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Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall (Fables)

by Bill Willingham (Goodreads Author), Esao Andrews (Illustrator), John Bolton (Illustrator), Mark Buckingham (Illustrator), James Jean (Illustrator), Derek Kirk Kim (Illustrator), Jill Thompson (Illustrator), Mark Wheatley (Illustrator) , more…

4.21 of 5 stars 4.21 · rating details · 5,782 ratings · 310 reviews

Don't miss a new softcover edition of the acclaimed hardcover graphic novel from FABLES creator Bill Willingham and a star-studded array of artists! This volume, set in the early days of Fabletown, long before the FABLES series began, featuring sequences illustrated by Charles Vess, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Michael Wm. Kaluta, James Jean, Mark Buckingham, Jill Thompson...more

Paperback, 144 pages

Published March 5th 2008 by Vertigo (first published January 1st 2006)

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Sep 16, 2010 Alex Telander rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2006

FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL BY BILL WILLINGHAM, et. al.: Whether this is the first time you’ve looked upon the world of the Fables comic book series, or you’re an issue to issue addict (like me); 1001 Nights of Snowfall is a graphic novel that anyone can read and enjoy; Bill Willingham says exactly this in his introduction. Working with a host of different artists, including Mark Buckingham (who illustrates the series), John Bolton (Harlequin Valentine), Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother) and C...more FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL BY BILL WILLINGHAM, et. al.: Whether this is the first time you’ve looked upon the world of the Fables comic book series, or you’re an issue to issue addict (like me); 1001 Nights of Snowfall is a graphic novel that anyone can read and enjoy; Bill Willingham says exactly this in his introduction. Working with a host of different artists, including Mark Buckingham (who illustrates the series), John Bolton (Harlequin Valentine), Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother) and Charles Vess (Stardust, Ladies of Grace Adieu); 1001 Nights of Snowfall is the graphic novel you will want to own and show off to friends.

Featuring a collection of stories, the book is framed with Snow White’s meeting with a misogynistic Sultan who intends to kill her when he is through with her. To prevent this, Snow White must tell a new story to him each night to stay his lethal hand. From her stories we find out about Bigby’s (the big bad wolf from “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Three Little Pigs” fame) birth, his youth, and how he felt being the outcast of the family. We learn of an unusual story of a woman’s learning to defend herself with a sword coupled with the mysterious deaths of seven dwarfs. We learn about the life of a frog who was magically transformed into a prince, but then turned himself back into a frog to save himself as his wife and family were slaughtered. Then there is the story of the real Hansel and Gretel, showing in detail what really happened when the witch tried to cook them. The final story is about the animals of Fable banding together with Old King Cole to protect their realm.

With lots more stories to tell, 1001 Nights of Snowfall is the book you want for cold winter nights by the fire, when you can lose yourself in a world where the many characters you grew up reading about come to life and live everyday lives. And if, after this, you are looking for more, you might just want to start the Fables series from the beginning with Fables: Legends in Exile, available wherever graphic novels are sold.

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Mar 07, 2013 Karissa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a prequel to the Fables series and it was very well done. I enjoyed learning the back stories on some of our favorite characters. I also enjoyed the variety of different types of illustration, all of which were unique and beautiful.

This is a wonderful installment where Snow White is held hostage by the Sultan and, in exchange for delaying her execution, she tells the Sultan a new story every night. All of the stories tell of the pasts of Fables characters we have come to know and love. T...more

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Dec 23, 2008 James rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm tempted to give this 4 stars instead of 3 based on the diversity of art and design throughout the whole book. My gripe with the Fables books has always been that the fantastic, memorable, gorgeous, striking, and provocative art on the covers is then followed by bland, so-so comic book art. The stuff inside isn't necessarily bad, but it's nowhere near as great as the stuff on the outside. In 1001 Nights, this problem is resolved by handing the illustration duties to a collection of artists, s...more

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Jun 12, 2008 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2008, graphicnovel-fantasy, eisner-award

