This might surprise you as I usually don’t read comics or graphic novels – or haven’t for a while. But I have been playing the game The Wolf Among Us, and it made me want to read this.
Fables was a comic book series published by DC
I keep thinking that my opinion on this series might be biased because I already felt attached somehow to the characters from having played the video-game – which was a prequel to the comic book series. This first volume was not what I was expecting: not as dark, not as violent, not as complex. There is also the fact that I am not sure how I’d have felt if this was my first contact with this mysterious ‘Fabletown’.
The book blurb is a bit tricky too: It gives us the background information at the beginning, however very little of this episode is dedicated to the actual background history of the series. If you are curious about the premise, you might be disappointed when you get an episodic murder mystery instead.
The characters are the best part for me. They are nothing like in the folklore, and they have unique quirks (You have to love the Big Bad Wolf). The chemistry between Snow and Bigby is intense, addictive, and even hilarious – but I guess I knew that already. Was this book funny? Yes, it was. I might have a weird sense of
humor so take it with a grain of salt.
Overall, I think I was expecting the episode contained in this volume to be darker, more complex, more ‘adult’ perhaps, and to develop a bit more of the original premise. Still, this story is part of a pretty imaginative and creative world, and the series deserves all the credit for that. Plus, you get to spend some time with amazing characters that never cease to surprise you. I know that the world-building has more depth than what it was shown here, and I wonder when is this going to be shown or explained in the series.
In the end, it was a light, fun, and entertaining read, which I believe might turn into something more complex if I continue the series – which I will!
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Ooh, I read this for the same reason as you! I LOVED The Wolf Among Us, and I was so excited to hear that it was based on a comic! I love the wit and humour of both the comic and the game – and apparently the characters REALLY develop in the comic! I haven’t read beyond the first book, but will definitely continue the series too. š
I am so happy that I am not the only one hehe. I absolutely loved the game too. I will be reading the rest of the series too, so it’s good to know that š
The thing about Fables, at least in the early arcs, is that it’s constantly changing genres. The first is a murder mystery, and as it goes, there are political thrillers, war stories, crime capers, and romances. Eventually, the series gets a bit lost in its own mythology and loses some of the magic, but there are enough interesting characters and enough layers added to the minor characters that it carries through for a good long while.
You are absolutely right! I am now on Volume 3 and was wondering the same myself. But I intend to keep on going, so I guess that’s a good thing.
Interesting because I rarely see a review about graphic novels. I also liked the way you rated it by categories. Nice work. I haven’t played the video game, but you made me curious about reading this.
I have read a couple of those now after I have written this review, so you might see more reviews of graphic novels in the future, even if I want to prioritize books. And thanks:) If you do end up giving it a try, let me know your thoughts. The other volumes are a bit more violent.
OK, I will. I am interested in reading the your upcoming reviews. Thanks