I really liked this edition, in which Bill Willingham takes a relatively minor character (Flycatcher), who has previously hidden behind his orange janitor's clothes, and crafted what I think is the first volume devoted to a single storyline (although I believe he moved story #64 to Deluxe Book Seven to accommodate.) Anyway, Fly decides to rally support for the coming war with the Adversary by taking a walk on the wild side, plunging into the well of despair, promising new lives to the dead in his the Kingdom of Ambrose the First. We meet old foes and friends, and Ambrose is able to gather quite a formidable army and give the Adversary something to consider in his hegemony. Two other Fables favorites (Boy Blue and Red Riding Hood) play important support roles. ( )

Recensendo il numero sette a novembre avevo scritto che rispetto al numero sei, letto a gennaio, nulla è più, né sarà più, come prima. Senza nemmeno immaginare l’incredibile sorpresa che la fine dell’anno avrebbe riservato a mamma, mettendomi nel disorientamento più assoluto. Continuo a leggere, ma con un enorme sforzo nel cercare di tenere l’equilibrio, non solo non è semplice, no, è impossibile. E in questa finzione la complessità della struttura narrativa del lavoro di Bill Willingham non aiuta, anzi disorienta ulteriormente, più passa il tempo, più le storie diventano un crocevia di vite, di fatti che vanno messi a posto. E anche in questo numero in cui Mosca diventa un condottiero ho difficoltà a ritrovare la bussola, mentre la cosa è sempre più chiara. Prima devo completare la collezione e poi decidere di immergermi in questa lettura senza pause. Ma già l’avevo detto. ( )

This has definitely been my favorite addition to the Fables series.

The bulk of this book is focused upon Prince Ambrose (better known as Flycatcher) fulfilling the destiny that was alluded to in a previous volume. It was during this book that I felt incredibly grateful for having earlier read [b: 1001 Nights of Snowfall|21322|Fables 1001 Nights of Snowfall (Fables)|Bill Willingham|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327870123s/21322.jpg|3163819] as certain stories from it gave this one a more subtle depth. In particular Frau Totenkinder and Ambrose himself. While the vital bits were examined briefly in this volume, [b: 1001 Nights of Snowfall|21322|Fables 1001 Nights of Snowfall (Fables)|Bill Willingham|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327870123s/21322.jpg|3163819] still offers a bit more and lends credence to small asides.

Anyway, this story follows the best of the Arthurian legends. The hero's journey is heartwarming, tragic, and ultimately the most moving that Fables has offered so far. I teared up at the end, I worried along with everyone gathered in front of the Magic Mirror as old villains plotted. Ambrose has certainly won his spot among the best, if not the very best, of this comic's heroes. ( )

Contains the nine part story all about Flycatcher called The Good Prince and covers the individual issues of 60-63 & 65-69. Extras included in this book are some pencils and designs by Mark Buckingham and biographies of the main contributors.

Apparently I should have read 1001 Nights of Snowfall prior to this as it fills in a bit of a gap from where book seven left Fly to where we find him at the start of this. Up until this point in the story Flycatcher has just been a background character but here he takes centre stage as he returns to the Homelands to set up the Kingdom of Haven with the help of some friends he's gathered along the way. The adversary is, of course, none too pleased at this turn of events and so it's not too long before King Ambrose must face the first threat to his rule. Meanwhile back in Fabletown Frau Totenkinder spills the beans on some more of what she knows about Hansel's real reason for being there and The Adversary's true plans for their world. It's time to start making preparations for all-out war.

After a slight disappointment in the last volume this complete story puts the series right back on track. Flycatcher/Ambrose undergoes real development as a character and it's great to have some old characters returned to the fray as well. Even though we only get glimpses of what is happening back in Fabletown the overall story arc is advanced tremendously and sets things up nicely for the way ahead. Now I'll have to go and fill in that gap I mentioned earlier and sort out a reading order so I don't miss out again as this series is doing more than enough to keep me interested. ( )