Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile

Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile (2002) Bill Willingham

I’m reminded of what I said when I started reading Sandman–I wonder if comic books are wasted on me. I don’t stop to look at the art work, I want to read the story and I want to know what happens RIGHT NOW.

I’m an impatient speed reader, what can I say?

So… This took me an hour to read. That’s a problem. Of course Michael will read this, and I did reread Sandman. And on the second reading of Sandman I did stop and pay attention to the artwork. So maybe it’s not that much of a problem.

Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile beings the story of the lives of folk and fairy tales as they attempt to live in the mundane world. Legends in Exile is a murder mystery of sorts. Snow White’s sister, Rose Red has disappeared, and her apartment has been destroyed and is full of blood, so Sheriff Bigby Wolf–in human form–must discover what happened.

What I found most interesting–and only after I missed it–was that the clues to the mystery were in the artwork. But of course I briefly perused the pictures and missed everything. My own fault, though I doubt it’ll slow me down next time. (Could though, you never can tell.)

But I really liked the characters and the stories, though from having listened to “Into the Woods” I was already aware that Prince Charming was a rather unsavory character, so that didn’t come as much of a surprise.

And I really liked the pig. He didn’t so much, but he kept appearing here and there, usually looking hung over, which amused me to no end. And I loved Baba Yaga’s hut, even though it wasn’t quite hut like, they did get the chicken legs right.

So, it was good, and I’m going to buy Volume II, although I’m not going to rush right out to do so immediately. Take that as you will.
Rating: 7/10

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