Being a somewhat unofficial employee of BSI has the occasional advantage beyond being heckled by Monty or staring down the evil glare of Veronica’s judging eyes.   (ah the good old days…)

The last time there was a Fables Special Project, I devoured it with a voracious appetite.  1001 Nights of Snowfall was an endless joy to read, expanding on the Fables Universe in various important ways (not to mention actual interiors by James Jean *drool*).

Since then, something had been missing in my heart.  The regular Fables series has been spotty of late (though that seems to be turning around with the current Witches arc), and when it was announced that a new special project would arrive in stores this fall, I could barely contain myself.  When Jason showed me his retailers advance copy, it was all I could do not to tear the novel from his bloodied hands.

The psychotic glaze in my eyes may have led to him loaning it to me.

Like 1001 Nights of Snowfall, the book isn’t necessary to read to enjoy Fables.  If you didn’t want to spend the extra money for the graphic novel, you wouldn’t miss out on anything.  However, if your love for the series caused you dig deep into your pockets, you were well rewarded.

Peter and Max is  a different animal altogether, but no less (and probably even more-so) rewarding.   This is a prose novel.  I’m not entirely certain DC or Vertigo has ever directly done something like this. It’s being published by Vertigo (instead of an independent book publisher) for comics fans.  As a novel it is designed to be accessible to layman who’ve never read Fables while still providing juicy little Easter eggs for the loyal Fable completists.

Before I go forward, I must mention that this is a rough copy and is not meant to be reviewed for public consumption.  Were my review unfavorable, I would likely reserve judgment until the finished copy is released.  Fortunately, this was not the case.

Peter and Max tells the stories of two brothers; the fabled Pied Piper and Peter Piper who once picked a pickled pepper (as it turns out, it was not a pack as purported).   Peter is a gifted player of the pipes, garnering resentment from his less talented older brother.   Whereas Peter is good natured and innocent, Max is the picture of jealousy and hatred. The story follows their history, interweaving between recent history in the Mundy (re: our world) and the distant past of the Homelands.   The two paralleled stories criss-cross moving at a slow, deliberate pace, and rising to a crescendo where time intersects.

Over time, Max’s rage becomes so mighty , his dangerous magical talents so powerful that even the vicious Big Bad Wolf, cub of the North Wind, and the cunning Frau Totenkinder, the Black Forest Witch of legend, fear to face him.  Knowing that Max’s villainy must end, Peter sets out from Fabletown, determined to end their tragic rivalry one way or another.

It took me a day and a half to read all 300 pages, only putting it down when life required.   I wasn’t sure what I would think when I opened Steve Leialoha’s beautiful silhouette cover.  But my appetite grew with each passing chapter, and was barely sated at books end.  Willingham has created a wonderful new chapter in his Universe of endless possibilities, one that rivals anything he and Mark Buckingham have done before.   One of Willingham’s biggest strengths is to make even the smallest character feel three dimensional and likable. Within 3 chapters you will learn to love Peter and his familiar love.  You will fear for their safety.  And like Snow, Bigby and Boy Blue (may he rest in peace) they will become as old friends to you.

There is some interior art, rendered by the talented hands of Fables regular inker Steve Leialoha.  After seeing the wonderful pages he provided here, I must say that one cannot discount his contribution to the regular Fables title.  And I wonder why he isn’t given more proper assignments?

The one flaw herein is the 7 page introduction to the Fables Universe in the first chapter.  Meant to indoctrinate new readers to the many wonders of Fabletown, these pages are purely expository.   Speaking as a longtime fan, it was difficult to tread through those pages, though they had value that should not be over-looked even among those of us numbering as learned scholars in these matters.   The boredom is fleeting and forgivable, but I am uncertain how well it works as an introduction.

Still. Despite having read it, I fully intend to purchase a copy of my own when it arrives at BSI October 13th.  It was that good.  I hope you’ll keep an open mind and give it a chance as well.  This has been the most satisfying read I’ve had in a while.

I would like to thank Jason for allowing me this opportunity.  It meant a lot.

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