I was going to start this review with a recap of my history with this title. How I found it, why I switched to trades, then back to issues, all of it. But you know, this book is just too damned good for me and my ego to get in the way. Too. Damned. Good.
The War is progressing apace. Modern mundy ordinance and tactics are wreaking havoc on the adversary's forces. Victory is days, if not hours, away. Then disaster strikes. The Emperor escapes Briar Rose's trap, Bigby and Blue are down for the count, and Sinbad and Charming's airship is destroyed before closing the final gateway. It is a grim fate that awaits Fabletown, unless somehow the leaderless forces can halt the impending counterstrike. Will the fables pull it out? Perhaps, but a price will be paid.
The story gets a 5 because Mark Buckingham wraps up a long-brewing storyline in convincing fashion. How long? Well, the war took three issues, but the prep began over a year ago. And when you get right down to it, The Adversary storyline started in issue one. The art is a 5 too. Mark Buckingham's pencils are always good but really shine in this issue. The inking of Steve Leiahola and Andrew Pepoy is clean solid. The coloring, lettering and design are aqll top notch as well (the book is a series of two-page shots broken up into vertical panels - very nice). Everything about this book is quality.
If Fables isn't on your pull list, it should be.
Story: 5 - Excellent
Art: 5 - Excellent
