Fables is a Vertigo comic book series created and written by Bill Willingham. It takes place in a continuity of its own, and is unrelated to the larger DC Comics continuity. (It is not, as Booklist reported, a spinoff of The Sandman.) The series deals with various characters from fairy tales and folklore who have been forced out of their Homelands by a mysterious enemy known as the Adversary. They travel to our world and form a clandestine community in New York City known as Fabletown. Characters from fables with non-human appearance must live at the "Farm" in upstate New York. Vertigo logo Vertigo is an imprint of comic book and graphic novel publisher DC Comics. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bigby Wolf is a major character in the comic book series Fables. ... Snow White is a major character in the comic book series Fables. ... Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ... Bill Willingham (born December 1956 in Fort Belvoir, Virginia) is an American writer and artist of comic books. ... Mark Buckingham is an English comic book artist. ... Bill Willingham (born December 1956 in Fort Belvoir, Virginia) is an American writer and artist of comic books. ... Vertigo logo Vertigo is an imprint of comic book and graphic novel publisher DC Comics. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Bill Willingham (born December 1956 in Fort Belvoir, Virginia) is an American writer and artist of comic books. ... In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer. ... DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... Booklist is the digital counterpart of the American Library Associations Booklist magazine that provides a critical review of books. ... The Sandman was a comic book series written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics for 75 issues from 1988 until 1996. ... A fairy tale is a story, either told to children or as if told to children, concerning the adventures of mythical characters such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, giants, and others. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Homelands are the mythical lands from fairy tales, folklore, and nursery rhymes in the comic book series Fables. ... Geppetto is a major character, albeit one thats rarely seen, in the comic book series Fables, written by Bill Willingham. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Fabletown is the clandestine community of Fables resident in New York in the Fables comic book universe. ... This article is about modern humans. ... “NY” redirects here. ...

Willingham reinterpreted many of the characters, evident in the divorce of Snow White and Prince Charming due to infidelity on the part of the latter. The former is deputy mayor of Fabletown as the series begins. Another principal character is the Big Bad Wolf, who has not only reformed, but gained the ability to take on human appearance and serves as Fabletown's sheriff at the series' beginning. Snow White is a major character in the comic book series Fables. ... Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ... Bigby Wolf is a major character in the comic book series Fables. ...

Earlier story arcs each take on the form of a different genre: the first is a murder mystery, the next a conspiracy thriller, and then a caper story. More recently Willingham has explicitly tied his series to a pro-Israeli political stance, stating "Politically, I'm just rabidly pro-Israel and so that, as a metaphor, was intended from the beginning." ^[1] Sherlock Holmes, pipe-puffing hero of crime fiction, confers with his colleague Dr. Watson; together these characters popularized the genre. ... The conspiracy thriller (or paranoid thriller) is a subgenre of the thriller which flourished in the 1970s in the US (and was echoed in other parts of the world) in the wake of a number of high-profile scandals and controversies (most notably Vietnam, the assassination of President Kennedy, Chappaquiddick... The caper story is a subgenre of crime fiction. ...

Various artists have worked on the title. The covers are done by James Jean. The majority of the interior work has been done by Mark Buckingham, who reportedly will be given the reins to the story if Willingham is incapable of continuing the story. ^[2] Other artists include: Bryan Talbot, Lan Medina, P. Craig Russell, Mike Allred, and Linda Medley. James Jean is an award winning illustrator living in Los Angeles. ... Mark Buckingham is an English comic book artist. ... Bryan Talbot (born February 24, 1952) is a British comic book artist and writer. ... Lan Medina is a Filipino comic book artist. ... Philip Craig Russell, a. ... Cover to the Madman Adventures collected edition Mike Allred is an American comic book artist and writer. ...

July 2006 saw the debut of a spin-off series, Jack of Fables, that focuses on Jack Horner. The series is co-written by Willingham and former Clockwork Storybook author Matthew Sturges. Jack of Fables is a spin off of the comic Fables. ... Jack Horner is a comic book character from Fables. ...

1001 Nights of Snowfall is a hardcover prequel to Fables written by Willingham. It was released October 18, 2006. 1001 Nights of Snowfall is a hardcover, original graphic novel that is a prequel to Fables by series creator Bill Willingham. ...

Characters

Main article: List of characters in Fables

The main characters of Fables are public domain figures from folklore, mythology and literature. Bill Willingham has said the only considerations in deciding whether or not he chooses to use a character are "is the character or story free for use?" and "do I want to use it?" ^[3] Because the Adversary has concentrated his efforts on the European fable worlds, most of the characters seen so far are from European stories. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ... Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ...

Stories

1001 Nights of Snowfall (Hardback format one-shot): Based in a time early in Fabletown's history, when Snow White was sent as an emissary to the Arabian Fables. When the Arabian Fables take offence at having a woman sent to negotiate with them, Snow must amuse the Sultan with a new story every night to keep her head. 1001 Nights of Snowfall is a hardcover, original graphic novel that is a prequel to Fables by series creator Bill Willingham. ...

A Wolf in the Fold (prose story from the Legends In Exile trade paperback): Explains the history of Bigby Wolf and Snow White, and how they came to the mundane world.

Legends In Exile (issues 1 to 5): The introduction to Fabletown, and Sheriff Bigby Wolf investigates the apparent murder of Rose Red. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ...

Animal Farm (issues 6 to 10): A revolt occurs on the Animal Farm, a place for inhuman Fables.

Bag 'O Bones (issue 11): A tale set during the American Civil War, where Jack finds a way to cheat Death. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total...

A Two-Part Caper (issues 12 and 13): A mundane journalist finds out about the Fables and they have to decide how to react.

