What do you think?
Rate this book
Fables: The Deluxe Edition
Fábulas: Edición de Lujo, Libro 10
¡Por fin podremos disfrutar de una nueva entrega de Fábulas: Edición de lujo! Y se trata de un volumen muy especial, que recopila el crossover entre las la serie original, Jack de Fábulas y The Literals, además de la novela gráfica Fábulas: Hombres lobo en el corazón de América y los habituales —e interesantísimos— extras.
EDICIÓN ORIGINAL: Fables núms. 83 a 85 USA, The Literals núms. 1 a 3 USA, Jack of Fables núms. 33 a 35 USA y Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland USA
EDICIÓN ORIGINAL: Fables núms. 83 a 85 USA, The Literals núms. 1 a 3 USA, Jack of Fables núms. 33 a 35 USA y Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland USA
386 pages, Hardcover
Published July 1, 2016
19 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
993 books2,819 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 92 reviews
May 21, 2019
The Great Fables Crossover Literally a crossover in that Jack Horner, Snow White, and Bigby trade not only books but artists as well. Kevin Thorn has realized he has the power to rewrite our world. Bigby and Snow White team up with the Jack of Fables supporting characters to go stop Thorn. The story is a culmination of a long running plotline from Jack of Fables. While really funny at times, it feels a bit too absurdist for the ongoing Fables story.
Werewolves of the Heartland A stand alone graphic novel featuring Bigby. He uncovers a town of werewolves and shows them just who is the Alpha. The art by Craig Hamilton and Jim Fern along with the muted color palette is just not visually appealing.
This volume is a bit of a downturn from other volumes in the series mainly because it loses the larger ongoing Fables narrative of the time with Mr. Dark. It feels like everything was put on pause to tell these two unrelated stories. It's the only one so far I haven't given 5 stars.
Werewolves of the Heartland A stand alone graphic novel featuring Bigby. He uncovers a town of werewolves and shows them just who is the Alpha. The art by Craig Hamilton and Jim Fern along with the muted color palette is just not visually appealing.
This volume is a bit of a downturn from other volumes in the series mainly because it loses the larger ongoing Fables narrative of the time with Mr. Dark. It feels like everything was put on pause to tell these two unrelated stories. It's the only one so far I haven't given 5 stars.
August 12, 2021
En este tomo cambian los vientos. Y tenemos dos grandes tramas.
Por un lado, encontramos un crossover de Lobo y Blancanieves con una historia que había seguido otros carriles en arcos anteriores. En ese cruce he disfrutado enormemente el giro de timón dado por Willingham. Y la inclusión de elementos completamente absurdos en algunos pasajes de la historia me han resultado absolutamente divertidos.
Por el otro, y en relación con la historia principal, nuestro querido y malhumorado sheriff debe iniciar la búsqueda de una nueva locación para Villa Fábula. En ese recorrido se cruza con un pueblo muy particular, donde debe lidiar con personajes que fueron parte de su vida en el pasado. Allí debe tomar decisiones muy difíciles para que el poblado no se transforme en un infierno.
Ambos arcos me han gustado mucho, tuvieron el poder de refrescar la trama general y renovar el argumento. Además aquí presentan nuevos tipos de fábula que me resultaron muy originales.
La conjunción guionista e ilustradores/as de Fábulas sigue siendo eficaz a pesar de los tomos transcurridos. Seguiremos en el carril de este disfrute hasta el final...
Por un lado, encontramos un crossover de Lobo y Blancanieves con una historia que había seguido otros carriles en arcos anteriores. En ese cruce he disfrutado enormemente el giro de timón dado por Willingham. Y la inclusión de elementos completamente absurdos en algunos pasajes de la historia me han resultado absolutamente divertidos.
Por el otro, y en relación con la historia principal, nuestro querido y malhumorado sheriff debe iniciar la búsqueda de una nueva locación para Villa Fábula. En ese recorrido se cruza con un pueblo muy particular, donde debe lidiar con personajes que fueron parte de su vida en el pasado. Allí debe tomar decisiones muy difíciles para que el poblado no se transforme en un infierno.
Ambos arcos me han gustado mucho, tuvieron el poder de refrescar la trama general y renovar el argumento. Además aquí presentan nuevos tipos de fábula que me resultaron muy originales.
La conjunción guionista e ilustradores/as de Fábulas sigue siendo eficaz a pesar de los tomos transcurridos. Seguiremos en el carril de este disfrute hasta el final...
October 30, 2024
Always an interesting read when you pick up a Fables book. Great story and art. Very recommended
February 21, 2018
- El gran cruce de Fábulas. Las fábulas continúan viviendo en La Granja mientas investigan al Señor Tenebroso antes de atreverse a dar un paso. Lobo y Bestia se sienten más salvajes porque notan la influencia maligna de este nuevo villano. Una nueva religión que pronostica el advenimiento de Chico de Azul y lo sitúa como salvador y rey comienza a cobrar forma entre algunos personajes. En La Granja reciben una llamada de Jack (el de las judías mágicas), que les avisa de que uno de los literales, un tipo llamado Kevin Thorn está tratando de borrar el universo para volverlo a reescribir con una pluma mágica. El motivo es que considera que la trama de las fábulas se ha descontrolado. Blanca y Lobo van tras su pista junto al hijo y el padre de Thorn, pero el tal Kevin los detecta, reescribe a Lobo y lo convierte en chimpancé, un elefante, una niña… Al mismo tiempo Jack vuelve a La Granja y dice que lo han mandado Lobo y Blanca. Rosa Roja está que no sale de la cama por depresión porque echa de menos a Chico de Azul. Por despecho y abandono se acuesta con Jack y le da el mando de La Granja, con la esperanza de que haya una revolución y lo maten sin que ella tenga que hacer nada. Pero los de la religión nueva creen que es Chico de Azul disfrazado. La Reina de las Nieves aparentemente ha muerto y sus poderes se traspasan a su hijo, que se convierte en Jack Frost. Va a buscar a Jack el de las judías a La Granja porque cree que es su padre. Kevin Thorn sufre un bloqueo de escritor (encarnado en su hermano gemelo) que le impide acabar con el universo, aparentemente. Las nietas de Thorn, las tres hermanas Page, se hacen con un arsenal y deciden ir a por su abuelo, pero él invoca a los géneros (western, fantasía, comedia…) para que luchen contra ellas. Thorn mata al bloqueo de escritor. Jack y Jack Frost se enfrentan porque Jack pasa de la cara de su hijo y éste, que todavía no controla sus poderes, congela a Jack el de las judías. Pero lo descongelan y Bella explica a los fanáticos religiosos quien es Jack en realidad. Para poner a Jack y Rosa Roja a salvo y esconderlos de los fanáticos, Bella y Bestia los ocultan en la Mansión Lobo. Jack le dice a Jack Frost que debe realizar una gesta heroica para ser digno de sus antepasados y le encarga ir a matar a Thorn. Lobo recupera su forma y mata a los géneros. Finalmente, el grupo formado por Lobo, Blanca, Jack Frost, las Page, el hijo y el padre de Thorn entran a la mansión donde se esconde Thorn y cuando está a punto de borrar el universo Jack Frost lo congela. A continuación, Deus Ex Machina (del latín Dios es chatarra, en referencia al autor, es un recurso literario muy común en autores carentes de imaginación que se utiliza para terminar una historia de forma abrupta cuando no se encuentra una mejor explicación para que sea un final feliz), se presenta en escena y coge un huevo misterioso del despacho de Blanca que contiene un nuevo universo. Todos los literales, incluido Kevin, pero excepto las Page y el padre de Kevin, se trasladan a ese universo por hacer, del que no pueden volver. A Jack el de las judías lo expulsan de La Granja y el padre de Thorn, perdidos sus poderes al haberse quedado en un universo diferente al de sus familiares, se convierte en su ayudante y se van los dos por el mundo. Bueno, pues este arco no me ha gustado nada, me ha parecido lo más horrible de Fábulas hasta la fecha. Nueve capítulos de aburrimiento en una trama que no venía muy a cuento, y con personajes horribles, feos y sin ningún tipo de carisma. Entiendo que es una miniserie aparte y que está proyectada como crítica a la creatividad, pero creo que no era el momento para hacerla, con la trama principal estrenando un villano que apenas se ha visto. Me ha parecido muy cortarrollos e innecesaria.
- Hombres lobo en el corazón de América. Lobo va de viaje por América buscando un lugar discreto donde construir el nuevo Villa Fábula. Da con un pueblo apartado, rodeado por un bosque, conocido como Story City y le llama la atención. Descubre que son todos hombres lobo que existen porque fueron inyectados con sangre que le robaron a él mismo durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Un grupo de la población se revuelve contra él e intenta matarlo porque lo consideran un dios y quieren demostrar que pueden con él. Pero Lobo los reduce y los mata. Le dice al líder del pueblo que estén quietecitos o volverá. Oda, una chica del pueblo a quien Lobo le llega a coger cariño, decide marcharse, aunque él le dice que no lo siga. Ella se queda en plan “vale, pero volveremos a encontrarnos”. Esta historia me ha gustado algo más que la anterior, pero también es un poco paralela e independiente y llegó un punto que fue como “venga, acaba ya”, aunque empezó muy bien. El dibujo no es el habitual y a ratos es genial, pero otras veces todos los personajes están bizcos y amorfos. Pero bizcos en plan estrabismo fuerte, de libro de oftalmología. En fin, no sé si está historia acabará aportando algo al hilo principal o si Oda volverá a salir (supongo que esto segundo sí), pero en principio siento que era una trama innecesaria.
Bueno, ha sido un tomo diferente, raro, complicado, independiente y puede que innecesario. Me ha costado bastante terminarlo, lo cogí con calma porque me aburría (y además lo he ido compaginando con un libro). De momento es lo que menos me ha gustado de Fábulas con diferencia, pero no me quita las ganas de seguir leyendo: al contrario. Quiero seguir y ver que todo esto queda atrás y el hilo principal sigue. Quiero seguir conociendo al Señor Tenebroso y continuar acercándome al desenlace de la serie, para el que quedan 5 tomos. Ya he leído una tercera parte, y aunque este tomo haya sido muy plof, estoy muy contenta con el progreso.
