In this one we return to the land of adult stories. This graphic novel takes place at the same time as #18: Cubs in Toyland, but we are getting the other sides of the story before Therese's grand return at the end of Cubs in Toyland.

This volume shows the journey of Bisgby & friend searching the realms the tiger landed in getting Dare to the land where Therese had been stolen. It's, also, taking place in city where Snow has suddenly been kidnapped by an earlier suitor who is now holding her captive, claiming to be her first and only "one, true love"/husband.

These two tales are both slower than Cubs in Toyland, but just as important. (I'm counting out Buffin's Tale, because it really did not appeal to me on any level). I definitely loved that we saw the merit in Snow's metal and Bigsby's temper/stubbornness. We got great cameo's by The Mayor, Briar Rose (& her Crazy Demon Car), as Rose Red.

I'm still not sure what i'm making of the whole wedding negotiation yet. But it was nice to see Lake again.


I can't even talk about the massive, harrowing conclusion because "...spoilers, darling" but I'm clinging to every hope and belief that's not even marginally over so long as the text has told me there's a sliver of a chance in hell. After all. This is fairytales, fables, and magic. We read because it is impossibly possible. ( )

What is it with Fables and Downton Abbey? Neither seems to be able to stop hammering away at my favorite characters. Even so, this volume still didn't match the extreme darkness of the last, and for that I am thankful. Still reeling from Bigby's death, though. This can't truly be the end, can it? The way Ambrose phrased his narration, they were without him for years afterward, so even if the witches have the power to bring him back, it doesn't seem like it will be any time soon. I kept hoping for Boy Blue to come back too, but I guess that makes me as delusional as Brock Blueheart. Although hope for characters not staying dead isn't without precedent. Bigby's a well-known character in the mundy world, and besides his own considerable powers and strength, he has that going for him since the really well-known characters are harder to keep dead. I loved Snow White in this issue even more than I usually do.

I enjoyed the Oz chapters at the beginning too, except for how short the chapters were. I wonder if these were companion issues or something when they originally came out. Having a chapter begin and end in just a few pages was disconcerting to read one after the other. It felt hurried, like the author had grabbed me by the arm and was forcing me to run with him. Funny stuff, though, especially the part with the reward poster.

Still one of my favorite series, and I was starting to have doubts after volume 18.

( )

Fables is still my favorite comic book of all time, but this is the first time I'm a little lost. Not in the sense of story, but more of the time line. Noticing it's jumping back and forth a little. Epically noticed it with this volume. Took me a little while to realize this was happening during the Cubs in Toyland arc, not before and not after but during.

I can see why they waited to add the Bufkin stories in Oz for this one. It wouldn't have worked with the tone for Cubs in Toyland. I wasn't too crazy for the art with Bufkin, but I did appreciate the Oz stuff. After reading several Oz books, I got some of the humor, like using the Golden Cap and Powder of Life. I'll be honest I was a little teary-eyed with the ending though.

The second half of the volume s I sad was confusing as to where to place it in the timeline, but at the end, I finally realized what was happening. This one we really get a sense for Snow and how she’s handling all these events in her life. You feel bad for her in this one, but she picks up a good fight at the end. Again this is a shocker ending. So I can't say anything. ( )

Good as always, but some parts felt like filler to get the story to the next place the writers want to go... Looking forward to reading more about these new developments. ( )

And thus, 19 stories in we have the 'story of Snow White'. Which details a first husband we've never heard of who's a comically bad guy and wants to ruins everyone's day... and actually does manager to kill Bigby.... Really?

On top of that, we have piles of backstory with BUFKIN THE LIBERATOR... who is not really that interesting. And apparently will never actually interact with the main Fables storyline? Meh.

The series is really starting to feel like it went a bit too long. At this point, I'm close enough to see how it ends, but either after the defeat of the Adversary or Mr. Dark could have been an ending...

Spoilers/shiny pictures:



Logic according to a monkey... and it works?



More Bufkin. Woo.



Has Bigby always been the God of Wolves? Also where are tehy even going with the Stinky storyline at this point? Blue's been gone a long while.



Political commentary by way of ferrets (or whatever those are).



We've seen both, so it's fair enough. Some people come back (or turned out to never really die) and some don't. I wonder which way Bigby will go.

Man the writers really love screwing with Snow White... ( )