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Fables (Single Issues)
Fables #1: Old Tales Revisited
Who killed Rose? In Fabletown, where fairy tale legends live alongside regular New Yorkers, the question is all anyone can talk about. But only the Big Bad Wolf can actually solve the case - and along with Rose's sister Snow White, keep the Fabletown community from coming apart at the seams.
32 pages, Comic Book
First published May 8, 2002
12 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
998 books2,829 followersIn 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 14, 2016
Unlike many fellow readers I know, I myself was never been much into traditional fairy tales, especially western-world's fairy tales such as Disney's or Grimm Brothers'.... But dark modernistic real-world based fairy tale retellings are entirely different things, I find them really fun to read. Heard a LOT of good things about this comicbook series over the years, and was very curious to know what's all the noise about. Have to say I'm pretty impressed with what I'm seeing. This is ONLY the very beginning and nothing much (if at all) happens in the first issue, but in quick glimpses it sets up the tone and the world nicely to a newcomer like me. The artworks are absolutely beautiful and colorful, just what this types of fairy-tale retelling needs to be visually eyepopping and appealing, the writing is snappy and humorous without wasting much time in unnecessary expositions, instead on point with all the important facts and backstories to the reader to set up the world-building, giving me just enough of an idea of what's happened and what's going on to keep me up to speed. Some of the central figures were introduced and sets up their roles quite well to give me the right feel of who's who and a sense of their characters in this world, like Snow White is now a no-nonsense Deputy Mayor who basically runs the show in Fabletown, formerly Big Bad Wolf now the reformed Bigby Wolf is the sheriff and the lead detective, Jack of the Beanstalks is a creep, Prince Charming (the ex of both Snow White and Cinderella) is a sleazy bastard etc. I have to say, I'm hooked right now, and will be very interested to see where this exciting new world will take me.
March 12, 2014
SXSW 2014. South by Southwest is an interactive, music and film festival in Austin, Texas and since Comixology has a major presence there this weekend, it gave some free books accessible to its subscribers as it launched some major initiatives. This is one of those books.
I admit that I've really caught on the long-running Vertigo series by Bill Willingham. Probably because I missed the first three dozen books and the story just drifted away from when I tried latching on when the series was already nearing its hundredth issue.
This first issue gave me a chance to see what really the fuss was all about and I must admit that this was as good as first issues go. We meet four characters that would play major roles later on as the readers are presented a mystery, who killed Snow White's sister?
Yes, that Snow White. Apparently, Snow White, Big Bad Wolf and Jack without his beanstalk are just a few of what could be untold number of fairytale denizens living in plain sight among us "mundys" or mundanes while on exile from their homeland. Interesting concept which was executed quite well by the creative team, hence the draw to follow this characters on their monthly adventures.
I've been meaning to start from the beginning myself and I just might as soon as I can find an affordable hardcover of the first several issues.
I admit that I've really caught on the long-running Vertigo series by Bill Willingham. Probably because I missed the first three dozen books and the story just drifted away from when I tried latching on when the series was already nearing its hundredth issue.
This first issue gave me a chance to see what really the fuss was all about and I must admit that this was as good as first issues go. We meet four characters that would play major roles later on as the readers are presented a mystery, who killed Snow White's sister?
Yes, that Snow White. Apparently, Snow White, Big Bad Wolf and Jack without his beanstalk are just a few of what could be untold number of fairytale denizens living in plain sight among us "mundys" or mundanes while on exile from their homeland. Interesting concept which was executed quite well by the creative team, hence the draw to follow this characters on their monthly adventures.
I've been meaning to start from the beginning myself and I just might as soon as I can find an affordable hardcover of the first several issues.
January 26, 2015
Interesting and original idea for a story. The fairytale characters we all know and love are here in our world and they are having a difficult time making by, seeing they had to leave all their land and fortunes behind when they were forced out of their homelands by someone called the Adversary.
