Jack of Fables, Vol. 6: Le grandi cronache della guerra

Jack of Fables

by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges, Tony Akins (Illustrator )

Sta per cominciare la madre di tutte le battaglie: il Brucialibri vuole spazzare via tutte le Fiabe e il massacro promette di essere davvero brutale. L'unico che potrebbe salvarle è il più grande genio militare che il mito e la magia abbiano mai conosciuto... ma a quanto pare stavolta le Fiabe dovranno accontentarsi di Jack delle Favole.
Nominare Jack Comandante in capo potrebbe essere una mossa folle, ma vincente. O forse no? La carneficina porterà alla luce le sinistre storie che si nascondono nel cuore di Favolandia? E il Generale Jack se ne accorgerà o sarà troppo distratto dalle belle sorelle Page? In questo volume qualcuno o qualcosa rivelerà tremendi segreti, qualcun altro si sbarazzerà dei suoi vestiti, insomma: ne vedremo delle belle!
Nato sulle pagine dall'acclamata serie Vertigo, Fables di Bill Willingham, la sedicente leggenda Jack T. Corner (alias Jack delle Favole) sta per vivere una nuova avventura con Le Grandi Cronache della Guerra, il volume che raccoglie i numeri 28-32 della sua serie regolare, scritto da Bill Willingham e Matthew Sturges e illustrato da Tony Akins, José Marzán Jr., Russ Braun e Dan Green.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Fables, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Fairy Tales

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2009

About the author

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 years. He contributed stories to Green Lantern and started his own independent, black-and-white comics series Coventry which lasted only 3 issues. He also produced the pornographic series Ironwood for Eros Comix.

In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The battle for the future of the revised Fables and their keepers would have been far more interesting and captivating if Jack was not in it! The faux-laddish humour around Jack reminds me of 1970s UK sit coms, it's just not as good as the main Fables title, even if the humour is ironic! 7 of of 12.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bookburner makes war on the Golden Boughs and Jack is somehow in charge of the defense. There's lots of info on the Literals, while major changes are afoot. Gary and the Page sisters continue to make this book when you've had too much of Jack's schtick. Leads directly into the The Great Fables Crossover.

[BookishDramas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fabled wars

This story goes the tried and tested way of the series with innuendos and gallows humor interspersed with the exploits and is done at everyone's expense by Jack.

With war looming large over Golden Boughs the fables select Jack to lead them and the self-declared 5 star, scratch that now 6 star general plans and plots the defence while side ordering loads of tacos and lots of dalliances.

The Bookburner is hell bent in destroying the boughs and the fables and the war and seige forms the bulk of the story.

Jack's humour and his love/hate relationship with the Page sisters takes several turns and leaves us with a final question.

Revise finally disbands his team and the fables are planned to be resettled.

The war is fierce and fast with several obscure fables making their appearance.

The banter between Jack and the Pages makes this story go on.

Final question-
Is Jack a literal blows everyone's mind.

There is a quaint back story which leaves Jack and the sisters flabbergasted.

Readable story.

[John Elbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now that Fables is in the 'Public Domain', I thought it was time I read the entire series (including all spinoffs and specials) from start to finish in sequential tpb reading order. Here we go!

Fables First-to-Finale reading #21
Jack of Fables vol 06: The Big Book of War

Gary elects Jack to lead the war effort because, of course, he does. Books for reading! Gary has had enough! Read for your lives! Revise is pushed against the wall. Jack decides victory is best achieved by blowing everything up. And before he can get away for good, there is one loose end....Kevin! Oh, and Revise literally ruins Jacks origin.

[Sud666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the strangely dark Vol 5, "The Big Book of War" goes back to the tried and true humor that is the hallmark of Jack's stories.

The Bookburner is coming to destroy the Fables. Jack has been appointed General of the Fable forces and all Hell breaks loose. The issue is not only funny, but it has some major reveals about Jack that will blow your mind. The battle is interesting, though nothing compared to the great battle with the Enemy in the original Fables.

Willingham's back to the basics with the humor and Jack's obtuse ego make for a very fun read. An interesting and amusing volume. I enjoyed it and those who appreciate Jack's humor will like this one as well.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the fables mythology but the jack of fables series isn't as strong or interesting. Mr Revise or the Bookburner don't really add that much malice in the books. I'm merely reading the entire series so it's done once and for all, no returning to do patch up work. I'm not enjoying the series like I should be and that's disappointing in a lengthy series like this.

[Anna Rohwedder · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is, as the name suggest, a big war story. All the major events in Jack of Fables lead to this point (aside from bonus stories and flashbacks), a long epic battle featuring almost every character in the series so far. Being a huge fan of war tales, fiction or not, I was really looking forward to this volume. Unfortunately, I found this to be the weakest Jack book so far.

While still engaging in parts and with funny moments, the story seems rushed at times, jumping over some plot elements that deserved to be better introduced in order to make space for the detailed battle scenes. The battles are indeed interesting, with detailed strategy and creative ideas. Too bad the characters themselves are not so well written. I believe the authors feared this volume would get too dark, and decided to remedy this by exaggerating on jokes and stupid character behaviour to the point of being obnoxious. Jack, the main character, was always a self absorved jerk, that's part of his charm, but in this volume I felt more annoyed by his actions than amused. With too much going on and too many characters at the same time, some decisions are rushed and forced, so the huge number of intended funny parts lose their value. I felt they got in the way and sometimes wanted just to skip them. Specially the Babe pages. Oh, god. Maybe if you read the chapters separately, then Babe isn't so bad, but in the compiled book this blue ox gets really annoying (and far too much 'screen time'). I mean, it's not like Jack of Fables need a pause for (more) comic relief.

So, overall? Cool battle scenes, nice ideas, but not as well developed as I'd like. Considering the other Fables and Jack of Fables volumes, I know the authors can do better. Maybe that's why I didn't liked The Big Book of War. Well, the story goes on anyway and I'll keep reading to see where the plot goes. I truly hope this volume is simply a misstep and not the beginning of decline.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is getting a little too complicated for me to get into. I liked things when it was the Fables living in a "mundy" world, but now that the Literals have been introduced it's getting too out there. This volume is the battle between the Bookburner and the Fables of "Golden Boughs", and while the battle was entertaining enough and I like the art, it's not nearly as good as it started out. The big crossover is coming up so maybe that will streamline things, but for right now I'm a little disappointed. Still gorgeous covers from Brian Bolland though.

[Wing Kee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack is Jack. That is all I can say about that character but as with the rest of these series Gary, the Page Sisters and others make it funny and quirky.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very pleasantly surprised by this volume. The Jack tales have not been as strong as Fables, probably because Bill Willingham co-authors the Jack tales whereas he writes Fables by himself. In this installment we learn more about the literals, Revise, and Bookburner. Yes, there is a war, but the war gives a whole new meaning to the word fist edition to me. Also, it makes me wonder how much our fables and fairy tales have been edited, neutered if you, over the decades. And, we find out more about Jack's parentage.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

REALLY hated this book. I hate Jack. He's not funny. I hate the one page interludes with Babe. They're not funny. And that THIS was how the war between the literals wrapped up was incredibly lame.

[Mohammad Aboomar · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst so far is a (really) stale run.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: next in the series.

I have to say I have really been looking forward to reading this volume simply because it means I can get back to the original Fables series now with the big crossover issue that continues on with the storyline started here. I've enjoyed Jack and will continue to read the series especially since I've inadvertently found out how the plot line changes in the next volume. I still do prefer Fables as a whole though to Jack of...

This Volume finally brings closure to the inevitable showdown that has been looming nearer and nearer in the last few volumes between Mr. Revise and his Fables and Bookburner and his army of gathered Fables. All five issues stay on theme and play out the titular storyline. This is not one of my favourites from the series. A battle can only last so long and stretching out over 5 issues was a bit overkill (no pun intended) for me. Not a lot of plot going on but certainly plenty of action. Admittedly some hilarious one- or two-liners from arrogant, s*xist Jack that kept the humour coming. The best part comes, of course, in the final chapter when we learn a most shocking reveal about Jack, one I'm not sure he'll be able to handle. The book ends inviting us to "The Great Fables Crossover", the next volume in the Fables series where the storyline will continue. So that is where I'll be headed next!

[David Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sixth collection of the Jack of Fables series contains issues 28 to 32.

The Bookburner has brought his forces to take over the Golden Boughs Retirement Community from Revise. If he succeeds, he will be able to get all of the original volumes of the Fables stories. Then he could force all of the Fables to be under his command.

The Literals story line continues to progress with more information coming out and connecting the Fables and the Literals. The Jack stories also continue to become sillier and getting farther from the regular Fables series. You can think of Jack as Fables Lite.

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revelations! Horrible, squirm-inducing revelations! We learn still more about the Literals, especially their connection to both the Homelands and the state of the mundane world. Also the war ends, and Jack predictably takes credit for it. BUT THE REVELATIONS! YECH!

[Fran · Rating 1 out of 5]

In which Jack continues to be a totally punchable bumface. The Literals started off looking promising, but it's really just a big mess now. Just the crossover to get through now and then hopefully I can carry on with the main series and pretend all this never happened.

[Harry Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly average throughout save for the last issue in the collection (which deserves 4 stars).

Very excited to get back to Fables now, will continue the Jack series since I'm so close to the end anyway.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm so glad that this series is finally crossing over with Fables proper, because, when that's finished, I can stop reading this dreck.

[Michelle Morrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

War with the Bookburner has arrived, how will Jack charm his way out of this one?

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun blow-y up. The reveal in the last issue is the high point. Still, this is a pretty average book, nowhere up to the quality of its progenitor.

[L. Petunia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wait, so was Jack created as an adult to replace Wicked John or was he born and is actually related to Literals? So confused...

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Jack! And this it's the big battle schene in this universe, much like in Fables, Vol. 11: War and Pieces. Gary (the Pathetic Fallacy) really shines here:



No horses? Use anything close!



IT LIVES!

And of course as comedic relief the entire time as well:



It's a bit telling just how strange the Literals are and also quite the twist for Jack to be half Literal.

Wait. What does that mean for John of Fables? Where'd he go anyways?

[Peter · Rating 1 out of 5]

This comic book series somehow manages to get worse and worse.
This entire book is one huge dumb battle, broken by thoroughly unfunny segments of Babe the Blue Ox.
Turns out that all the fables are written by one guy, revised by another and some burned by a third - dumb and sort of shitting on the historical people that even made these comics possible in the first place.
In the end our "heroes" almost lose, but fortunately Mr. Revise has a new deus ex up his sleeve every time things are about to crash.

The comic ends with the revelation that Jack, who the authors apparently already forgot is just a copy of John, is somehow half Literal.
How much I hate that concept, I find difficult to put into words.

Jack was way more fun when he was a trickster, instead of a sex-crazed buffoon.
"There is at least one good thing about war. For some reason it makes women extraordinarily pliant and horny."

The realisation that Mr. Revise looks exactly like Walt Disney helped a tiny bit, but I think this is the last Jack of Fables comic I'm reading, at least for quite a while.

Trash.

[torin_kylara · Rating 3 out of 5]

"If there's one thing that small-pet breeder Pip Wallace has learned over the years, it's that mankind's greatest enemy if the hamster.

The horrifying truth is that their cute and fuzzy exteriors conceal a deep and uncompromising evil.

Over the years, Pip has been able to discern these hateful creatures' malevolent intentions.

Their goal is nothing less than genocide. Even now they are preparing to rise up, throw off the shackles of their habitrails and fun wheels, and gnaw the throats of our children while they sleep."

[Beat.]

"Fortunately, they're just hamsters."

Also, Jack is a dick.

[Joseph Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, you don't get a sense of consequence from this story. Sure fables are shifted into exile, but there isn't that much emotional connection. Jack's loose play with the rules leaves you feeling like not much is really at stake. He beds a Page sister or two, and then goes off without major changes.

Sort of feels like a rehash of previous war stories covered by Fables, but not as satisfying or heroic.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack, master of war, wins the day!! Or at least that's how he sees things as we get the big battle between Mr. Revise and Bookburner. There are some hilarious "Jack-isms" and his interactions with the Page Sisters continue to be funny. There are some big ramifications from the outcome of the war and its leading to something huge. The art by Akins and Braun is a great fit for the book. Another fun read.

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

actual rating: 3.5

Most of this volume is the big battle between the Fables and the Bookburner which had some interesting moments but overall I'm not that into long extended battles. Still, there are some cool moments and also some new things revealed about the Literals which I think are very interesting. Also a reveal about Jack in the last issue that's both hilarious and should bring some cool plot points in the future. Not looking forward to the crossover with the main Fables storyline up next but we'll see how it goes.

[Devon Munn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars

Some parts of this Bookburner war got out of pocket with some creative ways of warfare

Also oh shit that plot twist......OOF

Also the amount of random casual racism in this series is weird. First we have Babe a few volumes ago saying the E slur in one of her thinking bits and the presence of the "Comanche Skeleton" and then in this volume there's a bit of a group of generic Native American folks who Jack literally calls "r*dskins"...ew

[Yehia Shehata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly better than the previous volume, with some progress on the overall story of Jack, and indications of heading into a crossover with the main Fables series, which is kind of concerning, I don't know how the Literals would play with that universe, but I have faith.

I still think this series is not as polished as the main series, but I'm not giving up on it.

[BSender · Rating 4 out of 5]

War is here between Book burner and Mr. Revise! This story is not quite as good as the previous one but still good. Just barely getting 4 stars. All there is to say is war happens and one side loses and the other loses as well, just not as much. Disgusting truths are learned at the end and a big crossover is teased. Overall 7.5 maybe 8/10