Writer: Bill Willingham
Artist: Mark Buckingham
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| via DC Comics Database |
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song over hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien
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Monday, August 17, 2015
On the Coffee Table: Animal Farm
Title: Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm
Writer: Bill Willingham
Artist: Mark Buckingham
If you were expecting Orwell, you might be surprised but I wouldn't say you'd be entirely disappointed. In Willingham's excellent Fables comic book series, fairy tale characters have been run out of their imaginary realms and must make do in the real world. All those who can't pass as human live on a secluded farm in upstate New York. But not all is well on The Farm. While on a routine visit from the city, Snow White and Rose Red stumble upon a political rally in the barn led by the Three Little Pigs - a scene familiar to anyone who knows Orwell's dystopian allegory. The animals are tired of living in what amounts to a prison. The social structure is in upheaval and Snow and Rose are clearly in danger.
The story is very compelling and the artwork wonderful. Of course, half the fun is wondering who will turn up next. The most welcome inclusion is Kipling's Jungle Book characters. The rendering of Baghera is especially striking. If you plan to check out the series - and you should - don't expect your everyday wholesome fairy tales. Even Once Upon a Time is fairly tame by comparison.
Writer: Bill Willingham
Artist: Mark Buckingham
Having read Orwell in my youth, and moved to activism by it, I have always considered it a mix of irony and optimism that my youngest child was born in 1984. Orwell's stories impressed me as important cautionary metaphors and your excellent synopsis of the Willingham & Buckingham effort tells me the theme does not languish in the prior century. Most encouraging, Squid. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like Orwell, though I haven't read any since high school. I do have one of his on my shelf at the moment, though: Down and Out in Paris and London.
DeleteI never heard of that story but it sounds really interesting. I love Once Upon a Time so maybe I would like it.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
I am hesitant to recommend it to fans of Once Upon a Time. Fables is a lot darker. I don't care for the show, actually. My wife and daughter like it, though neither has read Fables - definitely not for young children, either. Mock, however, loves both. If you like fairy tale characters and aren't likely to be turned off by seeing horrible things happen to them, Fables is high-quality work.
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and it seems like the wolf has a good idea about eating those pigs
ReplyDeleteYes, pigs are yummy.
DeleteThe Big Bad Wolf (aka Bigby) is somehow able to live outside The Farm in human form. He actually looks a lot more like Marvel's Wolverine than like his lupine namesake. He is banned from The Farm, in fact, due to his predatory nature.
He is one of the leads for the series but plays a peripheral role in this story arc.
I had dropped comics again before I got this far into the series. I do own the first few issues, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to see how long it will hold my interest. If anything, I liked this second volume more than the first. That's encouraging.
DeletePoor little piggies, so small and defenseless but at least they've got the smarts to outwit the antagonists
ReplyDeleteWell...
DeleteSPOILERS!!!
wow! Sounds like a great read. And yes, I was expecting Orwell's version to be discussed. It's been a long time since I've read that. So much to read, so little time.
ReplyDeleteI read it in the seventh grade... 30 years ago... I don't know if a reread is likely at this stage of my life but you never know.
DeleteThere are several books I've reread after getting out of school. Flowers for Algernon I've probably read about four or five times now.
DeleteBut yes, so much to read, I probably won't get around to a reread of this for a long time, if ever.
Flowers for Algernon - I loved that book! I was just thinking about it the other day, too. On top of everything else, it's a wonderful title.
DeleteThis sounds awesome. I love the bold colors in the pictures you shared with us and the story appeals to me. I haven't read Animal Farm since middle school, but I do remember parts of it. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
If you remember the premise, you would understand the references.
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting mashup. I want to read this.
ReplyDeleteYou should. Start with Volume 1, though.
DeleteThis DOES sound interesting (and yes...I thought Orwell and "Squid is hitting all the classics? Cool!).
ReplyDeleteNo but comics like Fables certainly encourage me to revisit the classics.
DeleteThis does sound like an interesting book. I will have to check it out from the library. I'm always looking for something new and exciting. Thanks for writing about this book!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. I would encourage you to start with Volume 1.
DeleteI love the Fable series. Will have to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteEven though you already know the series, I would recommend starting with Volume 1 if you haven't already.
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