Scan barcode
scorpstar77's review against another edition
5.0
I really like the Fables series of comic books, but I was a little skeptical about a spin-off series featuring only Jack of Fables. I should not have doubted Bill Willingham and crew, though - with Jack of Fables Vol. 1, The (Nearly) Great Escape, they've turned out a light-hearted yet exciting story, picking up with Jack right where the Fables story left him, kicked out of his self-made (with stolen money) movie empire Nimble Pictures and looking for his next adventure. My favorite part of the book is that, while it's told from Jack's POV, through Jack's voice, Willingham still manages to poke fun at Jack with Jack's own arrogance. Jack still manages to get out of every situation - by the skin of his teeth most of the time - and you get to both love him as a hero and laugh at him as a pompous jackass with a distorted world-view. It's a love-hate relationship with the only real protagonist of the story, and I love that kind of tension. I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
narflet's review against another edition
2.0
I'm reading these because I realised they'll probably be needed for when we get to the crossover, however Jack was never my favourite character from the series. The most useful thing about this opening arc is that it clarifies the 'more well know the Fable, the more resilient to death they are' device that had come up in Fables a couple of times. Jack has to have a few grisly near-death accidents, and another presumed-dead character has to return to get the point across, but it's useful. Other than that, it seemed a bit blah, but I don't think I helped its chances by reading it as I was falling asleep!
ubalstecha's review against another edition
4.0
Bill Willingham has decided to spin off one of the most popular (and interesting) characters from his Fables series. Picking up from where Jack (of the Beanstalk, Be Nimble, etc, fame) is exiled from Fablestown for the crime of telling the Fables story to the Mundies through movies, Willingham immediately plops the rogue into a new adventure.
Captured by the librarian Revise, Jack is confined to Golden Boughs, a compound of similar fated fables. Revise wants to neuter fables, to take away anything that makes gives them power. To do so, he locks them away. In Golden Boughs, Jack reunites with Goldilocks (who, in true Jack style, he immediately sleeps with). He also meets, Gary the Pathetic Fallacy, Paul Bunion and Blue, and others of the American Fable pantheon.
Quick moving, and full of the audacious actions of Jack, this volume is a quick and fun read.
Captured by the librarian Revise, Jack is confined to Golden Boughs, a compound of similar fated fables. Revise wants to neuter fables, to take away anything that makes gives them power. To do so, he locks them away. In Golden Boughs, Jack reunites with Goldilocks (who, in true Jack style, he immediately sleeps with). He also meets, Gary the Pathetic Fallacy, Paul Bunion and Blue, and others of the American Fable pantheon.
Quick moving, and full of the audacious actions of Jack, this volume is a quick and fun read.
tami_provencher's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not extremely knowledgeable about graphic novels--especially those for adults but I enjoyed this read. I enjoyed the humor and the story.
I thought the storyline, although predictable, was satisfying and fun. It was a nice, enjoyable quick read in between some other obligations.
I thought the storyline, although predictable, was satisfying and fun. It was a nice, enjoyable quick read in between some other obligations.
venerablemonster's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn't expecting much out of a book focused on a character that I didn't particularly care for in Fables. However, he really shines in this first solo venture. As solid as any fables read.
s_mavin's review against another edition
3.0
After you’ve read several escape stories, you need an absolutely sensational escape with twists along every corner and a very real possibility of failure to actually blow your socks off.
This book has none of the above.
The only reason it gets 3 stars is because of the interesting setting. The idea of immortal fables and a clandestine agency trying to trap them till their memory is lost forever is interesting. Extra points for calling the guards librarians.
Jack is the quintessential male protagonist - overconfident, good looking, strong, handy, armed with the ability to mobilise people overnight and popular with the ladies. Frankly, I’m bored of these protagonists. There are more books in this series, there’s a sliver of hope for depth in these characters in the future. Although, I’m 90% sure there will be none.
This book has none of the above.
The only reason it gets 3 stars is because of the interesting setting. The idea of immortal fables and a clandestine agency trying to trap them till their memory is lost forever is interesting. Extra points for calling the guards librarians.
Jack is the quintessential male protagonist - overconfident, good looking, strong, handy, armed with the ability to mobilise people overnight and popular with the ladies. Frankly, I’m bored of these protagonists. There are more books in this series, there’s a sliver of hope for depth in these characters in the future. Although, I’m 90% sure there will be none.
crowyhead's review against another edition
4.0
Fans of the Fables series of comics will enjoy this spin-off, which follows the adventures of Jack (you know, THAT Jack, as in "the Giant-Killer," etc.). Folks who haven't read Fables might be pretty confused, though.
elke_go_read's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
loveinpanels's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the main series, but I'll keep reading it.
theartolater's review against another edition
4.0
I've found, while reading the Fables trades again, that I wasn't a huge Jack fan. Still, I wanted to give Jack of Fables a shot from a completionist standpoint.
What we get here is a fun little prison escape tale combined with some interesting expansion of the world created with Fables. Jack is still as annoyingly obnoxious as ever, but it's easy enough to look past in favor of a fun story.
Overall? I'll be sticking with this for a while, I think. A solid read, a fun spinoff.
What we get here is a fun little prison escape tale combined with some interesting expansion of the world created with Fables. Jack is still as annoyingly obnoxious as ever, but it's easy enough to look past in favor of a fun story.
Overall? I'll be sticking with this for a while, I think. A solid read, a fun spinoff.