Collecting issues 22 and 28-33 of the hit VERTIGO series, this trade paperback features two tales of Bigby's exploits during World War II as well a...
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Nov 17, 2007
Melissa
rated it: 
Remember that time when Bigby got a weird WWII flashback story and Snow got put out to pasture to raise a litter of cubs? Yeah, that kinda sucked.
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Jan 20, 2012
Jelinas
rated it: 
The Mean Seasons is a solid follow-up to The March of the Wooden Soldiers. After the Battle of Fabletown, we get a nice expositional episode that ties up a few loose ends: Snow White gives birth, there's a regime change in Fabletown politics, and we get to see behind the scenes into Bigby's operations as Sheriff of Fabletown.
We also get treated to a scene from the past, from Bigby's time serving in World War II.
And some new threads are also introduced: there's a serial ki More...
We also get treated to a scene from the past, from Bigby's time serving in World War II.
And some new threads are also introduced: there's a serial ki More...
Nov 06, 2011
Tanabrus
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 05, 2011
Drew Patrick
rated it: 
From the PFS Book Club...
What I Liked: As always, this is a solid entry for an amazing ongoing series. Mark Buckingham's art is beautiful, with some of the best facial expressions I've ever seen. The series of close-ups on Snow White when she's giving birth (and discovering just how many children she's going to have) is great. And in that same issue, you get some amazing Bigby reactions, as well, and a group shot that has a different but still readable emotional reaction on each and More...
What I Liked: As always, this is a solid entry for an amazing ongoing series. Mark Buckingham's art is beautiful, with some of the best facial expressions I've ever seen. The series of close-ups on Snow White when she's giving birth (and discovering just how many children she's going to have) is great. And in that same issue, you get some amazing Bigby reactions, as well, and a group shot that has a different but still readable emotional reaction on each and More...
Oct 14, 2011
Rhiannon
rated it:
...and this is where the otherwise amazing comic book/graphic novel series, Fables took the EPIC storyline it left off with in March Of The Wooden Soldiers and crashed and burned...by harking back to some tough guy's old war stories, sending the strongest female character in the series flying back to sexist-barefoot-pregnant-confinement-times, and introducing us to the cutest-yet-worst characters in the entire series... the cubs. sigh... fail, fail, a thousand-times fail.
Jan 31, 2011
Sofia
rated it:
Posted on my book blog.
After a somewhat shaky beginning, the "Fables" series has become a keeper for me. Even though I didn't love this volume as much as the previous one, it was still pretty good, and the story genuinely surprised me.
The first issue follows a secondary character, Cinderella, like with Jack in the previous volume and, like Jack, I believe she has a spin-off series. I'm not a great fan of Jack and I have to say I didn't find Cindy all that intere More...
After a somewhat shaky beginning, the "Fables" series has become a keeper for me. Even though I didn't love this volume as much as the previous one, it was still pretty good, and the story genuinely surprised me.
The first issue follows a secondary character, Cinderella, like with Jack in the previous volume and, like Jack, I believe she has a spin-off series. I'm not a great fan of Jack and I have to say I didn't find Cindy all that intere More...
Sep 28, 2009
Nicola
rated it:
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
Comments: The book starts off with a single issue that features Cinderella. It feels purposeless at first but a little secret is revealed that later comes into play with a slight significance. Next is a two-issue story line featuring Bigby which flashes back to his World War II days and an ultra secret mission that he participated in. This was a great story line that introduced a new character who is living in Fabletown but I'm not sure whether More...
Comments: The book starts off with a single issue that features Cinderella. It feels purposeless at first but a little secret is revealed that later comes into play with a slight significance. Next is a two-issue story line featuring Bigby which flashes back to his World War II days and an ultra secret mission that he participated in. This was a great story line that introduced a new character who is living in Fabletown but I'm not sure whether More...
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Jun 16, 2009
Icats
rated it:
**Spoiler alert for those who haven’t read Bill Willingham’s Fables Volume 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers.
The 5th volume starts out with a story of Cinderella entrapping a Fable who is collaborating with the Adversary, but exactly whom is she working for? The Cinderella story is followed by a couple of other short stories about Bigby Wolf’s secret mission during World War II. Then on to the main event where we pick up after Fabletown survives its attack from the Adversary’s wooden s More...
The 5th volume starts out with a story of Cinderella entrapping a Fable who is collaborating with the Adversary, but exactly whom is she working for? The Cinderella story is followed by a couple of other short stories about Bigby Wolf’s secret mission during World War II. Then on to the main event where we pick up after Fabletown survives its attack from the Adversary’s wooden s More...
Jan 13, 2012
Chris
rated it:
Willingham does a fine job of economy with the main story of this collection. Once again Cinderella's one-shot spy story with Ichabod Crane is presented outside of its original chronology, which doesn't matter to the history of the series or enjoyment of any collection it is in. The two-part Bigby in WW2 story is overly graphic, though many no doubt laud its "authenticity" for a WW2 story. The mixture of gritty combat and Universal Picture horror tribute is interesting (though I cou
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Sep 29, 2011
Jess
rated it:
Cinderella makes a key appearance, working for Bigby as a spy to try and hunt out potential traitors to the fables, there's a very funny backstory about Bigby in WW2 with the highlight of this story being a fight between Frankenstein, being used as a Nazi experiment, and wolf-form Bigby, and Snow finally gives birth to her, erm, litter of often airborne babies. There's little forward momentum in Fables, Volume 5: The Mean Seasons, but enough world and character building to keep things interestin
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Apr 24, 2009
Purplycookie
rated it:
The fifth collected edition of "Fables" is a much more subdued affair after the last one. It contains several shorter stories that advance many of the overall plot lines lingering about Fabletown.
Two shorter pieces show Bigby Wolf on a secret mission as a spy for the Allies during World War II titled “War Stories” and introduces us to the Frankenstein monster of the same story title. Even if the Fables have no loyalties to the mundanes, essentially, it's their world too, an More...
Two shorter pieces show Bigby Wolf on a secret mission as a spy for the Allies during World War II titled “War Stories” and introduces us to the Frankenstein monster of the same story title. Even if the Fables have no loyalties to the mundanes, essentially, it's their world too, an More...
Feb 08, 2009
Meredith
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 14, 2011
Ian
rated it:
Poor Blue Boy! Poor Bigby! Poor Bufkin! Poor, dear Old King Cole! This volume is not beloved by the fans, but I suspect that's because they're looking for non-stop action. Instead, this volume focuses on the aftermath of the last invasion, the death of a brave man, the shift of political power from the kindly King Cole to the smug Prince Charming, the birth of Bigby & Snow's children, the political fallout from the same, and the return of Bigby's father.
The stand-out for me was the More...
The stand-out for me was the More...
Aug 08, 2011
Elijah
rated it:
This is probably my favorite volume so far, and almost gets five stars.
One of the great things about an ongoing comic that doesn't fit into any larger continuity is that there can be sweeping status quo changes and huge jumps forward in time with no problem, and it was these things that made Volume 5 really solidify the world of this series as a real, lived-in one. The main story of the book was a fun, and kinda heartbreaking, one that didn't feel like it was trying to build to any l More...
One of the great things about an ongoing comic that doesn't fit into any larger continuity is that there can be sweeping status quo changes and huge jumps forward in time with no problem, and it was these things that made Volume 5 really solidify the world of this series as a real, lived-in one. The main story of the book was a fun, and kinda heartbreaking, one that didn't feel like it was trying to build to any l More...
Jan 27, 2012
John
rated it:
A bit of a mixed bag. I'm quite happy to get a mixture of short and long stories, but the WW2 flashback didn't quite work. Reading the letters page (in the original monthly issues), the writer said that he had to change the plot halfway through because he realised that someone else had already used his original idea. However, I assume that the artwork had already been drawn, and he just rewrote the dialogue. Bearing that in mind, there are some odd clashes, e.g. the shelf of (living) heads in ja
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Jul 24, 2011
Hotavio
rated it:
Flipping through the selections at the bookstore, I hemmed and hawed over getting this book. I was anxious to know what happened after the Fabletown Battle and wanted to see the outcome of Bigby and Snow's pregnancy, but I was unmoved by the artwork. I bit the bullet and picked it anyhow. I'm glad I did. Willingham's writing brings me right in. I enjoy how each book is equally dedicated to giving the side story of the characters, with short side stories, and to giving the reader just enough
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Jun 10, 2011
Caroline
rated it: 
I'd been curious about Bigby's past during WWI and WWII after a reference in a previous volume that he'd helped fight in the wars, and the first storyline in here involves some time he spent during WWII. It's an entertaining war story involving crazy Nazi scientists and another Fable, and I enjoyed it.
The second half is a whole lot of change, between everything happening with the race for Mayor and Snow White giving birth. Kind of bummed that she's still been taken out of the action More...
The second half is a whole lot of change, between everything happening with the race for Mayor and Snow White giving birth. Kind of bummed that she's still been taken out of the action More...
May 06, 2011
Liesl
rated it:
March of the Wooden Soldiers set the bar pretty high for the series, and as a result this book was a bit of a letdown in comparison. I like how Willingham is willing to shake up the status quo by putting new characters in charge, appreciated the examination of Flycatcher's unusual situation, and enjoyed Cinderella's time in the spotlight as the Fables world and cast of characters continue to expand. The detour into Bigby's past during World War II was an interesting idea that didn't quite work
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Aug 07, 2011
Jeff
rated it:
This is my least favorite volume of Fables yet. The Cinderella story was interesting and made me want to explore her limtied series. However, the Bigby flashback was somewhat interesting, but not really what I was hoping it would be. The most interesting part is the changes that happen within the Fabletown government. Roles change, some characters move into the background, while others become much more centerstage. I look forward to what will happen with these changes in the future. Next i
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Jan 22, 2010
Josh
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 30, 2011
Jeffrey
rated it:
This volume collects a left-out one-shot from earlier in the series along with a two-issue Bigby backstory before moving onto the election, Snow giving birth, and the consequences of both.
While the complications arising from these events are both reasonable, given the world, and well told, this significantly slows the movement related to the overarching plot of the adversary. Given that the present day story encompasses four issues but in story world lasts a year, it feels a little More...
While the complications arising from these events are both reasonable, given the world, and well told, this significantly slows the movement related to the overarching plot of the adversary. Given that the present day story encompasses four issues but in story world lasts a year, it feels a little More...
Aug 17, 2010
John
rated it:
Who's behind the mysterious murders in Fabletown and on the Farm? What role, if any, does Bigby's father, The North Wind, play in the mystery? More great fun from Willingham and Buckingham in this installment. This also includes a back story on Bigby has his role in World War II. Remember those B-movie classics, The Werewolf vs. Frankenstein? If you liked them, then you are in for a treat. Just add Nazis and stir!
Othe key chapters in the Fables saga include Snow White's plunge into m More...
Othe key chapters in the Fables saga include Snow White's plunge into m More...
Dec 23, 2009
"http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1271059.html[return][return]More excellent development in this very enjoyable series. Most of the book concerns the first year in the life of Snow White's children by Bigby Wolf, also the first year of the rule of Prince Charming after his displacement of Old King Cole. As usual, when I summarise it that way it seems absurd that I actually read it, but Willingham has made the survival of the Fable characters in today's New York, escaping their Adversary, very
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Jan 17, 2011
Phaedra
rated it:
Not quite as good as the preceding volume, I think this book suffered from trying to do much. As a reader it was obvious that Prince Charming was going to be a terrible mayor so it was hard to muster up any shock or outrage when he continues messing up.
Interspersed with the Fabletown story was Snow being 'banished' to the Farm with her babies and the appearance of Bigby's father. I liked that they're constantly showing how clever and capable Snow can be. She was never one of my favorit More...
Interspersed with the Fabletown story was Snow being 'banished' to the Farm with her babies and the appearance of Bigby's father. I liked that they're constantly showing how clever and capable Snow can be. She was never one of my favorit More...
Feb 09, 2012
Vickie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 08, 2012
Amanda
rated it:
Back to three. I really was not all that interested in the stories being told about the war torn past, and nazi's, and him looking like the Wolfman from cinema instead of the wolf at the end.
It is, also, when I started commenting about how half the time I love the way the art and images change when someone is telling a fable inside of the story arc. That is almost picturesque.
I would give it a 3.5, if I could, though. Just for the entire Giving Birth scene. Because Bigs More...
It is, also, when I started commenting about how half the time I love the way the art and images change when someone is telling a fable inside of the story arc. That is almost picturesque.
I would give it a 3.5, if I could, though. Just for the entire Giving Birth scene. Because Bigs More...
Jan 20, 2012
Leslie
rated it:
Read the full review on Working for the Mandroid
Volume 5 includes three separate stories – a one off tale about Cinderella entrapping another fable as a traitor; a short arc regarding Bigby’s (Big Bad Wolf) past experience in the army; and the continuation of the main story line with Snow pregnant with Bigby’s children and all of Fabletown attempting to piece their lives back together amidst chaos. All three further flesh out their main characters in ways that are sometimes unexpect More...
Volume 5 includes three separate stories – a one off tale about Cinderella entrapping another fable as a traitor; a short arc regarding Bigby’s (Big Bad Wolf) past experience in the army; and the continuation of the main story line with Snow pregnant with Bigby’s children and all of Fabletown attempting to piece their lives back together amidst chaos. All three further flesh out their main characters in ways that are sometimes unexpect More...
Sep 19, 2011
Jordan
rated it:
This volume contains three stories within it: Cinderella Libertine, War Stories, and The Mean Seasons. This first is a very short story that shows Cinderella's role in Fabletown and further establishes Bigby's work as sheriff of Fabletown. I didn't find it really all that entertaining, but I guess it's a kind of nice piece on a character we've seen little of, and helps further establish Bigby's importance. The next story, War Stories, is basic a flashbook via a veteran's personal book, of one of
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Feb 02, 2009
The other John
rated it:
This collection of the Fables series doesn't follow a single story line. Instead you get a little of this and a little of that--a tale of espionage, a two part flashback to World War II, an account of a concurrent election and multiple birth in Fabletown, and a bunch of long running plotlines that are woven throughout the issues reprinted here. Like the rest of the Fables collection, there's good characterization and interesting twists on the old nursery rhymes and fairly tales.
Mar 23, 2011
Kim
rated it:
This one is sort of a standard "in-between" book. Not a lot of action, heavy on set up. Still, I enjoyed it for the most part.
*Spoilers follow*
I'm not sure how that entrapment that Cinderella does to Crane proves anything, especially doesn't justify his murder. I like the addition of the 7th child as well, and while I'm annoyed that Bigby disappears for the next few issues, I understand that he must disappear for a while to really cultivate that brooding thin
*Spoilers follow*
I'm not sure how that entrapment that Cinderella does to Crane proves anything, especially doesn't justify his murder. I like the addition of the 7th child as well, and while I'm annoyed that Bigby disappears for the next few issues, I understand that he must disappear for a while to really cultivate that brooding thin
