Review of "Fables: Legends in Exile," by Bill Willingham et. al.

Review of

Fables: Legends in Exile, by Bill Willingham et. al. ISBN 1563899426

Five out of five stars

 The premise of this graphic novel is original and provides a basis for a great deal of bantering between the characters, some of which will not be understood if you are not up on the fables of western civilization. The premise is that the characters of the fables lived in various fable realms until attacked and defeated by the forces of “The Adversary,” a power that is never well-defined. Many of the fable characters were killed or captured, the few that escaped are living in a vast underground society embedded within the human one.

 Some of the characters are B. Wolf, Snow White, Rose Red, King Cole, Jack (of beanstalk fame) and Prince Charming. Most of them have taken on human characteristics, for example Prince Charming is a scamp, using human women in many ways after his divorce from Snow White.

 The premise is that Rose Red was a wild party animal, she is missing, and a great deal of her blood is scattered throughout her apartment. B. Wolf is investigating the situation and it is his keen olfactory sense that tells him that it is her blood. Snow White and Rose Red have been estranged for years, yet Snow White, now deputy mayor of Fabletown, insists on being part of the investigation. Their path puts them in contact with many characters from the fables, a general amnesty for all past crimes allows all former adversaries, including the murderous ones, to peacefully coexist. Yet not without some lingering tension and hostility.

 Using preexisting imagination, the authors and artists created a very entertaining and interesting story, when you finish you hope there are more volumes.