The Fables series was originally published in comic book form, which was eventually compiled into graphic novel collections. The first in the series, Legends in Exile, introduces readers to Fabletown. A hidden city within modern-day New York, Fabletown is populated entirely by fairy tale characters who were forced to evacuate their homeland. Though they long for their lost homes, the fables have managed to make a peaceful life for themselves in the human world.
But then Snow White's sister, Rose Red, is murdered. Distraught and furious, Snow White teams up with the Big Bad Wolf (now Sheriff Bigby Wolf) to figure out who's responsible.
This is just the start in a series that spans more than twenty volumes.
What separates Fables from the rest of the revisited fairytales that have popped up in recent years? It's not a retelling, but rather an entirely new story. It also weaves in an impressive number of fable characters. Rather than just using well known characters like Snow White and Cinderella, Bill Willingham and his team treat obscure legends with just as much importance. For example Bluebeard, Old King Cole, and Jack (of beanstalk fame) are prominent figures in town. This wide breadth of characters adds amazing depth to the story.
Much like original fairy tales, Fables is written for adults, as there are adult themes and some violence. So this series is perfect for readers who grew up on fairy tales, but now crave deeper retellings.