Snow White's sister, who is also Jack's (yeah Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, do you know any other fairytale Jack?) girlfriend, Rose Red is missing. Her appartement is a bloody mess and I don't mean that in the Britsh kind of bloody, but bloody as in blood (you know that red stuff comes out when someone cuts him or herself). Snow White who is the deputy mayor and the Big Bad Wolf who is the sherrif of Fabletown go out to the appartement where the sherrif finds a clue which leads him to arrest Jack. This is where issue 1 ends. Cliffhanger someone? This first issue made me want to read more of Fables, so I'm thinking of getting the first trade from my local library and if I still like it after that, I'm buying the this series.
The art is good, the characters are interesting. I recommend it to people who are in for some light and amusing (Beauty and the Beast and Prince Charming made this first issue amusing) reading.
Snow White's sister, who is also Jack's (yeah Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, do you know any other fairytale Jack?) girlfriend, Rose Red is missing. Her appartement is a bloody mess and I don't mean that in the Britsh kind of bloody, but bloody as in blood (you know that red stuff comes out when someone cuts him or herself). Snow White who is the deputy mayor and the Big Bad Wolf who is the sherrif of Fabletown go out to the appartement where the sherrif finds a clue which leads him to arrest Jack. This is where issue 1 ends. Cliffhanger someone? This first issue made me want to read more of Fables, so I'm thinking of getting the first trade from my local library and if I still like it after that, I'm buying the this series.
The art is good, the characters are interesting. I recommend it to people who are in for some light and amusing (Beauty and the Beast and Prince Charming made this first issue amusing) reading.
August 10, 2015
Found the first issue on the cheap, so i thought what the hell, I'll try it. There's a lot of interesting things going on this series. It's certainly a classic for good reasons. I wasn't blown away by Fairest, and I don't think I'll be blown away by this one either, but I'd definitely follow up on it.
November 23, 2017
This could be interesting.
May 6, 2015
Great prospect. Snow White as a badass deputy mayor and the Big Bad Wolf as a dry humored sheriff. I'm looking forward to seeing how this story unfolds. The speech bubbles are somewhat uncomfortable to read and take some getting use to but the unique art style makes up for it.
August 10, 2018
I'm finally getting around to reading this series. I've always loved fairytales (beginning from way back when there was those "Troll Readers" (you know the ones that came with a paperback book and cassette in the case? Please tell me I wasn't the only kid with those back in the day.). Anyway, I heard about this series surprisingly enough on Tumblr (land of all the things you probably never needed to know but somehow manage to become obsessed with anyway.). This is only the first read, but I am really enjoying all these gritty characters being brought to NYC right under the nose of the unsuspecting "Mundies". The artwork is wonderful and and the satire of known realistic and accepted fairyland tropes just adds to the read. I hope the other comics in the series are just as good going forward.
April 3, 2018
Read in Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile.
1: Old Tales Revisited - Jack goes to Bigby when Rose Red is missing and it appears she may have been killed.
Bigby Wolf (Big Bad Wolf) works to solve the apparent murder of Rose Red, Snow White's sister. This story depicts fairy tale legends living in New York City. Characters include Big Bad Wolf, Jack of Jack and the Bean Stalk, Snow White, Rose Red, Beauty and the Beast, Prince Charming.
An entertaining comic with a twist on some favorite fairy tales.
1: Old Tales Revisited - Jack goes to Bigby when Rose Red is missing and it appears she may have been killed.
Bigby Wolf (Big Bad Wolf) works to solve the apparent murder of Rose Red, Snow White's sister. This story depicts fairy tale legends living in New York City. Characters include Big Bad Wolf, Jack of Jack and the Bean Stalk, Snow White, Rose Red, Beauty and the Beast, Prince Charming.
An entertaining comic with a twist on some favorite fairy tales.
April 25, 2016
Love this series and it's been so long I've forgotten where I was in it. Also, comixology.eu is going to bankrupt me. It's too easy to get my hands on comics now.
Love Bigby and Snow White, this is a great intro to this series.
Love Bigby and Snow White, this is a great intro to this series.
February 2, 2025
I LOVE Fables. I'm starting a reread, and to finish the series, because I never have. This is such a great start to a series. A mystery, familiar characters but with new facets, a secret community, and a good rye humor. And Wolfy and Snow are crackling with chemistry already.
