Scan barcode
A review by thisotherbookaccount
Fables, Vol. 19: Snow White by Bill Willingham
2.0
Fables has been meandering for some time now. Ever since the semi-conclusion of the Mr Dark arc in volume 12, most of the subsequent stories have been going absolutely nowhere (save for the fantastic, heart-rending volume 18, Cubs in Toyland).
There are 1,001 things that I can complain about Fables after volume 12, The Dark Ages. Allow me to list a few off the top of my head:
1) Volume 13: The Great Fables Crossover. Undoubtedly the most embarrassing entry to the series and the beginning of the downfall.
2) The resolution of Mr Dark's arc is the biggest deus ex machina ever conceived in the history of comic books. I cheered for Bellflower's character all the way until that point.
3) Nobody really cares for Bufkin's adventures in Oz.
4) The entirety of Volume 16, Super Team, the second most embarrassing entry to the series.
5) The somewhat misguided plot about finding the new North Wind in volume 17, Inherit the Wind.
All of that coming from a fan who hasn't read the series in over a year.
Volume 19, Snow White, has been sitting on my table for the better part of the year. Since its release, I've felt a distinct inertia to read it because I hate to be reminded of how far the writer and my favourite characters have fallen (again, I have to make the exception to volume 18, Cubs in Toyland. It was a brief and satisfying return to the glory of Fables). Hell, even Mark Buckingham, one of my favourite pencillers, has slackened off over the years. His humans, animals and forms are still top-notch, but take a look at his characters' facial expressions! Even when they are surprised, angry, happy or dumbfounded, their faces are almost all frozen in a blank slate -- what happened to you, Buckingham? Gotten lazy over the years?
Also, the arrangement of arcs in this series is questionable. Gepetto's arc was followed by an equally, if not more menacing villain, Mr Dark. Even though that arc had a lame ending, at least he was a worthy villain who singlehandedly destroyed Fabletown and killed half of all our favourite characters.
However, ever since Mr Dark's downfall, Fables has completely lost its footing. It almost feels like Willingham has been throwing random plot points at our characters just to see what happens. Oh, the arc about finding a North Wind is not working out? Hmm, let's end it abruptly, hope no one notices and let's move on to this other random plot about Prince Brandish and his supposed wedding arrangement with Snow White. Let's see how THAT works out in volume 19!
So how did it work out? Poorly, for the most part. There are still hints of Fables' greatness throughout this volume, but Prince Brandish makes for a weak villain. Don't get me wrong, he's fully enchanted by some powerful magic. However, as a character, he is paper thin with a stupid motivation to begin with. Besides, after revealing his true identity 1/3 of the way through the book, he is swiftly killed off by Snow White. Not after some great sacrifices, yes, but what was the point of THAT story line? Make things more difficult for Bigby and Snow?
Speaking of which, Bigby's death was pointless and stupid. Unlike most of the other major character deaths so far, this one meant nothing in the greater scheme of things. The only redeeming factor about this book is the final page/panel, which is a throwback to the previous, more brilliant book in the great Fables saga.
There are 1,001 things that I can complain about Fables after volume 12, The Dark Ages. Allow me to list a few off the top of my head:
1) Volume 13: The Great Fables Crossover. Undoubtedly the most embarrassing entry to the series and the beginning of the downfall.
2) The resolution of Mr Dark's arc is the biggest deus ex machina ever conceived in the history of comic books. I cheered for Bellflower's character all the way until that point.
3) Nobody really cares for Bufkin's adventures in Oz.
4) The entirety of Volume 16, Super Team, the second most embarrassing entry to the series.
5) The somewhat misguided plot about finding the new North Wind in volume 17, Inherit the Wind.
All of that coming from a fan who hasn't read the series in over a year.
Volume 19, Snow White, has been sitting on my table for the better part of the year. Since its release, I've felt a distinct inertia to read it because I hate to be reminded of how far the writer and my favourite characters have fallen (again, I have to make the exception to volume 18, Cubs in Toyland. It was a brief and satisfying return to the glory of Fables). Hell, even Mark Buckingham, one of my favourite pencillers, has slackened off over the years. His humans, animals and forms are still top-notch, but take a look at his characters' facial expressions! Even when they are surprised, angry, happy or dumbfounded, their faces are almost all frozen in a blank slate -- what happened to you, Buckingham? Gotten lazy over the years?
Also, the arrangement of arcs in this series is questionable. Gepetto's arc was followed by an equally, if not more menacing villain, Mr Dark. Even though that arc had a lame ending, at least he was a worthy villain who singlehandedly destroyed Fabletown and killed half of all our favourite characters.
However, ever since Mr Dark's downfall, Fables has completely lost its footing. It almost feels like Willingham has been throwing random plot points at our characters just to see what happens. Oh, the arc about finding a North Wind is not working out? Hmm, let's end it abruptly, hope no one notices and let's move on to this other random plot about Prince Brandish and his supposed wedding arrangement with Snow White. Let's see how THAT works out in volume 19!
So how did it work out? Poorly, for the most part. There are still hints of Fables' greatness throughout this volume, but Prince Brandish makes for a weak villain. Don't get me wrong, he's fully enchanted by some powerful magic. However, as a character, he is paper thin with a stupid motivation to begin with. Besides, after revealing his true identity 1/3 of the way through the book, he is swiftly killed off by Snow White. Not after some great sacrifices, yes, but what was the point of THAT story line? Make things more difficult for Bigby and Snow?
Speaking of which, Bigby's death was pointless and stupid. Unlike most of the other major character deaths so far, this one meant nothing in the greater scheme of things. The only redeeming factor about this book is the final page/panel, which is a throwback to the previous, more brilliant book in the great Fables saga.