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Fables, Vol. 11: War and Pieces

Bill Willingham

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Fables at war 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Some SPOILERS for those who haven't yet read prior FABLES TPBs.

The man crush continues. I'm a late comer to FABLES, but I've been down with Bill Willingham for some time now. I've long held the notion that Willingham's ELEMENTALS was the utter shiznit, but, now, while I still have love for that 1980s series, it's clear that FABLES has surpassed that earlier work. In the multi-award winning FABLES Willingham juggles with dexterity a large cast of characters and continues to develop rich, complex story arcs.

Willingham takes characters from classic fairy tales, from mythology and folklore, and even from literature, and plants them collectively in a residential Manhattan neighborhood (referred to by those in the know as Fabletown). Even as these exiled fables strive to hide their magical nature from the unsuspecting human (or "mundy") population, they exist in constant dread of the terrible Adversary, who drove them out of their Homelands so, so long ago.

Alarming events have shaped the recent years. After centuries of indifference, the Adversary had finally set his eyes on Fabletown. When his attempted invasion failed (see Fables Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers), Fabletown took retaliatory measures against the Adversary's Empire and struck a devastating blow. The Adversary - whose true identity is none other than Pinocchio's erstwhile kindly woodcarver, Gepetto - means to exact serious friggin' revenge. So it's war now, on the horizon.

By the All-seeing Eye of Agamotto, this series is crazy good, and so enthralling. Bill Willingham has done a wonder with his world-building, and one can sense his love of mythology and folklore by the care he puts into his storytelling. As ever, he lends a gritty believability to his fairy tale cast, invests them with real emotions and fleshed-out histories. And, hurrahs and huzzahs for me, brother, because, after several weeks of catching up, I'm finally to this most recent trade paperback. FABLES Vol. 11: WAR AND PIECES collects issues #70-75, and arrives at that thing Willingham had been working up to from issue one. Fabletown goes to war against the Adversary.

But, before the main event, issue #70 presents "Kingdom Come," which is basically a calm-before-the-storm sort of tale, noteworthy for the last-minute war council among the leaders of Fabletown and also for Boy Blue's confession of love to Rose Red. Niko Henrichon provides cool guest artwork and colors.

Next is the two-part "Skullduggery" as Cinderella, Fabletown's intrepid super spy, takes on a deadly mission to recover an invaluable package but runs into enemy agents. Cinderella, Cinderella - can stomp on any fella. Cindy demonstrates why she's the world's greatest secret agent, and there's also a further development with Rodney and June, spies for the evil Empire.

Even as Cindy is doing her covert thing, the war is already in progress. Narrated in three issues, "War and Pieces" brings to a climax what has been the overriding storyline for this series' entire run thus far. In depicting this all out war between Fabletown and the Empire, Willingham manages to tell a compelling story. The core characters are deeply involved, including Bigby Wolf, my favorite dude. With the Fabletown refugees so outmanned by the Adversary's minions, they have to resort to unconventional war tactics (unconventional in the fairy tale sense). As such, they make good use not only of magic but also of modern mundy technology (guns, explosives, and, yes, bungee cords). The battle plan hinges on three main deployments: a flying wooden ship - manned by European and Arabian fables alike, and powered by many, many magic carpets - out to target the Empire's interdimensional gateways; a secret camp in the Imperial Homeworld, established to serve as Fabletown's last getaway resort and supervised by Bigby Wolf; and the infiltration in the heart of the enemy's capital of a classic fairy tale character, armed with a needle (some points for originality taken away on this one, as this ploy had already been used by Bigby; however, as a military course of action, it really is brilliant).

It starts out well for the good guys as Gepetto's puppet Emperor is befuddled by this unfamiliar brand of warfare. But, then again, he's got the advantage of overwhelming forces, and he employs that. Willingham goes into good detail about the minutiae of running a war, of presenting both sides' military tactics and strategies. And it's nice to see that, with things on the line, there's no one more efficient or reliable than Snow White in running the home office. Most of the story is told thru Boy Blue's perspective, and that's cool, as I've cottoned to this unassuming guy. He and the Witching Cloak are pivotal in Fabletown's schemes.

"War and Pieces" is a rousing story, but not perfect. Firstly, it should've extended past its mere three issues. For an event which took 75 issues to build, this should've been as long as the magnificent nine-part epic "The Good Prince," which came just before. As it is, "War and Pieces" doesn't resonate quite as richly as "The Good Prince." Also, the war felt a bit too one-sided, therefore shedding a bit of that sense of jeopardy. However, having read the ominous issues which follow "War and Pieces," the exiles of Fabletown may soon regret this war even more. Without the Empire's rigid control, old powers again roam the Homelands. There may be worse things than the Adversary, after all. If I read it right, the next FABLES volume will be titled "The Dark Ages," and it should be another excellent entry into the trade collection. It's gratifying to see that Willingham isn't yet parched for plot ideas.

Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha are the workhorse artists, and they bring a consistent visual look. As ever, James Jean's covers are marvelous stuff. FABLES: Vol. 11: WAR AND PIECES also features a Willingham afterword and a Buckingham sketchbook. FABLES is very much for mature readers (the content - and, definitely, the language - can get a little raw). Anyway, few can match the richness and complexity of this series. Throw in the occasional snarky humor and Willingham's always diverting fairy tale twists, and what you have is, for my money, the best comic book currently going. I have no doubt that those normally not into comic books will still become rapidly hooked with Bill Willingham's terrific storytelling. And, so, the man crush continues.

The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle

Jim Butcher, Ardian Syaf

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 46 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

When the supernatural world spins out of control, when the police can’t handle what goes bump in the night, when monsters come screaming out of nightmares and into the mean streets, there’s just one man to call: Harry Dresden, the only professional wizard in the Chicago phone book. A police consultant and private investigator, Dresden has to walk the dangerous line between the world of night and the light of day.

Now Harry Dresden is investigating a brutal mauling at the Lincoln Park Zoo that has left a security guard dead and many questions unanswered. As an investigator of the supernatural, he senses that there’s more to this case than a simple animal attack, and as Dresden searches for clues to figure out who is really behind the crime, he finds himself next on the victim list, and being hunted by creatures that won’t leave much more than a stain if they catch him.

Written exclusively for comics by Jim Butcher, The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle is a brand-new story that’s sure to enchant readers with a blend of gripping mystery and fantastic adventure.

The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 4

Neil Gaiman

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Despite Second Tier Art, Gaiman Delivers 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Despite Second Tier Art, Gaiman Delivers
A review of Ultimate Sandman Volume Four
By Michael DeMeritt

This is the penultimate of graphic art story telling, otherwise know as comic books. Neil Gaiman's Sandman stories are by the far the greatest fantastical setting tied to a modern world with real problems written in comic book form. Volumes 1, 2 and 3 are superior to volume 4 only because the art is significantly better. The last issues of Sandman decided to take an ugly, if not boring, turn artistically. The result separates the reader from the characters they have come to love and fear. It is unfortunate the overly cartoon style was incorporated in the final story run of an otherwise fantastic series, but the story to be told is just as powerful as those that came before it. So well written, in fact, you simply look at the so-so art for reference and allow yourself to get lost in the story. Despite the distracting drawings. Ironically, the latter effort becomes more short story than any of the prior works because the art has so little impact on the tale. Unlike most of the earlier Sandman efforts, it can simply be read aloud, with little descriptive moments, and have pretty much the same impact as if you never looked at the pages at all. A great read.

Fables Covers: The Art of James Jean Vol. 1

James Jean, Bill Willingham

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Beautiful 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

James Jean has emerged as a superstar artist with a great following and this book is a great start to see some of his exemplary work. His lavish covers for the Vertigo series, "Fables," are always eye catching and it's great to see them all gathered here in one place.

The great thing about the book is that on one side you get part of the process he uses to get to the finished product such as preliminary sketches and drawings. My only complaint would be that Jean does some commentary on his covers for the trade paperbacks of the series, but he doesn't do any commentary on the individual covers. (Note: there is text accompanying the individual covers, but they are from the Fables treatment and Bill Willingham does a inteview with Jean at the end.) I would have really like to have read more than that. This book makes for a fine art book, and I guarantee that if you put it on your coffee table that anyone who comes over won't be able to resist picking it up.

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes

Neil Gaiman

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Total reviews: 129 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

"Wake up, sir. We're here." It's a simple enough opening line--although not many would have guessed back in 1991 that this would lead to one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comics of the second half of the century.
In Preludes and Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman weaves the story of a man interested in capturing the physical manifestation of Death but who instead captures the King of Dreams. By Gaiman's own admission there's a lot in this first collection that is awkward and ungainly--which is not to say there are not frequent moments of greatness here. The chapter "24 Hours" is worth the price of the book alone; it stands as one of the most chilling examples of horror in comics. And let's not underestimate Gaiman's achievement of personifying Death as a perky, overly cheery, cute goth girl! All in all, I greatly prefer the roguish breaking of new ground in this book to the often dull precision of the concluding volumes of the Sandman series. --Jim Pascoe

The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3

Neil Gaiman

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Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not happy with printing and binding 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Here I am only writing about how the Absolute Sandman Volume three (ISBN 978-1-4012-1084-7, © 2008) doesn't thrill me by it's printing & bookbinding standards (both done in China). It's the only volume I possess so far.

(1) First and worst: the ribbon page marker has very visibly stained the pages 206/207 and 256/257. (2) The printing doesn't seem to be too great either, eg. on page 246 in the white area on the bottom of the page you can clearly see how the printing of the back page shows through (also, the bottom half of the page is crinkled). (3) Many pages stuck together on the bottom edge because (I guess) the cutting blade had a bad spot. (4) On the right paper edge there is some glue residue. (5) Quite often the surface of the paper isn't clean. (6) And last, but not least, the endpaper is flawed/has a prominent white spot on it's righthand side.

And I haven't even really begun to read it yet...

Editorial Review:

The third volume collecting Neil Gaiman's seminal, award-winning series starring the Dream King in deluxe format.
ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 3 presents several key SANDMAN tales in a slipcased hardcover edition, including "Brief Lives," in which the Sandman's sister Delirium prevails upon her older brother to help her find their missing sibling, Destruction. But their journey through the Waking World has dramatic repercussions for their family and also for the relationship between the Sandman and his wayward son, Orpheus.
Also included is the spectacular short story "Ramadan," a tale of a young king of ancient Baghdad and the deal he strikes with The Sandman to grant his city immortality, with spectacular illustrations by P. Craig Russell (Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, The Jungle Book).

Bone: One Volume Edition

Jeff Smith

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Total reviews: 101 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Annoyed with the publishers 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Why did the publisher put all the stories in one edition, and take away the COLOR in the drawings??? Half of the artistic delivery, is the drawings....and an important part of that is the artist's use of color. I wanted the entire collection, and to be able to savor the full experience of story, drawing, color, all as was given in the separate editions. When I received the book, I was thrilled until I opened it and saw that they had given me a product minus half the experience. And that is not really made clear in the description. You think you're buying the collected equivalent of the separate editions. But you're not....Most disappointing.

Editorial Review:

An American graphic novel first! The complete 1300-page epic adventure from start to finish in one deluxe trade paperback. Three modern cartoon cousins get lost in a pre-technological valley, speanding a year there making new friends and out-running dangerous enemies. Their many adventures include crossing the local people in The Great Cow Race, and meeting a giant mountain lion called RockJaw: Master of the Eastern Border. They learn about sacrifice and hardship in The Ghost Circles and finally discover their own true natures in the climatic journey to The Crown of Horns.

The Gunslinger Born (The Dark Tower Graphic Novels, Book 1)

Peter David, Stephen King, Robin Furth

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Total reviews: 71 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Brilliant Retelling of a Heart Touching Tale 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The Dark Tower, those three words have a great deal of power at least for me. My ears perk up, my heart beats slightly faster and a grin spreads across my face. Stephen King's Mid-World and all it encompasses has spread to comics, The Gunslinger Born is a retelling of the flashback Roland finally shares with his new ka-tet in "Wizard and Glass" (book 4) It is a tale of love, brother-hood, villiany, and of course a bit of gunslinging.

I would highly recommend this to fans of Stephen King's masterpiece, however I would advise readers that have not yet journeyed through all 7 Dark Tower epic novels to read those first. The talented creative team behind this comic book did a fantastic job however there is a lot of stuff you miss, some events don't have the gravity in the comic that is present within King's novel. Which is understandable, I feel this would have been a lot better had they fleshed things out more. Seven issues to cover Roland's journey from apprentice gunslinger to true love then to a possible breakdown. If it was 10 issues I strongly believe it would have been quite a bit better.

Although for the picky fan like myself there will always be something missing, something more the team could do to capture the full feel of the original material.

This is a comic so you get to not only read what transpires but also watch it unfold, the artwork is gorgeous and fits well with the story and world of the Dark Tower however (did you know that was coming? picky fan emerges once again) it removes your imagination from the equation. I had a very different image of Alain and Susan than what is seen here. Honestly I had a different image for everyone except maybe Steven Deschain. How many people read the Dark Tower series and envisioned this characters,? Countless. So is this a valid complaint? No I don't think it is.

I have to commend the creative team behind this book, they have captured the feel of King's series both visually and with the writing. Sure there is lines lifted right from W&G, it is an adaptation right? The aspect of this that grabbed me the most was the narrator bits. I won't say anymore because its better if you read it yourself.

Longtime Dark Tower and King vets will eat this up, I sure did. I think the problem I had with it is I read this right after reading W&G, a few months back I dived back into the books. So with W&G fresh in my mind I could pick out things that were off, there's one part in particular with good old Steven Deschain that really felt off. Read the end of W&G (after Roland's tale is done, right after the ka-tet reach the Green Palace) then this and you will know what I am talking about.

The best part of this book is the fact that it is only the first arc(story) in the Dark Tower series of comic books. The Long Road Home is the second, Treachery is the third. The fourth is yet to be announced. I hope this continues for a couple years.

Editorial Review:

"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." With those words, millions of readers were introduced to Stephen King's Roland -- an implacable gunslinger in search of the enigmatic Dark Tower, powering his way through a dangerous land filled with ancient technology and deadly magic. Now, in a comic book personally overseen by King himself, Roland's past is revealed! Sumptuously drawn by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove, adapted by long-time Stephen King expert Robin Furth (author of Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Concordance) and scripted by New York Times Best-seller Peter David, this series delves deep into Roland's origins -- the perfect introduction to this incredibly realized world, while long-time fans will thrill to adventures merely hinted at in the novels. Be there for the very beginning of a modern classic of fantasy literature!

The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll's House

Neil Gaiman, Malcolm Jones III, Mike Dringenberg, Michael Zulli, Clive Barker

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Total reviews: 51 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The immense popularity of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series is due in large part to the development of his characters. In The Doll's House, the second book of the Sandman magnum opus, Gaiman continues to build the foundation for the larger story, introducing us to more of the Dream King's family of the Endless.
The Sandman returns to his kingdom of the Dreaming after nearly a century of imprisonment, finding several things out of place; most importantly, an anomaly called a dream vortex has manifested itself in the form of a young girl who unknowingly threatens to rip apart the Dreaming. And there's the smaller matter of a few nightmares having escaped. Among them is Gaiman's creepiest creation: the Corinthian, a serial killer with a miniature set of teeth in each eye socket. Because later volumes concentrate so much on human relationships with Gaiman's signature fair for fantasy and mythology, it is sometimes easy to forget that the Sandman series started out as a horror comic. This book grabs you and doesn't let you forget that so easily. --Jim Pascoe

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1

Alan Moore

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Total reviews: 120 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Proving that mainstream comics could be infused with past literary/cultural ideals and still be bestsellers, the America's Best Comics imprint took the dilapidated superhero genre and created three vastly entertaining hybrids with Tom Strong, Promethea and Top Ten. Now, a stunning coup de grace is delivered with this masterful pairing of Victorian adventure fiction's greatest characters and the old war-horse of the super-group. With the stunning The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, it would be no exaggeration to say that Alan Moore has produced a near-perfect piece of adventure fiction that is clever, literate, rich with excitement and hard to put down.
It's 1898 and at the behest of M, the mysterious head of the secret Service, Campion Bond is dispatched to procure the services of Miss Mina Murray (nee Harker), adventurer Allan Quartermain, "Science-Pirate" Captain Nemo, Henry Jekyll (and his monstrous alter ego) and Hawley Griffin (a.k.a. the Invisible Man). Together, they must combat an insidious threat that will decide supremacy of the London skies, but their success may unleash a far greater threat. With no shortage of action, Moore and O' Neill sustain a high level of suspense, intrigue, mystery and terrific wit that all contribute to an indispensable read. O'Neill's art, so memorable in Marshal Law, produces a London filled with vivid, magnificent architecture and a malevolent atmosphere ripe with thrills and danger. An unmitigated triumph--pure and simple. --Danny Graydon

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Fantasy Books

Bill Willingham

Jim Butcher, Ardian Syaf

Neil Gaiman

James Jean, Bill Willingham

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman

Jeff Smith

Peter David, Stephen King, Robin Furth

Neil Gaiman, Malcolm Jones III, Mike Dringenberg, Michael Zulli, Clive Barker

Alan Moore