Author(s): Bill Willingham et al

Graphic Novels

The sixth volume in the series explores some of Bigby Wolf's extracurricular exploits around the mundane world in "Cinderella Libertine" and "War Stories" before returning to the main storyline in "The Year After," which follows the aftermath of the Adversary's attempt to conquer Fabletown. Rated for mature readers.This clever, enjoyable series written by Willingham, has a rather ingenious premise: what if all the characters of fairy tales lived, loved, schemed, and fought in a modern-day city of their own? This installment contains two fun story arcs. One, a cute satire of contemporary Hollywood, stars Jack, of beanstalk fame, portrayed as a rather unsavory trickster. Making his way to Hollywood with a fistful of cash, he becomes a wildly successful producer of films based on his own mythological exploits. Eventually, though, his ruthless business practices and unsavory past catch up with him. In a longer story, Little Boy Blue goes on an epic quest to find and kill a shadowy tyrant who turns out to be none other than kindly old Geppetto, now a bilious tyrant still longing for his Pinocchio. The more one reads of the series, the more the narrative strands bear thematic fruit. Willingham clearly has an immense amount of fun playing with these characters and their histories, and the art, mostly by Buckingham, is a perfect match: clear, fanciful and finely drawn. "Fables "s an excellent series in the tradition of "Sandman" one that rewards careful attention and loyalty. "(Jan.)" Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom Volume 3 Paul S. Newman and Frank Bolle. Dark Horse, $49.95 (200p) ISBN 1-59307-374-7 Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. First published December 2005.