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In Fabletown, this unassuming guy's been reduced to perennial custodial status, thanks largely to Bigby, who was looking out for him (there's a good reason). This act of rebellion doesn't at all pass unnoticed, and so very soon the Emperor is deploying various armies to Flycatcher's tiny kingdom of Haven. 8: Wolves). He's so good at this that he had me totally absorbed with Flycatcher, that odd, formerly negligible dude with the mop and the frog cap. Except that Flycatcher doesn't believe in the brutality and horror of war. But, recently, Flycatcher, a prince whose real name is Ambrose, has had his painwracked memories restored to him and this becomes the catalyst for THE GOOD PRINCE cycle. From the start of the FABLES series, Flycatcher's been one of its recurring ancillary characters. 6: Homelands).
His right hand man is a once glorious knight in need of redemption (that enough of a clue). As we come up to this story arc, things have come to a head between these denizens of Fabletown and the Emperor. Meantime, longtime workhorses and respective penciller and inker Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha not only provide continuity in the visuals but, as a bonus, this trade also reproduces James Jean's fabulously ethereal covers to this run of FABLES.One very intriguing tongue-in-cheek aspect in all this is Fly's asking the magic mirror to keep his friends apprised of his doings. We don't know too much of him, other than he's the Frog Prince of the famous fairy tale, but that he's lost the awful memories of his family being slaughtered.
If you're at all any fan of Flycatcher, then you're gonna soar to the moon because he becomes the central character for a good while. Except that he doesn't do this single-handedly.(Catching up on this amazing title, for those who need it: FABLES scribe Bill Willingham imagines characters from myth, folklore, and fairy tales as real people who long ago were driven from their Homelands by the monstrous Emperor. This is the tenth TPB, covering sixty-nine issues, and writer Bill Willingham just keeps it going. Also engrossing are the passages which dwell on Fabletown's gearing up for war, the meticulous plannings and the meetings that went into it. I love the coda, which has Fly donning his old hat for old times' sake - a moment of respite to go out on, as the big bad war looms over the fables.
10: THE GOOD PRINCE collects issues #60-69, including the nine chapters of "The Good Prince." As well, there's an interlude issue (#64), very welcome because we get to check in with the Wolf household as my homie Bigby, Snow, and the cubs celebrate the cubs' fifth birthdays. Another thing I like about THE GOOD PRINCE is that Flycatcher, while having come up the world in a big way, at his core remains the same unassuming cat we've come to know. First, there was Boy Blue's arse-kicking incursion, which resulted in who knows how many casualties for the Adversary (see Fables Vol. Even though he now wields the legendary sword in the stone. Meanwhile, Prince Charming and his inner circle have learned of the Emperor's intent to war with Fabletown. These days, these folks live among us, inhabiting a piece of Manhattan's Upper West Side even as they hide their true nature from us. He finds another way.FABLES Vol. THE GOOD PRINCE ranks very much up there as one of my favorite FABLES stories.
Then, Bigby Wolf's secret retaliatory strike at the heart of the Adversary's Empire (see Fables Vol. There's a richness and depth here which is rarely found in other comic book titles. Once there, he means to establish a kingdom, as a refuge for those subjects unwilling to live under the Adversary's iron rule. And, so, Willingham also presents cutaway segments devoted to Fabletown as it girds for war, with its residents undertaking various combat training (including sniper school).This is a really terrific read. This story also marks the children at last finding out about their invisible brother, Ghost. This results in Fly's exploits suddenly becoming a must-see TV event for the Fabletown community - Willingham's pretty cool nudge at the ribs at reality television. Flycatcher begins his quest with a harrowing journey thru the dead lands within the Wishing Well, this being the path he chooses to return to the Homelands.
Third time's a charm." It's Prince Ambrose's turn. By the time Flycatcher's epic story concludes, he'll have gained a haunted kingdom and played a key role in Fabletown's upcoming struggle against the Emperor and the Homelands.Working thru a kind of magical intuition, Flycatcher gathers a curious assembly to him, comprising in part of characters we thought we'd never see again. Guy makes you care for his cast of characters. Now, as the end caption of issue #60 reads: "Single-handedly invading the Homelands. Aaron Alexovich's cute, lighthearted artwork definitely shifts away from the solemn mood of Fly's storyline. Two deceased Fabletown villains return, as well as a recent traitor. The stench of war taints the air - or maybe it's just smog, I dunno).Some SPOILERS now.THE GOOD PRINCE recounts one of the most moving story arcs Bill Willingham has ever produced for FABLES, not to mention one of the most epic, taking up almost a whole year to chronicle.
