Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm (Fables (Graphic Novels)) [Paperback]

Bill Willingham (Author), Mark Buckingham (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: August 1, 2003 | Series: Fables (Graphic Novels) (Book 2)

Collecting FABLES #6-10, the second story arc of the fan-favorite, critically acclaimed VERTIGO series. Travel to upstate New York, where the non-human Fable characters have found refuge on a farm, miles from mankind. But all is not well on the farm — and a conspiracy to free them from the shackles of their perceived imprisonment may lead to a war that could wrest control of the Fables community away from Snow White. Starring Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Plus, a sketchbook section featuring art by Willingham, Buckingham and Jean.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Although quite political, the second story-arc (as they felicitously call a plot in comics land) from Willingham's Fables comics isn't a version of Orwell's political parable. In it the scene shifts from the New York enclave of the human Fableland exiles to the upstate farm their animal and insufficiently human-appearing fellows inhabit. Snow White, who runs things for King Cole, makes her biannual farm visit, with fractious sister Rose Red in tow. There they find manager Weyland Smith nowhere in evidence and many nonhuman Fables talking up repatriating Fableland by force. What has actually happened is a still-covert coup led by animal-rights-spouting revolutionary Goldilocks. Snow and Rose get significantly up a creek before learning what's afoot from loyal Reynard, who, though a genuine fox, isn't above ogling those of other species. Despite some grisly developments, including a black-hand-style murder and a nearly successful assassination, this is about as much fun, if as conventional-comics looking, as Fables: Legends in Exile [BKL F 1 03]. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Vertigo (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140120077X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401200770
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.4 x 9.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Graphic Novels > Fantasy
  • #97 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > DC Comics

More About the Author

Bill Willingham never fought a desperate and losing battle in a good cause, never contributed to society in a meaningful way, and hasn't lived a life of adventure, but he's had a few moments of near adventure. At some point in his life Bill learned how to get paid for telling scurrilous lies to good people, and he's been doing it ever since. He lives in the wild and frosty woods of Minnesota.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Innovative Title September 20, 2003

By B. Bukowski

Format:Paperback

Trying to patch up their strained relationship, Rose Red and Snow White travel upstate to visit the Farm where the nonhuman Fables are forced to live; but they run into trouble when they find a revolution-caused by Goldilocks-turn to violence.

Bill Willingham once again creates another winner, improving upon his first story arc with more characterization and some humor. There are numerous litererature references and some of the absurd situations and obscure fable characters are rather humorous. Mark Buckingham's pencils aren't spectactular, but are quite good for portaying the numerous human characters as well as the many animal characters. Buckingham's pencils are very similar to Medina's artwork in the previous arc, but he improves upon the human characters, making them look more dramatic and lifelike.

This book is recommended for readers looking for something different than super hero stories. This new, innovative book is definitely worth checking out.

NOTE: This is a DC/Vertigo book and is suggested for older readers due to language and blood/gore (a comic book equivalent to a PG-13 or R-rated movie).

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeding The Hype August 1, 2003

By J_M

Format:Paperback

Bill Willingham continues to deliver great reading material in his second storyline of the Eisner Award winning series "Fables".
The story is still about the exiled fable-folk and their community existing alongside the mundanes (non-fable folk).
The characters from the first book are back and they are in for a new conflict.

This time the focus of the book moves away from the mythical city of New York and on to "The Farm", where the unfortunate fable folk who cannot pass as humans live in seclusion.
Snow White heads to the farm to try and teach her sister, Rose Red a lesson and hopefully patch things up between them.
They soon find out that the residents are planning to get out of the farm in an all out rebellion.

Willingham did very good on characterization in this book, he gave the characters identity, there are more fable appearances in this book which makes it more interesting. Mark Buckingham did a superb job continuing the designs drawn by Lan Medina.
And like the first book, this trade paperback offers bonus materials such as Bill Willingham's early designs of the characters, and sketches of the covers done by James Jean.
This is one title that every fantasy, fairy tale, mystery, and even crime enthusiast should have.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It works. I'm not quite sure how or why, but it works April 8, 2008

By wiredweird HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

This series supposes that the mythical beings from our childhood fairy tales not only exist, but have been forced to flee their native land - arriving in New York City. Some, Snow White for example, can trade her princess' gown for a business suit and get by just fine in the city. Tom Thumb, the talkative three little pigs, and quite a few others would blow the secrecy of their exile in our world. So, the Fables (as the displaced ones call themselves) establish a refuge in a distant corner of upstate New York where the more unusual beings can live in peace and privacy.

But being run out of their hereditary lands galls them, and their isolation and the limits on their freedom chafe. The rhetoric builds up, instigated by Goldilocks (who still finds Baby Bear's bed just right) but pushed forward by the pigs - who suddenly seem to read from George Orwell's script. They're as venal and brutal as Orwell's, but better armed.

The rest of the story carries through on the promise made by the beginning. It offers excitement, imagination, and enough twists and turns to keep the ending in suspense. Well, if not the ending itself, at least the way it comes about. Capable, expressive artwork supports the writing well, even if it doesn't break any new ground. Since a different look in the artwork is usually what grabs my attention, it took me a long time to pick this one up. That was my mistake. You don't have to repeat it. Go ahead, enjoy this grown-up take on some of your childhood favorites.

-- wiredweird