Fables: Witches

Title: Fables: Witches
ISBN: 9781401228804
Price: $17.99
Publisher/Year: Vertigo, 2010
Artist: Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, David Lapham, Jim Fern, Adrew Pepoy, Craig Hamilton, Daniel Green
Writer: Bill Willingham
Collects: Fables #86-93

Rating: 4/5

And the series continues with this fine continuation. Now, we have to wait until Vertigo publishes the next installment to find out what happens next. As with each volume I’ve read, I can’t wait for more.

We start this volume at the wreckage of Fabletown with a tale of Mister Dark and how he was lured into the box that the empire had him trapped in for so many years; an interesting back story that will probably become a key for the future of our intrepid Fables.

And then, we come to the meat of the entire trade. There are several stories that help to create the backdrop of this trade. We have those that are trapped in the business office with Baba Yaga, the Fables in exile at the Farm, and the council of witches and warlocks within the Fable community; formerly of the 13^th floor. In the business office, Bufkin the flying monkey takes charge and leads an army against Baba Yaga. Those stuck on the Farm seem to be getting a little stir crazy and would love nothing better than to go home. Unfortunately, every attempt to learn more about their new adversary comes up very short.

With the witches, we have 2 distinct focuses: Frau Totenkinder and Ozma. While Totenkinder leaves the Farm to prepare for the coming storm against their latest adversary, Ozma moves to take her place on the witches’ council. You’ll never guess who Ozma stands up against to claim leadership and who the surprise guest to the Farm is.

If you’ve been following this series as I have, you’ll be as eager as I am for the next installment. Bill Willingham has a great product in the Fables series. The next volumes will be out in April and October. It also looks as though Chris Roberson is writing a new Cinderella mini-series this year, which means the trade for it will probably be published at the end of the year or the beginning of 2012. Hopefully we will all feel that the wait is worth it.

Buy it. Read it. Keep it in your collection.

Star Wars: Infinities – Return of the Jedi

Title: Star Wars: Infinities – Return of the Jedi

ISBN: 1593072066
Price: $12.95
Publisher/Year: Dark Horse, 2004
Artist: Ryan Benjamin, Dan Norton, Juvaun Kirby
Writer: Adam Gallardo
Collects: Star Wars: Infinities – Return of the Jedi #1-4

Rating: 4/5

The Infinities series explores tantalizing "what if" stories about what might, have happened to Star Wars characters if events had occurred differently. In this tale, the rescue of Han Solo from Jabba's Palace fails, so Princess Leia goes after Boba Fett in order to save Han. The climatic events on the second Death Star also takes a different turn that sees Darth Vader changing his allegiances and fighting alongside his children!

I personally enjoyed this trade not only because I am a big fan of Star Wars, but also because I enjoy the writing of Adam Gallardo. He has a good grasp on the classic story behind the re-envisioning. Our heroes are scouring the galaxy trying to find Boba Fett, who happened to have taken the still frozen in carbonite Han Solo from Jabba’s palace. The ending is incredible, and this series inspired Hasbro to make a comic 2-pack in 2008 which included a copy of the #4 issue from the original series along with action figures of Darth Vader and Princess Leia.

My only regret with this trade (and all in this series) is when I was ready to read it; the pages became separated from the cover. The good thing is… as I’ve posted previously… when I reached-out to Dark Horse to inform them of this problem, they sent me a replacement copy with better binding.

Buy this trade and add it to your collection. There are 2 more volumes to enjoy as well.

Star Wars: Infinities – The Empire Strikes Back

Title: Star Wars: Infinities – The Empire Strikes Back

ISBN: 1569719047
Price: $12.95
Publisher/Year: Dark Horse, 2003
Artist: Davidé Fabbri
Writer: Dave Land
Collects: Star Wars: Infinities – The Empire Strikes Back #1-4

Rating: 3/5

What if Luke Skywalker had died on Hoth instead of being saved by Han Solo? How much would the story we’ve known for so many years have changed? In this trade, we find out one of the possibilities. The Infinities line from Dark Horse is hands down my favorite alternate stories I’ve ever read.

Because of a miscommunication in Luke’s dying words, Han Solo believes he has to go to Dagobah to learn to become a jedi. Fortunately, Leia goes with him and the story goes for a few interesting loops. What begins at Hoth then takes us to Bespin, Dagobah, Tatooine and then the final battle is on Dagobah. You’ll never guess who ends up being frozen in carbonite.

As with all the trades in this series, when I opened it to read, the pages separated from the cover. I have had books do this to me over time and with considerable use, but not straight off the shelf and never before an entire series of books from a single publisher.  The good thing is… as I’ve posted previously… when I reached-out to Dark Horse to inform them of this problem, they sent me a replacement copy with better binding.

Buy this trade and add it to your collection. There are 2 more volumes to enjoy as well.

Star Wars: Infinities – A New Hope

Title: Star Wars: Infinities – A New Hope

ISBN: 9781569716489
Price: $12.95
Publisher/Year: Dark Horse, 2002
Artist: Drew Johnson, Al Rio
Writer: Chris Warner
Collects: Star Wars: Infinities – A New Hope #1-4

Rating: 3/5

Marvel has the “What If” series, and DC has “Elseworlds”. Dark Horse has “Infinities”. We all know the story behind this trade… from beginning to end; it’s a tale that’s lasted over 30 years. What if something minor happened to change the entire story? What would happen if the proton torpedoes that Luke fires into the Death Star failed to detonate? How would this single incident change the entire landscape of the tale we know so well? In this trade, we find out one possibility.

The writing on this trade is great, and the storyline draws you in and keeps your interest. The art isn’t the greatest, but it gets the job done. The great thing about this trade is that it follows through to completion… namely the end of the empire: 3 movies in a single trade.

The biggest issue I had with this particular trade is that the binding was shot when I opened it the first time. The pages of the entire trade become detached from the cover. If I spend $13 on a brand new book at Borders or anywhere, I expect it to be in good shape and not fall apart when I open it. The good thing is… as I’ve posted previously… when I reached-out to Dark Horse to inform them of this problem, they sent me a replacement copy with better binding.

In this trade, we see oddities that some never thought would ever be. Leia being groomed by Vader and the Emperor to be a poster child for the Empire and a Sith apprentice. Han Solo taking Luke to Dagobah so he can find Yoda and learn to become a Jedi. C-3PO re-programmed to not only be subservient to Leia but also serve the Empire. And Yoda takes charge of the Death Star.

Buy this trade and add it to your collection. There are 2 more volumes to enjoy as well.