/10].
Cubs in Toyland (114-121). Now that I've read all the way through to the end of Fables, I think I can definitively say that "Cubs in Toyland" is the best story in the comic, eclipsing even Fables, Volume 10: The Good Prince. Part of that is the delight of really getting to know some of the cubs (through some great characterization), but Willingham pulls a neat trick; by incorporating them back into the myths that came before their birth he shows us how the great legends are repeated again and again. However, this story is also joyful for how terrifying it is. Willingham does a great job of going to the heart of the scariest Fables, the dark and creepy ones that feel all too real — the ones that have been bowdlerized in the modern day. It's here that he reinvents them best, more than in the Dark Man or any of his other "scary" elements. And the ending of this story, it just KILLS. [10/10]
The Destiny Game (122-123). This shorter story nicely puts the idea of fate and destiny on its head, but it also does a great job of explaining who Bigby is and how he might have come to such a different end than what might have been expected [8/10].
Snow White (125-129). The first time I read this, Brandish seemed to come out of nowhere. It took rereading this in the Deluxe editions to realize that he was a character in Fables, Volume 15: Rose Red. There's a lot that's dramatic and traumatic in this plot, and I enjoy the continued focus on Snow and her family. However I also find Brandish's misogynstic and abusive nature a little much. Still, a generally good story that pretty much gets the end game of Fables going [7/10].
April 4, 2019
Another thrilling volume of Fables the 13th one. The plot with prince Brandish was unexpected and a bit forced but it's always interesting to dwell in Snow's past. Plus the huge twist with Bigby at the end. The only thing that I can't stop thinking about, is how Willingham is going to put all the loose ends and the tenths of subplots together in just shy of 20 issues (we have the Geppeto-Blue Fairy (and Geppetos new scheme), Snow and Bigby, The Sleeping Beauty, Rose Red and many more unfinished tales).
But, he suprised me before on how he can twist his scripts successfully, he can do it again.
But, he suprised me before on how he can twist his scripts successfully, he can do it again.
Read
July 9, 2024"Cubs in Toyland" is one of the better Fables arcs. It focuses on Snow and Bigby's kids (mainly two of them) dealing with some scary fables in another land. The emotional beats are strong, while Willingham paces the story well and delivers a heartbreaking ending.
The rest of the book is fine. We get a fun story about Bufkin, one about Bigby in the past, and a consequential saga concerning Snow and Bigby in the present. On balance, this volume is pretty good, but I'm still not really attached to the characters and am basically only reading to finish the series at this point.
The rest of the book is fine. We get a fun story about Bufkin, one about Bigby in the past, and a consequential saga concerning Snow and Bigby in the present. On balance, this volume is pretty good, but I'm still not really attached to the characters and am basically only reading to finish the series at this point.
March 10, 2018
This one was daaaaaaaark
October 2, 2018
esta saga no decepciona. Este tomo rompio mi corazón en pedazos, literalmente.
April 6, 2024
What seemed like a silly little side story had absolutely NO RIGHT to be so devastating. My heart.
April 7, 2024
Cubs in Toyland was devastating!! Genuinely dark and upsetting but a fantastic read, though - one of the best arcs in the series.
June 28, 2022
If I could give this volume more than 5 starts, I would.
August 16, 2019
Fables explores dark storylines as the focus returns to Bigsby's family with a Bufkin adventure also. This oversized hardcover collects Fables #114-#129. This volume is by far the series darkest storylines so far, and it plays heavily off our love for the characters we've come to know so well in the last 113 issues while also propelling the story forward. If you've been a loyal reader of Fables so far, you won't want to miss this solemn volume.
Cubs in Toyland; Therese receives a mysterious Christmas present, which whisks her away to a decaying Toyland. This magical realm is bleak and dying, and Therese is initially overjoyed at the chance to become queen of it. Unfortunately as her reign goes on, she finds her young self isn't up to the challenge of ruling a wasteland. Bigsby, Snow, and her siblings are understandably distraught, and the rest of Fabletown understandably is also. This arc definitely tugs at the heartstrings, and we unfortunately have to see Bigsby's cubs do some quick growing up.
The Destiny Game/After; Bufkin's adventures in Oz continue, as a revolution is brewing and Bufkin finds himself somehow as the head of it. It's a pretty fun side story, and we see Bufkin continue to grow as a character. Gene Ha's art is realistic and satisfying.
Snow White; The newly reborn Fabletown hides dark secrets, which the citizens slowly discover as Snow White's first husband appears and claims right to her. As is no surprise, Snow's friends are furious but unfortunately due to Fabletown's magically binding laws are forbidden from interfering in family matters. Prince Brandish proves himself to not be a loving husband in any sense, and when Bigby finds out suffice to say he is not happy. This arc is also quite dark and chilling, as Willingham isn't afraid to explore the complications of being centuries old and having all those intrapersonal ties from being alive for so long. This arc, like Cubs in Toyland, will play heavily on your emotions and has a shocking ending.
Cubs in Toyland; Therese receives a mysterious Christmas present, which whisks her away to a decaying Toyland. This magical realm is bleak and dying, and Therese is initially overjoyed at the chance to become queen of it. Unfortunately as her reign goes on, she finds her young self isn't up to the challenge of ruling a wasteland. Bigsby, Snow, and her siblings are understandably distraught, and the rest of Fabletown understandably is also. This arc definitely tugs at the heartstrings, and we unfortunately have to see Bigsby's cubs do some quick growing up.
The Destiny Game/After; Bufkin's adventures in Oz continue, as a revolution is brewing and Bufkin finds himself somehow as the head of it. It's a pretty fun side story, and we see Bufkin continue to grow as a character. Gene Ha's art is realistic and satisfying.
Snow White; The newly reborn Fabletown hides dark secrets, which the citizens slowly discover as Snow White's first husband appears and claims right to her. As is no surprise, Snow's friends are furious but unfortunately due to Fabletown's magically binding laws are forbidden from interfering in family matters. Prince Brandish proves himself to not be a loving husband in any sense, and when Bigby finds out suffice to say he is not happy. This arc is also quite dark and chilling, as Willingham isn't afraid to explore the complications of being centuries old and having all those intrapersonal ties from being alive for so long. This arc, like Cubs in Toyland, will play heavily on your emotions and has a shocking ending.
August 13, 2017
This is only the third volume of Fables that I have read, and my thoughts are mixed. I thought some of the story was rather juvenile, like the Revolution in Oz arc. I did not care for it. The Destiny Game arc, on the other hand, was pretty good. The main arcs of the edition, Cubs in Toyland and Snow White, were somewhere in between.
I don't know enough about the background of these characters and the plot to be completely objective; I am basing my review on the storytelling and the art. On the subject of art; Gene Ha and Art Lyon do a brilliant job on the two-issue arc, The Destiny Game, featuring The Big Bad Wolf. I loved both the story and art in that arc. Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha supply the pencils and inks for the core story-lines, and I am not terribly thrilled with either of them. The colors supplied by Lee Loughridge are much more impressive.
Again, I am only slightly familiar with the characters and story of Fables, but there are certainly some surprises in this volume. Mr. Willingham has a George R.R. Martin-like ability to build up characters and then rip them away from the reader in a gruesome death. Makes me want to read more.
Perhaps a few more volumes of this series will make me appreciate this particular arc much more.
I don't know enough about the background of these characters and the plot to be completely objective; I am basing my review on the storytelling and the art. On the subject of art; Gene Ha and Art Lyon do a brilliant job on the two-issue arc, The Destiny Game, featuring The Big Bad Wolf. I loved both the story and art in that arc. Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha supply the pencils and inks for the core story-lines, and I am not terribly thrilled with either of them. The colors supplied by Lee Loughridge are much more impressive.
Again, I am only slightly familiar with the characters and story of Fables, but there are certainly some surprises in this volume. Mr. Willingham has a George R.R. Martin-like ability to build up characters and then rip them away from the reader in a gruesome death. Makes me want to read more.
Perhaps a few more volumes of this series will make me appreciate this particular arc much more.
September 6, 2024
3,8⭐
Bajke 13 započele su nešto slabije, epizodama o djeci Snješke Bijelić i Vuka koji izvode svoje nepodopštine. Iako ima prilično jezivih i (meni) uznemirujućih prizora (kada se nalaze u Zemlji igračaka s oštećenim i odbačenim igračkama od kojih neke izgledaju grozno 😅) taj dio mi je previše rastegnut.
