[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Dave Justus & Lilah Sturges
Artist: Travis Moore
Coloring: Michael Wiggam
Summary
Robert Speckland, provisional Player Four is entering the cube and thus Plano South Senior High School as well. His attempt at reasoning with the three boys who have taken over and terrorized those inside do not listen with reasonable ears to Robert’s entreaties. Instead, they assault him with as much unbridled and un-tempered power they can muster. Robert must retreat by disapparating and gather himself. In the course of the battle, one of the boys has made the cube impenetrable by nothing less than a battering ram travelling at the speed of light. They don’t realize it at first, but no one is getting out. No one.
Strickland is able to hang around unseen and try and develop a plan to take out the three boys. However, as time passes and the cafeteria food runs out, the captives are forced to farm the land and grow their own food for sustenance. They become their own little isolated society. And time passes. The three boys grow into middle age, children are born and grow up, and along the way there is quietly growing among the captives the belief that Robert Strickland will come back to save them, somehow. They read his story in the library, they watch the movie about him over and over and they come to believe. Now, those familiar with how fables work in Fables will remember that fables gain power from belief in them.
Finally, it does happen, Robert Strickland returns. But, it’s not exactly what one expects…
Positives
This issue is an example of how a fable gains strength in the world of Fables. It also shows how a fable begins. The multiple narrator approach works well as the reader gains insight into what’s going on through the eyes of both Robert Strickland and Joan, the child of one of the hostages. Her story is particularly interesting as it is through her eyes that we get to see the development of the religion based on the belief of Robert Strickland’s return. This is done very well. Lastly, the surprise ending takes the story to a different level.
Negatives
The only negative in this issue is the lack of exposition in a few places. It would’ve been helpful for new and returning readers to have been reminded that Robert Strickland was the first human fable to develop after the everaftering. Aside from this, Everafter: From the Pages of Fables #10 is nearly perfect.
Verdict
The wold of Fables, while being huge and at times complex, seems to work best when issues are concise. That is the case with this issue. Like it’s predecessor, Everafter has the potential to build it’s vast world through these concise character driven issues. There have been a few so far and they stand out from some of the other issues that have a little too much going on and are a little more plot driven. More issues like this will make Everafter similar recognition that Fables garnered.
