Graphic Novel Review - The Mean Seasons (Fables, Book 5) by Bill Willingham (4.5/5 stars)

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Urban Fantasy
Size: 168 pages
Publisher: Vertigo
Release Date: April 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1401204860
Stand Alone or Series: 5th book in the Fables series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This is the fifth book in the Fables series, and while I didn't like it as much as The March of the Wooden Soldiers, it does a good job of transitioning a number of our favorite characters into new roles/positions.

There are a number smaller events covered in this Fables collection. The first couple chapters cover Bigby's activities in World War II. Then a bunch of issues brought up in The March of the Wooden Soldiers are resolved: Snow White has her (rather unique) babies and Prince Charming runs for mayor.

The illustration is wonderfully detailed as it has been for all of these books. The illustration is in keeping with previous issues and does an excellent job of helping to tell the story.

This is one of the shortest Fables books I've read to date, but it does cover a lot of ground. It felt a bit more piecemeal and less epic than the last issue did. Not that it was a let down, it just felt like more of a transition book.

We learn a lot more about Bigby's past when one of his old friends details some events that happened during World War II. This is well done and interesting.

Snow White finally has her babies and they are definitely different than normal babies. I can't wait to see what this group of babes gets into as they grow older. Prince Charming runs for mayor and when he wins, finds out the job is harder than he thought it would be.

As I said a lot of changes. Things are looking kind of bleak for Fabletown; everything is changing and not necessarily for the better. We get a teeny tiny bit more insight into who/what the Adversary is, but that really isn't expanded on much in this book. This book is more about getting the characters moved into new roles and setting up for stories to come.

Overall a great addition to the series. Not as epic and fascinating as March of the Wooden Soldiers, but we learn a lot of background on Bigby and things are moving and shaking for the Fables of Fabletown. I can't wait to see where the story goes for the next installment in this series, Homelands.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Graphic Novel Challenge
- Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge
- 150+ Books Reading Challenge
- TBR Pile Reading Challenge