Fables began as a mystery title, and while Willingham has taken the book into various genres including caper, revolutionary tale, romance, action and political intrigue, the mysteries remain one of the most compelling aspects of the book. "Out of the Woods," which begins this issue, continues to develop some of the shocking stories that developed in the previous arc, but it also delves into the prestige format one-shot The Last Castle for one big shocker, and has all the portent and prophecy of a classic fairy tale in amidst the modern trappings. Willingham has shown a certain willingness to kill off major characters and provide other big surprises, and that's part of what gives "Out of the Woods" such an impact in this first chapter. There's a feeling that a lot is happening, and more importantly, a feeling that anything could happen next.
The story opens, as so many big epic tales do, with a seemingly innocuous event, a lone Fable trying to reach Fabletown by means of a pair of truckers. The identity of this Fable provides the big (and welcome) shock of the last page, but the opening sequence isn't about this shock, but instead about a mysterious attack that would seem to indicate more than just one person trying to reach a new home is at stake here. Certainly that's reinforced when Snow White receives a prophetic dream featuring another dearly departed cast member, and by the time we're midway into the issue, Willingham, Buckingham and Leialoha have set up a nice foreboding atmosphere.
Which, of course, is a perfect time to change gears and deal with some of the more modern politics that have come to the fore of the series in the last few issues. It's fascinating to see the state of the relationship between Snow White and Bigby Wolf, because it puts both of them into roles we haven't seen them in so far. Though Snow White maintains a brave facade, Buckingham does a fantastic job of showing her subtle fragility of when no one else is looking, as if she's just barely keeping it all together. And Bigby Wolf, all gruff and aggressive with the Mayor and Prince Charming, shows surprising tenderness in his interaction with Snow.
Of course, while some things will change, some things don't, and Prince Charming and King Cole are both very much in their regular roles. Cole is the very model of an opportunistic if relatively good-hearted politician, always looking for the most expedient way to keep things running but shocked when he finds out someone is moving against him. And Charming, whose character was established within a few pages of his first appearance of the book, retains both the charming and sleazy side of his personality. I'm fascinated to note that the guy who I was cheering a few issues back, when he showed some backbone and took out obvious villain Bluebeard, now looks more and more like an opportunistic antagonist.
Willingham's blend of characterization, plot and clever wit is delivered in fine style by Buckingham and Leialoha. I still have minor gripes, such as Buckingham depicting Bigby with what looks like a disappearing mouth in an attempt to get his animal features across, but there's so much more to like than to dislike. Clever panel designs in the shape of a shield, as well as page number indicators with a bit of flavor, are nice design touches, and Buckingham does a fantastic job of conveying the mundane and magical side-by-side that is so important to Fables.
