Fables: War and Pieces (Fables, Volume 11)

by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham (Illustrator) Steve Leialoha (Illustrator) Niko Henrichon (Illustrator) Andrew Pepoy (Illustrator)

book data

517 ratings, 4.16 average rating, 97 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		40%
4		39%
3		15%
2		3%
1		0%

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published

November 4th 2008 by Vertigo

binding

Paperback, 192 pages

isbn

1401219136 (isbn13: 9781401219130)

description

From the back cover: "Collecting issues #70-75 of writer Bill Willingham's award-winning VERTIGO creation, FABLES: WAR AND PIECES also features a...more

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11/24/08

The Man In The Hat rated it:

bookshelves: comics-other

Disappointing.

As the Afterword in the book says itself, this is what we've been leading up to for 6 years.

THIS? THIS is what we've been leading up to for six years?

This ... damp squib?

The story was told through an omnipresent narrator with a prose style very much of "This happened, then this happened, then this happened, then this happened ... ". Which is about as exciting and dramatic as "A, B, C ...". There was no tension, ...more Disappointing.

As the Afterword in the book says itself, this is what we've been leading up to for 6 years.

THIS? THIS is what we've been leading up to for six years?

This ... damp squib?

The story was told through an omnipresent narrator with a prose style very much of "This happened, then this happened, then this happened, then this happened ... ". Which is about as exciting and dramatic as "A, B, C ...". There was no tension, there was very little drama.
The instant one of the characters said "OK, do plan A but do this one little thing first in case plan A fails and we need a plan B" you immediately knew that plan A would indeed fail and that plan B would succeed. Which is exactly what happened.
And, regretably, we once again have a writer who proclaims he is going to pull the trigger but doesn't which is such an annoying trick to use against the audience that it is now one of my personal annoyances. It happens in Doctor Who to the extent of frustration and now it's happened here. If you say you're going to kill someone, you kill them unless you've got one hell of a get out. The get out used in this story wasn't good enough.
The other big problem with this story was one that Fables has been experiencing for a while now. In that the good guys have vastly superior weaponry to the bad guys. The good guys have guns and bombs and flying machines. The bad guys have medieval weaponry. Heck, this is even explicitly pointed out by the omnipresent narrator at one point. And this situation vastly undermines the bad guys as a threat to be taken seriously. Especially given that we've already seen one of the big bads beaten in an earlier story so we know precisely how the good guys can beat him again. So he presents no plausible threat.
The Battle Of Fabletown (way back in vol 4) was more dramatic and exciting than this and that ended with a deus ex machina!

There are too many problems with the main storyline in this book for it to be an even vaguely satisfying conclusion to 75 issues. The only reason I've given it two stars is because, despite it all, it still manages to retain a sense of style that elevates it to a position higher than the other works to which I have given 1 star.
Quite how it manages to retain that style when the storyline and storytelling are both disappointing is a mystery I haven't yet figured out ...(less)

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02/17/09

Tim rated it:

Read in January, 2009

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04/15/09

Wealhtheow rated it:

bookshelves: comics, fantasy

Read in April, 2009

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03/24/09

Conrad rated it:

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A terrible conclusion to what was in parts a great series. Fables jumped the shark somewhere around the paeans to the Israeli Defense Force; in this book, the writer is marvelously impressed with his familiarity with such military esoterica as "concentrated fire" and "bombing." There's a spy story in the beginning in which said spy's internal monologue is about nothing but what an awesome spy she is. It's really risible. Finally, the last scene involving the Adversary makes a...more

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02/01/09

Jessi rated it:

Read in January, 2009

This was the first book I read in 2009, and I don't think I could have made a better choice. In War and Pieces, the war against the Adversary reaches it conclusion, and I found it very satisfying. The story starts out with Cinderella's clandestine mission to get the upper hand on the Empire; watching Cindy in super-spy mode made me wish she had her own spin-off. It would be just like Alias! And seeing Beauty's confused/enraged reaction to Cindy getting her own mission ("SHE-ONLY-SELLS-SHOES...more

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04/13/09

Purplycookie rated it:

bookshelves: comics-series, fairy-tale, fantasy, graphic-novel, mythic-fiction

Read in December, 2008

Volume 11 of this Eisner-winning graphic novel collects issues # 70-75, and arrives at what Willingham had been working up to from the first issue of "Fables": Fabletown goes to war against the Adversary.

But, before the main event, the story arc "Kingdom Come"provides us with the last-minute war council among the leaders of Fabletown and also for Boy Blue's confession of love to Rose Red. We get a glimpse on the pseudo-transition of Fabletown government officials ...more

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2 comments

02/20/09

Kathryn rated it:

bookshelves: graphic-novel-manga

Read in March, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

What was it with issue 70? The art could have been beautiful but no, the faces and character reactions were way over done. Rosy red cheeks, pancake batter on Red’s nose? I am beginning to think I only like darker graphics. I want some violence and dark imagery.

And whatever happened to Bigby and Snow? I mean, the writer must have a low opinion of parents, or at least think once kids pop out, people become boring. They’re married, shipped off to the farm, and drop out of the story...more

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5 comments

03/30/09

Christopher rated it:

bookshelves: fiction, graphic-novel-comic

Read in March, 2009

I'm a sucker for airships, even if they are powered by flying carpets. This is finally the war between the Fables of mundy New York and Gepetto's multi-dimensional Empire. I can see why Willingham was nervous to finally give us this war. While his characters are great and small-group actions (like Cindarella's spy mission at the start of the book) are well presented. The bigger military portions seem badly forced though. It's all over a little too fast for my taste, but still a worthy addit...more

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01/19/09

Justin rated it:

Read in January, 2009

As Bill Willingham has continued the Fables series the sheer number of planned spin-off is indicative of the deep mythos the story has established. That mythology obtains a whole new level of astounding complexity in the latest addition to the series, Vol. 11 War and Pieces. In epic and brilliantly masterminded detail, the war between the storybook characters stranded in our mundane world and the evil forces occupying their magical homeworld finally occurs. Very few stories are presented with su...more As Bill Willingham has continued the Fables series the sheer number of planned spin-off is indicative of the deep mythos the story has established. That mythology obtains a whole new level of astounding complexity in the latest addition to the series, Vol. 11 War and Pieces. In epic and brilliantly masterminded detail, the war between the storybook characters stranded in our mundane world and the evil forces occupying their magical homeworld finally occurs. Very few stories are presented with such a cinematic feel. As I read every new Fables volume, I feel like I'm watching a movie with a massive cast and brilliant cinegraphic presentation.

I can still remember the first time I picked up a Fables issue at my old hometown comic book store. It was so different from the X-Men, Thor and Batman comics I usually bought. But after I picked up my first Y: The Last Man issues, I discovered DC's Vertigo line of amazing stories and fantastic imagination. I fully attribute my modern love of reading to authors like Brian K. Vaughn (Y: The Last Man), Neil Gaiman (The Sandman) and Bill Willingham's Fables series.

Every Fables volume thus far has been leading up to this moment, the war between "The Adversary's" creations and the refugee Fables led by Prince Charming into battle. A battle coordinated with far-reaching precision. Sometimes in massive epic war scenes, movies and comics alike, I lose track of the action because the artist fails to capture the motion in each frame. Not so here, the art by Mark Buckingham is once again brilliant but even more importantly, comprehsable. But now my three complaints about War and Pieces. First, the story is so tremendous that the war itself could have, and probably should have, consumed an additional volume. I would have enjoyed seeing the deep analysis that went into the planning behind each of the missions. However, the first two episodes that told the story of Cinderella's mission in Argentina were among the best in the series. Second, Vol. 10 The Good Prince still stands as my favorite story of the entire series yet is only minimally referenced throughout the story. We don't get to see how Flycatcher's kingdom of Haven plays into the battle other that a few conversations where animal like Fables were deciding on whether to flee there for safety with the help of Boy Blue. Third, the art in the first episode of the book, Kingdom Come, is so inconsistent with the rest of the volume that it is visually jarring. Some of the scenes where Boy Blue shows concern are so poorly executed that he looks physically deformed. I understand the need for guest artists but someone who is a little better at drawing people would have been appreciated.

That being said, the rest of the story is gripping and shocking. The two great components of any story in the graphic novel medium. After completion I thought the journey was over. Not so. Apparently we are only about half way through and the best is yet to come! Wow. I've been reading this series since 2004 and it is only half way through? I can't be more excited. Thanks to Bill Willingham for devoting so much of his career to developing the greatest modern mythology since Sandman, and now he is poised to surpass it.

Even better news? Jack of Fables (a spin-off series) is doing well and is tiding me over between Fables releases. But more importantly, Fables is headed for televison on ABC starting in late 2009!

This series could not be in better shape to become an international phenomena, just read the books and you'll know why. (less)

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12/08/08

Cameron rated it:

bookshelves: urban-fantasy

Read in December, 2008

Oh my the war is here. Oh my the war is done. Okay, so the war started a long time ago, and we've been building for a very long time in a very close place, but I felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and smash something to bits. Where was the vaunted horror of the Empire and the Adversary? Maybe it is the horror of comparison to our own vaunted American Empire and how brittle it truly is? Whoops, I'll skip the rhetoric and instead contend that there was a lot missing, and I tru...more

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12/06/08

Jen rated it:

bookshelves: comics, fantasy-magic-fairy-tales

Read in December, 2008

Oh, Fables. How I love thee! This is the last trade we've gotten - we finally caught up to the single issues, so we're getting those now. For the unindoctrinated, Fables is an ongoing serial comic about characters from myth and legend, fables and fairy tales who have been driven from their homelands by the evil and blood-thirsty adversary and have settled in a community in New York. They've been there for centuries, plotting how to take down the adversary. And this book is the culmination o...more

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12/30/08

Chantel rated it:

bookshelves: comics-graphic-novels

Read in December, 2008

The Fables books keep coming and coming. I didn't even know there was a new one in the series until the other day when I got an ILL request for it. I quickly put myself on the request list so I could get it as soon as it was available. I picked it up yesterday and read it all last night.

I don't want to give away any exciting secrets, but in this installment, the good guy and gal Fables finally go to war with the evil Empire/Adversary.

I thought the story was well written a...more

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04/27/09

Shedrick Pittman-Hassett rated it:

Read in April, 2009

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01/01/09

Patty rated it:

bookshelves: graphic-novel

Read in January, 2009

I just read the fourth volume of Jack of Fables and was disappointed because it didn't seem to be leading anywhere. The eleventh volume of Fables didn't disappoint. It got right into the action. Granted, it had ten previous volumes to set up the story, but Fables always keeps you entertaining. It included many of my favorite characters at least a little bit. Who doesn't love the big, bad wolf? Cinderella's side story was entertaining. She is a strong female protagonist. You can't say tha...more

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04/05/09

sean rated it:

Read in April, 2009

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12/05/08

Andrew rated it:

bookshelves: yes-i-m-a-geek

Read in December, 2008

So if all the build up was for this, you'd kinda hope for a little more. At the same time, it was what I was starting to expect. This still goes to prove that Fables better days are behind it, but at the same time I have no idea where we are headed now. So maybe Willingham will surprise me. But I am doubting it at this point. It is still entertaining, but one can't help but be disappointed considering what came before.

Buckingham's art is his norm. I like it, but he didn't imp...more

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06/19/09

Kate rated it:

bookshelves: graphic-novel

Read in June, 2009

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this series. Some of the books I devoured in a couple of hours. I marveled at Willingham's uses of fables, well-known and obscure. My husband and I researched several to understand their back-stories. I have also started reading the Blue, Red, and Grey Fairy Tale books because Willingham whet my appetite to know more about how he shaped his characters.

The final book was succinct and logical; however, I was disappointed in the Adversary's outcome. I d...more

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01/19/09

Elizabeth rated it:

bookshelves: graphic-novels

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in January, 2009

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06/05/09

Jenny rated it:

bookshelves: adult--fantasy, adult--graphic-novel

Read in June, 2009

The war... it has begun. *insert dramatic music here*

We all know how it has to end... this is the world of fairytales... of course the good has to triumph ultimately. But at what price? Who is going to be sacrified?

It was a fitting ending to a good series. I almost wish there had been more focus on Snow White and her children... but I can see how that didn't fit very well into the overall story arc.

Final thoughts on the series: It was a great introduction to...more

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05/22/09

Loyd rated it:

bookshelves: graphic-novels

Read in May, 2009

War and Pieces is another amazing, creative chapter in the epic that is Bill Willingham's Fables. In an age where everything is doled out 140 characters at a time, it's awe-inspiring to see someone who actually took the time to plan out seventy-five consecutive issues of a series and make them all add up to something.

This time it's a climactic war between Fabletown and the enemy hordes, and the inventiveness of the story lines, involving everything from talking animals to flying car...more

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