Art by: Steve Sadowski
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: December 10, 2014
You Old Sinner
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A little disclaimer before I start, I have no history with Fables. I haven't read one issue of the monthly book and haven't played the Tell-Tale game this digital series is based on. However, I've always been interested in the Fables concept and I'm a sucker for digital comics, especially when it's Vertigo's first attempt at such. Lucky for me and I'm sure countless others, writers Mathew Sturges and Dave Justus don't assume anything and ease the reader into the story. They don't hold the readers hand, though and there's enough mystery and questions to keep readers interested no matter what their history is with the source material. I'm now officially a Fables fan. Is there a nickname for such a thing?
Like I said, this book is a tie-in to the Tell-Tale video game of the same name. It focuses on Bigby Wolf (guess who he is) as he tries to find a serial killer targeting Fables. It's dark and gritty and after reading the first page you will realize that it is the most mature book in the DC/Vertigo digital family. Even so (or because of it), it fits nicely into a lineup that sorely lacked a mature title among the superhero stuff.
The issue starts with a nice cold opening that sets the mood and introduces us to Bigby. It seems that there has been a disturbance and Fables are involved. The reader learns quickly that when such a thing happens, it's Bigby's job to fix it. We also learn that that is easier said than done.
Sturges and Justus really do a lot in the first few pages of this opening issue. They give us some familiar and interesting characters, set the tone of the book and give the reader some rules that the characters face in their double lives. Not to be cliche, but they really succeed in showing that the fairy tale is over for everyone involved.
The issue heats up when we see who is involved in the disturbance call. It's someone that Bigby has a very, very personal history with and so it's no shock that things get physical quickly. Again, Sturges and Justus do a great job in showing that these characters do have a history with each other and it's not always pretty. This issue ends with a standard cliffhanger that itself isn't particularly original, but I don't care because I already made up my mind to come back for next week's issue. For the first issue of a new series, I have to say I was pretty impressed.
I was also impressed with the art of Steve Sadowski. It's a nice combination of gritty and cartoony and maintains a hint of the history the characters are based on. I really enjoyed it.
Bits and Pieces:
I was really impressed with Vertigo's first digital effort. The Wolf Among Us is not just for Fables fans as Sturges and Justus do an excellent job getting everyone up to speed in no time at all. Mix in Steve Sadowski's nice art and I'm definitely coming back for more. If you are a fan of Fables or similar fiction (Once Upon a Time, Grimm...) or just want a mature title with an intriguing story, check this out. Highly Recommended.
9.0/10
So this comic is for people who haven't played the game?
ReplyDeleteso, I played the game...its the game, the issue was seriously the first 5 minutes of the game :/
ReplyDeleteso if you never played the game, go wild! If you have, you'll just be reading whay you played
tnx for clearing that up!
DeleteBut as one who has played the game, it is a VERY GOOD MYSTERY and i recommend it in any form
DeleteI played the game already and loved it
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