I admit it. I'm a sucker for novels and comics that work with, and/or turn fairy tale tropes on their head. Especially if it moves beyond "happily ever after." All this means I like Jim Hines fairy tale books, David Drake's the Isles (which steals left, right and center from fairy tales), Into the Woods, and of course, Bill Willingham's Fables.
If you're not familiar with Fables, its about the characters of fairy tales and nursery rhyme taking refuge in our mundane (or mundy) world, from the empire of the Adversary who has conquered their worlds. Thus you have Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf, Rose Red, Sinbad, Little Boy Blue, King Cole, Prince Charming, Mowgli and Blue Beard all interacting and (nominally) on the same side.
Peter & Max revolves around the story of the two Piper brothers, sons of an itinerant musician on the world of Hesse. Initially, the two are rivals, but the events of invasion by the Adversary and a argument over a family legacy turn them into blood enemies. In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, the Piper family flees with the their gentry friends , the Peeps (as in Little Beau Peep). During the flight, Max is transformed into a monster, something he embraces. Peter has an encounter with a lupine of unusual size and malevolent disposition (aka the Big Bad Wolf).
As the story progresses, it moves between the present day and the past telling Peter and Max's stories and what they became.
I liked it. Its a lot of fun. I do regret buying it as a hardcover, but not much. Why? because while its fun, its not terribly deep. I did enjoy Willingham confabulating Peter Piper, Peter & the Wolf and Peter Pumpkin Eater. And learning which Piper became the infamous Piper of Hamelin is a bit chilling. Peter & Max's penultimate magical and musical duel is grand.
My single biggest complaint is that it seems a bit of a gloss. I'd have loved to see more of Peter's time in Hamelin, as well as Beau Peep. Plus their adventures together and apart. But I'll also admit if that was the case the book would be huge.
Likes: Playing with fairy tales, fast paced and easy read. Neat characters. A peek inside the head of a monster.
Dislikes: It went a bit fast and it seemed to miss some great stories.
Four stars.
If you're not familiar with Fables, its about the characters of fairy tales and nursery rhyme taking refuge in our mundane (or mundy) world, from the empire of the Adversary who has conquered their worlds. Thus you have Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf, Rose Red, Sinbad, Little Boy Blue, King Cole, Prince Charming, Mowgli and Blue Beard all interacting and (nominally) on the same side.
Peter & Max revolves around the story of the two Piper brothers, sons of an itinerant musician on the world of Hesse. Initially, the two are rivals, but the events of invasion by the Adversary and a argument over a family legacy turn them into blood enemies. In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, the Piper family flees with the their gentry friends , the Peeps (as in Little Beau Peep). During the flight, Max is transformed into a monster, something he embraces. Peter has an encounter with a lupine of unusual size and malevolent disposition (aka the Big Bad Wolf).
As the story progresses, it moves between the present day and the past telling Peter and Max's stories and what they became.
I liked it. Its a lot of fun. I do regret buying it as a hardcover, but not much. Why? because while its fun, its not terribly deep. I did enjoy Willingham confabulating Peter Piper, Peter & the Wolf and Peter Pumpkin Eater. And learning which Piper became the infamous Piper of Hamelin is a bit chilling. Peter & Max's penultimate magical and musical duel is grand.
My single biggest complaint is that it seems a bit of a gloss. I'd have loved to see more of Peter's time in Hamelin, as well as Beau Peep. Plus their adventures together and apart. But I'll also admit if that was the case the book would be huge.
Likes: Playing with fairy tales, fast paced and easy read. Neat characters. A peek inside the head of a monster.
Dislikes: It went a bit fast and it seemed to miss some great stories.
Four stars.
