Romancing The Stone: Could It Be Magic?

I was sittin' around some time last week, doing a little work, and a brief flash of plot line went through my head and I stopped and thought, "I wonder how Cinderella's doing? Did she and Aladdin get out of that mess? I wonder how her store is?"

Seriously. I really wondered about her. Like the way you might wonder about someone who you'd never thought of romantically, and suddenly realized one day - maybe too late in some cases - hey! I'm interested in that person. And I didn't even realized it because I was so busy chasing X.

Cinderella # 4 
Written by Chris Roberson
Art by Shawn McManus & Lee Loughridge
Published by Vertigo/DC Comics

I am really tickled by the notion that I actually got involved with this book enough to wonder about it in my free time. You know, where the Virgin Read was fun because, well, I just didn't know anything and could be completely irreverent and say whatever I thought, this column is even more fun for me because I'm actually enjoying what I'm reading. How 'bout them apples?!

So after all that - I made a date for us. Me and Cindy. On my couch, we got reacquainted. And there she was, with Aladdin. About to be put to death! 

And then.....MAGIC.

I'm finding that I love the magic like an eight-year-old. I seem to be all about it, don't I? Judging how well it's set up and pulled off seems to capture a lot of my attention. In this case, I thought "well done." I love that the element of magic is already inherent in the story. We know that somehow, something magical is going to save them. Here it's the charm bracelet that I'd forgotten about. And isn't it a charming way that they are saved? You touch a charm, and a Fabletown animal shows up. In this case, Puss in Boots! Adorable!!

I mean, put a cat in boots and I can't get enough. Put anything on a cat - a lemon hat, sunglasses, another cat - I love it. Love the kitties. It's even more hilarious that he's got a bit of an attitude.

But you know what I find more interesting than the actual story that's going on? All the back stories. This issue began with a flashback to Nazi Germany, and it ended with a lengthy flashback explaining the entire story of who these harem girls were, what happened, why they've been selling magical items and buying weapons, and what they were intending to do. I found myself wishing for a different format. I'm not sure what it should, could, or would be, but I liked reading that story, and thought how it could have been more elaborate, taken up several issues even. I guess that would have been less about Cinderella, and more about the various spin-off stories of Fabletown. What do I know, sure. But I liked that a lot, I would've loved to see more. I like the myths. I like the histories. 

I think my reaction to wanting a different format is wanting more art, actually. Rather than the story being depicted in six frames, it seems like it could have used it's own issue. Nevertheless, it was well told in those six panels.

There was a lovely twist to be found as well, in the whole sisterhood thing. Although Cindy believes these girls need to be punished for their crimes, the story make it clear that they've suffered as concubines, that their freedom had been taken away, and Cindy is quite sympathetic to that. It's an interesting mix. She's passionate about them paying for their crimes, but she's just as passionate about making sure they no longer are enslaved to a Master. I haven't read a lot of comics, but this seems like a take that hasn't really been done enough. A woman fighting for justice, and for the rights of women. She's clear, throughout that crimes still need to be penalized, even if the motivation for committing them was to escape from tyrannical chauvinism. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.)

So, you know. I'm still interested. I'm still interested in Cindy. In The Sword. In Y The Last Man. Still interested in seeing what's out there. I might have to start having a weekly Bachelorette-style Rose Ceremony for my comic book choices. Now that'll be fun. :)

-Nina Stone, 2010

Comments

[Nina]

Kitten!
http://www.roflcat.com/images/cats/cat-hat.jpg

[Matthew J. Brady]

Sounds like the regular Fables series would be right up your alley, since it's chock full of those sorts of stories, delving into interpretations of the various characters and legends and what happened to bring them together and how they all bounce off each other and so on. I think it's quite good. I know you read at least the first issue of the regular series, but you might also want to try out the standalone book 1001 Nights of Snowfall, which offers origin stories for several of the regular characters, illustrated by some amazing artists. Since, you know, you don't have enough other stuff that you're trying to follow...