I was skeptical at first, but writers Dave Justus and Matthew Sturges sold me on Everafter: From the Pages of Fables in issue #2. The fact that they solidify that and make me all in with this series with issue #3 tells you something.
Everafter #3 (Vertigo Comics)
So what’s it about? For the full Vertigo summary just read this:
The Shadow Players are on edge as Peter rushes to learn Connor’s fate, and their botched reconnaissance mission is salvaged when the newest recruit taps into his powers and enters the belly of the beast. With eyes and ears on the inside, he’s positioned to collect crucial intelligence from the unsuspecting mercenaries—that is, if he can stay on script and stay alive. Back at headquarters, Bo rebels and raises serious questions about the morality of Feathertop’s vision for protecting the Mundy world.
Why does this book matter?
When you spend two issues setting up a hot shot kid new to a spy agency and have him killed at the end of the second issue, you have balls. Or do they? The creators answer that question which makes this well worth the price of admission.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
This issue really opens up the mystery of what is going on in the world, adding to the mythos of Fables by revealing something dark that happened in the past. The writing team has managed to make a world of fables and fairy tales that’s much more intriguing as their being known to the world is possibly a sign of bad things coming. It also adds new wrinkles to Feathertop’s character (the bastard) as well as a new character who is a complete wild card.
The issue also has good pacing, using flashbacks or other tricks to keep the story from bogging down and getting boring. There’s also a bit of humor too. It also takes a while to read through, in a good way, which makes it more valuable of a read.
The art by Travis Moore and color by Michael Wiggam keep the story feeling realistic so that when gore or magic is aflutter it feels more important. That makes the gory mess of Hansel all the more fantastical (and it helps he’s got a wispy thing going on) or later when we see a fantastic double page spread of a magical realm.
Espionage!
It can’t be perfect can it?
Entirely stupid on my part, but whenever Feathertop says “Bo” I kept reading Bro. That took me out of the book a bit!
Is It Good?
All in all you don’t have to be a Fables fan to enjoy this book as it’s developing its own stories nicely. This is a fantastic web that is highly enjoyable as it untangles its mysteries.
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