- Hombres lobo en el corazón de América. Lobo va de viaje por América buscando un lugar discreto donde construir el nuevo Villa Fábula. Da con un pueblo apartado, rodeado por un bosque, conocido como Story City y le llama la atención. Descubre que son todos hombres lobo que existen porque fueron inyectados con sangre que le robaron a él mismo durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Un grupo de la población se revuelve contra él e intenta matarlo porque lo consideran un dios y quieren demostrar que pueden con él. Pero Lobo los reduce y los mata. Le dice al líder del pueblo que estén quietecitos o volverá. Oda, una chica del pueblo a quien Lobo le llega a coger cariño, decide marcharse, aunque él le dice que no lo siga. Ella se queda en plan “vale, pero volveremos a encontrarnos”. Esta historia me ha gustado algo más que la anterior, pero también es un poco paralela e independiente y llegó un punto que fue como “venga, acaba ya”, aunque empezó muy bien. El dibujo no es el habitual y a ratos es genial, pero otras veces todos los personajes están bizcos y amorfos. Pero bizcos en plan estrabismo fuerte, de libro de oftalmología. En fin, no sé si está historia acabará aportando algo al hilo principal o si Oda volverá a salir (supongo que esto segundo sí), pero en principio siento que era una trama innecesaria.
Bueno, ha sido un tomo diferente, raro, complicado, independiente y puede que innecesario. Me ha costado bastante terminarlo, lo cogí con calma porque me aburría (y además lo he ido compaginando con un libro). De momento es lo que menos me ha gustado de Fábulas con diferencia, pero no me quita las ganas de seguir leyendo: al contrario. Quiero seguir y ver que todo esto queda atrás y el hilo principal sigue. Quiero seguir conociendo al Señor Tenebroso y continuar acercándome al desenlace de la serie, para el que quedan 5 tomos. Ya he leído una tercera parte, y aunque este tomo haya sido muy plof, estoy muy contenta con el progreso.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2016
The Great Fables Crossover. Who would have expected a crossover in the literal sense of the word? But that's just what we get as Jack goes to Fables and Bigby and Snow deal with his Literal problem. I quite enjoy the Jack at the Farm storyline, which is a good continuation of the current Fables storylines. However, the story of the war against Kevin ended up too stretched out, probably because of the inclusion of the Literals title. The metatextuality of the story is also delightful and often funny, though it's not something I'd want to see all the time. [7/10]
Werewolves of the Heartland.On my first read, I was a little disappointed by this. I liked the monster-movie feel of the WWII flashbacks, and I enjoyed the general mash-up of Fable and horror elements. But the washed-out art and the modern-day story didn't do it for me. On a second read, I was pleased to discovered that I liked the story more. Bigby and how he deals with the werewolf community is the most interesting element. The art is still pretty dull though. So, it's a good enough story as long as you go in expecting something that's a pretty far cry from typical Fables. [6/10]
Overall, this is the weakest of the Fables Deluxe volumes as it mashes together a story that's mostly relevant to Jack of Fables with the least Fable-like of the standalone volumes. You could practically skip it (though some of the material about Rose Red, Stinky, and the farm is of note).
Werewolves of the Heartland.On my first read, I was a little disappointed by this. I liked the monster-movie feel of the WWII flashbacks, and I enjoyed the general mash-up of Fable and horror elements. But the washed-out art and the modern-day story didn't do it for me. On a second read, I was pleased to discovered that I liked the story more. Bigby and how he deals with the werewolf community is the most interesting element. The art is still pretty dull though. So, it's a good enough story as long as you go in expecting something that's a pretty far cry from typical Fables. [6/10]
Overall, this is the weakest of the Fables Deluxe volumes as it mashes together a story that's mostly relevant to Jack of Fables with the least Fable-like of the standalone volumes. You could practically skip it (though some of the material about Rose Red, Stinky, and the farm is of note).
June 18, 2021
Ovaj broj Bajki sastoji se od 2 cjeline: Bog daj veći kup i Gdje te srce vuče, vuče i iskreno, ne znam koji mi je bolji. S time da je prvi dio apsolutno genijalna ludnica apsurda, a drugi lagano baca na akcijski hororac.
Uglavnom, u prvom dijelu dolazimo taman na bijeg Junaka Janka, koji samo što ne pukne od svojeg ogromnog ega, od kaosa koji se sprema u svijetu Bajki i metafikcijskih likova gotovo besmrtnih Literala - sumanutog Pisca i njegovog brata blizanca Autorske blokade koji je sav slinav i neproduktivan i na putu velebnom djelu, Garyja Personifikacije, Revizije, triju sestara knjižničarki (Pagine) te raznih žanrova (SF, Fantasy, Hit, Horor, Krimić, Ljubić, Vestern, Beletristika, Komedija, Noir, svaki sa svojim osobinama) i na kraju, naravno, Deusa Ex Machine, skraćeno Dexa. Ne mogu niti opisati kako je ovo bilo zabavno, ludo, satirično, smiješno. Mislim Pisac koji pokušava uništiti Bajke koje više ne može kontrolirati, a Revizija mu je za vratom sa svojom vojskom i Vukom koji prolazi kroz najgora poniženja u životu jer ga Pisac pretvara u majmuna, magarca, rozog slona i na kraju u malu i opaku djevojčicu - što to ima drugo biti osim opće histerije i pišanja od smijeha kada kužiš reference koje samo tako izbacuju iz rukava🤣
Drugi dio posvećen je Vuku koji traži novo mjesto za Bajke nakon uništenja Bajkograda. Mijenja se način crtanja i mijenja se ozbiljnost priče. Čista suprotnost prvom. Dolazi do grada Pripovijetke i susreće starog prijatelja, američkog obavještajca iz 2.svjetskog rata koji je pukim slučajem postao vukodlak i osnovao naselje s istom takvom populacijom. Pod njegovom tiranskom rukom vukodlaci su se oteli kontroli, a Vuk ih je došao "smiriti". Smiriti je namjerno pod navodnicima jer nastaje totalni slasher horor u kojem Vuk pokazuje da nije bez razloga Prvi od mnogih. Šou samo takav.
Uživala sam u oba dijela iako su u biti oba bila digresije od glavne radnje i Mračnog neprijatelja. Nije mi nimalo smetalo, štoviše, nisam znala da nešto može biti tako otkačeno, zaigrano i zabavno. Znam da to kažem za gotovo svaki broj Bajki, ali ovaj mi je bio najbolji do sada i pravo osvježenje. 😎🥰
Uglavnom, u prvom dijelu dolazimo taman na bijeg Junaka Janka, koji samo što ne pukne od svojeg ogromnog ega, od kaosa koji se sprema u svijetu Bajki i metafikcijskih likova gotovo besmrtnih Literala - sumanutog Pisca i njegovog brata blizanca Autorske blokade koji je sav slinav i neproduktivan i na putu velebnom djelu, Garyja Personifikacije, Revizije, triju sestara knjižničarki (Pagine) te raznih žanrova (SF, Fantasy, Hit, Horor, Krimić, Ljubić, Vestern, Beletristika, Komedija, Noir, svaki sa svojim osobinama) i na kraju, naravno, Deusa Ex Machine, skraćeno Dexa. Ne mogu niti opisati kako je ovo bilo zabavno, ludo, satirično, smiješno. Mislim Pisac koji pokušava uništiti Bajke koje više ne može kontrolirati, a Revizija mu je za vratom sa svojom vojskom i Vukom koji prolazi kroz najgora poniženja u životu jer ga Pisac pretvara u majmuna, magarca, rozog slona i na kraju u malu i opaku djevojčicu - što to ima drugo biti osim opće histerije i pišanja od smijeha kada kužiš reference koje samo tako izbacuju iz rukava🤣
Drugi dio posvećen je Vuku koji traži novo mjesto za Bajke nakon uništenja Bajkograda. Mijenja se način crtanja i mijenja se ozbiljnost priče. Čista suprotnost prvom. Dolazi do grada Pripovijetke i susreće starog prijatelja, američkog obavještajca iz 2.svjetskog rata koji je pukim slučajem postao vukodlak i osnovao naselje s istom takvom populacijom. Pod njegovom tiranskom rukom vukodlaci su se oteli kontroli, a Vuk ih je došao "smiriti". Smiriti je namjerno pod navodnicima jer nastaje totalni slasher horor u kojem Vuk pokazuje da nije bez razloga Prvi od mnogih. Šou samo takav.
Uživala sam u oba dijela iako su u biti oba bila digresije od glavne radnje i Mračnog neprijatelja. Nije mi nimalo smetalo, štoviše, nisam znala da nešto može biti tako otkačeno, zaigrano i zabavno. Znam da to kažem za gotovo svaki broj Bajki, ali ovaj mi je bio najbolji do sada i pravo osvježenje. 😎🥰
February 26, 2017
This volume was mostly just okay for me. The crossover was entertaining, but just a little odd - which, of course, was what they warned us it would be, so I can't hold it against them. I did think the idea of The Literals was really neat, though!
As for Werewolves of the Heartland, the story was interesting enough. Sure, there were a few plot holes around, but the biggest flaw in this standalone story for me was the art. It just felt so simplistic compared to how the series usually looks. There wasn't much detail in characters to distinguish them from others, so everyone just sort of seemed the same, and the colors were super muted compared to Fables usually vibrant style. I wasn't really a fan, I have to say.
As for Werewolves of the Heartland, the story was interesting enough. Sure, there were a few plot holes around, but the biggest flaw in this standalone story for me was the art. It just felt so simplistic compared to how the series usually looks. There wasn't much detail in characters to distinguish them from others, so everyone just sort of seemed the same, and the colors were super muted compared to Fables usually vibrant style. I wasn't really a fan, I have to say.
September 11, 2018
I love Fables. It's really the only comic I read regularly anymore. Willingham warned me up front that this crossover with his Jack of Fables comic might not be my cup of tea and he was right. It was awful. Honestly, it's not even worth going into aside to say that when two writers get together to write a comic about writing and writers block, and then get very, very meta about it, it's likely to suck.
And this does suck.
I sincerely hope volume 11 gets back to form. Ugh, skip if you can.
And this does suck.
I sincerely hope volume 11 gets back to form. Ugh, skip if you can.
May 24, 2021
I'm usually not that fond of crossover events. They always try to be witty and make a caricature of their own characters. Probably to try and showcase their respective series. There are some decent ones, but I've never been blown away by any.
But this one is beyond terrible. A lot of references (I guess) to events from the Jack of Fables series. So if you haven't read that, all you have is confusing drivel that doesn't even get the Fables tone right. I feared I'd have to struggle my way through just to make sure I would not miss anything to continue the main series. That is until I read . I'm up to anything used as a plot device, but it has to serve a purpose.
So didn't finish. I've had more fun at the dentist. Certainly won't be reading the Jack of Fables spin-off series. Only keeping this book as it would otherwise leave a hole in the Fables series on my bookshelf.
But this one is beyond terrible. A lot of references (I guess) to events from the Jack of Fables series. So if you haven't read that, all you have is confusing drivel that doesn't even get the Fables tone right. I feared I'd have to struggle my way through just to make sure I would not miss anything to continue the main series. That is until I read . I'm up to anything used as a plot device, but it has to serve a purpose.
So didn't finish. I've had more fun at the dentist. Certainly won't be reading the Jack of Fables spin-off series. Only keeping this book as it would otherwise leave a hole in the Fables series on my bookshelf.
Read
June 25, 2024“The Great Fables Crossover” is a mess of a story. It mostly features characters from the Jack of Fables series and tries to be all meta and clever and funny but falls flat. I really dislike Jack as a character, and the whole story feels like a waste.
“Werewolves of the Heartland” is better. Bigby looks for a new place for the fables to live after Mister Dark destroyed Fabletown. He comes across a community of werewolves in Iowa where things aren’t quite as they seem. This story features characters from that World War II story a while back. There are some good Bigby moments here and the art suits the story, but again, it feels like a placeholder before getting to the Mister Dark stuff. I worry Willingham will draw that out like he did with the Homelands war.
Overall, a week volume that has me already questioning my decision to finish the series.
“Werewolves of the Heartland” is better. Bigby looks for a new place for the fables to live after Mister Dark destroyed Fabletown. He comes across a community of werewolves in Iowa where things aren’t quite as they seem. This story features characters from that World War II story a while back. There are some good Bigby moments here and the art suits the story, but again, it feels like a placeholder before getting to the Mister Dark stuff. I worry Willingham will draw that out like he did with the Homelands war.
Overall, a week volume that has me already questioning my decision to finish the series.
October 25, 2022
I think I’m done. This book may be the final straw. Its just all filler, even the ‘crossover’ is a completely pointless story that has almost no impact before or afterwards. I was hoping for something more out of this series after hearing a lot of hype years back but overall I feel the series is mostly just Okay at best and terribly boring at worst. Disappointing really.
Read
March 11, 2024The fables face down the literals, and it's good but also oddly anticlimactic. But then again, the literals have always been so over the top meta that they're a little hard to take seriously.
Then there's a section where Bigby goes to a town full of werewolves, and honestly what in the lebensraum was that bullshit? Definitely my least favorite in all of Fables so far. Also, there have been a lot of art shifts, and I generally don't comment, but I hated the illustrations here too.
Then there's a section where Bigby goes to a town full of werewolves, and honestly what in the lebensraum was that bullshit? Definitely my least favorite in all of Fables so far. Also, there have been a lot of art shifts, and I generally don't comment, but I hated the illustrations here too.
March 22, 2024
The Great Fables Crossover wasn't thaaat bad. I mean it wasn't great, but it was enjoyable enough. Jack is annoying as always.
Werewolves of the Heartland was fine, I guess. Not enough development on the side characters to care, but it is always cool to see Bigby not have to hold back.
Overall I'd say it's the weakest book so far, but I'm excited to get back to the main story in the next one.
Werewolves of the Heartland was fine, I guess. Not enough development on the side characters to care, but it is always cool to see Bigby not have to hold back.
Overall I'd say it's the weakest book so far, but I'm excited to get back to the main story in the next one.
February 13, 2025
Yikes, this ain't it.
December 31, 2016
While I'm going to review the rest of the series as a whole, I thought this book merited its own review, as it contains the entirety of the crossover with Jack Of Fables and has a distinctly different tone from the preceding books, being very much more a metaphysical caper and thus closer in theme to the JoF series. That said, it also contains the entirety of Werewolves Of The Heartland, which I reviewed as its own book and which seems, honestly, a bit like filler. Extra material, if one is feeling generous, and saves the purchase of the standalone, if one hasn't purchased it already.
Anyway, this is a playful look at literacy and its attendants, and is quite charming but, in my opinion, devoid of any pathos, which I find quite a necessary part of a complete literary experience. It will also make not the most sense to people who don't already follow Jack's solo book, so while it is an interesting addition to the canon, I would not call it essential unless you really want to know what happens with Kevin Thorne, the world's most annoying writer. But it's witty and dreadfully meta, which carries a lot of weight with some types of reader.
