Fairest In All the Land

For the uninitiated: Fables is a popular comic series, that finished last year after a very long run. It told of characters from famous fairy stories as they now live in our world, having been forced here when their realms were overrun by the forces of an evil adversary.Fairest was a companion series to Fables, which told stories about some of the main female characters from the series.These were mature readers comics, which meant they contain strong language and adult situations, and thus aren't suitable for younger readers.Fariest in All the Land is a stand alone graphic novel that tells a story starring Cinderella. One of the key Fables/Fairest characters.The amount of backstory and continuity here makes it unsuitable for those who aren't familiar with both comics to read this.It's a one hundred and fifty six page book which tells a complete and stand alone story. It's divided into many shorter chapters. Some of these have words and pictures. Some of them are text pages, with occasional illustrations.It tells how Cinderella investigates a string of murders in the world of these characters. And uses as a framing device the magic mirror, telling the whole thing as a story to those still with him in the lost business office.Cinderella is a brilliant spy. But detective work isn't usually her forte. However, although she doesn't know it, she's working against the clock. Because if she doesn't solve things within seven days, then it will be too late for those concerned..The switch between art and text is something you quickly get used to. And although the art thus varies from chapter to chapter, it ranges it quality from superb to very good indeed [unlike the other Fables book Wolves of the Heartland, where some of it wasn't so strong].Cinderella was one of the strongest characters in the series, so it's a pleasure to see her take centre stage again. And the way the story forces her to use her brains is well done and well written.Plot wise it's a bit of a slow burner, because early on you may not be sure where this is going. And a couple of things will have you go 'hang on a minute!' since they seem to contradict things that happened in other volumes. However, it's a book well worth sticking with. There are twists and turns galore as the plot goes on. The kind of clever writing that makes you flick back and reappraise all that has come before.And it's all wrapped up very satisfactorily indeed. Keeping things going to the very end.And then some. So do be sure to turn the page when you think you've gotten to that point.A very entertaining read, and a great companion to the series. Great reading for all Fables fans.The regular Fairest series did conclude, in it's thirty fourth issue, with a one off story that acted as a prequel to this. You don't need to have read that in order to read this. But you'll find it in Fairest Volume Five if needs be.

Everything just fine with products, arrived 10 days after estimated day.

Another gem by Willingham. Frankly, I've been noticing the fatigue he's shown towards the Fables line in recent years, so it was good to see his enthusiasm for exploring the world he's created through short stories was still fairly vibrant. If you're looking for the quality of writing to be where it was at the top of his game, this isn't the volume for you, but this is still better than 95% of mass-market comic writing.

Superb book,Fables just really flies in this one. Makes up for a few less than great books in the series. This is excellent every which way, story, artwork, plot.....Keep at it Bill!!!

Très bon comics. Dernière histoire de la série Fairest. Un bon scénariste et de très bons dessinateurs.