F is for Fables

Fairy tales have long been a favorite genre among children and young adults, but in the past couple of years fairy tales have become a popular topic amongst adults as well. We've seen adult themed book adaptations and movies, and in the past few years, comic books.

One of the most highly regarded is Fables, a DC Vertigo comic book series created by Bill Willingham. It's the story of refugee fairy tale characters -- known as Fables -- who fled their homeland and "The Adversary", a dark villain threatening their existence and conquering their lands. They find themselves in New York where they've created a sanctuary in a Manhattan neighborhood called Fableland. There they must learn to adapt to a modern world full of sex, violence, betrayal and so much more and any Fables who are unable to blend (due to their abnormal or monstrous appearance) are sent to live on "The Farm" in upstate New York. 

I think the thing I like most about this series is it's dark, gritty nature. Gone are the happy endings, replaced with drama and intrigue. The characters break out of their traditional shells, with Snow White married to the Big Bad Wolf (aka. Bigby Wolf), Prince Charming considered a cad and a womanizer, and Beauty something of a nag to her Beastly husband. They're mysteries afoot, and the over arching question . . . who is "The Adversary" that forced them to flee their homeland? It's a terrific series and one that has inspired so many other stories (the most notable of which I'll discuss for the letter "O"). It's definitely one of my favorite fairy tale adaptations. 

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This post is part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My theme (in case you didn't already guess) is Fairy Tales. Stay tuned for the rest of the alphabet, and if you'd like to check out the other participants, simply click here.