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Fables

FABLES

THE COMPLETE COMICS UNIVERSE

Fables — Original Cover

Creator & Writer: Bill Willingham
Principal Artists: Mark Buckingham, Lan Medina, Steve Leialoha
Cover Artists: James Jean, João Ruas and others
Publisher: DC Comics / Vertigo / DC Black Label
Genre: Dark Fantasy · Urban Fantasy · Mystery · Folklore
Original Publication: 2002–2015
Revival: 2022–2024
Main Series: 162 issues
Collected Edition: 16 Deluxe hardcover volumes (2009–2024)
Collection Status: Complete Main Series — 16/16 Deluxe Editions

THE WORLD OF FABLES

Once upon a time, the fairy tales were real. Then they lost their kingdoms.

Fables is an award-winning comic-book series created and written by Bill Willingham. It reimagines characters from folklore, mythology and classic literature as immortal refugees living secretly in the modern world.

Centuries ago, a mysterious conqueror known as the Adversary invaded the magical Homelands, forcing their inhabitants to abandon their kingdoms. Those who escaped established Fabletown, a hidden community in New York City. Creatures unable to disguise their supernatural appearance were sent to the secluded Farm in upstate New York.

Among the refugees are Snow White, the reformed Big Bad Wolf (Bigby Wolf), Rose Red, Prince Charming, Boy Blue, Cinderella, Pinocchio and countless others.

Their lives are anything but happily ever after. Ancient grudges, political rivalries, forbidden romances, magical conspiracies and murder investigations threaten the fragile society they have built.

What begins as an urban-fantasy detective story gradually develops into an epic about war, power, exile, family, sacrifice and the consequences of immortality.

The series combines detective fiction, political intrigue, horror, dark comedy and high fantasy. Its expanded universe includes numerous companion series, original graphic novels, prose fiction and crossovers.

THE MAIN SAGA

162 issues · 16 Deluxe Editions · 2002–2024

The main series is organized below into five major narrative periods for cataloging purposes. These large divisions are editorial; the individual story-arc titles are taken from the published comics.

I. EXILE AND THE WAR AGAINST THE ADVERSARY

Fables #1–75 · Deluxe Editions 01–09

The founding conflicts of Fabletown develop into a struggle against the Empire that conquered the Homelands. Mysteries, political upheaval and military preparations culminate in an all-out war.

DELUXE EDITION 01 — 2009

Collects: Fables #1–10

Legends in Exile — #1–5
Bigby Wolf investigates the apparent murder of Rose Red. The first major mystery introduces Fabletown, its secret laws and its principal inhabitants.

Animal Farm — #6–10
Snow White visits the Farm, where the nonhuman Fables have grown increasingly resentful of their isolation. A revolutionary conspiracy threatens the entire community.

DELUXE EDITION 02 — 2010

Collects: Fables #11–18; The Last Castle; A Wolf in the Fold

Bag 'O Bones — #11
During the American Civil War, Jack Horner encounters Death and attempts to cheat his way out of mortality.

A Two-Part Caper — #12–13
A human journalist discovers the existence of Fabletown, forcing its leaders to devise a solution before the secret becomes public.

Storybook Love — #14–17
Bluebeard conspires to eliminate Snow White and Bigby. Goldilocks becomes involved in a dangerous campaign of revenge.

Barleycorn Brides — #18
Bigby tells Flycatcher about an unusual tradition among the miniature inhabitants of Smalltown.

The Last Castle — Original One-Shot (2003)
Boy Blue recounts the desperate final defence of the Last Castle during the exodus from the Homelands.

A Wolf in the Fold — Prose Story
A companion story exploring Bigby's early history and his arrival among the exiled Fables.

DELUXE EDITION 03 — 2011

Collects: Fables #19–27

March of the Wooden Soldiers — #19–21, #23–27
Prince Charming campaigns for political control of Fabletown while the Adversary's agents prepare an invasion. The arrival of a mysterious Red Riding Hood threatens to destabilize the community.

Cinderella Libertine — #22
The supposedly carefree Cinderella reveals that her public reputation conceals a much more dangerous profession.

DELUXE EDITION 04 — 2011

Collects: Fables #28–33; Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall

War Stories — #28–29
Bigby's secret involvement in the Second World War reveals another chapter of his violent past.

The Long Year / The Mean Seasons — #30–33
Snow White gives birth to Bigby's children. Their unusual nature transforms the family's future, while Bigby is forced into exile.

1001 Nights of Snowfall — Original Graphic Novel (2006)

A prequel anthology set during the early history of Fabletown. Snow White must tell stories to a powerful Arabian sultan in order to preserve her life.

