The first volume of Fables trumpets the haunting message, painted in blood upon a wall, “no more happily ever after”. It was a proclamation meant to define a series and it has never felt more fitting than it does in Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
This far into the epic and following an arc that could have served as a finale, Fables ran the risk of becoming stale. Writer Bill Willingham
Gepetto, out of power and cared for by Pinocchio, now lives in Fabletown among those who despise him. Meanwhile, Boy Blue discovers that his injury is far more serious than anyone had originally conceived. The good guys have won however not all is well and herein lies what is most intriguing about this chapter of the Fables saga. Here, unlike so many other fantasies, there are real costs to be paid for their victory.
Gepetto’s regime was foul but not without redeeming qualities, one of which was its ability to maintain order. The consequence of removing Gepetto from his seat of power is chaos. In the midst of the pandemonium a spirit, one of unknown origin and great power, long imprisoned by the Empire, is unleashed upon the world.
We shall come to know him as Mr. Dark and be forced to question whether his evil is greater than that which preceded it. Had the Fables understood the failures what lay in store for them beyond their success, would they have ever gone to war?
The Dark Ages is filled with dynamic and unique atmosphere, none of which would have been possible without the work of artist Mark Buckingham. Given a greater degree of creative control, Buckingham shines. There are wonderful tragedies occurring at the bedside of a dying character that would have failed to impact were it not for his masterful ability to make us feel the most subtle facial reaction.
Fables continues to be unpredictable and to challenge genre conventions. This invigorates the reader. We cannot tell what lies in store for these characters we love but we know with certainty that Bill Willingham will not present it in a neat package topped with a bow.
