Review: Jack of Fables. Vol. 2: Jack of Hearts by Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges

As you know I've been reading and loving Bill Willingham's graphic novel series Fables. The last book I reviewed was Volume 12: The Dark Ages. When discussing that book, I mentioned the post "So You Want to Read Fables?," published over at The Written World. Taking the advice given in that fabulous post, I'm on hiatus from the main Fables series until I catch up with the Jack of Fables books. I reviewed the first Jack book last spring.

Did you follow any of that? If not, don't worry, just ignore that first paragraph.

The Jack of Fables books are all about the guy who is/was Jack the Giant Killer, Little Jack Horner, Jack B. Nimble, Jack who was with Jill, and so on. Earlier in the Fables books, we learn that Jack is quite the renegade, and as a way to control him and punish him for his past transgressions, the Fabletown authorities sentenced him with isolation from the Mundy (our human) world. He, of course, being who he is, escaped. The Jack spin-off books tell his past and present story.

Volume 2: Jack of Hearts collects two tales. In the first, Jack is hiding out in Idaho with John Henry, Pecos Bill, and Alice (of Wonderland fame), all of whom are on the run from Fabletown for one reason or another. To entertain his temporary friends, Jack tells the story of how he became Jack Frost and why he gave up that persona. This story is similar in style to the main Fables books, and I enjoyed it.

In the second tale, Jack travels to Las Vegas because he wants to regain his wealth. While there, he has an unfortunate run-in with Lady Luck and picks up a sidekick, Gary (the Pathetic Fallacy). I won't spoil the book by letting you know whether he comes away rich or poor, but he certainly has some adventures while in Nevada. I was less taken with this part of the book, probably because I'm not all that interested in Jack's wheeling and dealing.

I love the artwork in Jack of Hearts, though, which was created by a team of six artists: Tony Akins, Steve Leialoha, Andrew Pepoy, Lee Loughridge, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein. The scan shows Jack just after he became Jack Frost and contains no spoilers (click image to enlarge it).

Buy Jack of Fables 2: Jack of Hearts at an Indie, Powell's, Book Depository, or a bookstore near you. These links lead to affiliate programs.
Published by DC Comics / Vertigo 2007
ISBN-13: 9781401214555
Rating: B-
Source: bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)