The Cruel, Hot Summer is the thirtieth issue of Fables, and the first part of the informal Mean Seasons arc.
Publisher's summary
Part 1 of a new 4-part story, "The Year After." It's a family affair as Snow White goes into labor, and the magical nature of her pregnancy becomes an event that no one expected. The ever-proper Miss White is about to discover that having the Big Bad Wolf's baby is more than she'd ever bargained for…but the proud papa may be in for the biggest surprise of all. Plus, the results of the election for Fabletown's new mayor are in…and the winner may surprise you!
Plot
Bigby hurries to the hospital as Snow is giving birth to his child. During this time, the election of mayor is coming to a end. After a painful and hours-long labor, Dr. Swineheart says that she may have a whole litter of children. Meanwhile, at the Farm, the residents are also voting. Back at the hospital, Snow continues giving birth, however Bigby slowly begins turning into a wolf due to hearing Snow's screams of pain. While Cole and Charming discuss politics with their allies, the stores around the Woodlands are being rebuilt. The new mayor of Fabletown is elected to be Prince Charming. At the hospital Bigby is overjoyed that he has six children, three girls and three boys, but Snow says that since only one of them looks human, they have to live at the Farm - which Bigby is forbidden from entering!
At the election party, Prince Charming tells the witches that they need to mass-produce glamour. However the witches says they cannot due to the short amount of raw materials to produce magic and spells. Frau continues to torture Baba Yaga to know about the Adversary. A mundy, Kevin Thorn, wonders why no-one remembers the battle that happened months ago involving Fabletown. While everyone admires the babies, suddenly they begin to levitate and fly from their cots.
Trivia
Briar Rose is wearing a thorn printed skirt, a reference to the forest of trees, brambles and thorns that spring up around the castle in the "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale.