FABLES #26 REVIEW

[Dan Porter]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0604/FablesCVR26.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0604/FablesCVR26t.jpg" align="left" alt="Fables #26"></a><b>Reviewer</b>: Daniel F. Porter, dan@jpporter.com
<b>Quick Rating</b>: Excellent!
<b>Story Title</b>: "March of the Wooden Soldiers, Chapter Seven: The Battle of Fabletown"
<b>Suggested for mature readers.</b>

Yeah.

(Bill Willingham is a god.)

<b>Written by</b>: Bill Willingham
<b>Pencils by</b>: Mark Buckingham
<b>Inks by</b>: Steve Leialoha
<b>Colors by</b>: Daniel Vozzo
<b>Letters by</b>: Todd Klein
<b>Cover Art</b>: James Jean
<b>Assistant Editor</b>: Mariah Huehner
<b>Editor</b>: Shelly Bond

God bless you, man.

If there's one thing more amazing than Bill Willingham's knack for writing some of the best damn stories ever, then it's his willingness to kill off / main / multilate / severely wound his beloved characters. Even though it's heartbreaking to see some of my very favorites shot and/or beheaded (I kid you not, folks.... this really happens.), it's still refreshing to behold - in a strange perverted way. Hell, maybe Bill gets a kick out of all the violence. (It must be one of those fetishes.)

Bill Willingham tried his hand at writing <b><i>Robin</i></b>, and it was (actually, it still is) an unparallelled disaster. Reviewers pelted him left and right with negative comments, comparing it to his work on <i>this</i> title, <b><i>Fables</i></b>, and observing the not-very-closeness in quality. There must be something about this comic that just brings out the best in a writer, because it's true: <b><i>Fables</i></b> is a million times better than <b><i>Robin</i></b>.

As far as the plot goes, there's still a hell of a lot to wrap up in one issue, but Willingham gives us a large battle that feels about as gut-wrenchingly real as any, as well as numerous deaths and injuries. It could even be said that this is the single most climactic issue he's written so far on this title.

<b><i>Fables #26</i></b> brings to a head virtually all of the plot threads that have been started in the last several issues. And looking back, there've been a lot of 'em. We see the return of a major figurehead in the series, back from a couple issues of being put on the back burner. We also get an in-freaking-credible vision of Snow White's cool-headedness on the field, despite the fact that she's mostly standing in the background and handing out orders.

Instead, here she's portrayed as the all-knowing General, the leader everyone hopes to have at some point in their lives. She's the wise one, the tactical genius whose mastery of the battlefield has won her more scars than awards, the only person with the foresight to envision the entire skirmish even before it happens.

It's appropriate, though, that Snow can read the wooden soldiers' moves like a book; after all, they're not much for brains... Firepower-wise, though, they have a huge advantage. As expressed by several users on <a href="http://www.billwillingham.com">Bill Willingham's website</a>, there's a certain futility involved with using guns to kill <i>wooden</i> soldiers. Kinda pointless, y'know? But even then, Snow has a backup plan, and a backup plan to her backup plan, and a... well, you get the idea. Basically, Willingham seems to possess all of the knowledge himself that he imparts onto Snow.

If this issue was such a joy to read (and yet so sorrowful, too), it must have been ten times as much fun to write. I've gotten these visions of Willingham sitting at his computer, a gleeful grin illuminated by the eerie glow of his monitor, cackling evilly as he types out the deaths of a couple dozen major and minor characters. Lord knows I wish I had as much fun reading these deaths... it's quite heart-breaking to see such well-developed and such (if you'll pardon the expression applied to wooden soldiers) "fleshed-out" characters meeting their tragic demises.

And the art? Mark Buckingham must have a blast drawing these scenes, such as the massive spreads depicting the growing carnage on the streets of Fabletown. I also appreciated seeing the return of a character from the second arc, "Animal Farm," that I thought was long-forgotten. Buckingham's little in-jokes drawn into the background (such as an owl flying off with a soldier's toupee) are hilarious, even given the grim and depressing context.

This is a turning point in the lives of the <b><i>Fables</i></b>. And by the time it's all over, there's sure to be plenty more to look back upon and weep.

(Right now I'm weeping because I have to wait a month until next issue!)

STORY:<br />
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""><br />
ART:<br />
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""><br />
OVERALL:<br />
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""> <img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/vfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""><br />
<a href="http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=121&cat=FABLES" target="_blank">Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save!</a>

[The Stuck]

I totally agree with you, though I may not have given it a perfect score. This issue is pretty incredible.

And the...beheading...

It was completely unexpected as far as I was concerned. I saw that panel and just :O

It really makes me wonder how that's going to pan out, since that character seemed to be making his way to center stage of this arc...and you do have to wonder if the beheading killed him or not. Knees. Perhaps it just serves to remove that character from suspicion?

[Dan Porter]

According to someone (I forget who) at www.billwillingham.com the character's knees turn into wooden joints after the beheading.

I didn't notice that, though, so I'm going to have to go back and check to see.

-DPorter

[The Stuck]

They do. And his head appears to be wood, as well.

But that doesn't necessarily mean he's not dead. ;)

Of course, I suspected him as the Adversary for a while. It's still possible that he is. ;)

[Gat0r-ManX]

i can't wait to see what's that witch lady is gonna do.... OOooOOOOo

I just recently got into Fables, and man, i sooo do not regret it. GREAT STUFF!!

[OptionZero]

What the crap are you smoking?

Willingham's Robin brought direction to the series, where it was previously....lame.

Just becase Fables is better, doesn't mean Robin sucked!

Hell, Fables is a top comic of ALL TIME!!!

[Dan Porter]

Well, maybe I misspoke. I didn't intend to turn this into a Robin-bashing / Dan-bashing thread. ;)

What I meant was, Robin isn't nearly as great as Willingham has previously showed us he can be with Fables. Basically, it's not up to par with what we know him best for.

Sorry about the confusion.

And yeah, I checked, and sure enough, poor ol' Pinocchio is now made of wood again.

-DPorter

[Zeb Aslam]

Ah Dan, Dan, Dan...while I hate to propagate this...I have to. It's unfair to compare Robin to Fables for one simple reason...editorial restriction! With Fables Willingham has carte blanche to do what he will...he can do no such thing with Robin, and I think he has done a wonderful job with the tools he has. Anyway...on to Fables.
Excellent issue! I can't wait to see what's in store for poor Snow White now that she has made such a powerful enemy. The whole battle sequence was one of the most incredible pieces of art I've ever seen, it was just beautiful! And, most importantly...we had actual storytelling...most battles devolve into simple fights with no sense of storyline or characters, and I was very pleased to see this issue was an exception to the rule.
Can't wait till the next issue (man...I hope I get it early again...)

[Dan Porter]

Duuuuude... Zeb, m'boy, what the hell are you doing posting at Bill's website?

I thought you were loyal to ComixFan! Jeez, man. ;) Where's your sense of brotherhood?

uhhh... *cough*

And how the friggin hell did you get an advance copy? That's just plain unfair, that's what that is! I tell ya, people these days...

So, yeah. How much did you have to pay Willingham for the special preview? And does he take Visa?

-DPorter

EDIT: That was a joke, by the way.

EDIT #2: I figured I should address the whole Robin/Fables thing I inadvertently started.

For the record, I neither read Robin on a monthly basis, nor do I have any particular love for the character. But for the most part, I agreed with all the mean-ish reviews that griped about the proverbial "change in the status quo" for the series.

Before you all flame me, I DID read the first several issues of Willingham's Robin, dropping it once I found out that Spoiler was going to replace the ONE, TRUE Robin.

One Robin to rule them all, and all that jazz.

[Al Harahap]

Originally posted by Dan Porter
Before you all flame me, I DID read the first several issues of Willingham's Robin, dropping it once I found out that Spoiler was going to replace the ONE, TRUE Robin.

You mean the one who replaced the ONE TRUE Robin who was killed by the Joker, who replaced the ONE TRUE Robin who grew out of Batman's shadows to become his own hero? How dare Stephanie Brown do that. :p

Just yanking your doodle dandy, Dan. ;)


Oh, yes... a Fables review, is it? Best issue in the overstretched arc. I had doubts about Willingham's ability to orchestrate such a large-scale battle, but it's all very clinical. Kudos to him and Buckingham for the great battle scenes. It was a nice climax to everything that's been going on in the past few months. Although, for a climax issue, the ending was very anticlimactic...

[Dan Porter]

Anticlimactic? Are you kidding?

Buckingham's depictions of Bigby's wolf form are some of my favorite visuals in the entire series, and this issue's are no exception. I thought that the re-introduction of the whole "my daddy was the wind" thing from back in issue... 14? 15? I forget ...was a nice touch on Willingham's part, too.

If overused, it could become pretty tedious, but luckily Willingham hasn't done that yet. Sort of preventing it from becoming the end-all be-all in terms of mayhem, like Wolverine's claws. Slicing someone in half kind of... kills them, and if Bigby's huffing and puffing was ever to be overdone to that point, then yes, I would agree with you that it was anticlimactic.

Otherwise, though, no. :p

-DPorter

(EDIT: yanking my doodle dandy? the hell? i've never heard anyone say that before. is this something you made up? it's kind of funny...)

[James Groves]

Brilliant.

Thats all i can say.

Not quite perfect as this issue was very action orientated, but it was and is, one of the best comics on the stands today and ever.

THis run will be marked down as a classic.

I'd give it 8/9 out of 10 Writing 4.5 Art 4

Oh and Dick Grayson a.k.a Nightwing is the one and only Robin.

Foloowed by Jason Todd.

Tim Drake was ok, but a bit naff.

As for the new girl robin:wall: D.C what were u thining??!! Spoiler as the new robin?? Man bad decision.

[NicholasRogue]

Issue freakin' rocked.
Wanted Cinderella though.
Snow rules
I mourned
Bigby's back
YAY Willingham! :D

[Zeb Aslam]

Originally posted by Dan Porter
Duuuuude... Zeb, m'boy, what the hell are you doing posting at Bill's website?

I thought you were loyal to ComixFan! Jeez, man. ;) Where's your sense of brotherhood?

uhhh... *cough*

And how the friggin hell did you get an advance copy? That's just plain unfair, that's what that is! I tell ya, people these days...


*ahem* I tend to go where the creators lie...or somesuch thing. Anyway...maybe you should come by the reviews thread more often...the advances conversation has already been conducted ;) And hey...I have to try to pimp my Robin reviews don't I? You and Blake Petit keep on going on and on about your Fables reviews...I need some love too man!!

Btw, not that good a thing getting an advance...just means I have to wait longer for the next issue (unless i get it early too...which is unlikely...but it could happen :) )

[Dan Porter]

Who is Blake Petit?

[Stephanie Kay]

This thread is insane. Pretty much like this issue. I don't think I've read a battle quite like that. Brilliant. All the characters were great- I hope those who were injured (not just Pinocchio) will turn out to be alright- I'm beginning to get really attached to the Fables cast- it wil break my heart to lose more (I was upset when 2 certain villains died in Storybook Love so this would crush me)

And the ending wasn't climatic to me either- I felt it had a more ''about flamin time'' edge to it :) Good to see him back though.

(And I'd say the phrase ''yanking your doodle dandy'' comes from the film ''Yankee Doodle Dandy'' starring the great James Cagney?)

[Lowry]

After a bunch of issues villifying (did I spell that right?) I love that Prince Charming, despite being greedy, insensitive, etc, etc, is still kicking ass. A lesser writer would have made the obvious choice to have Charming shirk his duties to fight, but instead, he's in the front line, showing his bravery and confidence. It proves just how good Willingham is at writing three dimensional interesting characters.