And, so, after weeks of near catatonic despondency and after some straightening out by Ride and his best friend Boy Blue, Fly finally sets out to do big things in memory of his massacred family.
For friends, this is not a problem; for foes, well, let's say that some struggle at being "good" more than others. The Good Prince--a more appropriate title for a book has never existed. The Good Prince comprises issues 60-69 of the title, and having read the entire run thus far, I can attest that Fables just keeps getting better and better.In The Good Prince, Flycatcher takes hold of his lineage and accepts his true name of Prince Ambrose once more. ~Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant
Fabletown takes full advantage of Prince Ambrose's distracting the Adversary and whittling down his armies to prepare an army of their own, one which may be quite capable of making sure all Fables can return to their own homes--not just Prince Ambrose's kingdom--anew.Fables is such an imaginative concept, but Bill Willingham really goes above and beyond with intricate plots and charismatic characterizations. I've loved Fables for years now, and I don't see any signs that Fables will lose my love anytime soon. In today's comics, we don't see that very often.A wonderful subplot in The Good Prince is also the political maneuvering between Fabletown and the Homelands. He is resolute, but he is also noble, kind, virtuous, and admirable.
Prince Ambrose is given the armor of the Foresworn Knight who turns out to be a rather famous figure from our favorite legend. He wants no bloodshed from either his own startup kingdom or the Adversary's armies. Fables is, far and away, the best comic book series running at the moment. But set up his kingdom, and it grows and grows, despite constant attacks from the Adversary.What I really love about The Good Prince is that Prince Ambrose refuses to kill.
Prince Ambrose collects friends and foes who were tossed down the Witching Well while making his way through the land of the dead and offers them a sort of pseudo-life as long as they remain just and true. While Fabletown and the Homelands continue to plan and engage war with one another, Prince Ambrose offers a third refuge, one without violence or political espionage. He then uses that armor, as well as a certain well-known sword, to travel through the land of the dead and take up uninvited residence in the Homelands.
A great addition to the series. It took long enough to come out but I did enjoy this book immensely.
It's got a happy ending (which I love), and it gives a message of seeking ways other than traditional warfare to bring a resolution (at least in part) and solve problems for the greater community. Top-notch stuff. While the critique that this one is not sufficiently involved with evolving characterization rings true, we nevertheless get some revelations, we get a fun plot with a twist, we get a bit of humor, and we get a trip down to the Witching Well (which, come on, weren't you curious).This installment, which harkens more to a traditional hero's journey, a more traditional fable, in this case, Flycatcher's redemptive journey, fills that bill nicely. There's even a nifty ecological message in the climactic battle. I thought by now I'd be over FABLES.
All in all, a wonderful addition to the ongoing storyline of FABLES. His journey twines with that of the Forsworn Knight (another recurring background character who has been tickling curiosity out of me from the start). I love this series. Can't wait to get #11 to add to my collection.Mir That's a good lesson. (Okay, so maybe that does dilute the pacifistic point.
I mean, Ten bound volumes, plus those Jack extras, etc.But no. The two find a way to heal wounds, make amends, and do good. Heh). It keeps me involved and interested and delighted. Although, naturally, it's easier done when one has magical armor, Excalibur, and a band of special fighters not limited to traditional means. It's certainly gonna tick off the Big Baddie puppetmaker.Characterization quibbles aside, and even the complaint that this too easily solves a great portion of the war build-up---well, I'm gonna give the writers credit that they'll find a way to up the stakes, despite what happens here.This is a story of redemptions, heroism, self-sacrifice, and reaping the rewards of virtue (or the just desserts of baddieness).
We see tormented Flycatcher take the reins of his destiny--and, naturally, magic is afoot. It will affect both the exiles and the homelanders.
The characterization remains rich, adding to the already considerable depth of Prince Ambrose, the Bigby bad wolf cubs, Weyland Smith, and Frau Totenkinder in delightful ways. Again, these are not the watery and weepy nursery tales of the Disney ilk, but it is so grand to see these archetypal stories returned to the vivaciously dark and brilliant milieus from whence they originated. Bill Willinmgham's creative use of fairy, folk, and fabulous tales has yet to fall short or disappoint in any way. The plot, while quite complex, even byzantine, for a graphic novel, winds lovingly and at length back upon itself with grace and aplomb. Superb reading and looking. The stories engage the reader and journeys him through imaginative arabesques never imagined no matter how familiar the story. This volume further strengthens FABLES' ascended avatar among the best of the trade collection pantheon.
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