Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Our Right to Assemble Issue – March of the Wooden Soldiers: Chapter 6
Written by: Bill Willingham
Penciled by: Mark Buckingham
Inked by: Steve Leialoha & Mark Buckingham
Colored by: Daniel Vozzo
Lettered by: Todd Klein
Assistant Editor: Mariah Huehner
Editor: Shelly Bond
Publisher: Vertigo > DC Comics
“March of the Wooden Soldiers†has been going on for some six parts (plus a single issue interlude that was unrelated) right now, and there are still two to go. I’m not one for 8 part storylines normally, but this is an exception. Bill Willingham has thrown nothing but strikes with this book from the very start, and he’s only getting better! I’ve a laundry list of all-time favorites from the Vertigo brand, and I can unequivocally say that Fables is up there at the very top of the list with book like Preacher, Transmetropolitan, Books of Magic, 100 Bullets, and Y: The Last Man. This is not becoming a classic series…it already is!
Now, nothing really happens in this issue, except for more of the unbelievable characterization that is evident in every issue of Fables. The entirety of the contents are about the “March to War†developing between the “good†Fables of Fabletown in New York City, and the evil army of wooden soldiers that the evil Adversary has sent from the homeland.
Willingham makes it look easy as we check in with most of the regular cast members, as well as a giving us a rather humorous look at the wooden army, quite literally, being assembled. Prince Charming has been cast as an utter cad throughout the series, but as of late he’s shown some real gumption, and he may be a jerk, but recently he’s been doing the right thing. He’s recently been running for Mayor of Fabletown, and he seems to be the right man for the job.
Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha turn in utterly breathtaking art each and every issue they collaborate on. The panel layouts are probably the finest in any book currently being published. I absolutely adore the adornments included on many of the pages, and especially enjoyed the cool page numbers that are added throughout. Daniel Vozzo completes the artistic package by lending the world a beautiful color palette that accentuates the lush world of Fables.
I started reading this book in trade paperbacks, but after the second trade I went out and caught up on the other back issues. The story is slow developing, so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the book after a year of reading the monthly, but I’m happy to report that this book is fantastic either way. I’ve talked with people that just shrug their shoulders and refuse to even give this title a second glance. Fables totally belays any preconceived notions and delivers an epic, yet fun, story every time! I give Fables my highest possible recommendation!
