Fairest: In All the Land by Bill Willingham

*Note: This review originally appeared on GoodReads on October 30, 2013, but has since been revised. You can view my original review here.*

I am a fan of Fables, but I haven't been up to speed with the happenings in Fabletown in quite some time. I have read very little of Jack of Fables (although I love what I have read) and I haven't even touched any of the issues of Fairest. I went in to Fairest: In All the Land not knowing what to expect.

Outside of my slight confusion over what had happened to Bigby, which was referenced a few times by a few different characters, I wasn't lost at all. The story is broken up into seven sections for each day of the week, and shorter stories within each section, each drawn by a different artist. The opening pages, as narrated by the Magic Mirror, offered a nice layout of the story at hand without being overwrought. We soon find out that there have been a few murders and Cinderella is quickly called upon to figure out the who and the why behind the deaths. The shorter stories make for a quick, but engaging read.

While having suspicions over what to expect before opening the book, I realize now that the amazing lineup of artists should have quelled those feelings. Gene Ha, Adam Hughes, Phil Noto, Mark Buckingham, Tony Akins, Ming Doyle and Chris Sprouse all in one book? I should have been sold from the start. Even the stories illustrated by artists that I was unfamiliar with were gorgeous and held up in their own way. The change in artists would normally remove some interest in a story, at least with monthly issues, but the artist changes in this book worked well. I feel like each artist offered something unique to the story and absolutely nailed the pacing the story called for. 

Fairest: In All the Land is absolutely worth checking out to anyone who was, is, or wishes to be invested in the world of Fables.

4 stars out of 5

You can head over to InStock Trades and purchase the hardcover here or the trade paperback here.