| This article is about the current Jack in the Green. You may be looking for her predecessor. |
| “ | I'm beginning to understand that the light of justice is often kindled by dark deeds. Safety for the forest can only be achieved by those who will never live in the peace and safety we might create for others. | „ |
| ~ Jack in the Green to Mrs. Bear in Fables #161 — "The Black Forest Chapter Eleven: The Fight in the Dog" |
Gwen, known under the title of Jack in the Green, and sometimes referred to as Greenjack or Jack, is a Fable who is a Protector of the Forest in the Hesse. She first appears in Fables #151 — "The Black Forest Chapter One: Greenjack."
Biography
Early life
Not much is known about Gwen's childhood. She had a mother, and she was acquainted with Mrs. Bear at a young age. According to Mrs. Bear, Gwen was quite a force to be reckoned with in her early years.[1]
Becoming Jack in the Green
Jack is reunited with Mrs. Bear
As Gwen, now known as Jack in the Green, makes her way through the Black Forest towards the Last Story Home, she suddenly hears a strange noise. With her bow drawn and poised to shoot, she prepares to defend herself as a massive brown bear charges at her. But then, she recognizes the familiar face of her old friend Mrs. Bear from her childhood.[1]
The two have a joyous reunion, and Mrs. Bear inquires about Jack's mother's well-being. Jack reveals that her mother passed away within the past two years, and Mrs. Bear admits that it was a blessing, as no one should endure such a "withering" experience. As Mrs. Bear calls her Gwen, Jack proudly declares that she is now known as the Jack in the Green, a title she rightfully earned. Mrs. Bear acknowledges that this was inevitable, stating that "anyone could see it." She kindly directs Gwen towards the Last Story Home.[1]
Jack finally arrives at the Last Story Home, where the former holder of her title now resides in retirement. The new Jack introduces herself to her predecessor, and announces that she is his replacement. The former Jack in the Green is taken aback by the discovery that the current Jack in the Green has a talent for archery, as he sees himself more as a "forest spirit" than a skilled marksman. The new Jack claims that the job has transformed, and current circumstances necessitate a female archer to fill the position.[1]
Jack meets her predecessor
The elderly Jack adamantly refuses to leave, declaring that this has been his home for centuries. But the younger Jack reminds him that the Last Story Home now belongs to Jack in the Green, who is her. Despite her reservations, she agrees to let him live with her as the house is spacious enough for both of them.[3]
The new Jack settles in and the old Jack presents her with a Thanatos Arrow, something he had kept hidden for years due to his lack of archery skills. The elder Jack reveals that the arrow is owned by the Protector of the Forest, the champion of this world, the Hesse. It is a weapon used as a last resort, and a similar one was utilized to kill a boy wearing an impenetrable Witching Cloak. Acknowledging that the previous Jack possesses valuable wisdom, the current Jack declares that she is open to receiving guidance from him. However, she reminds him that she is his successor and landlord, not his student.[3]
The great quest
As Jack diligently studies one evening, the elder Jack reflects on her progress and decides it's time for her first quest, one that will take her far from the familiar surroundings of their house. He suggests she consider who she wants to bring with her as a companion, since Jack in the Green always has one.[2]
Jack chooses Mrs. Bear as her companion, and together they set off on their journey. With the power bestowed upon her, Jack harnesses the communal strength of the Black Forest to aid their journey. In a surprising turn of events, the two find themselves transported through a portal to New York City in the mundane world. To their amazement, Mrs. Bear appears as a human when they emerge.[4]
The pair settles into a hotel room, and Mrs. Bear gathers food from the nearby grocery store. Jack questions how she paid for it, but Mrs. Bear explains that the store allows customers to open a tab and pay off the balance once they have a job. They step out into the bustling city streets, Jack determined to find and confront the unknown danger threatening their beloved woods. But she confesses that she has no clue how to pinpoint this threat.[5]
Jack draws her bow at the restaurant
Using her ability to communicate with the trees and creatures of the city,[6] Jack is able to locate the elusive danger at a restaurant on 241 West Broadway, where Peter Pan is enjoying a meal. She announces herself to the customers and draws her bow, declaring that there is someone in the room who harbors evil designs against her homeworld. She announces her intention to identify the culprit and take necessary measures.[7]
In prison
However, police are quickly summoned to the location, and Jack is taken into custody. Jack is baffled; as fellow law enforcers, she had assumed they were on the same side, and she had clearly pinpointed the perpetrator. The police reprimands her for attempting to take the law into her own hands, leaving Jack even more perplexed. She firmly believes that it is the responsibility of every individual to uphold justice and protect those who are vulnerable. It bewilders her that the police are granted additional powers and authority that regular citizens do not possess.[7]
Afterward, the police questions Peter Pan, who had witnessed the event. However, Pan becomes frustrated with their questioning and commands Tinker Bell to eliminate them all,[7] leading to the merciless slaughter of twelve police officers. Despite Jack's arrest and transport to the police station prior to the murders, the authorities are looking for a scapegoat. As a consequence, Jack is incarcerated in Ryker's Island Penitentiary without a trial. This particular prison has been reopened to serve the needs of the Sorcery Force, the latest addition to the country's military forces specifically trained to combat visitors from other worlds.[6]
After five years, Cinderella, who now works for the government, pays a visit to Jack. She informs her that a new law firm has taken on her case and is working towards getting her released from prison. Cinderella has been thoroughly reviewing Jack's case and listens carefully as Jack shares her own side of the story. Jack reveals that the man she was searching for is somehow the biggest threat to her world, though she doesn't yet know how or why. According to Cinderella, Jack does not belong in this world, and she proposes a deal for her to escape prison. The condition? She must leave the mundane world today and never return.[6]
Jack finds her predecessor's body
Return to Hesse
Jack, now a free woman, is joyfully reunited with Mrs. Bear, who had made the decision to stay behind instead of abandoning Jack in her time of need. Cinderella returns Jack's weapons to her,[6] not wanting the dangerous Thanatos Arrow to remain in this world any longer. Jack casts a travelling spell that will transport her and Mrs. Bear to the location of the villain.[8]
The two of them are transported through a portal and land with a thud on the ground below, Mrs. Bear restored to her original form. As they step into the Black Forest, Jack's eyes widen in shock. The villain is there, waiting for them. She had hoped to confront him in a different world to avoid putting their own world in danger during battle. Now, her plan seems to have backfired.[8]
After discovering a mass slaughter of animal Fables in the forest, Bigby Wolf inspects the bodies, when Jack suddenly appears before him. Bigby is surprised that Jack was able to sneak up on him without being noticed, a feat few are capable of accomplishing. Jack proclaims that she is the Protector of the Forest, but Bigby argues that it is actually him who holds that title. Unexpectedly, the forest god Herne, appears before them and declares that they are both mistaken, for he is the one and only Protector of the Black Forest.[8]
As tensions rise, Sam, Bigby's friend, brings up the fact that none of them had been able to stop the recent massacre. Jack argues that she was trapped in an alien world and suggests that unless the other two retract their false accusations, some form of competition may be necessary. Mrs. Bear proposes a practical solution: why not compete to solve the crime, and whoever does it first wins? The three of them decide to go with this plan.[9]
Facing Pan
Upon Jack's return to the Old Story Home, she discovers her predecessor, the previous Jack in the Green, has been mercilessly killed[10] by Peter Pan.[11] Jack takes out the Thanatos Arrow, deciding that it's time to use it. Teaming up with her companion Mrs. Bear, and the older Jack's companion, Iago Warduck, Jack finally locates Pan and Tinker Bell, who have just defeated Herne and Bigby.[10]
Jack and Pan face off
With her bow drawn, and an arrow aimed at Pan,[10] she warns him to stand down and surrender. She makes it clear that if he doesn't, the arrow will be released and its power will kill him, no matter how strong he may be. Pan refuses to give up, so Jack releases the arrow, which whizzes past Peter, causing him to taunt her for missing, but Jack confidently states that she never misses her target.[12]
Pan is horrified when he realizes that Jack shot the powerful arrow at the magical restraints that force Tinker Bell to do Pan's bidding. The moment the constraints are shattered, Tinker Bell breaks free from Pan's control. Finally able to seek retribution on her former captor without any restrictions, she kidnaps Pan and makes a swift escape. Afterward, Mrs. Bear inquires about Jack's foreknowledge of the situation. Jack responds that she didn't know for sure, but it was a calculated guess based on her observation that people who enjoy talking about themselves often reveal their weaknesses and vulnerabilities.[12]
Afterward, Snow White, accompanied by the cubs, comes to Bigby's assistance. Upon discovering him and Herne in a state of injury, Snow inquires about the events that transpired. Herne responds that many dire things took place, while Jack interjects to confirm that they emerged victorious.[12]
Protector of the Forest
After some time, Herne ultimately decides to depart from the forest. However, Jack is pleased when she and Bigby come to an understanding, as Bigby acknowledges that the forest is vast enough for both of them to serve as protectors.[12]
Physical appearance
Jack in the Green is a beautiful young woman with fair skin, brown eyes, a sprinkling of freckles and long red hair,[1] although she cut her hair shorter while in prison.[6] True to her nickname, she always wears green. Her preferred outfit consists of a loose-fitting long-sleeved tunic and snug trousers, topped off with a full-length cloak and oversized hat.[1]
Appearances
Fables
- Fables #151 (first appearance)
- Fables #152
- Fables #153
- Fables #154
- Fables #155
- Fables #156
- Fables #157
- Fables #158
- Fables #159
- Fables #161
- Fables #162
Orignal source
Jack in the Green and her successor are based on the Green Man, a mysterious pseudo-mythological figure[13] with a convoluted backstory. The moniker "Jack in the Green" is derived from a British tradition on May Day, where an individual dons a cone-shaped framework decorated with foliage during the annual procession.[14] This folk custom is has been linked to the Green Man.[15]
The Green Man started out as an art motif of a foliage head; a face made of, or completely surrounded by, leaves. Although it has been suggested that the Green Man is an ancient figure from British folklore, this is not supported by evidence,[13][16] and the figure is believed to be an invention of twentieth-century pseudo-mythology.[13] Much like Jack in the Green,[1] the pseudo-mythological figure is a protector of the forest.[17] The Green Man is also associated with the Celtic god Cernunnos, another protector of the forest. Interestingly, Cernunnos is also associated with Peter Pan's namesake, the satyr Pan from Greek mythology.[18]
The figure of the Green Man has been embraced in modern paganism as a deity symbolizing the wild, and the vital lost connection with nature people have lost and must reclaim in order to truly live.[19] Former pre-eminent Pagan gods were the aforementioned Greek satyr Pan, and Herne the Hunter,[20] who are spirits of the woodland; much like the Pagan Green Man.[19] Interestingly, in Fables #151 — "The Black Forest Chapter One: Greenjack," the elder Jack in the Green refers to himself as a "forest spirit."
It has been posited that J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan was inspired by the Green Man, as Pan is a boy who never ages, wears a vibrant green outfit and resides in the forest with the wild animals.[21][22] In addition, Peter Pan is believed to have been named after the forest god Pan.[22]
Etymology
The title "Jack in the Green" originates from a long-standing British custom on May Day, where a person dons a framework adorned with foliage and flowers, often completing the look with an elaborate flower crown on top.[14]
References
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