About this Collection
This deluxe hardcover collects the opening storylines of Bill Willingham's acclaimed Vertigo series, including the first two trade paperbacks, 'Legends in Exile' and 'Animal Farm,' along with the 'Storybook Love' original graphic novel. It follows the exiled fairy tale characters living in modern-day New York City as they navigate murder mysteries, political intrigue, and the looming threat of the Adversary. This oversized edition features restored coloring, a sketchbook section, and a new introduction by Willingham.
In "Sons of Empire, Part One: Some Ideas Toward the Prospect of a Final Solution for Fabletown," the Emperor’s forces prepare a ten-year war on the Mundy World using the Four Plagues—Pestilence, Fire, Winter, and Famine. A traitor is sent from the War Council to Fabletown as a peace envoy, and Bigby Wolf turns to a fast rabbit for help training the cubs in the ways of the hunt. Written by Bill Willingham and illustrated by Mark Buckingham, with inks by Steve Leialoha and Andrew Pepoy, colors by Lee Loughridge, and letters by Todd Klein, the issue’s striking cover by James Jean captures the tension of this uneasy truce.
Contains 28 stories
Sons of Empire, Part One: Some Ideas Toward the Prospect of a Final Solution for Fabletown
19 pp · Fantasy
GeppettoPinocchioMuddlecockthe Emperor (cameo)the Snow Queen [Lumi]the Nome KingInquisitor General Hanselthe Crow BrothersRed Riding HoodFlycatcher [Ambrose]Beauty (cameo)Bufkin (cameo)Honorable Knight Bright DaySir Rodney Greenwood
Hair
3 pp · Fantasy
Joel CrowRapunzel
Sons of Empire Part Two: The Four Plagues
19 pp · Fantasy
GeppettoPinocchiothe Snow Queen [Lumi]the Nome KingInquisitor General HanselHonorable Knight Bright DaySir Rodney GreenwoodSheriff BeastBeautyPrince CharmingBufkinBigby WolfPeter Cottontail
In "Sons of Empire Part Two: The Four Plagues," the Emperor’s forces unleash a decade-long war on the Mundy World through the Four Plagues—Pestilence, Fire, Winter, and Famine. A traitor sent from the War Council arrives in Fabletown as a peace envoy, and Bigby turns to a fast rabbit to help train the cubs in the ways of survival.
Porky Pine Pie
3 pp · Fantasy
Porky PineChicken Ripplea gingerbread man
Sons of Empire Part Three: The Burning Times
19 pp · Fantasy
Prince CharmingHobbesHanselSheriff BeastBeautyKevin ThorneFrau TotenkinderGretel (Flashback, Death)Snow White (Flashback)Ichabod Crane (Flashback)BufkinFlycatcher (Cameo)
In "Sons of Empire Part Three: The Burning Times," the arrival of the Emperor’s ambassador Hansel stirs unease in Fabletown, where his past as a witch hunter casts a long shadow—especially for Frau Totenkinder, the first witch he ever killed. With tensions simmering beneath the surface of diplomatic talks, old wounds and buried secrets begin to surface.
A Thorn in Their Side?
3 pp · Fantasy
Kevin ThorneGus (Kevin's dog)
Sons of Empire Part Four: Over There
19 pp · Fantasy
PinnochioGeppettoLumi, the Snow QueenThe Nome KingMuddlecockSir Rodney GreenwoodBigby WolfSnow WhitePrince CharmingFlycather (cameo)Boy BlueRose RedBeast
The Road to Paradise
3 pp · Fantasy
Three Blind Mice [LelandThaddeusPrescott]Boy Blue (cameo)Rose Red (cameo)
Jiminy Christmas-- Chapter One December 22nd, 1956
7 pp · Fantasy
Santa ClausMrs. ClausJack HornerBigby Wolf
Jiminy Christmas-- Chapter Two Wolf Manor
6 pp · Fantasy
Bigby WolfSnow Whitethe cubs [DarienBlossomAmbroseWinterConnerTherese]
Jiminy Christmas-- Chapter Three The Rug
7 pp · Fantasy
Rose RedBoy BlueSnow WhiteBigby Wolfthe cubs [DarienBlossomAmbroseWinterConnerTherese]
Jiminy Christmas-- Chapter Four The Question
7 pp · Fantasy
The cubs [DarienBlossomAmbroseWinterConnerTherese]Santa Claus
Jiminy Christmas-- Chapter Five The Answer
5 pp · Fantasy
Santa ClausFlycatcherFlycatcher's wife (as a ghost)AmbroseBigby Wolf
In "Jiminy Christmas—Chapter Five: The Answer," Santa takes a rare break from the North Pole to answer Ambrose’s urgent question, offering a surprising resolution that restores Flycatcher to humanity—complete with all his memories—while entrusting Bigby with the latest gift lists for safekeeping.
Father and Son Part One: A Man's Home Is His Castle
22 pp · Fantasy
Snow WhiteBigby Wolftheir childrenMr. NorthPinocchio (cameo)Geppetto (cameo)
Father and Son Part Two: Big Scary Monsters!
22 pp · Fantasy
Snow WhiteBigby Wolftheir childrenMr. North
Did Hakim Ever Manage to Get a Regular Job?
3 pp · Fantasy
HakimBeauty
How Does Bufkin Keep Getting His Hands on the Liquor?
2 pp · Fantasy
BeautyPrince CharmingBufkin
What Is Training Like for a New Member of the Mouse Police?
1 pp · Fantasy
Did Jack Leave Anyone Messages Before He Left Fabletown Forever?
2 pp · Fantasy
Jack of Fables
How Are the New Three Little Pigs Adjusting to Being Pigs?
1 pp · Fantasy
Boy BlueRed RoseThree Little Pigs
Besides Fly, Who Else Has Asked Questions of the Magic Mirror?
2 pp · Fantasy
Prince CharmingJack of Fables
What Is Boy Blue's Favorite Song?
1 pp · Fantasy
Boy BlueBigby Wolf
What Song Was Playing When Snow and Bigby First Danced Together at the Remembrance Day Ball?
1 pp · Fantasy
Snow WhiteBigby WolfBoy Blue
What Is Frau Totenkinder Knitting?
1 pp · Fantasy
Frau TotenkinderBeautyBeast
Who Was Prince Charming's First Love?
2 pp · Fantasy
Prince Charming
How Many Romantic Conquests Has Prince Charming Had?
1 pp · Fantasy
Prince CharmingBeauty
Who Caught the Bouquet at Snow White's Wedding?
3 pp · Fantasy
Snow WhiteBigby Wolf
The Birthday Secret
22 pp · Fantasy
Red RoseBoy BlueBigby WolfSnow Whitetheir cubsJack of Fables
