It's Graphic Time! Fables Vol 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables Vol 1: Legends in Exile

Author:  Bill Willingham
Publisher: Vertigo
Publishing Date:  December 31st, 2002

Pages: 128
Genre: Modern Fantasy Graphic Novel

Series:  Fables (issues 1-5)

 

When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters have created their own peaceful and secret society within an exclusive luxury apartment building called Fabletown. But when Snow White's party-girl sister, Rose Red, is apparently murdered, it is up to Fabletown's sheriff, a reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf (Bigby Wolf), to determine if the killer is Bluebeard, Rose's ex-lover and notorious wife killer, or Jack, her current live-in boyfriend and former beanstalk-climber.

Ash actually discovered this graphic novel series and I love fairy tales and fables so I actually grabbed the chance to read them. I have only read the first volume but I am in love. I loved it all, from cover to cover! 


The characters or residence of folklore have been chased out of their lands. They now reside in our world in fabletown, trying to get along and live among the humans. Which is hard since some of them have committed heinous crimes in their past. Like Mr. Wolf from Three Little Pigs or Bluebird who killed his wives. Then there are those that just turned out to be a jerk... like prince charming. It has been centuries and they are all just trying to get along with out their titles, their kingdoms, their money or fame. 

In this installment Roes Red is missing, presumed dead. Mr. Wolf, fabletown detective, and Snow white, who is both mayor and Rose Red's sister, are trying to figure out what happened and whodunit. 

I really did have a great time reading this graphic novel. First of the artwork was amazing. Its very retro and bright and looks like an old comic strip. Loved it. The story was good too. I mean who isn't up for a great mystery. It also felt a little bit like the old gumshoe detective shows. I didn't focus on whodunit. I was enjoying the story and the artwork so much. The entire thing just felt kind of retro and old and nostalgic. Except for the characters... 

There was nothing nostalgic with them. They were the same as we remember from fairy tales. They are hardened, they are tired of life, they are dark and angry. But they are very entertaining too. Loved Snow White and Mr. Wolf. These are the main characters of this installment. I feel that we will see more of the others and the graphic novel continues. There were glimpses of other characters, Beauty and Beast, King Cole, Jack, and Prince Charming. Some more than others. I enjoyed them all. 

I think that this novel really brought me in with the entire fable thing but what kept me was the art and the story. It was just great and I can't wait to read more. 

Pretty much better than awesome! 

 
In the late 1970s to early 1980s he drew fantasy ink pictures for the Dungeons & Dragons Basic and Expert game rulebooks. He first gained attention for his 1980s comic book series Elementals published by Comico, which he both wrote and drew. However, for reasons unknown, the series had trouble maintaining an original schedule, and Willingham's position in the industry remained spotty for many years. He contributed stories to Green Lantern and started his own independent, black-and-white comics series Coventry which lasted only 3 issues. He also produced the pornographic series Ironwood for Eros Comix.

In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables .