Fables Vol. 10: The Good Prince Author: Visit Amazon's Bill Willingham Page | Language: English | ISBN:
1401216862 | Format: PDF
Fables Vol. 10: The Good Prince Description
From Booklist
This long arc of the epical Fables continuum unfolds the story of how Fabletown janitor Flycatcher, who was a frog for a while, returns to the kingdom of which he was prince and sets up a haven within the Homelands for fables seeking refuge from the oppressive rule of the emperor and the Adversary—a haven, moreover, that is impregnable, for no armed violence may be done in it. A very satisfying arc made more so by the merry collateral tale that interrupts it, which is snappily drawn by Aaron Alexovich (Serenity Rose, 2005), a cuter, cartoonier artist than Fables’ fine chief limner, Mark Buckingham. --Ray Olson
- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Vertigo; 1St Edition edition (June 17, 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1401216862
- ISBN-13: 978-1401216863
- Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
- Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
"Fables 10: The Good Prince" is latest of Bill Willingham's outstanding Fables series. If you are not familiar with the series I recommend you read no further. Start at the beginning. In order to truly understand and enjoy this series and put this book done with a sense of satisfaction, you have to start at the beginning.
Even if you're familiar with the series, I'll try and not spoil it by giving away too much of the movie. :-)
This series of stories centers around Flycatcher, the Frog Prince. Recently he has come to terms with the death of his wife and children at the hands of the Adversary. He's not the same anymore. He's no longer the dim-witted, happy- go- lucky genial janitor of Fabletown. He's a man in mourning and he's finally ready to do something about it.
Along with the Forsworn Knight and wearing his armor guided by visions, Ambrose descends into the Witching Well on a desperate mission. He is the only man for the job. But before he can start, he needs the help of those at the bottom of the well........
Meanwhile, Prince Charming and other leaders of the community are preparing for war. Prince Charming is a first rate wartime leader. They have been made aware that Lord Hansel and company have a mission to rescue the heads of wooden soldiers captured in the battle for Fabletown. In the process they are a distraction while the Adversary plans to destroy our world.
As the events unfold, we find out so much. Things like who is the real power in Fabletown. We learn who originally wore the armor of the Forsworn Knight. We find that the Adversary is more than a talking puppet but someone still pulls his strings with ridiculous ease. Of course Bigby and Snow are hardly retired.....
I thought by now I'd be over FABLES. I mean, Ten bound volumes, plus those Jack extras, etc.
But no. It keeps me involved and interested and delighted. 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. We see tormented Flycatcher take the reins of his destiny--and, naturally, magic is afoot. His journey twines with that of the Forsworn Knight (another recurring background character who has been tickling curiosity out of me from the start). The two find a way to heal wounds, make amends, and do good. It will affect both the exiles and the homelanders. 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). 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. That's a good lesson. Although, naturally, it's easier done when one has magical armor, Excalibur, and a band of special fighters not limited to traditional means.
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