652

Access a version of the below that includes illustrations on my blog.

This is the last Top 10 spin-off (at least, the last one collected in trade paperback format). This takes Top 10 cop Jeff Smax back to his home dimension, a parallel Earth governed by the rules of fantasy stories, not superhero stories, accompanied by his partner, Toybox. Unlike Top 10, which smashes superhero stories and cop dramas together, this isn't really about genre collision; it's mostly an affectionate riff on the conventions of fantasy fiction, especially the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings/Dungeons & Dragons-based quest stuff. Smax finds out that the only dragon he ever ran away from is still rampaging, and Toybox guilts him into confronting his responsibilities.

There's no deep insight into the fantasy genre, but there are good jokes: I appreciated the "politically correct" take on fantasy races, the idea of a bureau to authorize quests, Smax's inability to read emotions and utter conviction that he is reading emotions, the tedious dwarf funeral, and the fact that dwarves play RPGs based on being in middle management. And of course, I have to love any page that has jokes based on both Victorian poetry and Homestar Runner.

I do wish that Smax played a bigger role in the resolution of his own story-- the ending is probably the only part of this that didn't work for me, as Smax is outshone by Toybox, and the romance subplot is resolved in a pretty rushed way, too. This isn't as good as Moore's work on Top 10 proper, but it's an entertaining diversion with a couple of its key characters.

A very fun Top 10 spinoff that works well on its own. We leave the super/action-hero world of Neopolis for Smax's home world of fairy tale and fantasy, seen in the Top 10 universe as hillbilly, backwater country. ( )

I love Alan Moore but have to say this is probably the book of his that I least enjoyed. I can handle silly as long as it's funny - this was mostly silly and only occasionally funny (to me). The main villain was interesting and cool. The solution to the problem was interesting if a bit of a stretch. The art was okay.

So if you're an Alan Moore completist, read it. If you're looking to sample Alan Moore look elsewhere (I would suggest Top 10 or the Watchmen). ( )

Riculously compulsively readable. I am going back now to read the "Top Ten" tales. I just wish there were more. ALan Moore has never been so diarmingly charming and enjoyable.
Definitely a good read for Fables fans inbetween installments of that beloved series... if only there were more of this series- nsarky witty fun with lots of pop culture riffs- read it... you won't wish for this hour(or less) of your life back at all. ( )