This graphic novel stands apart from the Fables numbered comic series - it's a beautifully illustrated tale of what happens when Snow White travels as an envoy of Fabletown to warn a sultan in an Arabian land of the Adversary, an enemy who is out to destroy or enslave all Fables. Snow White is tricked into replacing the bride who was to attend the Sultan one certain evening, and the honeymoon prize for all brides of the Sultan is death. To keep her head, Snow White spins many tales for the Sulta...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Jeffrey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, graphic-novel, read-in-2012

A solidly entertaining volume of stories illuminating some of the history of Fabletown's more colorful and popular residents before the main series began. Using the framing element of the original One Thousand and One Nights,Bill Willingham has his lead, Snow White, arrive in the court and be the last bride before Scheherazade. Snow is the one who first goes through One Thousand and One Nights of storytelling, using the legacy of Fabletown as her source material.

While it's pretty enjoyable, I fo...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-and-sci-fi, graphic-novel, mythology-and-folktales, young-adult

I liked this short collection of Fable stories. The overall story is that Snow White is in the Middle East trying to warn them about the Adversary, who is about to turn the Homelands of the Middle East and Africa, however her warnings fall on deaf ears. The Sultan is tied up in his own problems and at first doesn't listen to her. Snow ends up being a Scherazade of sorts, telling the Sultan 1001 tales of Fables. I enjoyed it because it gives a background for Snow White and her first husband Princ...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Corielle Riddell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This is my first read of a FABLES book, and I am loving it! Bill Willingham’s writing brings together several children’s stories into one world, where the grim part of the Grimm Fairy Tales can be elaborated upon and characters’ stories intertwine. These aren’t only “back-stories” of the famous childhood figures, they are stories that connect each and every one of them in a world that is as ferocious yet as good as our own.

It all starts with Snow White, the “Most Troublesome Woman.” In order to...more This is my first read of a FABLES book, and I am loving it! Bill Willingham’s writing brings together several children’s stories into one world, where the grim part of the Grimm Fairy Tales can be elaborated upon and characters’ stories intertwine. These aren’t only “back-stories” of the famous childhood figures, they are stories that connect each and every one of them in a world that is as ferocious yet as good as our own.

It all starts with Snow White, the “Most Troublesome Woman.” In order to prevent herself from being married to King Shahyrar and killed the next morning, Snow uses her wits and her power of story-telling to save her. She tells the king a fable every night, drawing him further into them, and eventually making him see the error of his ways. These moral-stories tell of consequences, and of forgiveness.

Although the characters may have been developed for children, this book has some dark undertones. For example, the witch that lived in the gingerbread house tells her tale of how she came to be, and it is not a pretty tale. It is one wrought with baby sacrifices, deception, and revenge.

But not everything is always so grim. “Fair Division” tells of how one king gave and gave to his animal subjects, while he took nothing in return. And when the king needed help, the animals were there for him. He continued to give by creating Fabletown in New York, where the animals could be safe from humans and goblins alike.

My favorite story is called “The Runt.” In this, the North Wind takes form as a wolf and meets a she-wolf named Winter. They have children together, all being big and strong except for Bigby, named so because “he truly imagines himself to be big and bad.” Bigby inherits his father’s power of the North wind and huffs and puffs and blows the Three Little Pigs’ houses away. We should not forget that Little Red Riding hood incident, too.

I believe this is a wonderful accessory to anyone who still loves traditional fairy tales. It caught my attention because of the imagery, which was so much like the giant story books I had when I was a child. But then it brought me to a different place, where adults can continue to love reading about these treasured characters. I can’t wait for more!
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Oct 31, 2011 Dave rated it 3 of 5 stars

A nice anthology piece detailing the backstories of some of the characters we've met throughout the regular series. I think the best part of this collection is the chance to see a number of other great artists telling these characters' tales. The basic gist of this trade is that Snow White is acting as an ambassador for Fabletown in Arabia. After being caught by a great sultan, she survives by telling him a different tale about the various adventures of many of the characters from where she's fr...more

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Dec 10, 2009 Nicola rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library

Reason for Reading: next published book in the Fables series.

Summary: Snow White is sent to the land of the Arabian fables to ask for their help in fighting the Adversary. The time period is shortly after the fables have settled in our world and from information gathered in this book that is probably somewhere in the 1600s. When she arrives the court of the Sultan does not know what to do with such an insult, a woman emissary! They lock her in her rooms for quite some time but after she becomes...more Reason for Reading: next published book in the Fables series.

Summary: Snow White is sent to the land of the Arabian fables to ask for their help in fighting the Adversary. The time period is shortly after the fables have settled in our world and from information gathered in this book that is probably somewhere in the 1600s. When she arrives the court of the Sultan does not know what to do with such an insult, a woman emissary! They lock her in her rooms for quite some time but after she becomes troublesome they decide to send her to the Sultan as his nightly bride who will be killed the following morning but Snow White decides to tell him a story and so she continues on for 1001 nights. This book contains only a select few of those tales.

Comments: This book is not a part of the Fables series proper. It was not published in comic book format but is an original graphic novel. The book is still written by Bill Willingham but each story has been illustrated by various different artists, creating a visually pleasing book. The book is often listed as a prequel to the series since the events take place some hundreds of years prior to the Fables series, yet it can be read at any time. I chose to read it now, after book 7, because this is when it was chronologically published. In book 7, Arabian Nights (and Days), there is a brief scene where someone asks Snow White hadn't she been to the Arabian fables world before and she replies shortly with oh that was a long time ago, I'm paraphrasing here. Thus Willingham has set up the scene for introducing this book at this time.

A great book! Beautiful art work. It was really enjoyable to see the Fables world come alive through different artists' perspectives, some of the art is especially fantastic. The stories are all great fun. Some short, some long. We meet many familiar faces from the Fables world and learn their past stories. Such as how King Cole came to Fabletown and why he was elected mayor. How many of the animal fables made it to Fabletown. The sad story behind Ambrose, the prince who was turned into a frog and the story of Bigby's birth, along with others. It's a lot of fun getting to know some background on favourite characters.

Personally, I don't think this book should be read as a prequel as you will know information which is supposed to be a secret until it is revealed in the series itself. You can't go wrong if you read it when it was published, after book 7; then you'll know just as much as the author knew. Great book and certainly don't skip it as it's a worthy addition to the Fables series.
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Jul 19, 2011 Hotavio rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels

1001 Nights of Snowfall may be my favorite of the Fables books I have read so far. In the graphic novel, Snow White ventures to the eastern kingdoms in order to earn a sultan's allegiances against the Adversary. Instead, she is taken captive, and is to be married and then killed. Snow White responds by telling stories to hold off her fate. What we are treated to are the lives of some of the main characters of the series before they fled to the Mundane World. The stories cleverly combine elemen...more

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Jan 30, 2012 John Kirk rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are some good stories here, which put an interesting twist on familiar stories and nursery rhymes. In particular, Flycatcher's story is quite dark. There's a lot of nudity in this book: that doesn't bother me, but it's probably best not to read it in public (e.g. on a train). The framing sequence isn't quite so good, particularly if you're already familiar with Scheherazade; it's only significant as a way for the main cast to acquire certain items.

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Apr 05, 2013 Marg rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall is part of the Fables series that I have been reading for a year or so. The difference with this book is that you can read it either as an introduction to the series or you can read it part way through the series. Kelly's guide to the series recommends reading it between volumes 8 and 9 of the Fables books which is exactly where I am reading it.

The main concept of this whole volume is pretty simple - Snow White is sent as an ambassador to a powerful Sultan. Due t...more

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Jun 01, 2009 Katrina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of the series, GNs, and Gregory Maguire

Shelves: fantasy, manga-graphic-novel, teen, adult

Whether this is the first time you’ve looked upon the world of the Fables series, or you’re an issue to issue addict; 1001 Nights of Snowfall is a graphic novel that anyone can read and enjoy. Featuring a collection of stories, the book is framed with Snow White’s meeting with a misogynistic Sultan who intends to kill her when he is through with her. To prevent this, Snow White must tell a new story to him each night to stay his lethal hand. From her stories we find out about Bigby’s (the big ba...more

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Jan 20, 2009 Neil rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a nice little diversion, the back story to a series of graphic novels. Author Willingham makes clever turns on many different fables and fairy tales, joining them together with a plot about invading goblins led by "The Adversary" who wipe out every kingdom in their path except for a few plucky survivors from various fables who get together in Fabletown (hidden in or near New York City). This book is tied together by a framing story of Snow White going to the court of an Arabian prince w...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Samantha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bill Willingham, as always, knows how to tell a compelling story. A good introduction to some of the key characters in the Fables series, 1001 Nights in Snowfall starts out with a layout style of old fairytale books, and then delves into traditional graphic novel style once it transitions into one of the many stories Snow White regales to a bitter and heartbroken sultan in order to stave off his wish to marry her- then execute her.

The choice to have several different illustrators rather than one...more

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Mar 28, 2011 Kim Miner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really enjoyed this prequel. It gives some great character insight for some of our favorite fables. My favorite one was about the Witch of the fables, since her story has always been one of the most mysterious. I also liked hearing more about Bigby Wolf. I found the stories of King Cole and the Frog Prince (the latter especially) to be terribly tragic, but that in itself can be really excellent character development. It also gave just a little more insight about King Cole, who started out the se...more

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Apr 24, 2009 PurplyCookie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mythic-fiction, graphic-novel, personal-faves, comics-series, fantasy, fairy-tale

"Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall" is something of a prequel to Bill Willingham's award winning Fables series. Taking place long before the events set forth in the regular series, 1001 Nights retells the tales of several of the inhabitants of Fabletown.

The art of 1001 Nights is beautifully rendered, each story illustrated by a different artist, including Charles Vess (of "Stardust" fame), Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Michael Wm. Kaluta, James Jean, Tara McPherson, Derek Kirk Kim, Esao Andrews, Mar...more

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Feb 09, 2009 Siyuan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This series is my guilty pleasure. Actually, both guilty and somewhat embarrassing, for various reasons. I've tried to duck quickly into the comics section of the bookstore, grab what I need, and duck out, but it rarely works out this way. Sometimes I spend a good 5 minutes searching the confusing jumble of brightly colored DC comics in the company of 12-year-old boys. Other times, the books are on the top shelf (why are comic book shelves taller than literature shelves?) and need Ken to get the...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Jenn Tat rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended for: fairy tale enthusiasts

Explanations for scoring: An intriguing graphic novel version of the Arabian Nights that mixes in a variety of known fairy tale characters and tales. Snow White tells a dozen tales to try to prolong her life with the subtext of getting the Sultan to support her in the upcoming war. Each tale has a complex but potent message. But the majesty of the tale falls apart when considering the deviation from the "original" Arabian Nights (the heroic Scherherazad is...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Pilar Toro rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A pesar de ser de un estilo algo diferente, o precisamente por eso, es el más perfecto de los tomos que he leído hasta ahora. La historia de las Mil y Una Noches es la excusa perfecta para conducirnos a las historias más interesantes de la saga.

También contribuye a su especial interés el hecho de que diferentes ilustradores se encargan de contar estas historias con un estilo mucho más pictórico que el de la mayoría de los cómics, lo cual embellece mucho el tomo. Pero, aún así, lo que hace a que...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fairytale-and-other-retellings, graphic-novel

This is a great collection not only for fans of Fables, but also can be read by people who have never read any of the other Fables collections. Having read the first 5 Fables books, it was interesting and fun hearing the backgrounds of several of the main characters.

The format of this collection was slightly different, using an illustrated novel style for Snow White's interactions with the shah - it reminded me of reading (or being read to) traditional fairy tales when I was a child. I also lik...more

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Mar 29, 2011 Bonnie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novel

I love Fables to pieces. I place it up there with Sandman in graphic novel brilliance.

With that in mind, this is not the best Fables volume. I say it's more a library read than a must-buy. Or something to tide you over until the next Fables volume comes out. It's always fun to see more of favorite characters, but I felt like I had already read these stories. This might very well be because during my initial Fables frenzy I scoured Wikipedia for more information and then I got what I gleaned fro...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Jonathan Hunsberger rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I kind of think i would have liked it a lot better if the cover hadn't said "A top-notch fantasy comic that is on par with The Sandman. --VARIETY" Sorry, Variety, this is nowhere near on par with the Sandman, although i do see some similarities. It's just that this deals with surface trappings and fables and The Sandman deals with myths and deeper meanings. The best conspiracy theories take concepts from opposite sides of your mindspace and fit them together so neatly you wonder why you never th...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Meaghan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels, fairy-tales

Based on the legend of Scheherezade: Snow White, sent on an errand to the land of Arabian myth, puts off her own execution by entertaining the Sultan with stories about her fellow Fables. This is a lovely collection featuring some beautiful art by various artists including Charles Vess and Jill Thompson. It gives background on several of the regular Fables characters such as Old King Cole (who comes off very well in his tale), Flycatcher (whom I now feel really bad for), Frau Totenkinder, Snow W...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Jeff rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Both words and pictures make this a spectacular volume and a nice companion piece to the Fables story. We see a prequel story told in mostly prose of Snow White on a diplomatic mission to one of the leaders of the Arabian Fable worlds. Customs clash and soon the strong headed former princess finds herself in a situation that would find her raven haired head soon severed from her body. In order to save herself and to try and salvage any hope of an alliance, Snow tells the sultan tales of the Euro...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Ela Kaimo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, comic-books, favorites

For non-Fables readers, 1001 Nights of Snowfall is an excellent introduction to the series. For Fables fans like myself, it is an amazing graphic novel that details the lives of our favorite characters before entering Fabletown.

Here we see the monstrosities of the Adversary, the tribulations of the oppressed, and the triumphs of the courageous and the cunning. A lot of the stories were quite grim (Ambrose's tale in particular made me tear up a little), but that's to be expected from Fables.

Per...more

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Jan 22, 2009 Icats rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels

This book is a prequel to the Fable series. Snow White travels to Arabia as an ambassador from the exiled Fables community to seek an alliance with the sultan against The Adversary, but instead of his guest she ends up his prisoner. With her execution looming, Snow attempts to charm her captor with not-so-familiar stories of the familiar Fable characters.

This is no Disney folks; these captivating tales definitely put the grim in fairytale. If you like happily ever after this book is probably no...more

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Apr 03, 2010 Natalia L rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ditto.

Just kidding. Sort of.

A prequel to the Fables series, and a play on Scheherazade's 1001 nights of stories, 1001 Nights of Snowfall follows Snow White as she travels to the Arabian lands in the hopes of forging an alliance with the Sultan.

I really enjoyed learning the back stories of many of the characters. Once again, it felt like a true representation of what had happened, far beyond the stories we knew as children.

Heartbreaking, horrifying, enlightening--this is a must-read for anyone...more

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Aug 27, 2009 Eliza rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fairy-tales, comics-graphic-novels

This is the first book that I read from this series and it made me want to read the rest. I love that several different artists worked on this project so that every story has a different look. I especially like John Bolton, Tara McPherson, Derek Kirk Kim, and James Jean.

Overall the book is sad and a little disturbing because Snow White is telling the misadventures of the fables in the homelands as the adversary was taking over. I was intrigued by the new take on these old characters. It was a g...more

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Sep 04, 2010 Angelli rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very cool illustrations! And generous too! I like it when comic books use different artists. I'm familiar with the "G BROS" and grew up with your run of the mill fairy tales so the stories are not new to me, instead, like some common reasons why we read "graphic novels" - it is all addictive and refreshing! I understand this is the "prequel" and I am a late comer to this "much hyped series." Reading this book first really geared me up for Volume 1.0 because I'm the kind of person who gets all fl...more

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About Bill Willingham

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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