Complete internal contents:

  1. A Most Troublesome Woman
  2. The Fencing Lessons
  3. The Christmas Pies
  4. A Frog's Eye View
  5. The Runt
  6. A Mother's Love
  7. Diaspora
  8. The Witch's Tale
  9. What You Wish For
  10. Fair Division

The stories explore the lives of Snow White, Prince Charming, Flycatcher, Bigby, Frau Totenkinder, King Cole and other Fables before their principal adventures.

DELUXE EDITION 05 — 2012

Collects: Fables #34–45

Jack Be Nimble — #34–35
Jack Horner seeks fame and fortune in Hollywood. His adventures eventually lead into the separate series Jack of Fables.

Homelands — #36–38, #40–41
Boy Blue undertakes a dangerous mission behind enemy lines and discovers the identity of the Adversary.

Meanwhile — #39
Events in Fabletown continue while Boy Blue remains in the Homelands.

Arabian Nights (and Days) — #42–45
Sinbad and a delegation of Arabian Fables arrive in New York to discuss an alliance against the Empire.

DELUXE EDITION 06 — 2013

Collects: Fables #46–51; additional maps and script material

The Ballad of Rodney and June — #46–47
Two members of the Adversary's wooden army fall in love, threatening the laws of the Empire.

Wolves — #48–49
Mowgli searches for the missing Bigby Wolf and brings him an important message.

Happily Ever After — #50
Bigby returns to confront the Empire and finally reunites with Snow White.

Big and Small — #51
Cinderella undertakes a diplomatic mission to the Cloud Kingdom and encounters an unusual medical emergency.

Additional Materials: Maps of Fabletown and the Farm; script for Fables #50.

DELUXE EDITION 07 — 2013

Collects: Fables #52–59 and #64

Sons of Empire — #52–55
The Adversary assembles the Imperial leadership to decide how to deal with Fabletown. Pinocchio faces conflicts between family loyalty and his adopted community.

Jiminy Christmas — #56
The existence and nature of Santa Claus are examined within the Fables universe.

Father and Son — #57–58
Bigby confronts his father, the North Wind, while his children discover more about their unusual ancestry.

Burning Questions — #59
A collection of brief stories answering questions about the characters and their world.

The Birthday Secret — #64
The Wolf children's birthday coincides with preparations for the approaching war.

Collection Note: Issue #64 appears here rather than in chronological sequence.

DELUXE EDITION 08 — 2014

Collects: Fables #60–63 and #65–69

The Good Prince — #60–63, #65–69
Flycatcher confronts the tragedy of his past, rediscovers his royal identity as Prince Ambrose and establishes the sanctuary known as Haven.

His transformation becomes one of the most significant developments in the conflict between Fabletown and the Empire.

DELUXE EDITION 09 — 2014

Collects: Fables #70–82

Kingdom Come — #70
The preparations for war reach their conclusion.

Skullduggery — #71–72
Cinderella undertakes a secret mission for Frau Totenkinder.

War and Pieces — #73–75
The long struggle between Fabletown and the Adversary reaches its decisive military confrontation.

Around the Town — #76
A newcomer receives an introduction to Fabletown and its residents.

The Dark Ages — #77–81
The surviving Fables attempt to rebuild their lives after the war. However, a far older and more sinister threat emerges.

Waiting for the Blues — #82
An epilogue dealing with the consequences of the preceding events.

II. THE DARK AGES AND MISTER DARK

Fables #76–100 · Deluxe Editions 09–11

The defeat of the Empire does not bring lasting peace. Mister Dark rises, Fabletown faces destruction, and the surviving community struggles with internal division.

The transition begins in Deluxe 09, already cataloged above.

DELUXE EDITION 10 — 2015

Collects: Fables #83–85; Jack of Fables #33–35; The Literals #1–3; Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland

The Great Fables Crossover — 9 Issues

Jack Horner returns as the magical entities known as the Literals threaten the very existence of the Fables universe. The crossover is a single continuous story published across three comic series.

Complete Reading Order:

  1. Fables #83
  2. Jack of Fables #33
  3. The Literals #1
  4. Fables #84
  5. Jack of Fables #34
  6. The Literals #2
  7. Fables #85
  8. Jack of Fables #35
  9. The Literals #3

Werewolves of the Heartland — Original Graphic Novel (2012)

Bigby Wolf travels across the American Midwest in search of a new home for Fabletown. In Story City, Iowa, he encounters a mysterious population of werewolves whose origins are closely connected to his own history.

