| This article is about the first incarnation of Boo Bear. You may be looking for his younger brother — the second incarnation. |
| “ | Goldilocks: Do you think I share your son's bed only because it happens to be "just right"? Boo Bear: No, it's because Papa's li'l Boo Bear is hung like a-- |
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| ~ Goldilocks to Mama Bear, and Boo Bear to Goldilocks, Fables #7 — "The Guns of Fabletown: Part Two of Animal Farm" |
Boo Bear is a young animal Fable who is one of the Three Bears, a family who lives together on the Farm in Upstate New York. He debuts in Fables #6 — "Road Trip: Part One of Animal Farm." He is killed by the wooden soldiers during the Battle of Fabletown, and his body is committed to the Witching Well. Boo later follows Flycatcher to Haven, where he is given new flesh and blood.
History
The exodus
Boo Bear and his parents are from King Cole's kingdom and are among the many Fable creatures who hide for many days and nights in an abandoned mine during the Adversary's invasion. They are eventually joined by King Cole himself. Cole puts the welfare of his people before himself and makes sure all of them eat first, even if it means he does not eat at all. Even though Boo is disappointed about having to eat gruel, Cole tries to cheer him up by framing the meal as a lavish feast.[1]
Eventually, the small community is able to escape the Homelands and settle in Fabletown, a secret Fable community in the mundane world, where Cole is elected mayor. Unfortunately, with the ever-expanding mundane population around them, King Cole is eventually left with no option but to exile all non-human Fables to the Farm in order to maintain the secrecy of Fabletown from the mundys.[1]
Goldilocks' revolution
The Three Bears are present at a gathering of Fable creatures discussing whether they should take up arms against the Adversary. Coincidentally, Snow White arrives at the Farm just as she does twice a year to check on the Fable community there, and walks in on them. The animals are shocked when they notice her sudden presence in the room.[7]
The following day, Boo Bear and Red Cap work together to remove Colin's severed head from its gruesome display in the center of the Farm square. They carefully place the head in a wheelbarrow, cover it, and push it off into the woods. At the same time, Mama Bear and Papa Bear are busy digging a deep hole in the woods for Goldilocks. Mama Bear adds that they just need Boo Bear to arrive with the remainder of the pig, so they can complete this unpleasant task. Boo suddenly appears, followed by Red Cap, reassuring Goldilocks that they have arrived. She urges them to quickly bury Colin's head before anyone catches them. Boo and Red Cap grimly toss Colin's severed head into the freshly dug grave, with Boo disgustedly commenting, "Nasty!" Goldilocks states that they've been stranded for too long on "this island" and any violent behavior is a result of their unjust confinement. Boo Bear disagrees, arguing that the Farm is not an actual island. However, Goldilocks clarifies that she was speaking figuratively.[4]
Papa Bear and Boo uncover the rest of Colin's lifeless body, which had been covered by a cloth on the ground, and Papa tosses it into the open grave. Goldilocks inquires if they believe her preference to share a bed with Boo Bear is solely due to it being "just right," prompting Boo to suggest it is because of his ample size. However, Goldilocks states that their sleeping arrangement represents equality and the absence of a dominant species, even in their most intimate habits.[4]
Boo Bear participates in Goldilocks' hunt for Reynard the Fox, but Goldilocks requests that Red Cap and Boo keep watch on the tree line, deeming the conversation between her and Posey to be only for adults. Red Cap and Boo stroll off, engrossed in conversation over a phrase that Goldilocks had just uttered, "You can't put shit back in a goose."[4]
The bears are present when Snow White is apprehended in a cave the next day.[8]
The Three Bears stand among the many animal Fables gathered in the Farm square as Dun speaks to the crowd, announcing that the time has come to make a move on Fabletown in New York City. Unexpectedly, Snow White emerges, declaring that their self-proclaimed revolution has come to an end, and compels the surrender of the group through the intimidation of the three giant brothers, and the dragon Clara.[9]
After several weeks have passed, Boo Bear and Papa Bear find themselves among the countless Fables waiting in line to face their war trial in the aftermath of the unsuccessful uprising.[10] As a result of their involvement in the rebellion, all three bears are sentenced to 100 years of hard labor at the Farm.[3]
Battle of Fabletown
The Three Bears join the fight against the wooden soldiers in Fabletown in an attempt to gain back trust and alleviate their sentence. Accompanied by Weyland Smith and a group of animal Fables, they arrive in the city by truck. Upon their arrival, they and the other recruits assemble outside in the street and listen attentively as Snow White gives them a briefing.[3] In the intense battle between the Wooden Soldiers and the Fables, Boo Bear meets his demise through a hail of gunfire. To prevent the blazing wooden soldiers from igniting the buildings, the bears use a water hose to douse their enemies, and Mama Bear yells that this is for Boo Bear.[11]
In the aftermath of the battle, Mama Bear and Papa Bear join the mournful gathering to honor the fallen citizens, and watch as their bodies are surrendered to the depths of the Witching Well. Mama Bear sheds tears as she bids her son a final farewell. Papa Bear is visibly upset when the body of Baba Yaga is tossed into the depths of the well, not wanting her remains to be anywhere near his son's lifeless form; but he understands it's necessary to keep her from returning from the dead.[12]
Not long after, as they fondly remember their beloved Boo Bear, Mama Bear breaks the news to Papa Bear that she is expecting a baby.[12]
Resurrection
Boo Bear's ghost is confined in the netherworld below the Witching Well, alongside the spirits of the rest of the individuals who were laid to rest in the well.[13] Boo is one of the spirits who accompany Flycatcher to the Kingdom of Haven,[5] where they are is given new flesh and blood,[14] so long as they remain within Haven[15] or close to Fly.[16]
When the Adversary's forces launch an attack on Haven, Flycatcher temporarily releases Boo Bear and the other ghosts from the constraints of the flesh, allowing them to sow fear and terror among the enemy's ranks in their ghostly form.[17]
After the enemy is defeated, Flycatcher calls Boo Bear and the rest of the ghost army to assemble: He states to his loyal subjects that they can choose to remain here in a semblance of life, or finally pass on to whatever fates await them. However, if they choose to stay, they will have to remain within the boundaries of Haven, as they cannot leave the kingdom without becoming a ghost once more, and automatically pass on to whatever comes next.[15]
Boo Bear is a member of one of the baseball teams in the Kingdom of Haven and participates in a match. After their victory, he joins in on the celebration and enjoys a tankard of ale.[18]
Appearances
Fables
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Original source
Boo Bear is based on Baby Bear from the fairy tale of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." In this classic tale, a young and innocent, blonde girl named Goldilocks wanders into the forest and stumbles upon the home of a family of three bears; Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear. Finding no one home, she helps herself to their porridge, sits on their chairs and breaks one, before settling into one of their beds for a nap. When the bears return and find her asleep, she quickly leaps out the window and is never seen again.
References