Drugi je pak dio u kojem se pojavom kraljevića Britkog (teškog kretena) otkrivaju neke tajne iz Snješkine prošlosti te Vukovo impulzivno rješavanje problema kad ga uhvati njegova divlja narav, dio je u kojem se nisam mogla ne zapitati kako bi to cool izgledalo u nekakvoj adaptaciji. I to mi je totalno iskupilo razvučene epizode u Zemlji igračaka. Samo za info, Zemlja igračaka zvuči prekrasno samo u naslovu, ali je jedno od brutalnijih kraljevstava u Bajkama.
Zaključno - nije baš najbolji broj, ali ima svoje vrijednosti koje su ovdje baš došle do izražaja, najvažnija od kojih je kao i uvijek razvoj likova zbog kojeg i volim ovaj serijal stripova.
Bajke 13 započele su nešto slabije, epizodama o djeci Snješke Bijelić i Vuka koji izvode svoje nepodopštine. Iako ima prilično jezivih i (meni) uznemirujućih prizora (kada se nalaze u Zemlji igračaka s oštećenim i odbačenim igračkama od kojih neke izgledaju grozno 😅) taj dio mi je previše rastegnut.
Drugi je pak dio u kojem se pojavom kraljevića Britkog (teškog kretena) otkrivaju neke tajne iz Snješkine prošlosti te Vukovo impulzivno rješavanje problema kad ga uhvati njegova divlja narav, dio je u kojem se nisam mogla ne zapitati kako bi to cool izgledalo u nekakvoj adaptaciji. I to mi je totalno iskupilo razvučene epizode u Zemlji igračaka. Samo za info, Zemlja igračaka zvuči prekrasno samo u naslovu, ali je jedno od brutalnijih kraljevstava u Bajkama.
Zaključno - nije baš najbolji broj, ali ima svoje vrijednosti koje su ovdje baš došle do izražaja, najvažnija od kojih je kao i uvijek razvoj likova zbog kojeg i volim ovaj serijal stripova.
August 20, 2021
Holy sh**! This collection takes it to the next level. It is Epic, and DARK! Not the first story that is a charming tale staring everyone’s favourite monkey, charming but in true Fables fashion, tragic as well. But the next story about two of Snow and Bibgy’s cubs? Let’s just say I didn’t see any of the twists coming. Speaking of not seeing it coming Snow Whites is the third and last story arc in this collection and it is basically one WTF moment after another. I have not been so consistently surprised since I first started Fables and discovered details like Prince Charming being a womanizer.
The Adversary is defeated, the Dark man is gone and it looks like things are going to get so much worse. I can’t wait!!
The Adversary is defeated, the Dark man is gone and it looks like things are going to get so much worse. I can’t wait!!
September 13, 2019
"Revolution in Oz" wirkt wie ein Lückenfüller, zieht sich irgendwie und schließt dann diesen Strang ab. Da ich die Oz-Stories nie gelesen habe, fehlt mir hier möglicherweise das kleine Vergnügen des "Wiedererkennens" von Referenzen. Die nachfolgende sehr düstere Story "Cubs in Toyland" reißt es dann wieder raus, "Snow White" ist ok mit einem dramatischen Ende, dass aber irgendwie auch nicht ganz endgültig wirkt und ein wenig hingehuscht. Hier gewinnt man auch den Eindruck, dass Willingham vor dem Ende der Serie noch ein paar Dinge aufräumen will, aber auch etwas hinziehen muss, vielleicht um die 150 vollzukriegen. Ingesamt durchwachsen also und streng beurteilt nur eine 3.
November 6, 2024
Lo mejor de este volumen es, sin duda, el desarrollo de Azul y Lobo. ¿Lo peor? Las historias secundarias que me sacan de la principal. Es cierto que el autor tiene la gran habilidad de coger personaje secundario y darle su protagonismo con una historia propia, sin embargo, y esto es una opinión muy personal, no hace falta hacerlo con todos porque parece que es alargar la historia sin más. De hecho, reconozco que, aunque es un buen punto, a mí me saca de la historia principal, que es la de Lobo y Blanca, y que cada vez se vuelve más oscura y cruel a medida que se acerca al final (quedan dos tomos).
No ha sido el mejor tomo, pero me ha gustado.
No ha sido el mejor tomo, pero me ha gustado.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2022
This was one of my favorite Fables collections! Deluxe Book Thirteen collects two big storylines both involving the Snow/Bigby family. The first is Cubs In Toyland, and it was epic. Sad, scary, and powerful. The second story, simply titled Snow White was amazing. While not as good as the first, it was still moving. More action packed but revelatory. The events of these two stories will affect Fables severely. As usual Mark Buckingham was phenomenal. There was also a great Bigby two-parter from the past illustrated beautifully by Gene Ha. Overall, this was wonderful.
February 8, 2024
This deluxe edition collections Volumes 18 Cubs in Toyland and 19 Snow White of Fables and it has the story of the Oz Rebellion with Bufkin.
The two story go well with each other as they are sort of going on at the same time.
18 is about Snow's kids, the cubs, and then Volume 19 gets back to the whole Fables gang and Snow White as the title suggests. I'm ready for an ending. It's time and this was better than some of the other middle material. It was also very dark and I have a feeling it's going to be a dark ending.
The two story go well with each other as they are sort of going on at the same time.
18 is about Snow's kids, the cubs, and then Volume 19 gets back to the whole Fables gang and Snow White as the title suggests. I'm ready for an ending. It's time and this was better than some of the other middle material. It was also very dark and I have a feeling it's going to be a dark ending.
February 15, 2019
The art is as outstanding as always. As for the story-telling... The story of Oz did nothing for me, the time jumps were kind of confusing. and the rest - my heart is broken, and while all the stories are good and I approve very much of Snow saving herself, I would also very much have liked not to have the two deaths that broke my heart in this happen. I still have some hope for Death #2 to not be permanent, but yeah, I'm not a fan of even temporary character death. Only three stars it is.
February 4, 2021
Another strong volume finds the series moving forward to it's ultimate conclusion as we say goodbye to some key characters. The first details the fate of one of the wolf-children, the second a parallels tale of Snow White so that both end at the same moment with a time out in the middle for a short two pager detailing some history of the big bad wolf.
This many pages in and issue in and it remains solid. Quite the impressive feat.
This many pages in and issue in and it remains solid. Quite the impressive feat.
September 12, 2021
A very weak effort in my opinion: easily the worst of the series. The Oz story arc was bad and I did not care for the artwork in this edition either, in particular, how Bufkin was illustrated. The return of a long forgotten character, who makes a hash of things in a major way was surprising, especially his sexist attitude. Happily, Snow would not put his with his sh*t. I sure hope Volume #14 will be an improvement.
October 31, 2021
I had a bit slow start since I wasn't too much into the things that happened in Oz. After that, oh boy.
It's amazing how the small details can be tied together, and how things that happened earlier start to make sense. How badly things can go wrong and how much heart can be broken. Right now I'm clinging onto some breadcrumbs until I find out what happens in the next book, and if dead people do ever come back.
It's amazing how the small details can be tied together, and how things that happened earlier start to make sense. How badly things can go wrong and how much heart can be broken. Right now I'm clinging onto some breadcrumbs until I find out what happens in the next book, and if dead people do ever come back.
March 26, 2019
Once again an amazing narrative. The whole main series is exceptional. Even the side stories in the spinoffs are done very well and add to the lore but all of the main series are of outstanding quality. Highly recommend to read them all. This one had some interesting twists and turns in it. Great storytelling in a graphic novel.
December 26, 2024
It's kinda amazing that Willingham can still be creative and come up with cool story ideas even in the second arc of Fables, over 100 issues deep. How does he do it.
The two part story in this volume of Lady of the Lake and the Fates was one of the most creative approaches to Fates and Destiny that I've read in a long time!
The two part story in this volume of Lady of the Lake and the Fates was one of the most creative approaches to Fates and Destiny that I've read in a long time!
January 15, 2017
A bit darker than the previous books, with a domestic violence story and children in peril. The story continues.
If you're a fan of the series, of course you'll read this. If you haven't read these, start at the beginning.
If you're a fan of the series, of course you'll read this. If you haven't read these, start at the beginning.
July 19, 2019
Two of the strongest volumes of the Fables saga collected in this volume - Cubs in Toyland, and Snow White. After spending so many pages with these characters, both of these stories were heartbreaking.
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