Fables is an American comic book series created and written by Bill Willingham, published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint. Willingham served as sole writer for its entirety, with Mark Buckingham penciling more than 110 issues. The series featured various other pencillers over the years, most notably Lan Medina and Steve Leialoha. Fables was launched in July 2002 and concluded in July 2015. It was revived in 2022 with a 12-issue continuation to the main series, as well as a 6-issue spin-off miniseries Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham, both published under DC Black Label.
The series features various characters from fairy tales and folklore – referring to themselves as "Fables" – who formed a clandestine community centuries ago within New York City known as Fabletown, after their Homelands were conquered by a mysterious and deadly enemy known as "The Adversary". It is set in the modern day and follows several of Fabletown's legal representatives, such as sheriff Bigby Wolf, deputy mayor Snow White, her sister Rose Red, Prince Charming, and Boy Blue, as they deal with troublesome Fables and try to solve conflicts in both Fabletown and "the Farm", a hidden town in upstate New York for Fables unable to blend in with human society. The series also deals with such other matters as the main characters' personal lives, their attempts to hide the Fables' true nature from regular humans (or "Mundies"), and, later, the return of the Adversary.
Fables was a critical and commercial success, winning many Eisner Awards and receiving several Hugo Award nominations for Best Graphic Story. Its success led to several spin-offs and a 2013 prequel video game titled The Wolf Among Us.
Publication history Various artists worked on the title. The covers until issue #81 were done by James Jean, after which João Ruas took over as cover artist. The majority of the interior pencil work was done by Mark Buckingham (who reportedly would have been given the writing reins if Willingham became unable to continue it). Other artists include Bryan Talbot, Lan Medina, P. Craig Russell, Mike Allred, Craig Hamilton, and Linda Medley.
The series ended with issue #150. The final issue of Fables was a larger than normal issue comprising most of the twenty-second Fables trade paperback. It was released in July 2015. It resumed publication with issue #151 for a 12-issue arc in May 2022.
Until 2023, Willingham was the sole owner of the IP rights to Fables. In September, Willingham announced that he had allowed the Fables IP to enter the public domain after growing disenchanted with DC Comics. Willingham cited his frustration with DC, stating that for years the company fought him on royalties, media rights, and various other issues. In his announcement, Willingham wrote: "If I understand the law correctly...you have the rights to make your Fables movies, and cartoons, and publish your Fables books, and manufacture your Fables toys, and do anything you want with your property, because it's your property". The decision does not affect any Fables works already in print, which Willingham will continue to collect royalties on. DC denied Willingham's assertion that the franchise is public domain, stating that they continue to own the rights to the storylines, characters, and elements in the comics.
Characters
The main characters of Fables are public domain figures from folklore, mythology, and literature. Bill Willingham said the only considerations in deciding what characters and fables to use were "is the character or story free for use?" and "do I want to use it?" Interview with Bill Willingham A principal character is the Big Bad Wolf (who calls himself "Bigby"), who has not only reformed but gained the ability to take on a more human appearance. At the series' beginning he serves as Fabletown's sheriff.
Most of the characters who appear in Fables are from European stories, the major exceptions being Arabian fables and American fables (from the fable world of "Americana", appearing in Jack of Fables, such as Paul Bunyan, Black Sambo [now known as Sam] and the Lone Ranger). Most of these characters appear primarily in the Jack of Fables spin-off.
Story arcs Earlier story arcs each take on the form of a different genre: the first is a murder mystery;"Legends in Exile", Fables #1–5. the next, a conspiracy thriller;"Animal Farm", Fables #6–10. and then, a caper story."A Two-Part Caper", Fables #12–13. Legends in Exile (issues #1 to 5) The introduction to Fabletown. Sheriff Bigby Wolf investigates the apparent murder of Rose Red. Animal Farm (issues #6 to 10) A revolt occurs on the Farm, a place for non-human Fables. Bag 'O Bones (issue #11) A tale set during the American Civil War in which Jack Horner finds a way to cheat Death. A Two-Part Caper (issues #12 and 13) A mundane journalist finds out about the Fables and they have to decide how to react. (issues #14 to 17) Bluebeard hatches a plot to rid himself of Bigby and Snow by enchanting them, and the homicidal Goldilocks attempts to kill the pair. Prince Charming decides to run for Fabletown Mayor. Barleycorn Brides (issue #18) Bigby tells Flycatcher the story of a Smalltown tradition. March of the Wooden Soldiers (issues #19 to 21 and #23 to 27) Prince Charming runs for Mayor of Fabletown while the community deals with the apparent escape from the Homelands of Red Riding Hood. The Adversary sends his first troops into Fabletown to begin an assault. Cinderella Libertine (issue #22) Cinderella's apparently frivolous lifestyle is revealed to be a front. War Stories (issues #28 and 29) Bigby's adventures during World War II. The Long Year (issues #30 to 33) Snow gives birth and realizes she must relocate to the Farm. Bigby isn't allowed there and instead exiles himself. Snow encounters Bigby's estranged father, the North Wind. One of her children is revealed to be quite different than the others, so she sends him to find his father. This story arc is retitled "The Mean Seasons" in the trade paperback of the same name. Jack Be Nimble (issues #34 and 35) Jack goes to Hollywood and sets up a film studio. Spins off into Jack of Fables. Homelands (issues #36 to 38 and #40 and 41) Boy Blue goes on a mission to the Homelands with the aim of assassinating the Adversary and learns the Adversary's identity. Meanwhile (issue #39) What has been going on in Fabletown during Blue's adventures. Arabian Nights (and Days) (issues #42 to 45) A delegation of Arabian Fables led by Sinbad visits Fabletown to discuss an alliance against the Adversary. The Ballad of Rodney and June (issues #46 and 47) A side story of the seemingly ill-fated love of Rodney and June, two members of the Adversary's forces. Wolves (issues #48 and 49) Mowgli searches for the missing Bigby and brings him a message from Fabletown. Happily Ever After (issue #50) Bigby returns, delivers a warning to the Adversary and marries Snow. Big and Small (issue #51) Cinderella continues her mission in the Cloud Kingdom, but must be turned into a mouse and enlist the aid of Smalltown's resident medic in order to treat a sick giant king. Sons of Empire (issues #52 to 55) The Adversary calls a conference of the Imperial elite to decide what to do about Fabletown. Pinocchio has to face up to his divided loyalties. Jiminy Christmas (issue #56) Santa Claus' existence as a Fable is addressed. Father and Son (issues #57 and 58) Bigby decides that the time has come to square things with his father, the North Wind. On a hunt, his children encounter Bigby's siblings, who have become more beasts than men. Burning Questions (issue #59) Readers were invited to participate in a contest by asking Willingham questions of unresolved events in the series. Here, they are answered in a series of one to four page short stories. The Good Prince (issues #60 to 63 and #65 to 69) Flycatcher, who has never fully accepted the death of his wife, must face up to his past. The Birthday Secret (issue #64) Preparation for war begins at the Farm and the birthday of Bigby's children. Kingdom Come (issue #70) Boy Blue and Rose Red discuss their relationship. Flycatcher's offer is brought to the Farm. Plans are made to begin the war. Skullduggery (issues #71 and 72) Cinderella repays her debt to Frau Totenkinder by going on a mission down South. War and Pieces (issues #73 to 75) Fabletown and the Empire go to war. Around the Town (issue #76) Fabletown's newest member is given a tour, much to the displeasure of some of the other residents. The Dark Ages (issues #77 to 81) A new era begins as the residents of Fabletown face the aftermath of the war. New challenges arise at home and in a distant land a dark power is awakened. Waiting for the Blues (issue #82) An epilogue to "The Dark Ages". The Great Fables Crossover (issues #83 to 85) Bigby and Beast get into a violent fight that demonstrates the influence of the dark powers present. Rose Red sinks deeper and deeper into depression. Stinky starts a religion foretelling Boy Blue's heroic return, which a returning Jack Horner takes advantage of before encountering his son, the new Jack Frost. In an interesting twist, the issues are more focused on Jack than on the other Fables (note: includes Jack of Fables issues #33 to 35 and The Literals issues #1 to 3). Boxing Days (issue #86) Mister Dark relates how he came to be trapped in a magical box by a group of imperial warlocks, and the rise of their leader Dunster Happ. Witches (issues #87 to 91) The leaders and witches of Fabletown discuss how to defeat Mister Dark. Meanwhile, Bufkin finds himself trapped in the lost business office with Baba Yaga and many other monsters. Out to the Ball Game (issues #92 and 93) A story set in Haven, where the local baseball game leads to a murder. Rose Red (issues #94 to 98) The Farm is in chaos, as various factions vie for control. To restore order, Rose Red must face her greatest foe – herself. Dark City (issue #99) Mr. Dark uses his power to construct a new citadel in New York City. Single Combat (issue #100) The final confrontation between Frau Totenkinder and Mister Dark. The Ascent (issue #101) Bufkin climbs the Business Office's tree and finds himself in Ev (a neighbor to the Land of Oz). Super Team (issues #102 to 106) Ozma puts together a team of Fables to mimic the superheroics of comic books. Waking Beauty (issue #107) The fate of the defeated Empire's thorn-covered capital. Inherit the Wind (issues #108 to 111) The North Wind's successor is chosen among Snow and Bigby's Cubs. In Ev, Bufkin forms a resistance movement in order to overthrow the evil Nome King. "All in a Single Night" (issue #112) A Fables take on A Christmas Carol, focusing on Rose Red. In Those Days (issue #113) A collection of short, short Fables stories. Cubs in Toyland (issues #114 to 121) Snow and Bigby's cub Therese is taken to a bleak, mysterious land inhabited by discarded toys, inciting a series of soul-crushing events. This storyline has a backup feature that follows Bufkin's (mis)adventures in Oz. The Destiny Game (issues #122 and 123) A look at how fate works in the Fable universe. Bufkin and Lily's adventures continue in the story's backup feature. After (issue #124) Bufkin and Lily's heroic adventures comes to its grand finale. Snow White (issues #125 to 129) A man from Snow White's past claims her as his legal wife. June Bug (issue #130) The daughter of Rodney and June, the Adversary wooden soldiers that became human, explores Castle Black. Camelot (issues #131 to 133 and #135 to 137) A new dark age calls for a new Round Table, with modern knights willing to take on a sacred quest to reassemble the shattered pieces of Fabletown. Deeper into the Woods (issue #134) Bigby Wolf wanders into a heaven resembling the woods he used to hunt in, where he meets a long-lost friend. Root and Branch (issue #138)