Comic Info
Comic Name: Jack of Fables
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo
Writer: Bill Willingham/Matthew Sturges
Artist: Tony Akins/Steve Leialoha/Andrew Pepoy
# of Issues: 6
Release Date: 2007
Jack of Fables #6
Reprints Jack of Fables #6-11 (February 2007-July 2007). Jack and his friends have escaped from Golden Boughs and are on the run…and it’s time for Jack to tell a tale of how he for a short period became Jack Frost at the hands of the Snow Queen. Then Jack and the Pathetic Fallacy are headed to Vegas where Jack finds love only to lose it…but fortunately a big payout helps soften the pain…unfortunately, it also draws the attention of Lady Luck.
Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges, Jack of Fables Volume 2: Jack of Hearts follows the events of Jack of Fables Volume 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape. The collection is split into two parts “Jack Frost” (Jack of Fables #6-7) and “Jack of Hearts” (Jack of Fables #8-11). The DC/Vertigo is a spin-off of Fables and features art by Tony Akins, Steve Leialoha, and Andrew Pepoy. Issues in this collection were also collected as part of Jack of Fables: The Deluxe Edition—Book 1
I enjoy Jack of Fables but like many do not enjoy it as much as Fables. The series at this point is still trying to find its feet and separate itself from Fables. It is also interesting to note that the “back-up” story of Jack’s encounter with the Snow Queen actually becomes probably the most important story in the series since the events in this story shape much of the end of the series.
Jack of Fables #10
Jack of Fables has an interesting writing style. Unlike Fables which does have a lot of humor, Jack of Fables is almost a comic adventure…It is much funnier than the regular Fables series and often has littler interludes which are primarily funny based. An example in this volume would be interjections by Mr. Revise and Priscilla Page during the Snow Queen stories (later in the series Paul Bunyon’s ox Babe provides the humor).
Jack is a fun character though. He’s the definition of a “lovable rogue”. I particularly like his portrayal in “Jack of Hearts” where he is actually revealed to have feelings for his quick hitch wife by wanting revenge…but money still trumps love.
The art for the series also is strong. I do prefer Steve Leialoha’s art for Jack Frost more than I do the “Jack of Fables” art, but it is mostly because I like the character designs for the story. A new Jack Frost returns much later in the series.
Jack of Fables is a series worth following if you read Fables. As a stand-alone series it is enjoyable, but it mostly is enriched by the original series. Just like Fables, much of the fun of the series is a result of the classic fairy tale figures that stop by. Jack of Fables 2: Jack of Hearts was followed by Jack of Hearts 3: The Bad Prince.
Related Links:
Jack of Fables 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape
Jack of Fables 3: The Bad Prince
Jack of Fables 5: Turning Pages
Jack of Fables 6: The Big Book of War
Jack of Fables 7: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack
