April saw the beginning of the latest big story arc in the Fables universe, The Great Fables Crossover.    It feels like we haven’t gotten a break from intense, emotional, high-stakes storylines in Fables in over twenty issues, from The Good Prince to War and Pieces, The Dark Ages and now the crossover.  Fables is showing no signs of slowing down.   However, unlike many mainstream comics, I would say that Fables fans aren’t feeling event fatigue.  On the contrary, whatever the Fables crew has, I pray that they continue to bring it.

Like ourselves, the cast of Fables have not had a moment to catch their breath.   The Great Fables Crossover comes hot on the heels of the death of one of the most beloved Fables, the brave and strong musician Boy Blue.

The story begins on The Farm, formerly the upstate New York home of all non-human Fables; now the last refuge of all Fables after the destruction of Fabletown a few issues back.   Their new Adversary, Mr Dark has declared war on our heroes; first by taking their home, and then by spreading his dark influence slowly throughout the lands, driving the Fables at each other’s throats.   And that is all just the set-up.  The first part of the crossover begins with a devestating… and can I just say awesome… battle between Bigby Wolf and his successor, Sheriff Beast.

I’m not sure what I enjoyed more about that issue, the fight, or the look on Bigby’s wolfen face as his wife scolds him and sends him home like a whimpering pup.

Before Bigby and Beast can lick their wounds, the Fables get a call from their former storymate Jack Horner, the Jack of Tales.  Jack has discovered a group of adjacent characters from the Fables called the Literals, who as I understand it invented stories.  One of these Literals is the master storyteller who plans to *literally* rewrite the Universe with his magic pen.  This master storyteller turns out to be a familiar face who has been spying on the Fables for several years (and most of the book’s run).   Jack needs help in his own book to stop the Universe from being rewritten, and Bigby and Snow White are sent to investigate.

And that’s where the book gets weird.   Fables has always been as much about the art of storytelling as the stories themselves.   But here, the depths of the story are just ridiculous (ly good).   It’s meta textual on a level that mind-boggling, particularly the scenes with Jack, who breaks the fourth wall regularly in his comic, Jack of Fables.  It’s depths are rich, but make no mistake, reading this series is like sniffing fine, literary cocaine (I in no way endorse the use of real cocaine, just comics).

The Crossover is in nine parts, running through Fables, Jack of Fables and the miniseries (created just for this story) The Literals.  Aside from the great storytelling, a big part of the allure is that of the 3 parts so far published, 2 of the issues have been illustrated by Fables superstar Mark Buckingham.   It may seem like a small thing, but for my money, no other artist will ever do on Fables.

I must also commend Willingham’s choice of protagonists.   One of the big strengths of this book is that almost any of the characters can sustain the story on their own.  Boy Blue has done it.   As have the trio of Prince Charming, Beauty and the Beast.    And despite my suspicions, even Flycatcher carried an elongated arc in The Good Prince.   Even so, the absence of Bigby and Snow as the regular stars has been somewhat of a sore spot, and the issues which feature them once again often feel like Christmas in July.  During the Great Crossover, Bigby and Snow are back in their trusty saddles, making the absence of Boy Blue a little less raw.  Also, without giving away too much, this first third of the corssover ends on an astounding note, with Bigby being transformed into another one of Willingham’s popular characters, one whom he reinvigorated at the end of Infinite Crisis.  There is no doubt in my mind that Willingham did this purposely as an Easter egg for his fans.  Read it and you’ll see what I mean.

As I said previously, only the first third of the arc has been published so far.  So really, this article is less of a review and more of an enticement to jump on board.   With so much story and so many possible endings, it may merit a continuation of the review in two months when it’s finished.  I honestly have no idea where this is going.  And I suppose that’re the best part.  No predicatability in ending, and none in the journey either.  I sit shotgun, humbly enjoying the ride.

On one final note, I would like to mention the covers.  There have always been two artists who defined Fables: Mark Buckingham, and cover artist James Jean.   Jean’s covers were a draw all their own, even meriting the sale of a collected hardcover book of them.

Recently, Jean left after issue 81 to pursue other interests.  His replacement, Jose Ruse took over with issue 83.   I can’t say Jean’s absence won’t weigh heavy on my mind with each purchase.  But judging by his first cover, Ruse seems a more than adequate replacement.   And I am surprised to say that Jean’s leaving the book hasn’t hurt it at all.   On the contrary, even a Jean-less Fables is still the best comic on the market, and one of the most rewarding reads you are likely to have all year.