‘Fables: Legends in Exile’ review
By Brittney MacDonald, Senior Columnist
3/5
Fables is a graphic novel series that has inspired a cult following of fans as well as its very own video game. It employs an interesting concept of fairy tale characters such as Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf living in modern day New York, after their magical homelands have been taken over by a mysterious enemy. Despite the interest I have in the overall concept, I found this first volume in the series a bit mediocre.
Written by Bill Willingham, the plot follows Sheriff Bigby Wolf, a.k.a. the Big Bad Wolf, and Deputy Mayor Snow White as they investigate the disappearance of Snow White’s sister, Rose Red. Suspecting a violent crime has taken place due to the bloody scene left at Rose’s apartment, the pair encounter plenty of fairy tale suspects to interview, including notorious folk tale serial killer Bluebeard and giant-slayer Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. Although it sounds exciting, I found the plot a little too predictable for my taste. However, the jabs at Snow White’s and Cinderella’s ex-husband Prince Charming were fun.
Artistically, the style used in Fables is very traditional, almost to the point where it makes the book appear older than it is. Lan Medina, Steve Leialoha, Craig Hamilton, and Sherilyn van Valkenburgh use a heavy hand with their ink and colour that readers who are used to the subtler touches of the modern North American style might not find appealing, but it will certainly draw in the old school, classical fans out there.
I’ll probably leave the next book for a rainy day of boredom, but I will return to it. Based on that, I recommend this book as a gateway into an interesting series.
