Collecting FABLES #6-10, the second story arc of the fan-favourite, 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.
So I took a trip back to Fabletown this week, in Fables Volume 2 Animal Farm. This collection starts out with a visit to The Farm. Although many of the Fables live in New York City, there are some who just wouldn’t fit in among humans (non human beings) and probably wouldn’t want to anyway (would dragons and giants really be happy in Manhattan?)
Snow White and her sister Rose Red take a trip down to The Farm with plans of checking things out and making sure they are running smoothly. Snow White also seems to have the ulterior motive of perhaps reconnecting with her sister and trying to keep her out of trouble for awhile.
Arriving at The Farm, a picturesque country village straight out of Charlotte’s Web, the sisters realize it is much too quiet and deserted. Upon closer investigation, White and Red start to think something is just not right on The Farm. And how right they are. The Three Little Pigs have plans to start a revolution, with Goldilocks as the ringleader.
Volume 2 in the Fables series is very aptly names Animal Farm, as it’s storyline is very similar to Orwell’s satiric novel of the same name. But this Animal Farm is strong and contains enough originality to not be considered a knock-off. This volume also introduces many more fairy tale characters into the story, such as The Jungle Book characters and my favourite Reynard the Fox.
While the first volume was fun and suspenseful, this great second volume contains much darker material and presents the Fables in a way that is much like the original Grimm tales. We discover the shocking and disturbing underbelly of the Fables universe, such as two of the Three Little Pigs spitting one of their own, and learning that Goldilocks found Baby Bear’s bed to be just right for her.
Animal Farm is an extremely powerful follow-up to Legends In Exile and seems to highlight how this graphic novel series will be taking a more serious look at the Fables. The action, drama and societal metaphor found here is enough to keep me eager to continue on reading.
Fables Volume 2 collects issues 6-10 of the Fables series.
| Animal Farm Part 1 | Animal Farm Part 2 | Animal Farm Part 3 | Animal Farm Part 4 | Animal Farm Part 5 |
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Written by Bill Willingham; Art by Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha; Cover by James Jean; Published by Vertigo
Check out these other great reviews of Fables Volume 2: Animal Farm.
Sophisticated Dorkiness
Things Mean A Lot
Fyrefly's Book Blog
Rhinoas Ramblings
Bold. Blue. Adventure.
Everyday Reads
© 2008-2010 Joanne Mosher of The Book Zombie. All rights reserved.
7 comments:
Gah! This still isn't in at the library! *pouts*
Nice review, though. :)
Lovely, lovely review! Be sure to pick up the succeeding volumes in the series, I promise you it gets better :)
And thanks for putting a link to my review as well. I'll go back and add yours too!
Yes, lovely review! It is darker, isn't it? And it gets darker still!
I'm glad you're enjoying the series, and thanks for thinking to my post :)
great review, this series does sound interesting. I wonder if they carry it at my library.
i'll have to check.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Happy dance! Glad you liked this one too, Joanne! It just gets better the more characters come on the scene.
I really need to see if my library carries any more of this series. I love graphic novels, but the cost hurts the wallet.
Thanks for all the kind words everyone, I am loving this series. But I may have a tantrum if the library doesn't get Volume 5 in soon :)
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