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Fables Vol. 15: Rose Red
Thе next collection іn thе Nеw York Times best selling series.Rose Red, sister οf Snow White, hаѕ finally hit rock bottom. Dοеѕ ѕhе stay here, οr іѕ іt time tο ѕtаrt thе long, tortuous climb back up? Thе Farm іѕ іn disarray, аѕ many factions compete tο fill thе void οf hеr missing leadership. And here’s a hυgе magical fight brewing down іn thе town square, aptly under hеr window.
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Superb.,
“Fables” hits its fifteenth trade paperback collection, and another individual-issue milestone with the release of the huge issue #100 (which was originally released in a format much more akin to a trade paperback than a single issue of a comic). Bill Willingham’s series has now been running for nearly a decade, and has been for reasonably a even as the centrepiece of the Vertigo impression’s output. This is one of the strongest volumes in a even as, benefiting tremendously from a strong sense of drama and tale momentum that some fans felt the series had lost a bit following the major changes to the series in issue #75. The full trade collects issues 94-100 of the ongoing series. Some spoilers stay on.
The bulk of the collection consists of the “Rose Red” tale arc that gives the volume its name. As you might divine from the name, it focusses on Rose Red, Snow White’s oft-overlooked sister, who has been hopeless since the death of Boy Blue nearly 25 episodes before. Finally, Willingham gets around to addressing her situation and the role she must play in Fabletown. This tale is intercut with a honestly lengthy depiction of Rose and Snow’s backstory, told in the Fables-verse for the first time. Willingham shows how the “Snow-White and Rose-Red” and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” tales are made to fit collectively, despite seemingly contradictory elements (also incorporating parts of Snow’s backstory previously exposed in “1001 Days of Snowstorm”).
That aside, arguably the centrepiece of the collection is issue #100 and its leadup, as the struggle between the Fables and the evil Mr. Dark (the avatar of darkness, essentially) comes to a head. Frau Totenkinder, the witch in a thousand uncommon fairytales (including “Hansel and Gretel”), prepares to unleash the full force of her power to defeat a being that has previously vanquished whole armies of the Empire’s mages. The resulting tale takes a number of twists and turns, but I will say that Totenkinder’s fate, if this is indeed the last we see of her in the series, I found rather surprising. It’s not how I would ever have pictured her ending up, but based on her origin (also in “1001 Days”), it seems oddly fitting.
Highly recommended.
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|“So now, let’s end this properly! With the brutal mathematics of knife and claw!”,
For my cash, Vertigo is the most prestigious, most rewarding mark in DC Comics’ established, and FABLES, still the best comic book currently going. FABLES Vol. 15: ROSE RED collects issues #94-100, darkly stirs up the pot, furthers Mr. Dark’s incursion into the Mundy world (that’s our world, yo!). Everywhere last we left things: In the ruins of Fabletown strides Mr. Dark, one of the Fantastic Powers and the embodiment of shadow and dread and all things creepy crawly. From Fabletown Mr. Dark is systematically expanding his influence, corrupting New York City, amassing (and consuming) precious, tasty teeth ripped from his victims’ jaws. The surviving human Fables have fled to the hidden Farm in upstate New York, abode of the beastly Fables who cannot pass for humans. And in the course of things, several factions engage in a power struggle. Geppetto, manipulative ancient despot that he is, throws his hat in the game. Sly gambits are pitched by Ozma, newly elected head of them witchcrafty folks what used to dwell on the 13th Floor of the ancient Woodland building. Meanwhile, Brock Blueheart, the newly renamed badger (formerly “Stinky”), pushes on with his newly launched religion promoting Boy Blue as an Arthurian figure.
That insurrection is nigh is due primarily to the inaction of the Farm’s director. Red Rose simply won’t stir out of bed. Still grieving and remorseful over Boy Blue’s death, she languishes in dirt and despondency. And if pep talk from a pig’s head affixed on a pole can’t rouse you, then it’s a truly sad state in which you wallow.
I’ve pretty much used up all the superlatives in reviewing Willingham’s past Fables trades. Here are no more words to clarify how so very excellent this guy is writing this comic book. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t rave about Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha’s clean, evocative art, again the perfect visual complement to Willingham’s storytelling. Willingham is a master of pacing, is so expert at constructing a deep sense of anticipation. Several issues in this trade commit to chronicling Snow White and Rose Red’s childhoods, and so we get to peek behind-the-scenes of that traditional fairy tale. We learn that Snow White’s past is manifest with bloody bleak moments, and that those pleasant Disneyfied seven dwarves were really the vilest of mothereffers. We learn the details behind the falling out of these two previously inseparable sisters.
This volume is titled “Rose Red,” so maybe we must talk her up some. This run of issues tells of how Snow White’s sister shakes off her malaise and again shoulders her responsibilities. Rose doesn’t reasonably receive the same epic treatment that Willingham graced on Boy Blue and Flycatcher and even on the blue flying monkey, Bufkin. But it’s a delight watching Rose so confidently dispense with one crisis after another. Still, I expected her to have a better role in this arc than she really did.
But if anyone, it’s Frau Totenkinder who is superior into a character of grander consequence. Not that she needed a boost in street cred. Willingham commemorates the fabulous landmark 100th issue, tracking at one hundred pages, by showcasing the much anticipated duel between Mr. Dark and Frau Totenkinder. I’ll say the showdown lived up to my expectations. And I admit that Frau Totenkinder is simpler on the eyes now that she’s assumed her original form. Other highlights in this issue include the birth of Beauty and the Beast’s baby and Snow White’s exquisite dressing down of the mean-spirited Mrs. Spratt. And, oh, but this arc has bounty of swerves.
The bonus stuff from the 100th issue is compiled here. I liked the switcheroo cut, “Pinocchio’s Army,” in which Buckingham writes the prose and writer (and sometime artist) Bill Willingham provides the occasional illustrations. “Pinocchio’s Army” follows Pinocchio’s attempts to cheer up Geppetto. In the aftermath of the epic duel between Mr. Dark and Totenkinder, we get two small tales: “A Thing With Those Mice” (with art by cover artist Joao Ruas) and “The Perils of Thumbelina.” The illustrated Q & A segment features FABLES font responding to questions by celebrities like Phil LaMarrl, Eddie Cahill, and sexy Cobie Smulders (from HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER). The Fables Paper Puppet Theater allows you to cut out FABLES font (cut outs of established Fables locations also included). Here’s the “Escape to Wolf Manor” board game. And, lastly, you can marvel at Buckingham’s fine point work in his eleven-paged sketchbook.
If you’re anticipating a resolution to the Mr. Dark dilemma, well, Willingham is stingy on that front. What happens in this “Rose Red” arc closes several doors but opens other avenues. We say goodbye to one of my favorite font whose parting vow is: “But you’ll not see me again.” (We’ll see.) As our Fables font endure and go on, Bigby Wolf is deployed on another mission. The threat is very far from finished…
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