Cover of Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile
Cover of Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm
Cover of Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love
Cover of Fables, Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers
Cover of Fables, Vol. 6: Homelands
Cover of Peter & Max: A Fables Novel
Series

Fables

7 books

Here are 7 books from the Fables series by Bill Willingham. Start with Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile (2002), then read the rest in the order below. Books without a series number are listed in publication order.

Books in order

1
Cover of Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile

Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile

Bill Willingham

In a hidden community within New York City, beloved fairy tale characters like Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf live in exile, struggling to adapt to the mundane world. When one of their own, Rose Red, is brutally murdered, the tight-knit Fable community is thrown into chaos and suspicion. A reluctant investigator must navigate the complex politics and hidden dangers of their secret society to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again. This gripping tale explores themes of displacement, identity, and the enduring power of stories, all rendered in Bill Willingham's distinctive, darkly imaginative style.

Graphic NovelFantasyUrban Fantasy
2
Cover of Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm

Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm

Bill Willingham

In the quiet countryside of upstate New York, the non-human Fable characters have found a sanctuary far from the prying eyes of mankind. However, this peaceful existence is shattered by brewing discontent and a dangerous conspiracy that threatens to ignite a war within their community. As tensions rise, the very leadership of the Fables, held by Snow White, is challenged, with the fate of their hidden world hanging in the balance. This gripping tale, featuring the iconic Goldilocks and the Three Bears, delves into themes of freedom, control, and the price of rebellion.

Graphic NovelFantasyUrban Fantasy
3
Cover of Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love

Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love

Bill Willingham

In this acclaimed collection, beloved storybook characters navigate the harsh realities of modern life as exiled refugees from their magical realms. When classic fairy tale figures are forced to abandon their enchanted worlds and blend into our mundane reality, the gap between their legendary pasts and gritty present becomes a source of both conflict and unexpected romance. This volume features the sweeping four-part "Storybook Love" storyline alongside compelling shorter tales including "A Sharp Operator" and "Bag o' Bones," showcasing Bill Willingham's masterful blend of dark humor, intricate character development, and subversive storytelling. Perfect for readers seeking a sophisticated reimagining of timeless myths, this collection proves that happily-ever-after is far more complicated when you're living among ordinary mortals.

Graphic NovelFantasyMagical Realism
4
Cover of Fables, Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers

Fables, Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers

Bill Willingham

When Little Red Riding Hood mysteriously reappears from the lost Fable Homelands, her arrival sends shockwaves through Fabletown—but not everyone welcomes her return. Bigby Wolf senses danger beneath the surface, suspecting espionage and treachery where others see only a miraculous survivor. As tensions escalate and a sinister new threat emerges, the fragile peace of Fabletown hangs in the balance, while Prince Charming's ambitious bid to become mayor adds another layer of political intrigue to the unfolding crisis. This volume collects the pivotal storylines that deepen the mythology of Willingham's acclaimed series, proving why FABLES remains a runaway hit in the world of graphic storytelling.

Graphic NovelFantasyUrban Fantasy
6
Cover of Fables, Vol. 6: Homelands

Fables, Vol. 6: Homelands

Bill Willingham

The idyllic, yet precarious, existence of Fabletown is shattered as whispers of war echo from the Homelands. As ancient grudges resurface and long-lost enemies emerge from the shadows, the citizens of Fabletown must confront the ghosts of their past. Loyalties will be tested, sacrifices will be made, and the very foundations of their hidden community will be pushed to the brink. This volume delves into the escalating conflict, exploring themes of displacement, identity, and the enduring struggle for survival in a world that has long forgotten its fairy tale roots.

FantasyGraphic NovelUrban Fantasy
Cover of Peter & Max: A Fables Novel

Peter & Max: A Fables Novel

Bill Willingham

In a world where fairy-tale logic collides with everyday consequences, Peter and Max set out on a journey that tests loyalty, courage, and the stories people tell themselves to survive. As their paths intertwine with familiar fable-like forces, they uncover how easily “happily ever after” can be rewritten—by power, by fear, and by the choices made in the dark between one moral and the next. Blending mythic atmosphere with sharp, character-driven storytelling, this fables novel explores themes of identity, redemption, and the cost of breaking (or keeping) promises. With Bill Willingham’s distinctive voice—wry, imaginative, and emotionally grounded—this is a tale that feels both timeless and urgently human.

FictionFantasy
Cover of Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland

Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland

Bill Willingham

Bigby Wolf returns to the open road with a mission that’s as political as it is personal: to find a new home for Fabletown, the hidden refuge where fairy-tale exiles live among the “mundys.” In the American Heartland, he discovers Story City—a seemingly idyllic town devoted to werewolves that both honors Bigby and holds him captive. As Bigby digs into the town’s layered history, he uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy rooted in wartime horrors and a Nazi experiment that reshaped nations and lives. Blending noir tension with mythic fable logic, this graphic novel explores identity, complicity, and the cost of survival, delivering Bill Willingham’s sharp, character-driven storytelling at full epic scale.

Graphic NovelFictionFantasy