August 30, 2020
Decent entertainment
This was an entertaining comic to read, but it's not exactly the best one I've ever laid eyes on. But this was only the first chapter, so will continue with it and see how it develops.
This was an entertaining comic to read, but it's not exactly the best one I've ever laid eyes on. But this was only the first chapter, so will continue with it and see how it develops.
February 11, 2016
Can't wait to continue on. Anything fairytale I'm willing to give a try and I really liked where this was going.
January 4, 2026
Synopsis
In the heart of modern-day New York City, a hidden community lives in the shadows. Known as "Fabletown," it serves as a sanctuary for famous fairy tale characters who have been exiled from their homelands and now live in disguise among the "Mundanes" (ordinary humans). But the peace of this secret society is shattered when a grisly crime is discovered: the apartment of Rose Red is covered in blood, and she is nowhere to be found. As the sister of Fabletown's Deputy Mayor, Snow White, Rose’s disappearance carries massive weight. To solve the potential murder, Snow must team up with the Fabletown's Sheriff, Bigby Wolf—better known to us as the Big Bad Wolf.
The Verdict
As someone who is both a newcomer to the comic books and generally not a fan of traditional fairy tales, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this issue hooked me. The brilliance of Fables #1 lies in its genre-bending; it’s less about magic and more about a gritty, hard-boiled detective thriller. Ready for the next issue.
Rating: 2.5 / 5 Stars
In the heart of modern-day New York City, a hidden community lives in the shadows. Known as "Fabletown," it serves as a sanctuary for famous fairy tale characters who have been exiled from their homelands and now live in disguise among the "Mundanes" (ordinary humans). But the peace of this secret society is shattered when a grisly crime is discovered: the apartment of Rose Red is covered in blood, and she is nowhere to be found. As the sister of Fabletown's Deputy Mayor, Snow White, Rose’s disappearance carries massive weight. To solve the potential murder, Snow must team up with the Fabletown's Sheriff, Bigby Wolf—better known to us as the Big Bad Wolf.
The Verdict
As someone who is both a newcomer to the comic books and generally not a fan of traditional fairy tales, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this issue hooked me. The brilliance of Fables #1 lies in its genre-bending; it’s less about magic and more about a gritty, hard-boiled detective thriller. Ready for the next issue.
Rating: 2.5 / 5 Stars
July 15, 2022
Needing a break from Superheroes, I learned that Fables is a DC product. I decided to check out this series. I have seen it around over the years. Based off classic fables/fairy tales, I think this may be something I could understand and enjoy.
The premise seems to be that something has happened to cause these characters to leave their universe and set up camp in what appears to be normal America. Snow White heads the business office and the wolf is in charge of security. Jack reports that Rose Red, Snow White's sister, is missing. After Snow dismisses Beauty & the Beast complaining of marital troubles, she and the wolf meet Jack at Rose Red's apartment.
Meanwhile, Prince Charming is back in town. He beds the waitress with some explicit language. This is not a fairy tale for children. :)
The apartment is covered in blood with a message on the wall: No more happily ever after.
To be continued. We're off to a good start.
The premise seems to be that something has happened to cause these characters to leave their universe and set up camp in what appears to be normal America. Snow White heads the business office and the wolf is in charge of security. Jack reports that Rose Red, Snow White's sister, is missing. After Snow dismisses Beauty & the Beast complaining of marital troubles, she and the wolf meet Jack at Rose Red's apartment.
Meanwhile, Prince Charming is back in town. He beds the waitress with some explicit language. This is not a fairy tale for children. :)
The apartment is covered in blood with a message on the wall: No more happily ever after.
To be continued. We're off to a good start.
April 25, 2021
After planning for so many years I have finally started playing "The Wolf Among Us" and before I move to episode 2 I asked myself shouldn't read the original material first. After all, a game might or might not adopt the story as it is. And that is the case a good start and let's see wherever we go from here. The next issues will be read after a short/long break :).
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
December 19, 2017
Reminds me of Jasper Fforde's Nursery Crime series.
March 28, 2021
Blancanieves diosa empoderada. (ﾉ≧∇≦)ﾉ ﾐ ┻━┻
December 23, 2024
bigby wolf i want u
January 3, 2015
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews