Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love
Reviews (128)
Politics are afoot...
In volume 3 of the hit Fables series, Willingham branches out from what came before. While the first two collection comprised one full story arc, this volume gives us two stand alone stories, one two-issue arc and one four-issue arc. The first solo, 'Bag O'Bones', flashes back to the American Civil war and Jack the Trickster's role in it. While none of the other Fables show up, this story is pretty funny, and does a great job showing just how wide the scope of this series is. I can't wait to see what other flashes from the past come up in this series. Next we have the two-part arc the aptly named 'two-part caper'. In this arc, Bigby and the some other fables join forces to stop a reporter from breaking the news of the community to the general public. I would honestly call this the best arc, and transitions perfectly into the next story. The title arc, 'Storybook love' comes next. Some serious political gamesmanship starts up in this arc that leaves me very excited for the next volume, but unfortunately, I didn't think this was the greatest. It might just be personal preferences, but I keep expecting more from Snow White as a character, and this story does not deliver. The end was just needlessly melodramtic. Finally, the one off 'Barleycorn Brides' is a light-hearted backstory on the Lilliputians, and how they came to set up there community in the Farm. Not much to say about this story, it's just a pleasant filler arc.
Excellent collection of four new tales
This is the third book in the Fables series. Unlike the first two books this one is comprised of four separate tales. This installment does an excellent job of filling in some background while still moving the main story along. The first installment tells about Jack the Giant killer and his love of a cursed southern belle. The second talks about Bigby Wolf dealing with a reporter who thinks he's discovered the secret of Fabletown. The third is the longest and progresses the story the furthest; this one is about Goldilocks trying to kill Snow White and Bigby. The fourth is about Jack and the Beanstalk. All of the stories are engaging and interesting. The third (Storybook Love) about Snow White and Bigby ends on a total cliffhanger that had me dying to know what would happen next. The illustration is in keeping with previous book; although the fourth story didn't have as detailed artwork as the three that came before it. This book was another engaging, humorous, and interesting set of Fabletown tales. I am absolutely hooked on this series and excited to read the 4th book, March of the Wooden Soldiers. The world continues to gain complexity and I am always surprised by the fables that pop up in the storylines. It is fun to try and figure out who is from which fable/fairy tale. Overall an excellent installment to this series. I am eager to find out what happens next. It was great to get background on some of the characters as well as have the story progress. This is definitely an adult graphic novel; there is nudity and violence. Fans of fairy tales, humorous urban fantasy, or just fantasy graphic novels in general should make sure to check out this series.
It's only "happily ever after" if Bill Willingham says it's so...
I don't know why it took me this long to get on board the FABLES bandwagon. For years now, left and right, everyone's been pimping this series to me. Now, count me converted. I finally read a FABLES trade paperback, and, it turns out, everyone's right. This is some of the best reading currently being produced in comic book-dom, and I got straight-away hooked. FABLES: STORYBOOK LOVE happens to be the third volume, and is so good I just had to say stuff about it. Some background: Once upon a time, some terrible, terrible thing called the Adversary went on an all-out bloody invasion of the fairy tale kingdoms, causing now suddenly deposed magical creatures, these "fables," to flee to far distances in search of sanctuary. The refugees escaped into our world and were able to make a home of sorts. And, so, today, in a nondescript nook of New York City sits Fabletown. Ah, but if the regular Joes only knew... And, by the way, those fairy tale creatures who couldn't pass for humans instead while their days away in a concealed place called the Farm, in upstate New York. As you may imagine, being forced to live in seclusion tends to foster unrest. See
A collection of tales, as the series hits its stride
I liked the first two volumes of "Fables," but felt some of the characterization was a bit uneven as Willingham developed his characters and the world of Fabletown. In this volume, there is one sequence that advances the main story arc and further develops the characters of Snow White, Bigby Wolf, and Prince Charming, and three other stories which stand on their own. I felt the characters were all much more real in this volume, and the setting more solid. The main story (which advances the series' overall plot) features the return of Goldilocks, whose appearance always seems to guarantee a bloodbath, and develops the relationship between Snow White and Bigby Wolf. Bigby becomes a much more interesting character in this story, starting to become more than just a "Wolverine" knockoff. Prince Charming also takes a minor but significant role in this story, and surprisingly, also becomes much more interesting, as we see that he can be more than just a manipulative cad. One of the secondary stories is about a muckraking journalist who discovers the Fables' secret and threatens to expose them. It introduces Briar Rose, aka "Sleeping Beauty," and also stars Bigby Wolf, Prince Charming, and Bluebeard. The other two secondary stories are more traditional fairy tales that have nothing to do with the main story arc, but flesh out the characters and world of the Fables. One is set during the Civil War and stars Jack of the Tales as his usual scoundrel self. The other tells of how the Lilliputians came to our world and joined the other Fables on The Farm.
