Review ~ Fables Vol. 11 and Vol 12

Fables: War and Pieces and The Dark Ages

by Bill Willingham
illustrated by Mark Buckingham, Peter Gross, Andrew Pepoy, Steve Leialoha, David Hahn, Mike Allred
published by Vertigo
genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Fairytale retelling,

Summary (Goodreads): vol. 11: The final battle between the free Fables of the mundane world and the Empire occupying their former Homelands is about to begin, and the scrappy storybook heroes have already managed to even the odds considerably. With his previously unstoppable wooden soldiers neutralized, the Adversary is about to get his first taste of high technology in the form of steel-jacketed bullets and laser-guided bombs. But the ruler who

conquered a hundred different worlds didn’t do it by fighting clean—and he’s still got a surprise or two left to spring on the residents of Fabletown.
vol. 12: Tourists of the world unite! If you've ever craved a guided tour of Fabletown's secret Manhattan location, prepare to be voraciously satiated. Pinnochio has a field day taking a certain VIP around the city. And exactly which Fabletown denizens are no longer active (dead, alive or otherwise) just might shock you into a comic book coma. Also in this volume, you'll find the 4-part story featuring Freddy and Mouse, two local rogues who just want to get along and perhaps turn a bit of profit in the post-war, topsy-turvy world. Meanwhile, in Fabletown, a new political group forms called the Society of Seconds, and what they want doesn't seem very reasonable at all.

My Thoughts: I think vol. 11 is one of my favorites so far. We finally have the Fables doing something about the adversary and they were doing it before he did anything more to them. This was also one of the few volumes that I actually liked Prince Charming. He was more in the role of Prince running military maneuvers rather than being a cad. Blue also had a big part in this that had repercussions going forward.
vol. 12 seems to follow the pattern of a really big volume followed by one that is more transitional. There are several things that happen in this volume but I had a harder time stating focused on this one. Part of me is interested in the Dark One but will have to see where they go with it.
Overall, I'm still enjoying these graphics and will be continuing to read them. Between the stories and the great artwork these are some of my favorite I've come across.

Rating: vol 11: 4.5; vol 12: 4 

Art, Eats, and What Other

Art
Artist: Alexander Jansson (website)

Nine pound hammer

Author John Claude Bemis 

Random House

EATS
Kool-Aid Tie-Dye Easter Eggs
from Kraft

What You Need

2env.  (0.13 to 0.16 oz. each) KOOL-AID Unsweetened Drink Mix, any red color (try Cherry, Black Cherry, Strawberry or Tropical Punch flavor)
2env.  (0.14 oz. to 0.15 oz. each) KOOL-AID Unsweetened Drink Mix, any orange color (try Orange, Mango or Peach Mango flavor)
2env.  (0.13 oz. to 0.23 oz. each) KOOL-AID Unsweetened Drink Mix, any yellow or green color (try Lemonade, Piña or Lemon-Lime flavor)
2env.  (0.22 oz. each) KOOL-AID Unsweetened Drink Mix, any blue color (try Mixed Berry or Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade flavor)
1/2cup  water, divided
1-1/2doz.  hard-cooked eggs, cooled
Directions
1. MIX contents of 2 (same-flavored) KOOL-AID envelopes with 2 Tbsp. water in 6- to 8-oz. container; stir to dissolve drink mixes. Repeat in 3 separate containers with remaining KOOL-AID envelopes.
2. PLACE eggs on cooling rack in sink; rinse eggs with tap water.
3. SPOON KOOL-AID mixtures, 1 at a time, over wet eggs to create tie-dye patterns. Repeat with remaining eggs.
4. POUR a little tap water over each egg to set colors. Use tongs to transfer eggs to paper towel-covered baking sheet to dry. Rinse sink immediately as needed.

What Other

I first saw these T-shirts on Tumblr and instantly wanted one. The entire book is printed on the T-shirt (or poster). To find out more: Litographs