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123rd out of 422 books
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1,500 voters
Fables, Vol. 7: Arabian Nights (Fables #7)
by
Bill Willingham (Goodreads Author),
Mark Buckingham , Steve Leialoha , Jim Fern , Jimmy Palmiotti , Andrew Pepoy
Collecting issues #42-47 of writer Bill Willingham's Eisner Award-winning creation, FABLES: ARABIAN NIGHTS (AND DAYS) opens a new front in the struggle between the Fables and the Adversary as the worlds of the Arabian Fables are invaded — leading to an unprecedented diplomatic mission to Fabletown and a bad case of culture shock! This seventh volume of the popular Vertigo...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
June 28th 2006
by Vertigo
(first published June 1st 2006)
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The Adversary began his rampage through European fables' homelands, and they fled in a disordered and panicked mob. But the empire is ever-growing, and the Arabian tales are next. A delegation from the Arabian Homelands arrives in New York's Fabletown and provokes much diplomatic consternation. I enjoyed the meeting-of-minds between King Cole and Sinbad, and love any instance Frau Totenkinder gets to deploy her deceptively twisty magic. Beast and Beauty's relationship deepens; it's not all true...more
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Sinbad and his entourage from the Arabia of our dreams have come as a dilpomatic envoy to Fabletown. Only they brought their Djinn with them that translates into an act of war as the Djinn are the single most powerful magical beings in existence, even moreso than gods as they are literally magic incarnate.
With the help of Old King Cole as translator, Sinbad learns a smattering of English and to love the new ways of the Western World, to the extent of wanting to free his slaves and harem wives....more
With the help of Old King Cole as translator, Sinbad learns a smattering of English and to love the new ways of the Western World, to the extent of wanting to free his slaves and harem wives....more
They say that too many cooks spoil the broth. I would say that, sometimes, it's too many ingredients that spoil it.
Arabian Nights fell a little flat for me. I was excited when Willingham started including characters from the Arabian Nights world. But the storyline involving them wasn't all that captivating. Also, one of the characters kept calling Sinbad, supposedly the head of this royal retinue, "sirrah." I gathered that he meant it as a term of honor, but I couldn't get over the fact that, i...more
Arabian Nights fell a little flat for me. I was excited when Willingham started including characters from the Arabian Nights world. But the storyline involving them wasn't all that captivating. Also, one of the characters kept calling Sinbad, supposedly the head of this royal retinue, "sirrah." I gathered that he meant it as a term of honor, but I couldn't get over the fact that, i...more
My daughters (especially the ten year old one) love graphic novels. This can be a bit challenging, since so many books in this genre are either violent (when geared towards boys) or overly sexualized (when targeting a female audience). At the library recently, we were browsing the graphic novel and comic book section when we found this book. The premise is interesting: fairy tale characters have crossed over into our world and created Fabletown, a refuge of sorts. I've enjoyed watching ABC's Onc...more
After the high point of the series so far in Volume 6, Fables, Volume 7: Arabian Nights (and Days) returns to the clunky storytelling of the first 5 volumes. However, following the superior Volume 6: Homelands, it comes off as much less tolerable in comparison.
C'mon Willingham & co, I know you're capable of creating something much more compelling than easily defeated magical powers. Here that magical power is a D'Jinn, a genie, released by a defector among the newly arrived Arabian fables to...more
C'mon Willingham & co, I know you're capable of creating something much more compelling than easily defeated magical powers. Here that magical power is a D'Jinn, a genie, released by a defector among the newly arrived Arabian fables to...more
I loved the first portion of this, where a group of Arabian Fables arrive at Fabletown as refugees from the Adversary attacking their portion of the Homelands. Unfortunately, it felt like this was cut shorter than it could have been, but at the least it should be some good set-up for future volumes dealing with the Arabian Fables. This really gives me a hankering to finally read Arabian Nights--I'm only familiar with a few of the stories in there, and really only from them being popularized by A...more
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
Comments: The main story takes a pivotal turn as the focus shifts to the Fables of the East. Here we meet folklore from the eastern part of the world who are living in Baghdad. Sinbad, is namely the main character introduced and the first 4 issues of this volume contain this story arc. Many of our favourite characters so far make appearances (some very brief) to show what's happening with their respective arcs or to show they haven't been forgotten. Then th...more
Comments: The main story takes a pivotal turn as the focus shifts to the Fables of the East. Here we meet folklore from the eastern part of the world who are living in Baghdad. Sinbad, is namely the main character introduced and the first 4 issues of this volume contain this story arc. Many of our favourite characters so far make appearances (some very brief) to show what's happening with their respective arcs or to show they haven't been forgotten. Then th...more
This is the seventh installment in the Fables series. It was a great book and very entertaining. I didn’t like it as much as Homelands but it was still a fun read.
The bulk of this trade covers the story of a delegation of characters from the Arabian Tales that spend some time in Fabletown and suffer a bit of culture shock. The second story is a love story about two of the Adversary’s wooden soldiers.
I enjoyed that some Arabian myths enter the story in this edition. Some of this story is funny as...more
The bulk of this trade covers the story of a delegation of characters from the Arabian Tales that spend some time in Fabletown and suffer a bit of culture shock. The second story is a love story about two of the Adversary’s wooden soldiers.
I enjoyed that some Arabian myths enter the story in this edition. Some of this story is funny as...more
This one was an extremely quick read, but notable for its introduction of the Arabian Fables and their relationship with those of the West. The language barriers (with the English-speakers by-and-large arrogantly demanding everyone speak English and the Arabic-speakers by-and-large assuming that their shattered-English is flawless and that English speakers are just too stupid to understand English) and the cultural divides (with the Arabian Fables cleaving to a medieval Islamic view of the world...more
In the last volume of Fables that I read, we were briefly introduced to the concept of other Fables lands and in this volume that concept is explored in three of the four stories.
Given that this is the seventh instalment in the series, there might be ****spoilers*** in the following review for the previous books. You can read my previous reviews by clicking here.
The first story starts with the well established plot point about how badly Prince Charming is doing in his role as mayor. He now has a...more
"Arabian Nights (and Days)" is as good as any of the books in the Fables series, but the entire sequence read like a prelude to future volumes. Nothing happens in this latest installment to significantly impact the war against the Adversary, nor are there any major changes in the established cast, though we see a lot of new characters introduced who will no doubt play major roles in the future.
There are basically two stories in this volume. The first story arc concerns the arrival of a delegati...more
There are basically two stories in this volume. The first story arc concerns the arrival of a delegati...more
I still remain skeptical of Fables. The storytelling is fast and fun, and that's probably the most important thing, but the writing is often clunky and the politics are often regressive.
In this issue, for example, there is a funny subplot about the Arabic fables use of slaves, as well as a standard Machiavellian wizard, but all of the stories are oddly toothless and with little impact or commentary about our world, which is odd since almost all of the old fables tended to be deeply political (ev...more
In this issue, for example, there is a funny subplot about the Arabic fables use of slaves, as well as a standard Machiavellian wizard, but all of the stories are oddly toothless and with little impact or commentary about our world, which is odd since almost all of the old fables tended to be deeply political (ev...more
This volume starts as Sinbad and his envoy arrive in New York for diplomatic talks with Fabletown. There's just one problem. Mowgli, who set up this visit, has been sent on a very important mission and has not been around to remind Prince Charming of their arrival. This is just the tip of the iceberg as cultures clash and tempers flare.The Adversary has began the invasion of the Arabian Fable homelands and the combined might of an alliance could stop him in his tracks. Many people are critical o...more
I had to skip a few books in this series just as necessity. Books two through six, specifically. Oh, dear.
BUT! Bill Willingham is an excellent writer. I've liked both his Green Lantern stuff and his erotica and I love this Fables series. The story is clear yet complex and flows well enough that I had figured-out what I'd missed within the first few pages.
In this book, the Fables from the Arabian Nights come to meet with the Mayor of Fabletown to sign a treaty and make an alliance (maybe) against...more
BUT! Bill Willingham is an excellent writer. I've liked both his Green Lantern stuff and his erotica and I love this Fables series. The story is clear yet complex and flows well enough that I had figured-out what I'd missed within the first few pages.
In this book, the Fables from the Arabian Nights come to meet with the Mayor of Fabletown to sign a treaty and make an alliance (maybe) against...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Here's the summary from Goodreads:
Collecting issues #42-47 of writer Bill Willingham's Eisner Award-winning creation, FABLES: ARABIAN NIGHTS (AND DAYS) opens a new front in the struggle between the Fables and the Adversary as the worlds of the Arabian Fables are invaded — leading to an unprecedented diplomatic mission to Fabletown and a bad case of culture shock! This seventh volume of the popular Vertigo series also includes "The Ballad of Rodney and June," the 2-part story of forbidden love am...more
Collecting issues #42-47 of writer Bill Willingham's Eisner Award-winning creation, FABLES: ARABIAN NIGHTS (AND DAYS) opens a new front in the struggle between the Fables and the Adversary as the worlds of the Arabian Fables are invaded — leading to an unprecedented diplomatic mission to Fabletown and a bad case of culture shock! This seventh volume of the popular Vertigo series also includes "The Ballad of Rodney and June," the 2-part story of forbidden love am...more
The main plot in this volume centers around the Arabian fables visiting the Western fables. Which was kind of an average story compared to other volumes. Maybe because we didn't actually get to know the Arabian fables that much. Meanwhile Beauty and the Beast get a little character development, Boy Blue heads off to do hard labor at the farm, and Snow White is still stuck up at the farm with her kids. Also Frau Totenkinder was as fun as ever.
The last two issues in this volume are a love story be...more
The last two issues in this volume are a love story be...more
This was kind of a disappointment in what so far has been a great series. I have to agree with the rest of the reviews that while I think its great that they are reaching out to other cultural fairy tale and fable traditions to create a more complex Fable world, there were stereotypes abound in this volume. The Arabian fables come in with a d'jinn, a harem, slaves, and broken English - even the script that is supposed to represent translated Arabic is this orientalist eastern script. Even though...more
Arabian Nights (and Days) introduces the world of the arabian fables to Fabletown. We get to see that not all worlds are under the sway of the Adversary, and that not everyone is thrilled that the arabian fables are going to cooperate with the american fables. We also get to learn a little more about the wooden soldiers, as well as get to see more of the wonderful Frau Totenkinder (easily one of the most interesting characters in the series).
While this isn't a good place to jump into the series...more
While this isn't a good place to jump into the series...more
Volume seven is a mixed bag in many ways. It seems like a stumbling block after the advances made with volume six. The writing is competent and the artwork is as good as ever, but it has the feeling of filler material. Aside from some minor plot points and the inclusion of characters who will appear later in the series, the book could almost be skipped in its entirety. I know that the Arabian kingdoms and Mowgli play a part in the upcoming parts of the story, but their introduction could very we...more
Fresh off the revelations of the previous volume, Fabletown receives emissaries from the Arabian Fables who have just recently come under attack from the adversary.
The story is entertaining, if the Arabian fables don't get to do much. Perhaps because they're closer to their story existences, they don't have the same life that the European fables do. Still, it's nice to see King Cole back in action and Charming can actually be somewhat talented at the job if he thinks about it.
The final two issue...more
The story is entertaining, if the Arabian fables don't get to do much. Perhaps because they're closer to their story existences, they don't have the same life that the European fables do. Still, it's nice to see King Cole back in action and Charming can actually be somewhat talented at the job if he thinks about it.
The final two issue...more
Another interesting volume and a good example of what you can do with the comics medium.
In the first story arc a different typeface is used to indicate a foreign language, sometimes to much hilarity. The story was decent and revealed some more lore about the universe in which this series is set.
On glancing at the the artwork for the second story arc, I didn't like it and wasn't looking forward to it. I was oh so wrong. Of course! The art perfectly suits the storyline! And again we get to find ou...more
In the first story arc a different typeface is used to indicate a foreign language, sometimes to much hilarity. The story was decent and revealed some more lore about the universe in which this series is set.
On glancing at the the artwork for the second story arc, I didn't like it and wasn't looking forward to it. I was oh so wrong. Of course! The art perfectly suits the storyline! And again we get to find ou...more
This installment is all set up for future installments. It rushes towards a climax that doesn't go the way you think it will, and really just sets up the Arabian Characters in the universe of fables. That said, it's still a solid Fables read. I would rather be reading Fables than basically any other story out there at the moment.
The best things about this story is that it situates Blue in the farm, and you start to feel better about King Cole's position. He was completely unsympathetic until he...more
The best things about this story is that it situates Blue in the farm, and you start to feel better about King Cole's position. He was completely unsympathetic until he...more
Not my favorite volume from this series. This is the first attempt to include something outside of the more Euro-centric fairy tales. I think that the writing is a bit clumsy around the representation of other cultures. Because of this, I think that I was a bit more critical and noticed how hetero-normative the series is as a whole. This is also the first time that current events make an appearance in the story line.
I'm curious to see how they treat other, non-European fairy tales as the series...more
I'm curious to see how they treat other, non-European fairy tales as the series...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I enjoyed the main story: much as I like the European fables, it made things more interesting to get the Arabian fables involved too. I was actually quite impressed to see Prince Charming take a moral stand against the slave trade. There were also some funny scenes, e.g. with Ride and Flycatcher.
The final story (Rodney and June) was good too: I liked seeing some sympathetic characters among the Adversary's forces, rather than them being uniformly evil. This theme is developed later in the series...more
The final story (Rodney and June) was good too: I liked seeing some sympathetic characters among the Adversary's forces, rather than them being uniformly evil. This theme is developed later in the series...more
This somewhat more grounded and intimate volume was a bit of a comedown after the massive sprawling storylines of the previous two, but not really a letdown since it still hits all the right notes blending characters of legend and myth with the real modern world in unexpected ways. I also know I'm only about halfway through the series (so far, as it's still going!) and I don't want to pre-judge anything too much ... this might be a necessary breather before more dazzling craziness, or then again...more
A pretty good volume. Not a whole lot happened, but we get some worthwhile character stuff, and a look at a very different set of Fables, largely differentiated by hailing from a fictitious version of a real place (Baghdad of the Arabian Nights). There are a few points when it seems the book will fall into being semi-offensive, but it really doesn't. Although, a bit of a look at how fucked up the European fables must have been, culturally speaking, when they were more medieval would've been a ni...more
And so begins the slow decline from the towering peak that was Homelands.... Cynicism aside, I actually didn't mind this issue at all, it just didn't wow me in the same way as its predecessor. The most interesting bit was easily the June & Rodney story at the end, which takes a very first look at the moral ambiguity of the entire Fables concept. One thing I will commend Willingham for is that he seems to have finally learned how to begin fragments of story thread without tying them off neatl...more
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In 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...more
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