You know, I have been reading (and occasionally reviewing) comic books for some time, and I try to look at things with a critical and educated eye.
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I don’t always like what the mainstream (and even some indie) comics toss my way, but I give most titles the benefit of the doubt, allowing myself to read them first before passing my personal judgment on everything from new titles to reboots.
I am telling you this because I want to assure you I tried to approach the news of this comic series relaunch with the mature, subjective response one would expect from a fifty-something mother of two.
However, when I caught the first glimpse of the following comic book crossover cover, my only reaction was to jump in air and yell, “SQUUEEEEEEEEEE!”
Yes, Bill Willingham is bringing back his award-winning Vertigo Comics series Fables for DC Black Label. And hopefully there will be many more gritty adventures featuring my favorite fairytale power couple, Bigby Wolf and Show White.
In addition, Willingham and DC also announced the relaunch will start with a six-issue crossover for DC Black Label this September. Batman vs. Bigby!: A Wolf in Gotham will feature Willingham’s writing along with Brian Level, Jay Leisten, and Lee Loughridge providing illustration, ink and color.
Willingham said in an announcement by DC Comics that he had been wanting to do this crossover story for sometime.
“Batman is a detective, and Bigby is a detective, and I love a well-crafted story crossing over characters from two different fictional worlds,” he said.
I didn’t realize it until I saw the cover art, but I’ve been wanting to see this from the beginning as well. I’ve written several articles on how much I love the world of Batman on sites like Geekmom, but I have always felt a special attachment to Bigby Wolf. He is the type of character that I would have put together if I were given free reign to create one.
He’s got a rough, noir edge with a big, furry heart of old. He delivers some great subtle commentary and is by far not perfect. He’s also not just a wolf, but THE Big Bad Wolf, and as a dog person, you gotta love that. There’s a sad, lonely redemption story surrounding him, and although you do not want to cross him, he is romantic pile of mush around his strong and smart leading lady, Snow. Also, he kind of reminds me of my husband a little in appearance “back in the day.” (Don’t tell my better half I told you fine folks that.)
Mixing Batman and Bigby in a big, dark city brawl should be epic, especially since most of DC’s better offerings today are coming from their grittier Black Label series.
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait for continuation of the regular series as Fables Issue #151 won’t be out until May 2022. This is actually great timing on DC’s part, as it marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the original Fables series.
Until then, I highly recommend picking up a few of the trade paperback compilations of the original Fables series. There are 150 issues worth to catch up on. There are also a couple of spinoffs, Jack of Fables and Fairest, if you can’t get enough, but the original series is by far the best.
When Batman vs. Bigby! comes out in September, I will likely have gotten over my fangirl frenzy and will be reading this limited series with a critical eye. Give me a good story, Mr. Willingham. Keep the characters true to their nature and give us a resolution that will make us wanting more.
Until then, thank you for giving me some time to freak out over my favorite bat and wolf.