Fables TPs Volumes 1-6 (and some of 7)

[fatmancomics]

I'm going to assume that everyone reading this has read the book which means there will be spoilers so don't bother reading further if you don't want the story spoiled for you. Remember, you've been warned.

First of all a confession: I'm a "manistream" fanboy. That means that my idea of what American comic books should be has always been synonimous with spandex. As a little boy I watched the Marvel Hour, Hanna-Barbera's Spider-Man and Fantastic Four and Birdman and the Galactic Trio. I watched anime as well (you should know that from my avatar) but when I came to this country I realized that anime was not at all mainstream and that the popular cartoons (G.I. Joe, Transformers, Dennis the Menace, Dungeons & Dragons, etc) where, at least, inspired by the standard "look" that American comics had set. Hell, even anime is based on a "look" that American comics had made a standard but that's a whole other discussion. But in my later years, at the ripe old age of thirty one, I've become more open minded. I've begun to listen to the radio stations that spew right and left wing propaganda in order to get the few valid points caught in the middle. This means that I've become more open minded about comics as well.
I've stopped collecting titles and started collecting storylines. I've started looking for the writers that have written storylines that I liked and following their work instead of just collecting a particular title because it has the same characters. I've given the "independents" as much of a try as the spandex titles and have learned that they can dissapoint too. Such is not the case with Fables.
My niece introduced me to this title only two weeks ago and I have devoured the TPs she lent me like I devoured my favorite novels. The writer has managed to take the characters of stories I remember hearing as a child, and yes my parents read these to me, and made them into contemporary and realistic characters that I can empathize with.
At every turn the writer has managed to surprise me. Every twist was unforseen and even the most obvious of hints (like who the adversary turned out to be) didn't take away from the story.
Even when I found myself thinking that the writer might be a bit racist because of the Bag of Bones story in which he claims that only "those of low education continue to call the American Civil War" by that name and the lack of inclussion of brown skinned Fables; he changed my mind by bringing in the very fables I was thinkng of (like Sinbad, Aladdin and Ali Babba).
Having had so many volumes to read at once has also given me the privilidge of seeing the artists' improvement as they work on this title.
That's as far as I've read so I can't comment on anything in volume eight but I can tell you with all honesty that this is the best read since I finally broke down and bought the Invincible and Walking Dead TPs.

[Juan2.0]

I want these, but I can't find them cheap enough anywhere yet.

[Crimson Spider]

I skipped to the last sentence since I've only read the first story arc. I need to buy this book.

[ScottEwen]

Yay! Fables is one of my favorite comics. It rules and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise.

Plus, Mike Allred just did a two-issue story. How can you say no to that?

[Bruce]

Not looking for a fight, but i bought and read the first 4 trades and had wanted my money back on them ever since. After the talk this series gained I was really expecting something good. But for a Vertigo series I thought it was one of the most predictable, easy to read, boring and poorly done vertigo books they have ever released.
I wasn't happy at all. I really don't understand what the hype was about.
If I was Karen Berger I would be embarassed to have this in my line.
But it sells. And that is what vertigo needs.

Shade
the Geek
Sandman
Hellblazer
Preacher
transmet
American Freak
Loveless
DMZ
100 Bullets...
I could go on and on.
Vertigo can put out great stuff. I'm at a loss on this.

[ScottEwen]

That's it. You and me's gonna fight.

[Bruce]

[Juan2.0]

I just finished TPBs 3 and 4...while nothing incredible, they were good for a read to kill some time. I like Fables...especially the whole storyline being based of off fairy tales and fables...it's an interesting idea and one that keeps me coming back for more. Now I need to find the other TPBs for a good price.