Fables has remained consistently entertaining throughout its lengthy run under DC's Vertigo imprint, mainly because it's so much fun following the characters through their fantasy-filled political and social conflicts. The Jack-as-movie-mogul story arc that served as a launching pad for this new spinoff series stands out as one of the most memorable of the series, mainly because it was such a change of pace (literally and figuratively) for the title. I was excited to hear I'd be getting two monthly doses of Bill Willingham's grown-up fairy tales and bedtime stories. This first issue was entertaining, but it wasn't at all what I expected. To my surprise, there's a strong super-hero riff at play in this solo series, and that detracted from the complexity of the world of Fables. Fortunately, that dynamic fades by the end of the book, as a more familiar and interesting tone asserts itself.
Ousted from his Hollywood moviemaking throne by his fellow Fables, Jack Horner finds himself hitchhiking down a highway with only the clothes on his back and a briefcase filled with cash. Dejected, Jack is confident the world is ripe for the picking, mainly because the success of the Jack movies have transformed him into the most revered storybook character on the planet, and therefore the most powerful of all the Fables. Nevertheless, his luck proves to be surprisingly bad, as he's kidnapped by thugs who seem to know far more about him than they should.
Tony Akins is no stranger to these characters, having filled in on Fables before. He maintains a visual tone that's consistent with that of the parent title, but it never seems like he's aping Mark Buckingham's style. His work here reminds me of a cross between the styles of Shawn (Thessaly, Witch for Hire) McManus and a subtle variation on Mike (Madman Allred. The colors really pop. The vibrancy speaks to the classical, storybook origins of the characters. It's important to note that just as he does in Fables, Vozzo allows darker, muted tones to overpower those brighter ones when the plot or a shift in mood calls for it.
Willingham and Sturges are to be commended for delivering an accessible script without allowing the exposition to actually interfere with the storytelling. One need not have read the Jack story arc in Fables that led up to this point in order to appreciate the story. The writers don't try to transform Jack into some kind of angelic hero for his own series either, which comes as a relief. He remains the charming, self-centred rogue we met in Fables #1. I must also admit that I rather enjoyed the saucy, sexy cliffhanger ending.
The first half of this debut issue spends a fair amount of time explaining how powerful Jack is thanks to his films, even going so far to demonstrate his boosted abilities. His broken bones mend themselves a la Wolverine, and he believes his status will bend reality and probabilities to his advantage. Throw in the extended action sequence surrounding his escape attempt, and the whole tone of those scenes reminds me so much of a super-hero story. Fortunately, by the end of the book, a more mature, intriguing tone takes over, as we see that despite his ouster by the other Fables, there are other characters such as himself with which Jack can interact. My overall reaction to the first chapter in this new series was somewhat middling, but I remain excited about the future direction of the plotline and its future potential. 6/10
