bridget_books's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nytxia's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I usually don’t read comics or graphic novels – or haven’t for a while. But I have been playing the game "The Wolf Among Us", and it made me want to read this.
I keep thinking that my opinion on this series might be biased because I already felt attached somehow to the characters from having played the video-game – which was a prequel to the comic book series. This first volume was not what I was expecting: not as dark, not as violent, not as complex. There is also the fact that I am not sure how I’d have felt if this was my first contact with this mysterious ‘Fabletown’.
The book blurb is a bit tricky too: It gives us the background information in the beginning, however very little of this episode is dedicated to the actual background history of the series. If you are curious about the premise, you might be disappointed when you get an episodic murder mystery instead.
The characters are the best part for me. They are nothing like in the folklore, and they have unique quirks (You have to love the Big Bad Wolf). The chemistry between Snow and Bigby is intense, addictive, and even hilarious – but I guess I knew that already. Was this book funny? Yes, it was. I might have a weird sense of humor so take it with a grain of salt.
Overall, I think I was expecting the episode contained in this volume to be darker, more complex, more ‘adult’ perhaps, and to develop a bit more of the original premise. Still, this story is part of a pretty imaginative and creative world, and the series deserve all the credit for that. Plus, you get to spend some time with amazing characters that never cease to surprise you. I know that the world-building has more depth than what it was shown here, and I wonder when is this going to be shown / explained in the series.
In the end, it was a light, fun, and entertaining read, which I believe might turn into something more complex if I continue the series – which I will!
I usually don’t read comics or graphic novels – or haven’t for a while. But I have been playing the game "The Wolf Among Us", and it made me want to read this.
I keep thinking that my opinion on this series might be biased because I already felt attached somehow to the characters from having played the video-game – which was a prequel to the comic book series. This first volume was not what I was expecting: not as dark, not as violent, not as complex. There is also the fact that I am not sure how I’d have felt if this was my first contact with this mysterious ‘Fabletown’.
The book blurb is a bit tricky too: It gives us the background information in the beginning, however very little of this episode is dedicated to the actual background history of the series. If you are curious about the premise, you might be disappointed when you get an episodic murder mystery instead.
The characters are the best part for me. They are nothing like in the folklore, and they have unique quirks (You have to love the Big Bad Wolf). The chemistry between Snow and Bigby is intense, addictive, and even hilarious – but I guess I knew that already. Was this book funny? Yes, it was. I might have a weird sense of humor so take it with a grain of salt.
Overall, I think I was expecting the episode contained in this volume to be darker, more complex, more ‘adult’ perhaps, and to develop a bit more of the original premise. Still, this story is part of a pretty imaginative and creative world, and the series deserve all the credit for that. Plus, you get to spend some time with amazing characters that never cease to surprise you. I know that the world-building has more depth than what it was shown here, and I wonder when is this going to be shown / explained in the series.
In the end, it was a light, fun, and entertaining read, which I believe might turn into something more complex if I continue the series – which I will!
stackx's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting and modern take on the classic fairytales. I liked the worldbuilding but didn't really connect much with Snow White and Wolf. However, I'm excited to see where this story goes.
celise_winter's review against another edition
4.0
This is a cool concept. "The Adversary" took over the Fable Realm so all of the familiar characters like Cinderella, Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf (Bigby Wolf) escaped into the human world where they live in Fabletown and hide their non-humanity. All "Fables", as the people are called, were granted amnesty for anything they had done back in the Fable realms. Now one of them has gone missing, and one of their own is to blame.
It's cool to see Bigby Wolf as the sheriff and Snow White as the mayor. All of the airhead princesses have legitimate jobs and purposes which is kind of cool. Even some non Disney-fied fables are present, like Bluebeard. It's also neat that characters with the same name in various fables have been combined into one in this graphic novel. Both Cinderella and Snow White had "Prince Charmings", so in this series they both have the same man as their ex-husband. And he's total trash.
Before reading this I accidentally picked up the first volume in the Cinderella spin-off series and I can't say I was enthralled. This one makes me think I'll like this series!
As a bonus, there's a short story at the end about how Bigby and Snow White first met and how they came to the human world. Good stuff.
It's cool to see Bigby Wolf as the sheriff and Snow White as the mayor. All of the airhead princesses have legitimate jobs and purposes which is kind of cool. Even some non Disney-fied fables are present, like Bluebeard. It's also neat that characters with the same name in various fables have been combined into one in this graphic novel. Both Cinderella and Snow White had "Prince Charmings", so in this series they both have the same man as their ex-husband. And he's total trash.
Before reading this I accidentally picked up the first volume in the Cinderella spin-off series and I can't say I was enthralled. This one makes me think I'll like this series!
As a bonus, there's a short story at the end about how Bigby and Snow White first met and how they came to the human world. Good stuff.
natty11's review against another edition
5.0
Fables is my absolute favourite graphic novel of any kind in any form. I've read the full series, the spin-offs, I've played the game, and let me tell you, nothing has captured my heart more than this series. Not every issue is weighted equally in terms of quality, but each one makes up part of something I adore.
The range of characters is familiar enough from fables that they can be easily remembered, diverse enough in personalities that you can't forget. If you don't find yourself loving at least one character (Bigby, please), then maybe this series isn't for you, as the characters are the backbone. The adventures they go on, the obstacles they face, and the relationships they have are so refreshingly different from every other Western comic.
The range of characters is familiar enough from fables that they can be easily remembered, diverse enough in personalities that you can't forget. If you don't find yourself loving at least one character (Bigby, please), then maybe this series isn't for you, as the characters are the backbone. The adventures they go on, the obstacles they face, and the relationships they have are so refreshingly different from every other Western comic.
futurememory's review against another edition
3.0
So, Fables.
I really was anticipating reading this. It was a pretty good book, but the Rose Red murder arc was too simple and uninteresting. I was able to solve it incredibly easily, and it really left me a little bit bored. Too drawn out. I really love the characters (Bigby might have to be my new hero), and the different takes on the fairy tale and fable characters, but I just think I wanted a little more. I didn't get to see what these characters are really made of, I didn't really connect with anything on an emotional level. If they would have left the silly detective story behind, it might have been a smoother read for me.
I'll probably be picking up the next book though, just to see what happens.
I really was anticipating reading this. It was a pretty good book, but the Rose Red murder arc was too simple and uninteresting. I was able to solve it incredibly easily, and it really left me a little bit bored. Too drawn out. I really love the characters (Bigby might have to be my new hero), and the different takes on the fairy tale and fable characters, but I just think I wanted a little more. I didn't get to see what these characters are really made of, I didn't really connect with anything on an emotional level. If they would have left the silly detective story behind, it might have been a smoother read for me.
I'll probably be picking up the next book though, just to see what happens.
cmfruin2012's review against another edition
5.0
So fun! Picking up volume 2 at the library tomorrow.