Random elements are thrown in to see where they might lead: a character is aged from infant to adult over a page and sent to wander the world Bigby is subjected to a series of ever-more embarrassing transformations Thorn consults with personifications of genre, amusingly designed by Buckingham, who modify his creativity. Much of the remainder appears to be seat of the pants plotting. Thankfully for the plot, he’s cursed with writer’s block. His plan is to scrap the current universe and write an improved version. They’re then notified by Jack of beings known as the Literals, who shape destiny via writing stories, and one Kevin Thorn is doing that. The Great Fables Crossover starts well enough as Willingham and Mark Buckingham continue the cliffhanger from The Dark Ages, concluding that Mister Dark’s re-emergence is connected with magic somehow becoming untethered from the previously established status quo. This book spins Jack back into the Fables world while maintaining his own cast and introducing a new threat. Bill Willingham co-wrote most issues, collaborating with Matthew Sturges.

A different style of writing was applied to Jack of Fables, relying more on surreal twists and a comedic tone. The scheming rogue character applied to Jack of All Tales resulted in him quickly topping the popularity ratings for Fables cast members, and he was spun off into his own comic.

This is an oversize hardcover presentation of what was previously collected as The Great Fables Crossover, and if there’s one Fables collection that can, and possibly should, be avoided it’s this.

Fables volume 10