Among one of the many benefits which comic books provide as a medium is the ability to easily crossover between genres. Therefore we can get westerns mixed with science fiction or superheroes in the Middle Ages. Fiction Squad, from BOOM! Studios, writer Paul Jenkins, and artist Ramon Bachs, utilizes this advantage as well, but it does so in a less common way. Since about the mid-2000s, there has been a resurgence in fairy tales in comics, yet as far as I know this may be the first that tries to combine the genre of noir detectives with fairy tales. Even if it is not the first, it is at least unique in its approach, having the hard-boiled detective is trying to find who it was that shoved Humpty Dumpty off of that wall.

The story is of course absurd, but it is meant to be. As is common with fairy tales stories, some other related genres slip in, specifically that of literary nonsense. This small genre is comprised of a few noteworthy entries, including Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and the Dr. Seuss books, but because of its fantastical nature it is often thrown into fairy tales as well. Thus while this series is based in a world of fairy tales, nursery rhymes and other legends, readers would probably not be surprised to see some of the denizens of Wonderland to sneak in here. The interplay between the characters is fun, especially as there is the sole representative of the noir crime genre to interact with them.

Generally speaking when it comes to comics I am not very concerned with the art, only really getting critical of it when it interferes with the story.  In this case the art is thematically almost perfect except for one point. The depiction of the female characters in this fairy tale land is absurd as the three major non-anthropomorphic female characters wear clothing that highlights their breasts to a ridiculous degree, even ridiculous by comic standards. The art was therefore a mixed bag, both helping to tell the story but also acting as a distraction.

In the end, the story ends up being that same kind of mixed bag. On a fundamental level, this story is not taking itself seriously, and that is fine because it is not trying to. This makes it a fun and relatively compact read, but equally it is lacking a lot of depth as humor at the pre-established character’s expense often takes the place of good plot development or effective dialogue.

Story: Paul Jenkins Art: Ramon Bachs
Story: 7.4 Art: 7.4 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Read

BOOM! Studios provided Graphics Policy with a FREE copy for review.