Brilliant stuff for a fairy tale buff
Following on from FABLES: LEGENDS IN EXILE and FABLES: ANIMAL FARM, here's the third volume compiled from the series. In it Boy Blue falls for Red Riding Hood while fighting the Adversary's minions; a stupid journalist thinks he can unmask the residents of Fabletown for the vampires he thinks they are; an evil plot has surprising consequences for Bigby Wolf and Snow White; and we find out about Barleycorn Brides. And that's just for starters. The consequences of some of the things that happen here will, as they always do in these tales, through what follows later. It also deals with the further interaction between the crazed revolutionary Goldilocks and Snow Whit, who, as we may remember from ANIMAL FARM, has a bone to pick with Goldie. The pace continues unabated, with the story-lines mostly interleaved and hanging together; though Boy Blue's adventures are 'historical' (but need to be told, so we understand what happens in the next volume: FABLES: MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS), and the Barelycorn Brides snippet appears to bear only a slight connection to anything going on in the main-line story thread. There's some serious violence and blood, plus some sex; people die; journalists get their due desserts, as does a fable, long overdue for the dispensing of justice; Bigby and Snow do some serious bonding in the wilderness. Nice pace, engaging tales and, though happy endings are far off or maybe will never come, there is a good deal of overt and suppressed romance. Full marks, as always. Till Noever, owlglass.com, Author: KEAEN, SELADIENNA, CONTINUITY SLIP
Another marvelous entry into a wonderful series
I worried a bit over the rating to give this volume in Bill Willingham's FABLES series. If judged by other volumes in the series, it would probably merit a 4 star rating. But judged by the vast majority of comics and graphic novels, it easily deserves 5 stars. So, 5 stars it is. As other reviewers have noted, this collects four separate stories of unequal length. The longest by far gives the title to the book, "Storybook Love." This is a fun story entirely on its own merits, but it also sets up major changes in the books to come. I can certainly recommend this book in the series, but I especially recommend the series as a whole. And it isn't just fun. I have read Grimms' Fairy Tales and much of Calvino's ITALIAN FOLKTALES, but I frequently find myself scurrying off to find out who this or that character in the story is. Definitely one of the finest comics series around.
Another fun time with fairy tale characters!
This series is great at drawing you in. (Though I could do without some of the excessive smut). The art in this volume ranges from great to really ugly. There are a few scenes I was just wondering how the artists approved...I know western comics often have odd anatomy and faces in certain panels...but some are a little too bad in this one. Overall though, this is a pretty fun volume. I was happy to see a Munchkin carrying an "Uncanny Oz Men" comic, and I can't wait to see more Oz characters show up in the story. Snow White and Bigby have some fun scenes in this one as well as some awkward ones and a couple of despicable characters bite the dust. I really liked Briar Rose in this volume, her curse is interesting and I'm glad they explored it some here.
Invested
Give me more!!! The story, of course, is wonderful. In ready for the next volume. My only gripe is that, in mobile/tablet, this volume has a terrible interface. The zoom in bit is awful and leaves out a lot of the artwork. Still five stars, but i prefer the view where each panel gets its own page. Oh well. Love the story either way.
Another Great Fables Entry
This is the third book in the graphic novel collections of Bill Willingham's Fables. As such, it features great artwork and a riveting story. The denizens of Fabletown, refugees fairy tale characters living in New York City, are threatened with exposure by a journalist who has been researching them for some time. With Snow White still on the mend, the protection of Fabletown falls to Bigby, Bluebeard, and Prince Charming. This brings into conflict two of the most ambitious men in Fabletown: Prince Charming and Bluebeard. The rest of the story focuses on their political machinations, which will have a big impact on Snow and Bigby's "relationship". If you enjoyed the first two Fable stories you will not be disappointed with Storybook Love.
Perfect
Some parts of the story dragged on a bit, but I liked this volume overall. and wait to read the next volume!
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