If handsome princes did not exist, we would have to invent them

[arbre_rieur]

Terry Moore (STRANGERS IN PARADISE, ECHO) guest-pencils this month's issue of FABLES, a standalone story that catches us up with Briar Rose, the Sleeping Beauty. When we last saw her, she had purposefully pricked her finger to reactivate her curse, in order to defeat an entire city of the Empire by putting them all to sleep. There's she's remained for many, many months now, dreaming in her Sleeping City...



When none of the princes have any luck, this would-be new Emperor's sergeant suggests changing tacks.




If you paid attention to the background in the previous page, you noticed the sentry getting assassinated. It turns out some folks aren't cozy with the idea of the Imperial City reawakening, so they've decided to steal Briar Rose away so that she can never be kissed and woken. And by "they" I mean ninja goblins.

Comments

[espanolbot]

Gah! Did they have to mention the Sun and Moon? Weren't those the names of Sleeping Beauty's kids in the original version of the story where the Prince had sex with her when she was unconcious?

[shadur]

Sounds about right.

[espanolbot]

Gah!

Still, it could be worse. They could have decided to have the guards and princes breed with her until she produces a male offspring, as they would technically be a prince so his kiss would awaken her.

[valtyr]

'True Love' is traditionally romantic love, so I don't think that would work. (Otherwise Sleeping Beauty's own godmother could have woken her in the story.)

[dejadrew]

Yeah, but in the Fables comic, Briar Rose was once awakened by the face-licking of a very affectionate dog named "Prince," so presumably it doesn't need to be romantic love. Unless...

..Oh. Oh dear. Let's not go there.

[baihu]

We've already went there. Meet Bigby! And that fox character whose name escapes me right about now!

[arbre_rieur]

Would a baby really love a comatose mother?