Customer Rating: 
Summary: All out war in Fabletown!
Comment: The most action-packed TPB in the Fables series thus far, MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS gives us what we've all been waiting for: a confrontation between an army of the Adversary and the Fables living in the New World. Violent, bloody, and deadly, this confrontation will satisfy your thirst for action, while providing long-lasting and irrevocable influences on the future of the series. Some characters that are greatly expanded upon here include: Boy Blue, Hobbes, The Beast, Mr. Grumpkin, and the old candy-house witch. Besides the battle and the lead-up to it, this volume chronicles the developing political contest between Old King Cole and the rising star Prince Charming. Some very entertaining and poignant allusions to real world politics included in these parts.
I'm not sure if I can say its absolutely the best Fables volume yet, but its certainly up to the same 5-star standard as the others and will not disappoint. Highly recommended.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Volume 4 collects "The Last Castle" and Issues #19-21 & #23-27
Comment: This fourth Fables trade paperback collects the double-length one-shot "The Last Castle" and issues #19-21 and #23-27 of the Bill Willingham series. I'll presume anyone reading this is already familiar with the series and direct the unfamiliar to reviews for the excellent Volume 1-3 TPBs. For new fans, the first two pages of Volume 4 feature capsules off the main characters and summaries of the first three story arcs.
The one-shot shows the last Homelands stand of the Fables against the overpowering forces of The Adversary. It was penciled by Craig Hamilton and P. Craig Russell. This segues into the present-day, seven-part "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" story arc featuring the return of a Fable once thought lost and a new invader threating Fabletown. The 177 pages of penciling for this segment was provided by regular Fables artist Mark Buckingham. I agree with other reviewers about this being the strongest Fables TPB thus far. The cover price offers strong value for an eight issue collection, especially considering Amazon's discount.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Filling in the story
Comment: This collection of the monthlies opens with reminiscence of a terrible time: the day when the last of the Fables left their magical land. The evacuees made it out one step ahead of the invading armies - and only because the last of their army fought to the death delaying the marauder by that step. Amid the heroism, a tender story goes horribly wrong ...
... then, magically (as most things are among the Fables), seems to go right again. This bit of back-story fills in some of the history of these fairy tale (and often furry tail) beings come to life, but also sets the stage for a new drama in the here-and-now of their exile in our mundane world. Mighty battles rage, unknown to the unmagical mortals around them, while smaller personal trials work themselves out. Oh, and a major windfall turns into a political squabble, kind of like among people of any other kind.
As with good any good series, readers who've followed along are rewarded with extra insight into the actions of and between familiar personalities - yes, real personalities in a comic! I really do suggest that as the best way to work through this long-lived series. But, if you come across any volume at random, don't turn it down. The writers have the knack of welcoming newcomers with stories that make sense, even if you haven't seen the sub-plots building up over the issues that came before. I have to warn you, though, the Fables story line is more addictive than that first peanut. Few readers can or even want to stop at one.
-- wiredweird
Customer Rating:
Summary: My favorite book in the series so far -- Just great stuff!
Comment: I've discovered Bill Willingham's FABLES only recently and I've become an instant fan. And what's not to adore? Great premise. Great characters. Great writing. Super drawing.
While I've loved all the first four books in the FABLES series (I have already ordered 5-7 from Amazon), the third entry, fell just below the best volumes simply because the numbers contained too many arcs. This volume, however, ties all the individual issues together, even the beginning, which focuses on the final battle of the fables against the Adversary. The central story, or the A plot, concerns the near simultaneous arrival of Red Riding Hood and some mysterious fables who have utter disdain for all creatures that they like to refer to as "meat." They turn out to be the title characters of the story. The great battle for Fabletown that culminates the volume is both brilliantly written and drawn.
In future I think I will recommend the FABLES series above all others to people who are completely new to the world of adult comics. They are immediately accessible in a way that other masterpieces like the Sandman books are not (I'm not saying that Gaiman is inaccessible, but that they are better appreciated if they are not the first graphic novels one reads). And the blend of drama, comedy, fantasy, and action would appeal to anyone not blinded by an anti-intellectual disdain of "popular" art (the irony being that self-styled intellectuals who disdain graphic art do so by being amazingly close-minded).
A great entry to a great series. Can't wait for my next stack of books to arrive!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Seriously Twisted
Comment: The whole idea of characters from legends and fairy tales living among us anonymously may not be completely original but these comics take the notion to a whole new level and they are great fun, part of which stems from trying to figure out who some of them are. Most are pretty easy but a few take a little thought. Flycatcher, for instance, turns out to be the Frog Prince. The characters have escaped from a conqueror known as The Adversary and now live in Fabletown, ruled by (who else) Old King Cole. His trusted assistant is Snow White (ex of Prince Charming), now involved with the sheriff, Bigby Wolf (the Big Bad Wolf). Violence, betrayal, graphic sex and a lot of seriously twisted humor abound and this series probably should get an "R" rating. Fun though.
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