readerkat727's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
linguana's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the Page Sisters storyline much more when it was just about Jack of Fables. This had some fun moments but ultimately became annoying and silly. On to new adversaries (and let's hope they're better)
kittthecat's review against another edition
2.0
I was hesitant when I saw it was a Fables/Jack of Fables crossover since those typically don’t do it for me anyway.
This had my two least favorite stories and least favorite art in the series thus far.
I still love the series, but this was weak for me.
This had my two least favorite stories and least favorite art in the series thus far.
I still love the series, but this was weak for me.
artfuldanni's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh. The great fables crossover.
If I'd skipped this during my reading of the ultimate editions it would have made almost zero difference as far as the main plot of Fables goes. If Kevin Thorn never returned after Mister Dark destroyed Fabletown I wouldn't have even noticed.
If you're reading the Jack of Fables stories, maybe this is more relevant.
This is a re-read of the Fables comics for me and of I ever re-read them again, I hope my memory does me a solid and reminds me to skip this volume.
I'd have scored it a 1* but the additional bigby and v the werewolves story was enjoyable enough.
If I'd skipped this during my reading of the ultimate editions it would have made almost zero difference as far as the main plot of Fables goes. If Kevin Thorn never returned after Mister Dark destroyed Fabletown I wouldn't have even noticed.
If you're reading the Jack of Fables stories, maybe this is more relevant.
This is a re-read of the Fables comics for me and of I ever re-read them again, I hope my memory does me a solid and reminds me to skip this volume.
I'd have scored it a 1* but the additional bigby and v the werewolves story was enjoyable enough.
avvai's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wouter_dhondt's review against another edition
1.0
I'm usually not that fond of crossover events. They always try to be witty and make a caricature of their own characters. Probably to try and showcase their respective series. There are some decent ones, but I've never been blown away by any.
But this one is beyond terrible. A lot of references (I guess) to events from the Jack of Fables series. So if you haven't read that, all you have is confusing drivel that doesn't even get the Fables tone right. I feared I'd have to struggle my way through just to make sure I would not miss anything to continue the main series. That is until I read. I'm up to anything used as a plot device, but it has to serve a purpose.
So didn't finish. I've had more fun at the dentist. Certainly won't be reading the Jack of Fables spin-off series. Only keeping this book as it would otherwise leave a hole in the Fables series on my bookshelf.
But this one is beyond terrible. A lot of references (I guess) to events from the Jack of Fables series. So if you haven't read that, all you have is confusing drivel that doesn't even get the Fables tone right. I feared I'd have to struggle my way through just to make sure I would not miss anything to continue the main series. That is until I read
Spoiler
the rape scene between Jack and Rose Red used for "comic relief"So didn't finish. I've had more fun at the dentist. Certainly won't be reading the Jack of Fables spin-off series. Only keeping this book as it would otherwise leave a hole in the Fables series on my bookshelf.
richael's review against another edition
3.0
I was not a fan of the first half of this edition - the Great Fables Crossover. While the premise was interesting, it was confusing, convoluted, and just unnecessary to the overall storyline. I’ll acknowledge that if I had read the companion stories about Jack and the Literals I may have enjoyed it more.
However, I did enjoy the Werewolves of the Heartland (although not the very muted art style). It was great to pick up the previously storyline of what Bigby did during WWII.
However, I did enjoy the Werewolves of the Heartland (although not the very muted art style). It was great to pick up the previously storyline of what Bigby did during WWII.
molokov's review against another edition
3.0
The bulk of this volume is The Great Fables Crossover... which although a good story, left me very confused in parts. This is because it relies on a lot of backstory and characters from the Jack of Fables series, which I haven't read *because there are no deluxe releases for it yet* and the Trade paperbacks are hard to get a hold of. I really wish that DC/Vertigo had made the smart move to publish JoF Deluxe editions leading up to this point so readers like me wouldn't be confused or left in the dark. That being said, the final story, Werewolves of the Heartland was a much needed return to form and was beautifully illustrated, and quite graphic in tone (violence and nudity included).
brittanyae's review against another edition
3.0
This volume was mostly just okay for me. The crossover was entertaining, but just a little odd - which, of course, was what they warned us it would be, so I can't hold it against them. I did think the idea of The Literals was really neat, though!
As for Werewolves of the Heartland, the story was interesting enough. Sure, there were a few plot holes around, but the biggest flaw in this standalone story for me was the art. It just felt so simplistic compared to how the series usually looks. There wasn't much detail in characters to distinguish them from others, so everyone just sort of seemed the same, and the colors were super muted compared to Fables usually vibrant style. I wasn't really a fan, I have to say.
As for Werewolves of the Heartland, the story was interesting enough. Sure, there were a few plot holes around, but the biggest flaw in this standalone story for me was the art. It just felt so simplistic compared to how the series usually looks. There wasn't much detail in characters to distinguish them from others, so everyone just sort of seemed the same, and the colors were super muted compared to Fables usually vibrant style. I wasn't really a fan, I have to say.
chwaters's review against another edition
3.0
In this volume: it's a Jack of Fables/Fables crossover thing! A race of literals stands poised to wipe out the entire Fables universe. Or maybe the entire universe. A man known as Kevin has a magical pen that gives him the power to literally re-write the universe, so naturally he's going to use that power for evil. Bigby and Snow set off into Jack's territory in an attempt to curtail that threat while Jack decides to see what's going on down at the Fables farm (which causes all sorts of problems in classic Jack fashion). When all the crossover madness is over, we'll follow Bigby as he takes a trip to find a new location for Fabletown. What he finds is a town full of werewolves that view him as their patriarch. Fun!
I guess I should have read more of the Jack of Fables books so that parts of the crossover didn't seem so foreign to me, though I did like meeting a lot of the literals (bonus points for the Page sisters! They should have their own comic. Just sayin'.). I wasn't a fan of the artwork in the werewolf arc, so that wound up diminishing its appeal a bit for me. I love this series, but for some reason, this volume failed to keep up with my expectations. That being said, I'll still be reading volume 11 just as soon as my hold comes in.
I guess I should have read more of the Jack of Fables books so that parts of the crossover didn't seem so foreign to me, though I did like meeting a lot of the literals (bonus points for the Page sisters! They should have their own comic. Just sayin'.). I wasn't a fan of the artwork in the werewolf arc, so that wound up diminishing its appeal a bit for me. I love this series, but for some reason, this volume failed to keep up with my expectations. That being said, I'll still be reading volume 11 just as soon as my hold comes in.