Fables: The Last Castle Review

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Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: The Last Castle

Written by: Bill Willingham
Penciled by: Craig Hamilton
Inked by: P. Craig Russell
Colored by: Lovern Kindzierski
Lettered by: Todd Klein
Pencils & Inks on framing sequence: P. Craig Russell
Editor: Shelley Bond
Publisher: Vertigo > DC Comics

The hits keep rolling

Prestige Format comics are a tough choice to buy sometimes. It’s not easy to throw down $5.95 for a comic, even an extended one. Yet, I’d say that most people would feel pretty silly right now if they passed on JLA/Avengers, and if you’re a Fables follower, missing “Last Castle” would be a similar mistake. I’ve had no complaints about the entire run, and this may be the best story yet.

Just what’re you talking about?

For anyone not familiar, Fables follows a group of storybook characters who were chased from their homeland by the still unseen Adversary. This happened ages ago, and the characters now mainly live in New York City, in the aptly dubbed, Fabletown. Bill Willingham has let his imagination run wild, using various characters that fall into the Fable definition. So far we’ve seen Bluebeard, Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf, Goldilocks, Prince Charming and a slew of others. The amazing part is the extradionary characterization; it’s not just the gimmick that pulls you along from story to story.

He needed the money

Little Boy Blue has made a number of appearances during the Fables series, but he finally gets a chance to take center-stage. Bill Willingham continues to build layers into this stunning world. Instead of following the present day adventures of the folks from Fabletown, we’re treated to a heartrending story of love set against the backdrop of the last days in the homeland.

Truly this is the story of the Last Castle that has not fallen to the Adversary’s legions. Little Red Riding Hood, a character that many have asked to see, finally appears and along with Little Boy Blue steals the show. The story unfolds as certain Fables stay behind in an Alamo like standoff within the castle, giving time for others to escape to the “real” world. Willingham doesn’t miss a trick, there’s tragedy, action, romance, and nice clarity is brought to the battles that occurred prior to the series beginning.

Not Buckingham Palace

Mark Buckingham’s work is now synonymous with Fables, so I missed it a little in these pages. The work by Hamilton and Russell is by no means bad; it just doesn’t quite capture the look and feel that I’m comfortable with. The biggest complaint for me is that the characters look like they’re out of the Sunday funnies in spots. Overall though the art isn’t a sore spot at all, it translates Mr. Willingham’s story wonderfully, and in the end what more can you ask for?

Please don’t let this be the last one!

Fables and Bill Willingham get better every time out. This series, and every thing produced under the banner are just amazing comics. Even if you’re not a fan of the series, this prequel could serve as a great jumping on point. What’re you waiting for? Buy this book, now!