Complete Internal Contents:

  1. When We All Lived in the Forest
  2. Wolves at War
  3. A Kind of Limbo
  4. A God Among Us
  5. Rituals
  6. Projekt Volsung
  7. Story Night
  8. Sword & Fire
  9. Precipice
DELUXE EDITION 11 — 2015

Collects: Fables #86–100; Pinocchio's Army

Boxing Days — #86
The origins of Mister Dark and his imprisonment are revealed.

Witches — #87–91
The witches of Fabletown seek a way to confront Mister Dark. Meanwhile, Bufkin must survive encounters with dangerous creatures trapped inside the Business Office.

Out to the Ball Game — #92–93
A murder disrupts everyday life in Haven.

Rose Red — #94–98
Rose Red confronts her past and struggles to regain control of the Farm.

Dark City — #99
Mister Dark establishes his new power base in New York.

Single Combat — #100
Frau Totenkinder faces Mister Dark in a decisive magical confrontation.

Pinocchio's Army — Prose Story
A companion tale involving Pinocchio and Geppetto during the events surrounding Rose Red.

III. HEIRS, PROPHECIES AND NEW KINGDOMS

Fables #101–129 · Deluxe Editions 12–13

The destruction of old powers leaves new political and magical uncertainties. Snow and Bigby's children begin to fulfil their destinies, while the next generation must endure the consequences of their inheritance.

DELUXE EDITION 12 — 2016

Collects: Fables #101–113

The Ascent — #101
Bufkin escapes the Business Office and enters the magical land of Ev.

Super Team — #102–106
Ozma forms a team of Fables whose methods are inspired by comic-book superheroes.

Waking Beauty — #107
Briar Rose's story continues in the ruined capital of the former Empire.

Inherit the Wind — #108–111
The North Wind's successor must be chosen from among Snow White and Bigby's children. Bufkin's resistance in Ev continues.

All in a Single Night — #112
A Christmas Carol-inspired tale centred on Rose Red.

In Those Days — #113
A collection of short stories exploring additional corners of the Fables universe.

DELUXE EDITION 13 — 2016

Collects: Fables #114–129

Cubs in Toyland — #114–121
Therese, one of Snow and Bigby's children, becomes trapped in a mysterious land inhabited by abandoned toys.

The Destiny Game — #122–123
The workings of fate and prophecy are explored through the destinies of the Fables.

After — #124
Bufkin and Lily's adventures reach their conclusion.

Snow White — #125–129
A dangerous figure from Snow White's past returns and threatens her family.

Additional Narrative Material: The serialized Oz backup stories featuring Bufkin, originally appearing alongside the main stories in #114–123.

IV. CAMELOT AND THE FINAL CONFLICT

Fables #130–150 · Deluxe Editions 14–15

Rose Red attempts to establish a new political and moral order. Ancient rivalries intensify, and the conflict between the sisters threatens to determine the future of the Fables.

DELUXE EDITION 14 — 2017

Collects: Fables #130–140

June Bug — #130
The daughter of Rodney and June explores Castle Black and discovers more about her family's past.

Camelot — #131–133, #135–137
Rose Red attempts to create a new Round Table and establish a modern order of knights.

Deeper into the Woods — #134
Bigby experiences a mysterious journey through a seemingly ideal forest.

Root and Branch — #138
An additional tale reveals another consequence of Geppetto's activities.

The Boys in the Band — #139–140
Peter Piper, Joe Shepherd, Puss in Boots and Briar Rose embark on a mission to liberate a small Homeland.

DELUXE EDITION 15 — 2017

Collects: Fables #141–150

Happily Ever After — #141–149
The conflict between Snow White and Rose Red approaches its climax as the consequences of the new Camelot reshape Fabletown.

Farewell — #150
The oversized finale of the original series resolves numerous character stories and provides a conclusion to the initial thirteen-year narrative.

V. THE BLACK FOREST

Fables #151–162 · Deluxe Edition 16

The return of Fables introduces another major threat to the surviving characters. New alliances, returning figures and unresolved conflicts create a continuation of the original saga.

DELUXE EDITION 16 — 2024

Collects: Fables #151–162
Story Arc: The Black Forest
Original Issues: 2022–2024

A mysterious new Jack in the Green appears in the Black Forest. Meanwhile, Geppetto's past actions provoke a fresh confrontation, and a character believed to be dead returns.

Complete Chapter Contents:

  1. #151 — Greenjack
  2. #152 — Pandemonium
  3. #153 — Big Adventure
  4. #154 — Trouble
  5. #155 — Unboxing Day
  6. #156 — The Tinker Bell Dilemma
  7. #157 — Summer Winds, And Also Golden Days
  8. #158 — Villiany
  9. #159 — The Man/Woman/Beast Who Would Be King
  10. #160 — Tremble
  11. #161 — The Fight in the Dog
  12. #162 — The Rightful Prey

Collection Note: This volume completes the published main series through issue #162.

THE EXPANDED UNIVERSE

The following publications are separate branches of the Fables universe. Most are not included in the sixteen main-series Deluxe Editions.

JACK OF FABLES

Publication: 2006–2011
Writers: Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Original Series: 50 issues
Collections: 9 trade paperbacks or 3 Deluxe Editions, plus the shared crossover

Following his departure from Fabletown, Jack Horner continues his endless pursuit of wealth, fame and personal glory.

His adventures expand the mythology of the Fables universe, introducing the Golden Boughs Retirement Village, the Literals, new versions of familiar fairy-tale characters and another incarnation of Jack Frost.

Complete Collected Contents:

01. The (Nearly) Great Escape
Jack of Fables #1–5
Jack is imprisoned at Golden Boughs, an institution intended to contain dangerous or inconvenient Fables.

02. Jack of Hearts
Jack of Fables #6–11
Jack's misadventures continue in Las Vegas as he encounters new magical enemies.

03. The Bad Prince
Jack of Fables #12–16
Jack becomes entangled with dangerous figures whose existence is bound to the nature of stories themselves.

04. Americana
Jack of Fables #17–21
Jack ventures into the magical realm of Americana, inhabited by legendary American characters.

05. Turning Pages
Jack of Fables #22–27
The influence of the Literals grows as the struggle surrounding Golden Boughs intensifies.

06. The Big Book of War
Jack of Fables #28–32
A major conflict involving Bookburner and the inhabitants of Golden Boughs.

THE GREAT FABLES CROSSOVER
Jack of Fables #33–35
Shared with Fables #83–85 and The Literals #1–3. Already included in Fables Deluxe Edition 10.

07. The New Adventures of Jack and Jack
Jack of Fables #36–40
The separate destinies of Jack Horner and Jack Frost take increasingly different directions.

08. The Fulminate Blade
Jack of Fables #41–45
Jack Frost undertakes heroic adventures involving new magical threats.

09. The End
Jack of Fables #46–50
The final adventures of the two Jacks bring the spin-off to its conclusion.

Deluxe Edition Mapping:

FAIREST

Publication: 2012–2015
Original Series: 33 issues
Collected Editions: 5 trade paperbacks
Additional Work: Fairest: In All the Land

This anthology spin-off focuses on the female characters of the Fables universe, exploring their histories, personal conflicts and independent adventures.

Complete Collected Contents:

01. Wide Awake
Fairest #1–7

Briar Rose, Ali Baba and the Snow Queen become involved in a dangerous adventure. A separate story centres on Beauty and Beast.

02. The Hidden Kingdom
Fairest #8–14

Rapunzel returns to Japan and confronts events from her past. Princess Alder recounts her experiences.

03. The Return of the Maharaja
Fairest #15–20

Nalayani's village is attacked, sending her on a journey that brings her into contact with Prince Charming.

04. Of Men and Mice
Fairest #21–26

Cinderella investigates an assassination attempt against Snow White and uncovers a conspiracy linked to her own fairy-tale history.

05. The Clamour for Glamour
Fairest #27–33

Reynard explores his newly acquired human form, while the animal Fables demand greater freedom.

CINDERELLA

Publication: 2009–2011
Format: Two six-issue miniseries
Writer: Chris Roberson

Cinderella's public identity as a fashionable socialite conceals her work as one of Fabletown's most capable secret agents.

01. Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love — 2009–2010

Collects Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love #1–6.

Cinderella investigates the disappearance and trafficking of magical objects, uncovering threats involving her own fairy-tale past.

02. Cinderella: Fables Are Forever — 2011

Collects Cinderella: Fables Are Forever #1–6.

An enemy from Cinderella's Cold War espionage career returns, forcing her to confront old secrets and dangerous rivalries.

The trade collection also reprints Fables #51, which is already present in the main Deluxe collection.

EVERAFTER: FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES

Publication: 2016–2017
Original Series: 12 issues
Writers: Matthew Sturges and Dave Justus
Collected Editions: 2 trade paperbacks

Set after the original conclusion of Fables, this series follows a world in which magic is no longer safely contained.

A covert organization known as the Shadow Players attempts to manage magical dangers that threaten ordinary human society.

01. The Pandora Protocol
Everafter #1–6

The Shadow Players investigate dangerous magical phenomena spreading throughout the world.

02. The Unsentimental Education
Everafter #7–12

A new generation of magical operatives becomes involved in conflicts connected to the Totenkinder Memorial School of Magic.

FABLES: THE WOLF AMONG US

Publication: 2014–2016
Format: 48 digital chapters / 16 print issues
Writers: Matthew Sturges and Dave Justus
Collected Editions: 2 trade paperbacks

An adaptation and expansion of the narrative adventure game developed by Telltale Games.

Set before the events of the original Fables series, the story follows Sheriff Bigby Wolf as he investigates a violent murder in Fabletown.

01. The Wolf Among Us — Volume 1

Collects print issues #1–7.

Bigby investigates a brutal crime connected to the Woodsman, a group of troubled Fables and the darker side of Fabletown.

02. The Wolf Among Us — Volume 2

Collects print issues #8–16.

The investigation reveals deeper conspiracies involving Bloody Mary, the Crooked Man and the criminal underground.

STANDALONE FICTION & COMPANION WORKS

Peter & Max: A Fables Novel — 2009

An illustrated prose novel written by Bill Willingham.

The story follows Peter Piper and his brother Max, whose rivalry begins in the Homelands and continues across centuries. The novel explores their family history, magical music and the consequences of jealousy and revenge.

Fairest: In All the Land — 2013

Original graphic novel written by Bill Willingham and illustrated by multiple artists.

A murderer targets the women of Fabletown, and Cinderella must discover the identity of the killer before more victims fall.

Fables: The Last Castle — 2003

Original one-shot concerning Boy Blue and the final defence of the Homelands.

Already included in Fables Deluxe Edition 02.

Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall — 2006

Original prequel graphic novel containing ten interconnected tales.

Already included in Fables Deluxe Edition 04.

Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland — 2012

Original graphic novel centred on Bigby Wolf and the inhabitants of Story City.

Already included in Fables Deluxe Edition 10.

The Literals — 2009

Three-issue miniseries featuring the supernatural personifications of literary concepts.

Its complete contents form part of The Great Fables Crossover, already included in Fables Deluxe Edition 10.

OPTIONAL CROSSOVERS

The Unwritten Fables — 2013

The Unwritten #50–54.

A five-part crossover connecting the Fables universe with the literary mythology of The Unwritten.

Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham — 2021–2022

Six-issue miniseries.

Bigby Wolf travels to Gotham City and encounters Batman during an investigation involving a dangerous magical threat.

These are optional crossovers, not requirements for completing the principal Fables narrative.

REFERENCE & ART COLLECTIONS

Fables Encyclopedia — 2013
An illustrated reference guide to characters, locations, magical objects and the mythology of the Fables universe.

Fables: Covers by James Jean
A collection of cover artwork from the earlier years of the original series.

Fables: The Complete Covers by James Jean — 2015
A larger collected presentation of James Jean's Fables cover art.

These are reference and art publications rather than additional narrative story arcs.

OFFICIAL TRADE COLLECTION INDEX

The original main series was also collected in twenty-two individually titled trade paperback volumes. These titles provide an alternative to organizing the library solely by numbered Deluxe Editions.

  1. Legends in Exile — Fables #1–5
  2. Animal Farm — Fables #6–10
  3. Storybook Love — Fables #11–18
  4. March of the Wooden Soldiers — Fables #19–21, #23–27; The Last Castle
  5. The Mean Seasons — Fables #22, #28–33
  6. Homelands — Fables #34–41
  7. Arabian Nights (and Days) — Fables #42–47
  8. Wolves — Fables #48–51
  9. Sons of Empire — Fables #52–59
  10. The Good Prince — Fables #60–69
  11. War and Pieces — Fables #70–75
  12. The Dark Ages — Fables #76–82
  13. The Great Fables Crossover — Fables #83–85; Jack of Fables #33–35; The Literals #1–3
  14. Witches — Fables #86–93
  15. Rose Red — Fables #94–100
  16. Super Team — Fables #101–107
  17. Inherit the Wind — Fables #108–113
  18. Cubs in Toyland — Fables #114–123
  19. Snow White — Fables #124–129, plus Oz backup material
  20. Camelot — Fables #130–140
  21. Happily Ever After — Fables #141–149
  22. Farewell — Fables #150

Continuation: The Black Forest — Fables #151–162.

These trade editions and the sixteen Deluxe Editions reprint substantially the same original series. They should not be counted as separate narrative works.

COLLECTION SUMMARY

MAIN SERIES — COMPLETE

ADDITIONAL UNIVERSE SERIES

OPTIONAL MATERIAL

SOURCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY

The End? Not quite. Stories never truly end as long as someone remembers them.