Not only is this a collection in a long-running series, but it came out a year ago, so it seems silly to review it. But I'm just getting to it--due to forgetfulness and the vagaries of library ordering--and I think there are a number of Legionnaires reading it.
First off, no matter how long I take between installments, I remember right away how much I enjoy the series. It's just so good, and has been remarkably consistent (with the exception of The Great Fables Crossover, which I thought was a cut below).
This collection begins with the Oz story line, which had been a short 3-page back story in many monthly issues (mainly during the Cubs in Toyland story arc). It's a real old-school comics story in that way. Very unusual for a modern comic to be done in such small installments, and it gives the story an unusual rhythm. Willingham seems to have felt the experiment had run its course, because he wound up devoting a monthly issue to the last three installments (Chapters 11-13) plus an 11-page Ending that tells about the adventures and final fate of Bufkin and his sometime-wife Lily.
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I had heard that something bad happened to Bigby in the series, but fortunately none of the details, so I was surprised (I'm trying not to reveal too much in case some folks reading this are also behind in their Fables reading). I thought the actual fight was a bit anticlimactic, but even after Snow steps in there was still a lot left open.
And that's not even mentioning the ongoing story in Haven with Beast and the Blue Fairy.
On to Vol. 20, which has been out since September. I'm catching up!