Honestly, while I've been enjoying the "Animal Farm" story so far, it hadn't grabbed me quite as strongly as most of the "Legends in Exile" story that opened the book did. Until this issue, which brings the danger of the villains to the forefront as well as providing a look at the softer and more vulnerable side of the tough-as-nails Snow White, going a long way toward humanizing her. Throw in plenty of neat Fables bits, including more of Reynard the Fox, Shere Khan and other cameo appearances, and a surprise turn of events in the final issue, and Fables has once again got me absolutely hooked.
There were plenty of little story bits that I loved from the first issue, and they get more exposure in this issue. The notion of a revolution at the Farm was not a surprise once the basic concept of the story was revealed in solicitations, but I couldn't have seen the role that Goldilocks would play in the whole thing, nor what Rose Red would do when confronted by a choice. In addition, I love the use of the Jungle Book characters like Shere Khan in this one. His confrontation with Snow White is probably the best part of the issue, showing off not only the real danger that he poses but actual terror and uncertainty from Snow.
Throughout the book, Snow White has had a vulnerable side beneath her tough and capable exterior, and I liked seeing more of it this issue. I liked even more that although it made her more human, she still got past it to play the part of the hero, rather than requiring rescuing. She's out of her usual element, but she's still plenty tough and smart, and her final confrontation with Shere Khan really showed that off.
Mark Buckingham really comes into his own this issue as well, with some absolutely spectacular visuals. The splash page of "the sleepers" is perhaps the most impressive element of the issue, but little things like a bunch of gunsels riding Baba Yaga's hut like shotgun-wielding rednecks in a pickup made me chuckle, and the intricacies of the tortoise/hare mobile gun system was pretty nifty as well. I also continue to be impressed by his ability to convey a certain amount of human emotion and intelligence in wholly animal forms, notably Shere Khan and Reynard.
This story is less focused on one single goal than the opening arc, as the question of who did the murder and how and why isn't driving the story. Instead, there are numerous questions, including what will happen with the revolution, how Rose and Snow will get out of it and where everybody's loyalties really lie, and the multi-faceted story has really grabbed my attention. This is no sophomore slump; Fables continues on as strong as it began.
