Review of The Great Fables Crossover

Book #3: The Great Fables Crossover, by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturgis, Mark Buckingham, Tony Akins, Russ Braun, et. al. Graphic novel, collecting Fables 83-85, Jack of Fables 33-35, and The Literals 1-3. Originally reduced in April, May & June 2009.

In the prior Fables volume (War and Pieces), the Adversary was finally defeated, bringing to a close plot threads that had been brewing since the very first issue. This arc is a transition to what I assume will be a different type of story in coming volumes. And the end of the war seems to be a good time to bring all of the characters together, including the first successful (of many) spinoffs, Jack. This is the Jack of all the tales: Beanstalk, Giant Killer, Frost, Horner, etc ...

Fables has always engaged in meta-narrative, but Bill Willingham turns up the meta-knob to 11 for this 9-issue storyline. The presence of the Literals takes this story to an entirely new level of self-reference.These are the literal embodiments of ideals, such as the Pathetic Fallacy, and the various genres. In the final battle, Blockbuster, Western, Sci-Fi and Noir are among the important participants. But the breakout stars of this series are the three Page Sisters, gorgeous and gun-toting embodiments of the library sciences.

With all of these characters at his disposal, WiIllingham is able to give us plenty of humorous secnarios and fun wordplay as the characters prepare for yet another dangerous fight. But after battling the Adversary, this is a new kind of fight.

They are going up against a pretty harmless looking fellow named Kevin, who is in actuality a Literal himself. He is the Writer, possessing the ability to rewrite reality and make a better version. All he wants to do (all Willingham wants to do, perhaps) is to rein in the characters and situations who've run away from him. This is not only a fun story, but it is surprisingly thought-provoking. We learn some things about the nature of story and storytelling, as well as get to wrestle with concepts of reality, fiction, belief, and the power of the written word.

Source: public library