Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exilefable
Fables Vol. 1 : Legends in exile
By Bill Willingham
So, this is the first graphic novel in a series that transplants fairy-tale heroes to something resembling our current world. I am unclear about how they are existing here, exactly, but that isn't really the point. However, I will try and explain it, as far as I understand:
All the fairy-tale people (Snow White, Cinderella, The Blue Boy, Big Bad Wolf, Bluebeard, Rose Red, Jack ["and the beanstalk"], King Cole, Prince Charming, et al) call themselves "Fables" and they were all at some point recently, kicked out of their fairytale realm by a mysterious villain we don't know much about. When they were sent to our world, there was a general amnesty declared against all of their crimes from the fairytale realm [i.e. Big Bad Wolf eating the grandmother; Jack killing the giant; Bluebeard killing all of his wives] and now they exist within our world and also separate from it. They call normal peopleMuggles Mundanes, or "Mundies" for short.
Snow White is the honorary mayor (King Cole is officially in charge, but he is more of a figurehead). When Snow's sister, Rose Red, goes missing and all that is left is a CSI-esque blood-spattered crime scene - Bigby Wolf (who is Big Bad Wolf in human form) goes to investigate. His investigation shows us a whole bunch of suspects and basically introduces us to all of the fairy tale characters.
I really, really like the character of Bigby Wolf. He is this wise-cracking tough guy in the mode of Wolverine from X-Men (I guess they also have in common certain wolf characteristics). I am not sure why Bigby is shown in so many scenes clad in a) a towel, b) underwear, or c) a swimsuit - but I can't say I really minded. Snow White is also a great foil for him - a total femme fatale who won't take crap from anyone. I guess this whole graphic novel is like a melange of fairy-tales, postmodernism, and noir - and if that doesn't appeal to you, then you are very different from me.
So, anyway. In terms of using this title for YAs, I would say it is more for older teens than younger - like say, age 16 and up. There is a sex scene involving Prince Charming where all their bits are covered with a sheet, but still, younger teens might find the noir tone and some of the sexual innuendos kind of off-putting.
Rating: Good for teens aged 16 and up, although I would place this in my adult collection, rather than the YA collection
By Bill Willingham
So, this is the first graphic novel in a series that transplants fairy-tale heroes to something resembling our current world. I am unclear about how they are existing here, exactly, but that isn't really the point. However, I will try and explain it, as far as I understand:
All the fairy-tale people (Snow White, Cinderella, The Blue Boy, Big Bad Wolf, Bluebeard, Rose Red, Jack ["and the beanstalk"], King Cole, Prince Charming, et al) call themselves "Fables" and they were all at some point recently, kicked out of their fairytale realm by a mysterious villain we don't know much about. When they were sent to our world, there was a general amnesty declared against all of their crimes from the fairytale realm [i.e. Big Bad Wolf eating the grandmother; Jack killing the giant; Bluebeard killing all of his wives] and now they exist within our world and also separate from it. They call normal people
Snow White is the honorary mayor (King Cole is officially in charge, but he is more of a figurehead). When Snow's sister, Rose Red, goes missing and all that is left is a CSI-esque blood-spattered crime scene - Bigby Wolf (who is Big Bad Wolf in human form) goes to investigate. His investigation shows us a whole bunch of suspects and basically introduces us to all of the fairy tale characters.
I really, really like the character of Bigby Wolf. He is this wise-cracking tough guy in the mode of Wolverine from X-Men (I guess they also have in common certain wolf characteristics). I am not sure why Bigby is shown in so many scenes clad in a) a towel, b) underwear, or c) a swimsuit - but I can't say I really minded. Snow White is also a great foil for him - a total femme fatale who won't take crap from anyone. I guess this whole graphic novel is like a melange of fairy-tales, postmodernism, and noir - and if that doesn't appeal to you, then you are very different from me.
So, anyway. In terms of using this title for YAs, I would say it is more for older teens than younger - like say, age 16 and up. There is a sex scene involving Prince Charming where all their bits are covered with a sheet, but still, younger teens might find the noir tone and some of the sexual innuendos kind of off-putting.
Rating: Good for teens aged 16 and up, although I would place this in my adult collection, rather than the YA collection
