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skybalon's review against another edition
5.0
It is easy. If you like graphic novels at all read the Fables series. Start at the beginning and enjoy the art and the story. The deluxe editions are the best, but in whatever version they are well worth the read.
dryden's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
molokov's review against another edition
4.0
Given how far apart these deluxe versions are released, I seem to forget when they're coming out so it's been more than six months since I read the last one. And then I devoured this... I couldn't imaging waiting a month between each issue, given how good these are. This volume gets back into the meat of the main storyline, which is great, but wraps it up very quickly - and the next big bad is just gone. This was kind of anti-climactic, but the way the story progresses from there (especially Bufkin's escapades) is very good, and I'm looking forward to the next volume :)
brittanyae's review against another edition
4.0
It took me way longer to get through this volume than it should have, but only because life got really busy. This one was far better than volume 10. A lot got resolved in this one, but it also set up plenty and left us with some questions. Looking forward to getting into #13!
chwaters's review against another edition
4.0
In this volume:
Mr. Dark is biding his time at the borders of Haven, waiting for Fly to wear down and drop his magical defenses. Pinocchio gathers together heroic fables in order to create a superhero team, complete with nicknames and costumes, that might stand a chance of defeating the biggest villain they've ever come across. The North Wind feels compelled to act on an old pledge, but circumstances may take things in a very different direction.
I often wonder whether Bill Willingham and co. ever anticipated the epic scale of this comic series. Did they plan for such a scale? If not, it's pretty amazing that they've been able to consistently put out comics that are simultaneously funny, smart, literate and emotionally engaging. I have a lot of love for this series and am pleased to note that this deluxe volume does not disappoint.
Mr. Dark is biding his time at the borders of Haven, waiting for Fly to wear down and drop his magical defenses. Pinocchio gathers together heroic fables in order to create a superhero team, complete with nicknames and costumes, that might stand a chance of defeating the biggest villain they've ever come across. The North Wind feels compelled to act on an old pledge, but circumstances may take things in a very different direction.
I often wonder whether Bill Willingham and co. ever anticipated the epic scale of this comic series. Did they plan for such a scale? If not, it's pretty amazing that they've been able to consistently put out comics that are simultaneously funny, smart, literate and emotionally engaging. I have a lot of love for this series and am pleased to note that this deluxe volume does not disappoint.
nikkibouman's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
iguessilikereading's review against another edition
5.0
Fables on the run. As Beauty says, it seems it is what they do best.
But as they have ran out of places to run, we are treated to a couple of meta issues as a final stand is prepared. A comparison with the 10th book is apparent, as this here is how meta-writing feels at home in Fables. As comic connoisseur, Pinocchio provides all the necessary tropes to the Fables preparing for the fight against Mister Dark.
The Wolf-Snow family story line intertwines with the rest of the fables, as their saviour is the North Wind. As he reveals in conversation, Totenkinder/Bellflower was the one who had a chance in fighting Mister Dark, and he sacrifices himself to save the fables and avoid killing his grandson. Considering North Wind was her second in the duel, I can't help but wonder if one of her plans wasn't to reveal Ghost's existence and force the conflict of the great powers. She did always have hidden plans. The additional information Mr. North provides that she was also on the cusp of becoming the archetype of witches adds to her legend.
Back in Haven, Rose Red's nocturnal acquaintance is finally revealed to be Hope (surprise, surprise!, given to all the nuggets of information we were given about her) and the ultimate conflict of the series is being prepared in full. Rose gets a tour of Hope's other paladins, and I can't remember the following issues correctly, so I can't wait to find out again how Santa is both Hope's paladin, and on the side of Snow White.
Finally for this book, we have the update on Buffkin, he is out of the office where he completed 3 of his great quests, and is back home in Oz (or next door) to lead a revolution. One of the most interesting conversations that starts his quest is between the Mirror and Frank, in which Mirror reveals he merely tells everyone what they might want to hear regarding the future, and the question is raised if his powers are prescriptive as well as descriptive in nature.
One of those lines that makes re-reading Fables fun every time.
But as they have ran out of places to run, we are treated to a couple of meta issues as a final stand is prepared. A comparison with the 10th book is apparent, as this here is how meta-writing feels at home in Fables. As comic connoisseur, Pinocchio provides all the necessary tropes to the Fables preparing for the fight against Mister Dark.
The Wolf-Snow family story line intertwines with the rest of the fables, as their saviour is the North Wind. As he reveals in conversation, Totenkinder/Bellflower was the one who had a chance in fighting Mister Dark, and he sacrifices himself to save the fables and avoid killing his grandson. Considering North Wind was her second in the duel, I can't help but wonder if one of her plans wasn't to reveal Ghost's existence and force the conflict of the great powers. She did always have hidden plans. The additional information Mr. North provides that she was also on the cusp of becoming the archetype of witches adds to her legend.
Back in Haven, Rose Red's nocturnal acquaintance is finally revealed to be Hope (surprise, surprise!, given to all the nuggets of information we were given about her) and the ultimate conflict of the series is being prepared in full. Rose gets a tour of Hope's other paladins, and I can't remember the following issues correctly, so I can't wait to find out again how Santa is both Hope's paladin, and on the side of Snow White.
Finally for this book, we have the update on Buffkin, he is out of the office where he completed 3 of his great quests, and is back home in Oz (or next door) to lead a revolution. One of the most interesting conversations that starts his quest is between the Mirror and Frank, in which Mirror reveals he merely tells everyone what they might want to hear regarding the future, and the question is raised if his powers are prescriptive as well as descriptive in nature.
One of those lines that makes re-reading Fables fun every time.
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