Welcome to the first installment of POINT OF ORIGIN.
Say it with me now, “Ooooh.”
This is going to be your weekly dose of not only where to start your comic reading for any particular book, be it collected trade or single issue, but also a place where I’ll fill you in on stories you may have missed, and want/need to check out. No reviews here kids. Just recommendations.

This week’s book: FABLES: Lost in Exile.

Very Minor Spoilers Ahead. 

FABLES was created by Bill Willingham for DC”s Vertigo imprint (comics 101: Vertigo- A mature readers line of creator “owned” non-superhero comics [at least nowadays]).  The first story arc, which we’re covering today, was penciled by Lan Medina. Willingham would later find Mark Buckingham a more suitable fit stylistically for the stories he wanted to tell. Luckily for all of us, James Jean was hired as the series cover artist from the very start.

For almost 6 years, this book has completely re-written what you thought fairy tales were.
Collecting the first 5 issues of the series, the trade gives a great sample of what Willingham’s vision for these out of date characters will lead to. First, a “Who’s Who” of the major players from this first collection.

Bigby: Formerly known as Big Bad Wolf. Now, resident sercurity/police for all of Fabletown.

Snow: As in White. Now, Deputy Mayor of Fabletown.

Jack: As in Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack Horner, Jack Frost, etc. He is the embodiment of every Jack from every fable ever. Now, deadbeat jackass.

Prince Charming: As in the prince in all your favorite fairy tales. Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc. Now, divorcee of the aforementioned women and gigolo.

Rose Red: Snow White’ sister. Now, troublemaker. Also, dead.

Fabletown: The area of New York City where most Fables currently reside.

Those are the major players introduced in this volume. While there are tons and tons of cameos by characters who will later come into play a lot more, the first story arc does a fantastic job of introducing the 5 characters that mean the most to Fabletown.

The story opens with this great glimpse into the life some our favorite Disney movie characters have been leading since we’d seen them last.

Willingham does a phenomenal job of making these fictional characters as real as possible. The great backstories, which he molds to his liking, make these characters all the more interesting. Following each of the characters through their daily lives is great fun. Seeing Prince Charming put his charm to use on a waitress was one of my personal favorite moments Willingham came up with.

The best part of this opening story arc, though, has to be the great murder mystery that runs as the main story. Rose Red has been horribly murdered. As Bigby chases down the clues to find the killer, we’re let in on some fantastic developments.

-Jack dating Rose. 

-Jack dumping Rose.

-Rose sleeping Bluebeard in retaliation.

-Rose dumping Bluebeard, and running back to Jack.

-Snow loathing Prince Charming for sleeping with Rose Red while they were married.

There’s so many little things going on, and I don’t want to spoil them all. Some of the best moments come from little snippets of dialogue about everyone’s past. As Boy Blue says, “Never mention the dwarves!”

Needless to say, this is just the beginning. Every subsequent story built upon the foundation laid here. Don’t just take my word for it though. It’s only $10. Go pick it up this week at your Local Comic Shop. They deserve your money more than Amazon. You won’t be sorry.

Until you put it down. Then you’ll be sorry you read it so fast. But there’s plenty more. Here's a taste of the second collection, Animal Farm (I'm just  using this an excuse to show more gorgeous James Jean art):

See you next week.

If you need to find a Local Comic Shop: 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266-4226).