Storybook Love (issues 14 to 17): Bluebeard hatches a plot to rid himself of Bigby and Snow by enchanting them, and the homicidal Goldilocks attempts to kill the pair. Charming decides to run for Fabletown Mayor. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ...

Barleycorn Brides (issue 18): Bigby tells the story of a Smalltown tradition to Flycatcher. Flycatcher, also known as the Frog Prince, or occasionally by Ambrose, his real name, is a fictional character in the comic book series Fables, created by Bill Willingham. ...

The Last Castle: (Prestige format one-shot): Boy Blue relates the tale of the last stand against the Adversary's forces in the Homelands. Boy Blue is a major character in the Vertigo comic book series Fables. ...

March of the Wooden Soldiers (issues 19 to 21 and 23 to 27): Prince Charming runs for Mayor of Fabletown, while the community deals with the apparent escape from the Homelands of Red Riding Hood. The Adversary sends his first troops into Fabletown to begin an assault. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ...

Cinderella Libertine (issue 22): Cinderella's apparently frivolous lifestyle is revealed to be a front. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ...

War Stories (issues 28 and 29): Bigby's adventures during World War II. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

The Mean Seasons (issues 30 to 33): Snow gives birth, and realizes she must relocate to the Animal Farm, where Bigbay can't go. He exiles himself. Snow encounters Bigby's estranged father, North Wind. One of her children is revealed to be more powerful than the others, so she sends him to find his father, Bigby. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ...

Jack Be Nimble (issues 34 and 35): Jack goes to Hollywood and sets up a film studio. Spins off into Jack of Fables. ... Jack of Fables is a spin off of the comic Fables. ...

Homelands (issues 36 to 38 and 40 and 41): Boy Blue goes on a mission to the Homelands with the aim of assassinating the Adversary. He fails, but discovers who the Adversary is.

Meanwhile (issue 39): What has been going on in Fabletown during Blue's adventures.

Arabian Nights (and Days) (issues 42 to 45): A delegation of Arabian Fables led by Sinbad visit Fabletown reveal they have brought a D'jinn with them. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ... Genie is the English term for the Arabic جني (jinnie). ...

The Ballad of Rodney and June (issues 46 and 47): A side story of the seemingly ill-fated love of Rodney and June, two soldiers in the Adversary's army. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ...

Wolves (issues 48 and 49): Mowgli searches for the missing Bigby and brings him a message from Fabletown. Fables is a fictional fantasy comic series for mature readers published by DC Comics. ...

Happily Ever After (issue 50): Bigby returns and gets revenge against the Adversary, and marries Snow.

Big and Small (issue 51): Cinderella continues her mission in the Cloud Kingdom, but is is turned into a mouse and enlists the aid of Smalltown's resident medic.

Sons of Empire (issues 52 to 55): Thee Adversary calls a conference of the Imperial elite to decide the ultimate fate of Fabletown and Pinocchio has to face up to his divided loyalties. Pinocchio is a character in the comic book series Fables. ...

Jiminy Christmas (issue 56): Santa Claus' existence as a Fable is addressed. A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ...

Father and Son (issues 57 and 58): Bigby decides that the time has come to square things with his father, the North Wind. On a hunt, his children encounter Bigby's siblings, who have became more beast then man.

Burning Questions (issue 59): Readers were invited to participate in a contest by asking Willingham questions of unrseolved events in the series. Here, they are answered.

The Good Prince (issue 60 to 63 and 65 to 68): Flycatcher, whose never fully accepted the death of his wife, must face up to his past.

The Birthday Secret (issue 64): A peek inside the Witching Well and the birthday of Bigby's children.

An unnamed project will be officially announced at the Fables panel at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con. In terms of what it will be about, Willingham stated that readers have already seen the two main characters, who are not happy with each other in the new story. Each one of the characters has appeared in exactly one panel each of some previous Fables project.^[4] Comic-Con International is an annual comic book convention held in San Diego, California. ...

Awards and Praise

To date, Fables has won seven Eisner Awards; Best New Series in 2003, Best Serialised Story three times ("Legends In Exile" in 2003, "March of the Wooden Soldiers" in 2005 and "Homelands" in 2006) and Best Cover Artist (for James Jean) in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Prominent review site IGN has called it "the best comic book currently being produced" and says it "could surpass Neil Gaiman's Sandman as the best Vertigo series ever produced." ^[5] The Eisner Awards are given for achievement in comic books. ... IGN is a multimedia news and reviews website that focuses heavily on video games. ... Neil Richard Gaiman () (born November 10, 1960) is an English author of science fiction and fantasy short stories and novels, graphic novels, comics, and films. ... The Sandman is a comic book series written by Neil Gaiman and published in the United States by DC Comics for 75 issues from 1988 until 1996. ...

Collected editions

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References and Footnotes

1. ^ Deppey, Dirk (18 September 2006). Bill Willingham (excerpts). Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
2. ^ Fabletown.com Forums: Authors (2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
3. ^ O'Shea, Tom (2003). "This is a Wonderful Job": An Orca Q&A with Fables' Bill Willingham. Retrieved on 2007-07-31. Interview with Bill Willingham
4. ^ SDCC '07: The Fables Panel (29 July 2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
5. ^ Goldstein, Hilary (10 August 2006). The Ten Best DC Comics. Retrieved on 2007-07-31.

is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Fabletown Forums
• The Official Bill Willingham Homepage
• Fables at the official Vertigo website
• Bill Willingham at Wizard World L.A.: Writer Bill Willingham discusses the legend of Fables and his other current and upcoming projects (video)
• Excerpt of interview with cover artist James Jean from The Comics Interpreter #3PDF (946 KiB)
• Fables at ComicBookDB.com