Anyway, this is a playful look at literacy and its attendants, and is quite charming but, in my opinion, devoid of any pathos, which I find quite a necessary part of a complete literary experience. It will also make not the most sense to people who don't already follow Jack's solo book, so while it is an interesting addition to the canon, I would not call it essential unless you really want to know what happens with Kevin Thorne, the world's most annoying writer. But it's witty and dreadfully meta, which carries a lot of weight with some types of reader.
August 15, 2019
This oversized hardcover collects the Great Fables Crossover and the Werewolves of the Heartland graphic novel. Overall I'd say it's a decent collection, the Crossover is the culmination of a long burning Jack of Fables (spin-off series) story-line but Willingham does a solid job catching the reader up on things. Heartland is a standalone story, and is actually a pretty nicely told Bigsby-centric story that while definitely a side-trip is worth a read. But if you aren't a read of Jack's series and were to skip this collection, you wouldn't be missing much.
The Great Fables Crossover; This is a nine issue arc in which one of the Literals, a group of beings with the power to change reality with the mere stroke of a pen, is intent on ending the world as we know it. This event is very meta, with lots of references and wild/whimsical elements played for the audiences benefit. It involves the three comics Fables, Jack of Fables, and the Literals (a miniseries). The story itself is very fanciful and breaks the fourth wall a lot, Willingham and Sturges do a solid job of introducing the reader to this threat from Jack of Fables but it still feels very unknown if you haven't read that spin-off series. Overall it's a very unique story-line that stands out from what other comic crossovers do, and as I said before there's meta references aplenty. But overall it feels discordant to what Fables is. The artwork is very good as usual, with it deliberately being changed up just for the sake of things.
Werewolves of the Heartland; This standalone graphic novel sees Bigsby journeying to Story City, investigating it as a possible site for a new Fabletown. Bigsby discovers it's actually a town full of werewolves, and he ends up having to show them who is the Alpha. It feels like a filler/side-story but interesting enough to read if you're a Bigsby fan. The artwork however is rather unimaginative, it isn't bad but it doesn't really bring anything to the table in terms of uniqueness. Fern's style is grainy realism, also worth mentioning is there's a lot of nudity in this graphic novel compared to the standard Fables series. Bigsby fans will find this storyline, which hearkens back to his two issue war story in the main series, interesting but if you don't much for him you won't find much to enjoy here.
The Great Fables Crossover; This is a nine issue arc in which one of the Literals, a group of beings with the power to change reality with the mere stroke of a pen, is intent on ending the world as we know it. This event is very meta, with lots of references and wild/whimsical elements played for the audiences benefit. It involves the three comics Fables, Jack of Fables, and the Literals (a miniseries). The story itself is very fanciful and breaks the fourth wall a lot, Willingham and Sturges do a solid job of introducing the reader to this threat from Jack of Fables but it still feels very unknown if you haven't read that spin-off series. Overall it's a very unique story-line that stands out from what other comic crossovers do, and as I said before there's meta references aplenty. But overall it feels discordant to what Fables is. The artwork is very good as usual, with it deliberately being changed up just for the sake of things.
Werewolves of the Heartland; This standalone graphic novel sees Bigsby journeying to Story City, investigating it as a possible site for a new Fabletown. Bigsby discovers it's actually a town full of werewolves, and he ends up having to show them who is the Alpha. It feels like a filler/side-story but interesting enough to read if you're a Bigsby fan. The artwork however is rather unimaginative, it isn't bad but it doesn't really bring anything to the table in terms of uniqueness. Fern's style is grainy realism, also worth mentioning is there's a lot of nudity in this graphic novel compared to the standard Fables series. Bigsby fans will find this storyline, which hearkens back to his two issue war story in the main series, interesting but if you don't much for him you won't find much to enjoy here.
August 17, 2021
The stars are a bit of a misnomer. There are 2 stories in this book. First up: the great fable scrossover second a multiple issue stand alone arc staring Bigby Wolf and a bunch of Werewolves in the Heartland.
I can’t properly express how much I hated the the great Fables crossover. I hated it so much I’m actually using the word hate. I can’t remember the last time I hated a comic. I’ve been reading comics long enough that I can usually steer clear of work that I might hate. I’m disappointed sometimes but not usually to this level. I actually stopped reading big parts of this story hoping I could skip it and it wouldn’t matter. Tip: it doesn’t matter in the slightest to the overall Fables story. This may change later but I’m half way through the next deluxe edition and there is no sign of relevancy in sight.
The second story appears to be equally irrelevant, it however is delightful. It has some Bigby history that is interesting, and who doesn’t like Werewolves?! Um no one who loves Bigby is my guess.
So that first arc. First off I don’t read the Fables parallel book about Jack Horner and I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story. Who the hell are the Literals? I figured it out but I never felt like they were actually explained. The tone of this story is way different then Fables and I didn’t enjoy it. Lastly the story seemed stupid and totally meaningless despite a clever premise.
So to recap story one: 1.5 stars, story two: 4 stars
I can’t properly express how much I hated the the great Fables crossover. I hated it so much I’m actually using the word hate. I can’t remember the last time I hated a comic. I’ve been reading comics long enough that I can usually steer clear of work that I might hate. I’m disappointed sometimes but not usually to this level. I actually stopped reading big parts of this story hoping I could skip it and it wouldn’t matter. Tip: it doesn’t matter in the slightest to the overall Fables story. This may change later but I’m half way through the next deluxe edition and there is no sign of relevancy in sight.
The second story appears to be equally irrelevant, it however is delightful. It has some Bigby history that is interesting, and who doesn’t like Werewolves?! Um no one who loves Bigby is my guess.
So that first arc. First off I don’t read the Fables parallel book about Jack Horner and I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story. Who the hell are the Literals? I figured it out but I never felt like they were actually explained. The tone of this story is way different then Fables and I didn’t enjoy it. Lastly the story seemed stupid and totally meaningless despite a clever premise.
So to recap story one: 1.5 stars, story two: 4 stars
December 10, 2017
There were two stories here. For the crossover, first off, I was not excited to have Jack back. The scenes involving him were annoying but not offensive, and they took up less of the crossover than I was expecting. All in all, I think I liked the ideas the crossover was playing with more than the actual execution. But if you give me an interesting concept, as long as you don't completely screw up the execution, you're probably about halfway to a good review. One big problem I had was that, since I haven't read Jack and never plan to, I spent a long time unclear as to who the major Literal characters are. I get that the author was trying to cut boring exposition for those who had already read Jack, but would it have killed them to add those little blurbs on the characters that they had around Part 8 up around Part 2 or 3? It would have saved me a lot of confusion.
For the second story, it teetered between interesting and less interesting. I think a little more time devoted to how the Story City actually runs would have allowed me to be more interested when it all went to hell.
For the second story, it teetered between interesting and less interesting. I think a little more time devoted to how the Story City actually runs would have allowed me to be more interested when it all went to hell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2020
3.5/5
Another solid edition. This one features two stories, The Great Fables Crossover with the JACK OF FABLES series that probably would have been better if you actually read Jack of Fables which I haven't. That said, it was fine and a interesting take on another end of the world calamity. The second story is WEREWOLVES OF THE HEARTLAND which is a kind of stand alone story with Bigby that features him on a solo excursion after the events that happened in the crossover and whatnot. It's fine, a lot of it goes over previously covered events from previous volumes to get cold readers up to speed. I enjoyed it too, but it wasn't a knockout.
All that said, still a fine volume and the series is still hitting the right notes and staying strong.
Another solid edition. This one features two stories, The Great Fables Crossover with the JACK OF FABLES series that probably would have been better if you actually read Jack of Fables which I haven't. That said, it was fine and a interesting take on another end of the world calamity. The second story is WEREWOLVES OF THE HEARTLAND which is a kind of stand alone story with Bigby that features him on a solo excursion after the events that happened in the crossover and whatnot. It's fine, a lot of it goes over previously covered events from previous volumes to get cold readers up to speed. I enjoyed it too, but it wasn't a knockout.
All that said, still a fine volume and the series is still hitting the right notes and staying strong.
July 3, 2021
The weakest book in this series, by far. The Great Fables Crossover features the return of Jack of Fables. His supporting characters team up with Snow White and Bigby to battle the highly unstable Kevin Thorn, who possesses the power to rewrite the world and Thorn's literary muses. Bigby is terribly mistreated by Thorn along the way. This story arc was nonsensical and helter skelter. The other story arc (Werewolves of the Heartland) was better in which Bigby uncovers a town of werewolves, led by an old friend from their military service days together in World War II. Their occasional forays into the Mundy world are a problem, and they want to consolidate their power and leadership, unleashing the beast in Bigby. The artwork for this one was unattractive.
September 16, 2019
I loved this tongue in cheek, fourth wall, meta crossover that shows how a crossover should be handled. One singular vision and you get some great writing. Willingham and Sturges poke fun at themselves, the genre (s), and more at the same time advancing two stories. Jack is the central figure, just as he likes, and its pretty spectacular. His return to The Farm is everything I'd hoped it would be. The Literals are interesting but how they deal with the Fables is moreso. The epic battle involving the ultra-powerful antagonist is spectacular. This world is what makes comics special. The art is spot on and a joy. Overall, if you like Fables this is another epic war.
May 22, 2020
Bajonazo. Tras los excelentes volúmenes anteriores, El gran cruce de Fábulas no me ha gustado nada. Los Literales es una idea original y la trama de Jack de vuelta a la granja interesante, pero no hacían faltan 9 episodios, lo he encontrado muy largo para lo que aportaba a la historia general. Y la historia de los hombres lobos parecía interesante, pero no hacía falta volver a explicar el episodio de la segunda guerra mundial que ya se relató hace tiempo, y el dibujo de esta segunda parte es muy flojo, muy plano. Lo más destacable son las portadas que se incluyen del Gran Cruce, algunas de ellas de Brian Bolland
August 6, 2021
Ugh. The great fables crossover.
If I'd skipped this during my reading of the ultimate editions it would have made almost zero difference as far as the main plot of Fables goes. If Kevin Thorn never returned after Mister Dark destroyed Fabletown I wouldn't have even noticed.
If you're reading the Jack of Fables stories, maybe this is more relevant.
This is a re-read of the Fables comics for me and of I ever re-read them again, I hope my memory does me a solid and reminds me to skip this volume.
I'd have scored it a 1* but the additional bigby and v the werewolves story was enjoyable enough.
If I'd skipped this during my reading of the ultimate editions it would have made almost zero difference as far as the main plot of Fables goes. If Kevin Thorn never returned after Mister Dark destroyed Fabletown I wouldn't have even noticed.
If you're reading the Jack of Fables stories, maybe this is more relevant.
This is a re-read of the Fables comics for me and of I ever re-read them again, I hope my memory does me a solid and reminds me to skip this volume.
I'd have scored it a 1* but the additional bigby and v the werewolves story was enjoyable enough.
December 10, 2019
I see, I rated the last one 5 stars so they are content to make this one just drivel? No, I know these were published long before I came along but that is how I am feeling at the moment. Sheesh guys, pick it back up.
This book focuses on Jack, one of my least favorite Fables and then goes bizarrely into the Literals, people literally writing their story. It sounds bad, and it is. After that you get some Bigby! I love Bigby, but this is not Bigby at his best. Lots of nudity, and werewolf nudity if that gets you going I suppose.
This book focuses on Jack, one of my least favorite Fables and then goes bizarrely into the Literals, people literally writing their story. It sounds bad, and it is. After that you get some Bigby! I love Bigby, but this is not Bigby at his best. Lots of nudity, and werewolf nudity if that gets you going I suppose.
June 5, 2020
Yep, definitely on the downturn. Again in retrospect, it's this anything-goes attitude the writers fell into that destroyed the original idea. I'm not surprised, given that they drew "inspiration" from firing automatic weapons in a shooting range. It was their creativity they were firing at, in their smug over-confidence, and they definitely hit the bull's eye in this crossover.
Of course anything with Jack in it is bound to go south, so that's that.
Smugness can kill the best creative endeavors, and the writers of this thing are as smug as they are come.
Of course anything with Jack in it is bound to go south, so that's that.
Smugness can kill the best creative endeavors, and the writers of this thing are as smug as they are come.
May 15, 2017
Can't say how disappointed I am in the Crossover. Just a little too flippant with the "meta" stuff like characters literally walking out of their books. Always planned on reading Jack of Fables eventually, I enjoyed the spin off story several volumes back, but now I'm not so sure. Even if it would give some context to the story.
The real problem is that the whole volume is skippable. And the werewolves story wasn't any better. It felt like an excuse for a lot of gratuitous sex and violence. First time I can say I didn't really care what happened to Bigby.
I didn't think it was possible, but this was close to a one star read. I enjoyed the parts about the new religion centered on Boy Blue starting in the Farm. And I liked the idea of the Literals, but thought they were wasted in this volume.
The real problem is that the whole volume is skippable. And the werewolves story wasn't any better. It felt like an excuse for a lot of gratuitous sex and violence. First time I can say I didn't really care what happened to Bigby.
I didn't think it was possible, but this was close to a one star read. I enjoyed the parts about the new religion centered on Boy Blue starting in the Farm. And I liked the idea of the Literals, but thought they were wasted in this volume.
September 2, 2017
"The Great Fables Crossover" hat mir wirklich gut gefallen (*****), leider ist das ebenfalls enthaltene "Werewolves of the Heartland" eine relativ langweilige Abfolge von WWII-Bigby-Wolf-Erinnerungen (mit Nazis) mit Jetztzeit-Bezug zu einer relativ langweiligen Werwolf-Storie (mit Kleinstadt-Werwölfen, wer hätte das gedacht) in einer Kleinstadt voller Werwölfe. Bigby allein ist nicht so mein Fall. Darum sind die 3 Sterne ein Mittelwert.
March 10, 2018
A rare miss in the Fables series, this volume completely halts the current story line in favor of a crossover with Jack of Fables and the Wolves of the Heartland miniseries. The Jack of Fables crossover is pretty bland, Jack himself is a terrible character and the adventure that the rest of the Fables crew go on have no character development and have no consequence to the overall universe. Wolves of the Heartland is a pointless sequel to a story that didn't need anything added to it.
March 31, 2018
I was not a fan of the first half of this edition - the Great Fables Crossover. While the premise was interesting, it was confusing, convoluted, and just unnecessary to the overall storyline. I’ll acknowledge that if I had read the companion stories about Jack and the Literals I may have enjoyed it more.
However, I did enjoy the Werewolves of the Heartland (although not the very muted art style). It was great to pick up the previously storyline of what Bigby did during WWII.
However, I did enjoy the Werewolves of the Heartland (although not the very muted art style). It was great to pick up the previously storyline of what Bigby did during WWII.
April 18, 2019
The "great" crossover was kind of lackluster unless you're invested in the spin-off, Jack of Fables. The other story included, Werewolves of the Heartland, is marginally better. It serves as a sequel to an earlier story about Bigby's WWII experiences. But the better story gets derailed by the more graphic violence and (somewhat) stylized nudity featured in the art. I'm ready for the next volume to get back to the real story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews