I’ll admit that I have always loved fairy tales. Not the Disney versions, where everyone always lives happily ever after, but the real Grimm ones – pun definitely intended. Two of my favorites are “The Juniper Tree” and “Bearskin” – has anyone heard of those? What are your favorite childhood tales?
As an adult, I sometimes feel a little silly pouring over the old fairy tales, but luckily the Fables series of comics has updated the stories and made them more accessible to modern audiences (and grown-ups!) The first collection in the series, Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham, tells the sad tale of how the Adversary – the faceless, nameless enemy – slowly took over the lands of the Fables and forced them into exile. They have managed to make a living in New York City but still dream of one day standing up to the Adversary and taking back their homes. The series is clever and fast-paced with memorable characters and striking illustrations. It can be fun to catch up with some familiar characters and see what they’ve been up to since their original stories – for example, who would have thought the Frog Prince would be a janitor in a high-rise, or that Snow White would divorce Prince Charming and become a deputy mayor?
Don’t be fooled, though – these fairy tales are not for kids. Jack of Fables, Prince Charming and Bluebeard are pretty serious playboys and the illustrators aren't above showing a bit of romance. Also, while most of the series is light-hearted, there is a war brewing with plenty of casualties on both sides.
If you’re curious about the fate of your favorite fairy tale character, I would suggest you pick up Legends in Exile and get caught up in the magic and adventure.
As an adult, I sometimes feel a little silly pouring over the old fairy tales, but luckily the Fables series of comics has updated the stories and made them more accessible to modern audiences (and grown-ups!) The first collection in the series, Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham, tells the sad tale of how the Adversary – the faceless, nameless enemy – slowly took over the lands of the Fables and forced them into exile. They have managed to make a living in New York City but still dream of one day standing up to the Adversary and taking back their homes. The series is clever and fast-paced with memorable characters and striking illustrations. It can be fun to catch up with some familiar characters and see what they’ve been up to since their original stories – for example, who would have thought the Frog Prince would be a janitor in a high-rise, or that Snow White would divorce Prince Charming and become a deputy mayor?
Don’t be fooled, though – these fairy tales are not for kids. Jack of Fables, Prince Charming and Bluebeard are pretty serious playboys and the illustrators aren't above showing a bit of romance. Also, while most of the series is light-hearted, there is a war brewing with plenty of casualties on both sides.
If you’re curious about the fate of your favorite fairy tale character, I would suggest you pick up Legends in Exile and get caught up in the magic and adventure.
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