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Fables: The Deluxe Edition
Fables: The Deluxe Edition, Book Eight
Flycatcher is drawn into the spotlight as he discovers the startling truth about his own past as the Frog Prince. At the same time, he learns that the Adversary plans to destroy his foes once and for all. How can the meek Flycatcher stop this deadly foe?
This deluxe edition collects Fables issues #60-63, 65-69
This deluxe edition collects Fables issues #60-63, 65-69
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2013
12 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
992 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
July 15, 2021
Me saco el sombrero ante Willingham, este tomo es fantástico, centrado casi en su totalidad en las aventuras de nuestro querido Papamoscas en las tierras natales.
Me gustó también que al comienzo nos dejara picando la curiosidad con algunas referencias misteriosas que realiza Frau Totenkinder, creo que esa viejilla se las trae.
El potencial de Fábulas radica en que el guionista puede explotar historias de un sinfín de personajes que parecen secundarios, pero no lo son tanto. Y sorprendernos con giros argumentales muy buenos.
Voy por la mitad de la trama y no me he aburrido nunca. Espero seguir disfrutando de la misma manera todo lo que falta. Las ilustraciones son maravillosas también, lo que le da un plus extra.
Mis cinco estrellas para usted señor Willingham.
Me gustó también que al comienzo nos dejara picando la curiosidad con algunas referencias misteriosas que realiza Frau Totenkinder, creo que esa viejilla se las trae.
El potencial de Fábulas radica en que el guionista puede explotar historias de un sinfín de personajes que parecen secundarios, pero no lo son tanto. Y sorprendernos con giros argumentales muy buenos.
Voy por la mitad de la trama y no me he aburrido nunca. Espero seguir disfrutando de la misma manera todo lo que falta. Las ilustraciones son maravillosas también, lo que le da un plus extra.
Mis cinco estrellas para usted señor Willingham.
July 11, 2024
The Great war is heating up and new heroes must arise to meet the challenge! What a great comic this is in art and writing. Very recommended
July 7, 2018
Coming back to read Fables again in these deluxe editions is like going home to meet old friends. It still holds up every bit as well as the previous times I've read it. One of the things that is great about Fables is Willingham's ability to take a character who has pretty much remained in the backgrounds so far and make him not only the star of this arc but a central character in the Fables world from here on in. Flycatcher finally remembers what happened to his family and sets off to build a new kingdom for those who want to avoid the coming war between the Empire and Fabletown. This is one of my favorite stories in Fables. Willingham makes you care about Flycatcher so damn much.
I love Mark Buckingham's attention to detail on this book. Just little things like how when Prince Ambrose is traveling through the deadlands we see parts of the wooden soldiers who were thrown down the Witching Well after the Battle of Fabletown.
You can also see where Buckingham is starting to bring some Jack Kirby influences into his art.
I love Mark Buckingham's attention to detail on this book. Just little things like how when Prince Ambrose is traveling through the deadlands we see parts of the wooden soldiers who were thrown down the Witching Well after the Battle of Fabletown.
You can also see where Buckingham is starting to bring some Jack Kirby influences into his art.
October 3, 2022
Ok a really enjoyed this volume, even if things were a little too easy.
December 14, 2018
Damn, I can't decide if I loved this one or not. I mean, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the "the good prince" arc and what Willingham decided to do with fly, or even how sudden was the introduction to this new reality and reconstruction of the character.
Surely it was interesting but it felt rushed and too easy a solution on the whole "Fabletown vs. Adversary" part. Plus, the whole thing with the transition through the witching well and the return of some forgotten characters seemed out of place.I was never a fan of stories who kept dead figures returning one way or another, only for plot convenience.
Anyway, it's still grade-A comic book material, can't wait to start the 9th vol. :)
Surely it was interesting but it felt rushed and too easy a solution on the whole "Fabletown vs. Adversary" part. Plus, the whole thing with the transition through the witching well and the return of some forgotten characters seemed out of place.I was never a fan of stories who kept dead figures returning one way or another, only for plot convenience.
Anyway, it's still grade-A comic book material, can't wait to start the 9th vol. :)
Read
February 20, 2024What a good volume. This is all about Ambrose's journey from janitor to king, and, though I've never been a huge Ambrose fan, this fully won me over. The plotting, as I'd expect from this series, is intricate and endlessly clever.
July 5, 2022
Now that's-a more of that about which I am talking!
Another great volume of twists and turns, already looking forward to Book the Ninth.
Another great volume of twists and turns, already looking forward to Book the Ninth.
April 18, 2018
Love the art on the cover of this book. I randomly ran across it several years ago not knowing it was connected to a book series and used it as a cover photo on a social media site for some time.
A mostly self contained story chapter that continues the overarching saga dealing with the enemy. Here the author brings a character on the peripheral edges of the story so far into center stage as they regain memories of once being someone significant who suffered a terrible loss. They gain significant powers and set up a third front to battle the Enemy. If you've liked the material before this you will really enjoy this volume. :)
A mostly self contained story chapter that continues the overarching saga dealing with the enemy. Here the author brings a character on the peripheral edges of the story so far into center stage as they regain memories of once being someone significant who suffered a terrible loss. They gain significant powers and set up a third front to battle the Enemy. If you've liked the material before this you will really enjoy this volume. :)
March 13, 2022
Flycatcher <3
September 29, 2019
Liked that this one is a lot more cohesive than some of the others.
February 13, 2017
Todo el tomo es una sola historia en varios capítulos. Me ha gustado bastante. Trata de cómo Papamoscas consigue la armadura de Lancelot y la espada Excalibur y regresa a las Tierras Natales, donde crea un ejército a partir de fantasmas, otorgándoles carne gracias a los poderes de su armadura. Consigue formar el reino de Refugio, del que se proclama monarca, y derrota prácticamente, o al menos merma, los ejércitos y recursos del Adversario. Me ha gustado reencontrarme con personajes que habían muerto y a los que había cogido cariño.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2016
This was a great relief in the series, and bolsters my faith in Bill Willingham's storytelling skills. There's been quite a lot of darkness and loss and foreboding building up in the Fables series, and the cover of this volume made me worried that I was in store for even more.
Instead, I walked away with a glimmer of hope and a great appreciation for Flycatcher. He's bumped around the periphery for me, never really holding my attention until now. And watching the developments here give me a lot of affection for him. The Good Prince is a perfect title.
It feels like the war between the Adversary and Fabletown could start as soon as the next volume (I'm switching to the trades now, rather than wait for the next deluxe edition), and while I'm sure we're in for more trauma, I feel ready for it. So long as Snow and Bigby come through, I'll be happy. Ish.
Instead, I walked away with a glimmer of hope and a great appreciation for Flycatcher. He's bumped around the periphery for me, never really holding my attention until now. And watching the developments here give me a lot of affection for him. The Good Prince is a perfect title.
It feels like the war between the Adversary and Fabletown could start as soon as the next volume (I'm switching to the trades now, rather than wait for the next deluxe edition), and while I'm sure we're in for more trauma, I feel ready for it. So long as Snow and Bigby come through, I'll be happy. Ish.
Read
June 19, 2024Definitely the best of the deluxe editions so far. It’s a sustained narrative across all nine issues, with Flycatcher descending into the witching well to gather dead fables and create a peaceful kingdom in the Homelands. He does this as a means of honoring his family. The story builds and builds, with the Adversary’s forces and a few of the dead fables threatening Fly’s project. Fly emerges as such a likable, brave, and kind character here. I was expecting the story to end differently than it did but was pleasantly surprised by how Willingham handled everything. He does more to set up the coming war, too (or so I assume). Add great art by Buckingham (with some notable Jack Kirby influences), and you’ve got a heartfelt, exciting mini epic. The ‘hams are at the top of their game with this one.
May 17, 2017
I hate the frontpage attempts to be a spoiler and then turns out not to be a spoiler.
It's sweet they made Flycatcher so important at the end, but I somehow feel it's cheating to give him superdupermagical powers which no one can afront to weaken the adversary.
I assume Fables is going to finish this arc in the next volume (which I've already bought a few hours ago ups). Then, I am going to seriously consider if I keep buying Fables or stop here since I heard that the story loses it (but the price increases).
April 16, 2017
La maravillosa historia de Papamoscas, el rey Ambroce, capaz de derrocar un imperio con su bondad, un ejército de fantasmas, mucha fe y sin derramar una gota de sangre. No por su mano, al menos. Pero la guerra no ha terminado, el Reino de Refugio solo es una alternativa féliz frente al Adversario. Impaciente por empezar el siguiente tomo.
May 30, 2017
3½-4 stars.
August 21, 2018
I loved this tale about Flycatcher. Best of Fables so far, yay!
November 2, 2018
Fly's story was very interesting and Blue is one of my new favorite characters.
January 21, 2025
Все рецензии говорят о том, что этот том или на уровне с предыдущими, или даже лучше — но для меня он был очень скучным. Ну не люблю я все эти военные де��ствия и подготовку к ним, и история короля Амброуза меня тоже не зацепила ни капли. Мне бы больше межличностных отношений героев, бытовухи какой-то, чего-то забавного и милого, а весь сюжет направлен в сторону приближающейся войны миров. С каждым томом это все больше и больше меня напрягает, и читать становится уже не так интересно, как было прежде.
Интересно, что будет с Джеппетто, когда он узнает, что сделал Мухолов с его сыновьями, и повернется ли сюжет так, что никакой войны уже и не будет? Вообще трудно представить, что приготовили для нас в следующих частях, но надеюсь, что войны будет значительно меньше..
Интересно, что будет с Джеппетто, когда он узнает, что сделал Мухолов с его сыновьями, и повернется ли сюжет так, что никакой войны уже и не будет? Вообще трудно представить, что приготовили для нас в следующих частях, но надеюсь, что войны будет значительно меньше..
January 14, 2023
"Even the greatest sultan recognizes his better when he at last comes along."
March 12, 2024
This was so good!! Flycatcher's story was amazing and very fairytale-esque and it's nice that he can finally rest some. Everyone watching his journey through the magic mirror was cute.
And the planning for the assault on the Homelands is obviously leading up to the final showdown which is exciting.
And the planning for the assault on the Homelands is obviously leading up to the final showdown which is exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2014
Big, sweeping character stories like this one are the one of the biggest reasons Fables is so revered. This volume acts as essentially as one big, self-contained story arc, with a few asides here and there about the coming war with the Adversary.
Flycatcher, one of the most beloved of the Fables, has regained his horrible memories of what happened to his wife and children during the Adversary's invasion of his land, and is racked with despair. What follows is an epic (I hate that that word has become so overused, because it's true in this case) tale of redemption and destiny that totally changes the foundation of the Fables universe, all from the point of view of this extremely likable, selfless man.
Willingham does a fantastic job juggling the pathos with the plot, showing Flycatcher to be the noble man he's always been underneath his janitor's clothes, while building an unpredictable and magical storyline unlike anything we've seen in Fables thus far. I was hooked beginning to end, and even consider Fly to be one of my favorite characters in the whole series now. It's rare for a story so compelling not to be dire, but this one just feels uplifting and hopeful (something that's been needed in Fables lately).
I can't recommend this book enough, though I would suggest being familiar with Fables first before diving in (as if millions of people were going to start with volume 8?). Willingham proves with this volume that he's got a lot left to do with Fables, and the well isn't running dry anytime soon.
Flycatcher, one of the most beloved of the Fables, has regained his horrible memories of what happened to his wife and children during the Adversary's invasion of his land, and is racked with despair. What follows is an epic (I hate that that word has become so overused, because it's true in this case) tale of redemption and destiny that totally changes the foundation of the Fables universe, all from the point of view of this extremely likable, selfless man.
Willingham does a fantastic job juggling the pathos with the plot, showing Flycatcher to be the noble man he's always been underneath his janitor's clothes, while building an unpredictable and magical storyline unlike anything we've seen in Fables thus far. I was hooked beginning to end, and even consider Fly to be one of my favorite characters in the whole series now. It's rare for a story so compelling not to be dire, but this one just feels uplifting and hopeful (something that's been needed in Fables lately).
I can't recommend this book enough, though I would suggest being familiar with Fables first before diving in (as if millions of people were going to start with volume 8?). Willingham proves with this volume that he's got a lot left to do with Fables, and the well isn't running dry anytime soon.
June 17, 2015
This has definitely been my favorite addition to the Fables series.
The bulk of this book is focused upon Prince Ambrose (better known as Flycatcher) fulfilling the destiny that was alluded to in a previous volume. It was during this book that I felt incredibly grateful for having earlier read 1001 Nights of Snowfall as certain stories from it gave this one a more subtle depth. In particular Frau Totenkinder and Ambrose himself. While the vital bits were examined briefly in this volume, 1001 Nights of Snowfall still offers a bit more and lends credence to small asides.
Anyway, this story follows the best of the Arthurian legends. The hero's journey is heartwarming, tragic, and ultimately the most moving that Fables has offered so far. I teared up at the end, I worried along with everyone gathered in front of the Magic Mirror as old villains plotted. Ambrose has certainly won his spot among the best, if not the very best, of this comic's heroes.
The bulk of this book is focused upon Prince Ambrose (better known as Flycatcher) fulfilling the destiny that was alluded to in a previous volume. It was during this book that I felt incredibly grateful for having earlier read 1001 Nights of Snowfall as certain stories from it gave this one a more subtle depth. In particular Frau Totenkinder and Ambrose himself. While the vital bits were examined briefly in this volume, 1001 Nights of Snowfall still offers a bit more and lends credence to small asides.
Anyway, this story follows the best of the Arthurian legends. The hero's journey is heartwarming, tragic, and ultimately the most moving that Fables has offered so far. I teared up at the end, I worried along with everyone gathered in front of the Magic Mirror as old villains plotted. Ambrose has certainly won his spot among the best, if not the very best, of this comic's heroes.
June 8, 2016
One of the best volumes yet! I laughed and cried throughout Flycatcher's story. The use of the mirror for Fabletown to watch the story unfolding in Haven I thought was great. Seeing everyone rooting for Flycatcher and tuning in everyday was heartwarming. I loved the tension building throughout this volume, the impending war that's coming, watching Bigby and Beast prepare their soldiers for war, Prince learning Arabic, it was all fantastic!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2014
Surely the best volume of Fables. Fly's story is epic and touching at the same time, and it's a marvelous setup for the end of the Homelands arc (though unfortunately this volume is both so good and so epic that it actually overshadows what follows it).
May 23, 2014
This series is just fun with a capitol “F” and it looks like the climactic battle between the fables and the Adversary are right around the corner (I can’t wait to see how it plays out).
June 13, 2015
No filler. Nothing but a nine part story that moved the main plot forward. This book is the prime example of what makes Fables great. Couldn't put it down.
December 31, 2016
Binge-reading. Series review to follow.
January 30, 2017
3.75 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews