Bill Willingham's Blog, page 4
November 1, 2013
Fables Comes to an End With Issue 150
UPDATE: Interview with Newsarama is now live.
After more than ten years of publication, and hundreds of issues of Fables, and various Fables-related works, I have decided the time has come to begin the process of bringing our sweeping story to a close. And, along the way, I’ve decided to retire from a great deal of my comics work.
Retirement in the storytelling trade means, still working and writing every day, but being a bit more selective in what projects I take on. Pushing 60, I thought it would be a good time to start making concrete plans for those remaining good writing years.
Fables will end with Issue 150, which will be a larger than usual size, as were many of the other milestone issues. Fairest, our companion series, will also come to an end just before the big final Fables issue.
Both DC and I will announce more details later on, but first and foremost I wanted to let our wonderful readers know about this as soon as I could, and note that our story plans leading up to Issue 150 made it increasingly clear that this upcoming saga should naturally be the final story.
Of course Mark is already well aware of this and said, “I respect Bill’s decision and am looking forward to working with him on the book’s epic final year, leading to the series’ grand finale.”
Newsarama is going to have more details, and I’ll link to their story as soon as it’s ready to go.
Let me restate my thanks to the best, sustained readership in all of comics. I promise to do my best to make the coming year in Fables a great one.
October 31, 2013
CBR Previews Legenderry
We start in the Big City, protected by Vampirella and the Green Hornet. A scarlet clad woman of mystery rushes into a bar, pursued by a team of assassins. The terror that breaks loose there and then will eventually lead (in the issues that follow) to The Phantom’s Jungle, Flash Gordon’s space age town of Landing, battles in the sky with Captain Victory, and so much more, until finally, we arrive in the Monstrous Lands, protected by… well, nobody.
This was taken from Comic Book Resources preview, which can be found here.
October 29, 2013
Spotlight on Legends of the Guard Contributor Bill Willingham
This was taken off of David Petersen’s blog, which you can check out by clicking here.
David Petersen: Bill, Thank you so much for doing the story and also for doing this interview.
Bill Willingham: You’re welcome. I’m happy to do the interview. I was absolutely tickled to be able to do the story.
David: I’ve been touting that this Legends story is your return to drawing comics. What (and when) was the last comic you drew before this Legends of the Guard story?
Bill: I think I did a small two-page story for one of the Hero Initiative fundraising books a few years back. Before that, it was the two issues I did of my own DC series Shadowpact, when I foolishly thought I’d have time to both write and draw the series, without surrendering any of my other work – like Fables, for instance.
David: Why had you taken a break from the art side of storytelling?
Bill: More of a breakdown than a break. No, wait. That’s too glib and also makes it look like I had a breakdown. Scratch that. I only meant to imply that something in the artist side of me broke at some point. As near as I can piece it together, the pathology went something like this: 1) I started as an artist only. 2) Strong opinions about the overall quality of the scripts I was given, along with a recognition of how much effort goes into producing page after page of art, led me, pretty quickly in the game, to start writing my own stories, under the notion that I can write as well as some and would have the advantage of producing scripts the artist part of me will want to draw. 3) Gradually I wrote more and drew less. 4) Eventually I settled into the realization that I could tell more stories as a writer than as an artist, or by doing both. I never entirely gave up the art side. I’m about to publish a book of what I’ve been drawing all along, mostly of false-starts on longer works. I suspect I could still draw a monthly book, as long as that is all I do. However, one drawn book a month isn’t enough for me. That would preclude too many other story projects.
David: Last spring, you brought a group of comic storytellers together (including myself and the Mice Templar folks) for Fabletown and Beyond under the banner of us all being “Mythic Fiction”. Can you explain how you see that category of story and why it’s important?
Bill: Mythic Fiction is our first heroic storytelling genre. It’s Beowulf and Gilgamesh and The Iliad, and so much more. Superheroes, if anything, are a subset of that genre – one that is currently having a bit of trouble keeping in touch with the wondrous aspect of the form, but I’m confident they’ll find their way again. I can’t say for certain why Mythic Fiction is important in the grand scheme, but it’s vital for me, because most of what I want to say lies within its magical boundaries.
David: For your Legends of the Guard story you have a mouse outwitting a cat to save his own life. Where did the seed of this story come from?
Bill: In our current pop fiction, most professional warriors are portrayed as dimwitted thugs, whereas the opposite is true. The best soldiers have always had to be smart. I liked the idea of an old retired campaigner who no longer had his strength and martial skill, but still had his wits about him.
David: When you start a story that you are going to both write and draw, do you start with any visuals? or does the writer cap get donned first for an outline or script?
Bill: Both. Depends on the story. In this case, I wrote it first and drew it following the script. In other cases it’s a more organic thing, creating art and story as I go.
David: From veteran writer/artist Sergio Aragonés to me when I was starting out on a writer/artist path: Never allow the artist side of you to bully the writer side of you into writing something easy to draw. And never let the writer in you bully the artist to draw something that doesn’t work visually. Do you ever wrestle with the two roles when writing and drawing the same project? Or do you work in harmony with yourself?
Bill: I constantly wrestle with the two halves of the Jekyll and Hide artist/writer relationship. And I think that’s the only way to do it. If both sides are in harmony, I would immediately think that both sides are taking it easy.
David: For the artwork how do you start? With thumbnails or straight to the final paper surface?
Bill: Straight to the final page. Any joy I find in my own art comes from the spontaneity of the drawing. Start with thumbnails or layouts, or what-have-you, and that spontaneity gets leached out along the way. If I have the script and am doing my own lettering, I also letter each panel first, before a single line is placed on the page, to establish the real space I have in which to draw.
David: What are your preferred tools for drawing and inking?
Bill: I use a standard lead holder with a # 2 lead (although that can change, depending on the surface of the paper). Then I ink with Black Magic ink applied with a Windsor Newton # 2 brush. Can’t ink with a pen to save my life.
David: What artists influenced your work as you developed as both an artist and writer? Do you still look to certain artists for visual inspiration today? or certain writers for inspiration?
Bill: All of them. Anyone who caught my eye. The greatest influences art-wise today can be found in the classic age of magazine illustration (now sadly passed). Writers are the same. Anyone and everyone who writes well inspires me.
David: Bill, Thank you again for the story. Where can people find out more about you and your work?
Bill: You can find my main project, Fables, at any comic shop. We’ve been doing it for eleven years now and about 140 issues. By the time this is posted, Telltale Games will have also released the first of its many video games based upon Fables, called The Wolf Among Us. We keep the Fables books in print, in about 20 collections, and most shops are good at keeping those in stock. To find out more about me, I sort of have a website that I sort of keep up to date. I think it’s at BillWillingham.com. I also tweet via @BillWillingham.
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Bill’s Story The Vetran will appear in Legends of the Guard
volume 2 # 4 along with stories by Jackson Sze & Justin Gerard
October 28, 2013
The Unwritten 54 Reviews
The Unwritten Fables Event comes to a close in this past Wednesday’s issue (#54). Bill and Mike are both very proud of how it all turned out and wanted to share some of the reviews for it.
Ain’t It Cool News
Review by: Optimus Douche
“It was a wonderful and glorious “what if” bloodbath that was many shades darker than the actual final battle with Dark in FABLES. Snow White as Dark’s bride was delectably evil, with the cherub-faced wolf cubs more eerie than the twins from THE SHINING.”
Read the full review here.
The MacGuffin
Review by: MattLeMaire
“This crossover shows that not only was it necessary, but it speaks to the entire nature of the series itself, looking at what is, what might be, what may never be all at once.”
“What has been fascinating about not only this arc, but the book in general, has been the way that Carey and Gross have deconstructed the way we think about stories and their implications. This Fables crossover has shown that while we often think of stories as a separate entity from reality, the truth is far more complex–perhaps simple, depending on how you look at it. ”
“Gross and Buckingham show that they are masters of this world, capturing the grit, violence and destruction as this crossover comes to a close.”
“THE UNWRITTEN is brilliant, and issue #54 is a fine example of what this book and its creators can accomplish. Moreover, this is a book that consistently leaves me questioning the nature of stories and the effects that they have on the world and our belief systems. That this book has such an effect on me is nothing short of amazing, and I cannot recommend picking this up enough. You’ve got a few months before it starts up again to catch up, folks, so get on it. You will not be disappointed.”
Read the full review here.
October 25, 2013
Geeked Out Nation: Fables Encyclopedia Review
Jessica Camacho from Geeked Out Nation was kind enough to write up a review of this past Wednesday’s Fables Encyclopedia, written by Jess Nevins with Mark Buckingham and Bill.
Here’s what Jess had to say about the Encyclopedia, but for the full experience, make sure to visit the Geeked Out Nation web site by clicking here.
Review by: Jessica Camacho
Rated: 9/10
So at this year’s NYCC I was fortunate to obtain an early copy of the Fables Encyclopedia and now I’d like to share my first impression of it with the Geeked Out Nation.
If you are a die hard Fables fan then this is a must have. This whole book is full of wonderful covers from the entire series’ run and information that you didn’t even know about. Each entry is a profile on all the characters in the Fables universe, including those that were in one panel and either were never seen again or died right away. It is fascinating. The entries for every characters have their first appearance and where they were first seen in the series.
I consider myself an expert on the Fables series. I’ve been reading it for years now but I learned a lot. I learned little things about each 
character that helps me understand them more and enjoy them even more. The book is color coded by letter. Each letter is almost considered a new chapter by the different coloration of the main name. In each entry, the writer Jess Nevins, lets us know where this particular character is from in folklore. So not only do we get the Fables backstory but we also get their roots in real folklore, literature and mythology.
As a bonus, some characters get input from creators Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham. There isn’t a pattern to who gets more input which makes what we get all the more interesting. The book is not that thick but we get a ton of art. Unfortunately none of it is new but what was chosen is some of the best from the series. Covers and huge moments all over the place. For long time fans, it brings back the memories of certain events and how they made you feel.
There are a couple of downsides though. The price is pretty high for something that isn’t that big and does not have new story material. I work at a comic shop and we got the new Death of the Family HC’s and I noticed that that has easily 100 more pages and is $10 (USD) less than the Fables Encyclopedia. This books could have easily been a lot bigger than it is. I was a little disappointed that characters like Snow White, Bigby Wolf, Rose Red and Boy Blue did not have pages dedicated to them. I would have liked a little more than what was included. Honestly the cubs should have each gotten an entry dedicated to themselves and not added in as a group.
That being said I think this is a fantastic pick up for any Fables fan. It has a wonderful cover and is very illuminating.
October 22, 2013
Fables 134 Reviews
We’re starting a new feature on the site where we do a link round-up of all the reviews for things related to Bill. We’ve done a little bit of this in the past, but we’re going to attempt to do it regularly now because we LOVE when we see you read Fables, Fairest etc. and feel like writing up your thoughts. You can send your links to reviews to Stephanie via email at stephanie@billwillingham.com or via Twitter @hellocookie.
Here’s the review round-up for Fables #134:
Multiversity Comics – 8/10
“Haunting and completely beautiful, I have no idea why Joao Ruas isn’t doing covers and Mark Buckingham is, but man, that is astoundingly great.”
Razorfine – 4/5
“The issue ends on a sweet, if melancholy, note, but I expect we haven’t seen he last of the wolf. Worth a look.”
Geeked Out Nation – 10/10
“Easily one of the best issues of any comics all year.”
Nothing But Comics!
“Willingham’s script tackles big meta-fictional issues and provides some ground rules for the afterlife in the FABLES universe, making a book that is mostly a conversation between two dead characters interesting. ”
Rusted Mecha – 8/10
…MORE TO COME! In the meantime, check out some of the amazing reviews for The Wolf Among Us, the new Fables game from the creators of The Walking Dead Game of the Year, Telltale Games.
October 18, 2013
UPDATED: The Wolf Among Us: Faith Reviews
In case you haven’t heard, The Wolf Among Us is a new video game based on Fables. It’s done by the incredible team that was responsible for The Walking Dead, which won numerous awards including Game of the Year aka Telltale Games. It launched on Friday October 11, 2013 and waiting so long for the game to be released, we were all crossing our fingers and toes that fans and people who haven’t even heard of Fables would love it.
Tons of reviews are in now and if you’re interested to hear what people are saying about it, here are some of the highlights:
Digital Trends – 10/10
“Applause all around to the dev team at Telltale Games, which somehow managed to fully lay out the building blocks of the Fables universe in its debut episode of The Wolf Among Us”
“This is a game for the fans, no question, but you don’t need to be a fan to enjoy it.”
“Somehow the unfolding story feels completely natural and unforced even though it’s designed to turn in any number of directions.”
“Telltale smartly avoids making any sweeping changes to the undeniably successful formula that drove its last episodic adventure.”
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IGN – 9/10
“Stepping out from the monumental shadow of Telltale’s superb take on The Walking Dead, the first episode of the five-part The Wolf Among Us series immediately stakes its own claim as one of the most exciting adventure games of the year”
“Telltale does an impeccable job of translating the world of Bill Willingham’s FABLES comic book series into a game.”
“Filled with intriguing characters, mysterious settings, and FANTASTIC writing.”
“The action scenes in ‘Wolf’ ARE ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Think of them as choreographing a fight-scene in a movie through the lens of a choose your own adventure book.”
“Telltale has ONCE AGAIN delivered a well-written adventure, but with the added dose of a stylish noir presentation.”
“If this inaugural episode of The Wolf Among Us is any indication of the rest of the season, then Telltale’s latest adventure game is set to provide an adventure every bit as memorable as Lee and Clementine’s.”
————————————————–
Joystiq – 9/10 (4.5/5)
“Faith” is the perfect beginning to a new adventure from Telltale, effortlessly pulling you in and making you invested in protecting these curious creatures from our storybooks.”
————————————————–
“The story sets up interesting characters, and you’ll look forward to learning more about each one. You want to ask them more questions to explore their histories and their place in the world. At all times it’s exciting to see who or what is around the next corner.”
“Telltale creates the sense that Fabletown is not a place you want to live, and much of that information is shared visually. These characters didn’t choose to live in this place, and it doesn’t look like an area of town you’d want to call home.”
————————————————–
The Escapist – 5 out of 5
“Similar to the last time Telltale brought a comic book to life, each facet of the production excels. The art style is similar to the Fables comics on which the game is based and the cell-shaded look contrasted with bright purples and yellows makes for a visually appealing universe. The sound design and music are expertly rendered to fade into the background, yet are as instrumental in conveying the flavor and feel of Fabletown as the excellent voice-acting. Adam Harrington in particular succeeds in bringing Bigby to life, but there’s not an actor out of place in the cast.”
————————————————–
“Telltale has continued to showcase its ability to draw in players with compelling characters and tense decisions.”
“The action in is entirely composed of quick-time events, but the studio has revised its presentation of these to make them feel more engaging. The button prompts appear over shifting areas of the screen, making catching them correctly a much more active exercise. They come so quickly in a fight scene that you might miss one or two, but the fight goes on regardless. The fables are more resilient than regular humans, which helps fights go on without too much punishment for missing a prompt.”
————————————————–
“Telltale looks to compel gamers as they did with their previous blockbuster, by delivering a ruthless plot filled with bizarre twists and an extreme layer of shock value. Will they be able to recreate or exceed that level of magic this time around? Episode one of the five part series suggests that they are well on their way to doing so.”
“Telltale Games has mastered the art of choice and consequence, and every time you see “So-and-so will remember that” flash at the top left of the screen, there is still that eerie reminder that the button you decided to mash will have repercussions, be they good or bad.”
“The writing in games like these is the lifeline that can make or break the experience. There is no shortage of engaging dialogue in episode one, perfectly delivered by the game’s stellar voice acting cast.”
“If there are two things the folks at Telltale Games know how to do, they are coercing you into questioning your morality and making you explore the lofty extremes of your conscious, just to see the outcome of your wild decisions.”
“I was left at a rather nightmarish-yet-mind-blowing cliffhanger, a fine ending to the first installment of what is looking to be another masterpiece by the folks at Telltale Games. They’ve not only managed to put their unique touch on the Fables comic series, but they’ve remained true to form in regards to the source material. If you are a fan of Fables or you enjoyed The Walking Dead games from last year, this is definitely a game that you do not want to miss.”
————————————————–
PCGamer – 9/10 – Editor’s Choice
“The more I’ve thought about The Wolf Among Us, the more its choices and their ramifications have gotten under my skin. I lie to someone in the first episode, thinking it’s better not to get involved in their problems. But what if they learn the truth? I also let a violent Fable escape, and he’s prowling Fabletown’s shadowy streets, somewhere. I don’t think he’s a killer, but if he is, will the next death be on my hands? I’m afraid to find out, which means The Wolf Among Us is already weighing on my conscience. And the meanest thing I’ve done, so far, is threaten poor Mr. Toad. How am I going to feel when I do something really bad?”
————————————————–
“The first episode of Telltale’s new series does a great job at setting the stage for a thrilling season, and one that has the potential to reach the heights of The Walking Dead. It might not do so by making you miserable, but the storytelling thus far is top-notch, the visual style is slick and sexy, and the world is charming enough that you’re definitely going to want to see its happily ever after through to its conclusion–so long as the rest of the episodes hold up.”
————————————————–
Game Informer – 9/10 – GOLD
“Characters got under my skin so much that I thought they could never redeem themselves, but then a new insight would surface and I’d second-guess why I hated them in the first place.”
“I read the Fables comics – which aren’t required for this prequel – and was still blindsided. The episode ends perfectly, leaving plenty of intrigue on the table to bring you back. I’ve been agonizing ever since, trying to figure out exactly what Telltale is planning after this standout opener.”
————————————————–
GameSpot – 8/10
“..like the comics that inspired it, The Wolf Among Us maintains a steady noir tone that permeates the experience, only occasionally allowing humor to bubble to the surface.”
“Happily ever after” is a myth, even for fables, and The Wolf Among Us takes every opportunity to weigh down every reference to the delightful tales of our childhoods with emotional bricks.”
“But it’s during [The] Wolf Among Us’ dramatic action scenes that the brutality fully erupts. You don’t have free range of movement during these sequences, but you must quickly respond to timed button events and move your targeting reticle into the proper position to survive. The episode’s first savage showdown occurs right away, thrusting you into conflict with your nemesis, the balding woodsman, who once had the gall to slice you open to save Red Riding Hood”
“The brilliance of these vicious confrontations–particularly the episode’s final, breathless assault–is in how simple trigger pulls and button presses enhance the anxiety. Sometimes, the anxiety forms because you must quickly decide whether to throw your seething target into a bookcase or a bed frame. (Which is the more murderous possibility?) Other times, it comes from how quickly you must flick the analog stick to avoid the swing of a sharp axe. Even furiously tapping a single button takes on special significance when that straightforward but strenuous activity is so well matched to the powerlessness you feel in that moment.”
“…it nails its atmosphere. Cityscapes are cloaked in deep purple haze and long shadows, and droning minor-scale chords heave and sigh, suffocating you with their smoky nuances.”
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Polygon – 8/10
“There have also been some significant improvements in the UI from Telltales previous work with The Walking Dead, with button prompts that are far more dynamic and help to make life-or-death moments even more tense.”
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GameTrailers – 8/10
“Other complex yet common problems are probed with surprising effectiveness. Issues like escaping a troubled past, losing your identity, and being forced to live in a corrupt system are explored using characters you probably haven’t thought much about since elementary school.”
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Machinima – 8/10
“The Wolf Among Us looks fantastic. The characters are not as ruggedly drawn as they are in the comics, but they still have a gritty look to them and embody the source material. The shadow work grants it a noir quality, fitting of a detective drama, as do the contrasting neon and soft color palette.”
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OXM – 8/10
“They’re vicious and intense: in an early scrap to defend a Fable, Bigby can smash the attacker into a sink, then opt to jab him in the throat with the butt of an axe. In a later bar brawl, you can either tear off your gravely injured adversary’s arm as a particularly cruel finishing move or choose to simply walk away.”
“Sharp writing, a grisly murder mystery, and one seriously screwed-up cast of weirdoes will seem par for the course to followers of the comic, who already know the fates of these Fables. But don’t be fooled: surprises await even diehard fans, and The Wolf Among Us’ confident opening installment shows that the series’ success now rests on how well it can carry us along to its conclusion. If Episode 1’s satisfying twists and gut-punch of a cliffhanger are any indication, a pitch-black journey into fairytale land lies ahead. Count us in for the long haul.”
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VideoGamer – 8/10
“Art direction, voice acting, and sound design are all top notch – making for something that feels undeniably cool”
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Destructoid – 8/10
“The dialogue choices have a very short time limit so you really have to be on top of your game when interviewing suspects. Telltale, I want way more of this in the future episodes.”
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CGMagazine – 80/100
“It’s not as bleak as The Walking Dead, but there is wit, humor and enough of a dark edge here that it stands up comparably to its predecessor. Fans will not be disappointed.”
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“Telltale has been batting a thousand since they released “The Walking Dead” and this is another example, get on board quick you won’t be disappointed.”
The Wolf Among Us Reviews
In case you haven’t heard, The Wolf Among Us is a new video game based on Fables. It’s done by the incredible team that was responsible for The Walking Dead, which won numerous awards including Game of the Year aka Telltale Games. It launched on Friday October 11, 2013 and waiting so long for the game to be released, we were all crossing our fingers and toes that fans and people who haven’t even heard of Fables would love it.
Tons of reviews are in now and if you’re interested to hear what people are saying about it, here are some of the highlights:
Digital Trends – 10/10
“Applause all around to the dev team at Telltale Games, which somehow managed to fully lay out the building blocks of the Fables universe in its debut episode of The Wolf Among Us”
“This is a game for the fans, no question, but you don’t need to be a fan to enjoy it.”
“Somehow the unfolding story feels completely natural and unforced even though it’s designed to turn in any number of directions.”
“Telltale smartly avoids making any sweeping changes to the undeniably successful formula that drove its last episodic adventure.”
————————————————–
IGN – 9/10
“Stepping out from the monumental shadow of Telltale’s superb take on The Walking Dead, the first episode of the five-part The Wolf Among Us series immediately stakes its own claim as one of the most exciting adventure games of the year”
“Telltale does an impeccable job of translating the world of Bill Willingham’s FABLES comic book series into a game.”
“Filled with intriguing characters, mysterious settings, and FANTASTIC writing.”
“The action scenes in ‘Wolf’ ARE ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Think of them as choreographing a fight-scene in a movie through the lens of a choose your own adventure book.”
“Telltale has ONCE AGAIN delivered a well-written adventure, but with the added dose of a stylish noir presentation.”
“If this inaugural episode of The Wolf Among Us is any indication of the rest of the season, then Telltale’s latest adventure game is set to provide an adventure every bit as memorable as Lee and Clementine’s.”
————————————————–
Joystiq – 9/10 (4.5/5)
“Faith” is the perfect beginning to a new adventure from Telltale, effortlessly pulling you in and making you invested in protecting these curious creatures from our storybooks.”
————————————————–
“The story sets up interesting characters, and you’ll look forward to learning more about each one. You want to ask them more questions to explore their histories and their place in the world. At all times it’s exciting to see who or what is around the next corner.”
“Telltale creates the sense that Fabletown is not a place you want to live, and much of that information is shared visually. These characters didn’t choose to live in this place, and it doesn’t look like an area of town you’d want to call home.”
————————————————–
The Escapist – 5 out of 5
“Similar to the last time Telltale brought a comic book to life, each facet of the production excels. The art style is similar to the Fables comics on which the game is based and the cell-shaded look contrasted with bright purples and yellows makes for a visually appealing universe. The sound design and music are expertly rendered to fade into the background, yet are as instrumental in conveying the flavor and feel of Fabletown as the excellent voice-acting. Adam Harrington in particular succeeds in bringing Bigby to life, but there’s not an actor out of place in the cast.”
————————————————–
“Telltale has continued to showcase its ability to draw in players with compelling characters and tense decisions.”
“The action in is entirely composed of quick-time events, but the studio has revised its presentation of these to make them feel more engaging. The button prompts appear over shifting areas of the screen, making catching them correctly a much more active exercise. They come so quickly in a fight scene that you might miss one or two, but the fight goes on regardless. The fables are more resilient than regular humans, which helps fights go on without too much punishment for missing a prompt.”
————————————————–
“Telltale looks to compel gamers as they did with their previous blockbuster, by delivering a ruthless plot filled with bizarre twists and an extreme layer of shock value. Will they be able to recreate or exceed that level of magic this time around? Episode one of the five part series suggests that they are well on their way to doing so.”
“Telltale Games has mastered the art of choice and consequence, and every time you see “So-and-so will remember that” flash at the top left of the screen, there is still that eerie reminder that the button you decided to mash will have repercussions, be they good or bad.”
“The writing in games like these is the lifeline that can make or break the experience. There is no shortage of engaging dialogue in episode one, perfectly delivered by the game’s stellar voice acting cast.”
“If there are two things the folks at Telltale Games know how to do, they are coercing you into questioning your morality and making you explore the lofty extremes of your conscious, just to see the outcome of your wild decisions.”
“I was left at a rather nightmarish-yet-mind-blowing cliffhanger, a fine ending to the first installment of what is looking to be another masterpiece by the folks at Telltale Games. They’ve not only managed to put their unique touch on the Fables comic series, but they’ve remained true to form in regards to the source material. If you are a fan of Fables or you enjoyed The Walking Dead games from last year, this is definitely a game that you do not want to miss.”
————————————————–
PCGamer – 9/10 – Editor’s Choice
“The more I’ve thought about The Wolf Among Us, the more its choices and their ramifications have gotten under my skin. I lie to someone in the first episode, thinking it’s better not to get involved in their problems. But what if they learn the truth? I also let a violent Fable escape, and he’s prowling Fabletown’s shadowy streets, somewhere. I don’t think he’s a killer, but if he is, will the next death be on my hands? I’m afraid to find out, which means The Wolf Among Us is already weighing on my conscience. And the meanest thing I’ve done, so far, is threaten poor Mr. Toad. How am I going to feel when I do something really bad?”
————————————————–
“The first episode of Telltale’s new series does a great job at setting the stage for a thrilling season, and one that has the potential to reach the heights of The Walking Dead. It might not do so by making you miserable, but the storytelling thus far is top-notch, the visual style is slick and sexy, and the world is charming enough that you’re definitely going to want to see its happily ever after through to its conclusion–so long as the rest of the episodes hold up.”
————————————————–
Game Informer – 9/10 – GOLD
“Characters got under my skin so much that I thought they could never redeem themselves, but then a new insight would surface and I’d second-guess why I hated them in the first place.”
“I read the Fables comics – which aren’t required for this prequel – and was still blindsided. The episode ends perfectly, leaving plenty of intrigue on the table to bring you back. I’ve been agonizing ever since, trying to figure out exactly what Telltale is planning after this standout opener.”
————————————————–
GameSpot – 8/10
“..like the comics that inspired it, The Wolf Among Us maintains a steady noir tone that permeates the experience, only occasionally allowing humor to bubble to the surface.”
“Happily ever after” is a myth, even for fables, and The Wolf Among Us takes every opportunity to weigh down every reference to the delightful tales of our childhoods with emotional bricks.”
“But it’s during [The] Wolf Among Us’ dramatic action scenes that the brutality fully erupts. You don’t have free range of movement during these sequences, but you must quickly respond to timed button events and move your targeting reticle into the proper position to survive. The episode’s first savage showdown occurs right away, thrusting you into conflict with your nemesis, the balding woodsman, who once had the gall to slice you open to save Red Riding Hood”
“The brilliance of these vicious confrontations–particularly the episode’s final, breathless assault–is in how simple trigger pulls and button presses enhance the anxiety. Sometimes, the anxiety forms because you must quickly decide whether to throw your seething target into a bookcase or a bed frame. (Which is the more murderous possibility?) Other times, it comes from how quickly you must flick the analog stick to avoid the swing of a sharp axe. Even furiously tapping a single button takes on special significance when that straightforward but strenuous activity is so well matched to the powerlessness you feel in that moment.”
“…it nails its atmosphere. Cityscapes are cloaked in deep purple haze and long shadows, and droning minor-scale chords heave and sigh, suffocating you with their smoky nuances.”
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Polygon – 8/10
“There have also been some significant improvements in the UI from Telltales previous work with The Walking Dead, with button prompts that are far more dynamic and help to make life-or-death moments even more tense.”
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GameTrailers – 8/10
“Other complex yet common problems are probed with surprising effectiveness. Issues like escaping a troubled past, losing your identity, and being forced to live in a corrupt system are explored using characters you probably haven’t thought much about since elementary school.”
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Machinima – 8/10
“The Wolf Among Us looks fantastic. The characters are not as ruggedly drawn as they are in the comics, but they still have a gritty look to them and embody the source material. The shadow work grants it a noir quality, fitting of a detective drama, as do the contrasting neon and soft color palette.”
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OXM – 8/10
“They’re vicious and intense: in an early scrap to defend a Fable, Bigby can smash the attacker into a sink, then opt to jab him in the throat with the butt of an axe. In a later bar brawl, you can either tear off your gravely injured adversary’s arm as a particularly cruel finishing move or choose to simply walk away.”
“Sharp writing, a grisly murder mystery, and one seriously screwed-up cast of weirdoes will seem par for the course to followers of the comic, who already know the fates of these Fables. But don’t be fooled: surprises await even diehard fans, and The Wolf Among Us’ confident opening installment shows that the series’ success now rests on how well it can carry us along to its conclusion. If Episode 1’s satisfying twists and gut-punch of a cliffhanger are any indication, a pitch-black journey into fairytale land lies ahead. Count us in for the long haul.”
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VideoGamer – 8/10
“Art direction, voice acting, and sound design are all top notch – making for something that feels undeniably cool”
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Destructoid – 8/10
“The dialogue choices have a very short time limit so you really have to be on top of your game when interviewing suspects. Telltale, I want way more of this in the future episodes.”
September 3, 2013
Baltimore Comic Con Schedule
This weekend is Baltimore Comic Con. Bill will be in attendance at the show all weekend and if you’re wanting to meet him, get anything signed or hear him speak about Fables and other things, take a look at his schedule below.
Bill will be located at Table 2407A along with Matt Sturges (2407B), Mark Buckingham (2407C) and Brian Bolland (2407D). You can see the overall floor map at the bottom of the page and located under that, there’s a close-up of where Bill and co. will be located.
All weekend Bill will be accepting donations on behalf of the Hero Initiative at his table. It is not necessary to donate to get a signature, but it is appreciated. If you aren’t familiar with the charity, please make sure to check out more information on them. For those who DO donate, we will be handing out tickets to those fans. At the end of the weekend, we will be giving away some goodies that you will probably want to get your hands on, so stop by and say hi.
Friday September 6
8:00pm – All-Star Reception
Information for the All-Star Reception:
An All-Star lineup of guests including Mark Waid, Paul Jenkins, Bill Willingham, Barry Kitson, Mark Buckingham, Walter Simonson, Louise Simonson, Stan Sakai, and George Perez welcome YOU to the 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con. A private, limited event! Includes:
A private panel discussion and opportunity to mingle afterward
Finger foods, appetizers and desserts (plush cash bar available)
1 Stan Lee autographed item
A copy of the Collectible Hardcover Baltimore Comic-Con 2013 Yearbook
BUT it does NOT include show admission – must be purchased separately
Tickets are $195 and can be purchased here.
Saturday September 7
10:00am-2:30pm – Signing at Table 2407
3:00-5:00pm – Official East Coast Fables Panel – Room 302-303
The Official East Coast Fables Panel will feature Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Adam Hughes, Barry Kitson, Chrissie Zullo, and more of the extended Fables family for a whole TWO HOURS. Join them as they discuss the past, present and future of the series, do giveaways and more for the first hour and then go behind-the-scenes and delve inside the construction of a new Fables story in the second hour.
7:00pm – Harvey Awards – Bill will be the host for the duration of the show and tickets to the event can be purchased here.
Sunday September 8
10:00am-4:30pm – Signing at Table 2407
August 20, 2013
‘The Wolf Among Us’ Preview Reviews
Just in case any of you were worried about the upcoming Fables game from Telltale, The Wolf Among Us, we wanted to share with you some snippits from various press people who’ve had a chance to check out the game. We’re VERY happy with the buzz thus far but of course, the final test will be to see what all of you think. Regardless, check out what some fantastic web sites are saying about the game:
IGN
“After playing about an hour of the first episode of The Wolf Among Us, I walked away with the utmost confidence in Telltale’s next adventure. Any fears that this game would have to cower in the shadow of The Walking Dead were immediately put to rest, as it became clear that this story stands tall with its own unique voice and style.”
GameInformer.com
“The Wolf Among Us is keeping up with Telltale’s newfound reputation, and it could even bolster it.”
nerdist.com
“In case you couldn’t tell, I am awfully excited to play this game and what I saw in person did not disappoint. …it looks like that at long last we’ll finally have the
Fables
adaptation that we always wanted to see on our screens.”
joystiq
“Here I was, watching a story unfold about mythical creatures hiding out in New York City and
it’s all so ridiculous
and yet I didn’t even question it – not once. The emotional impact and intensity of the storytelling drew me in immediately and I was hooked. Telltale Games has risen to provide a level of character development and narrative other studios would do well to dissect.”
destructoid
“I have to mention how gorgeous the visuals are too. The heavy comic-style just works here, and it all looks like moving concept art. As a big Fables fan, I was super pleased with what I saw of Telltales’ take on the series.”
