• Title: Fables #140
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Bill Willingham
• Artist: Steve Leialoha

After burying what they believe is all that’s left of Puss in Boots, Briar Rose leads the rest of the group onward defeating one enemy by less than chivalrous means and to a final battle against the evil witch Baoban Sith and her demon dogs. Wrapping up the two-issue arc, one member of the group will indeed give his life for their cause, however it turns out not to be Puss who keeps finding ways to survive (and even convince unlikely allies to join their cause).

Along with both action and witty dialogue, writer Bill Willingham also reveals the unexpected cause for the end of Fabletown (and for Fables itself as the comic is now down to its final ten issues). Neither old enemy nor new it seems will be the refuge’s undoing, but the mere fact of its populace realizing it’s now same, and time, to return home as Seamus does here.

I’m happy to see Puss and Boots return, and even survive his second death scene, but there’s certainly a tinge of melancholy hear and Willingham begins revealing the end of a comic I may have come late to but have grown to love. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]