“ | Now Miss Red is handing them out to any of her Camelot knights who needs them. | „ |
~ Mr. Mole, commenting on glamours, to Br'er Rabbit in Fairest #27 — "Mister Fox Goes to Town: Chapter One of The Clamour for Glamour" |
Mr. Mole is an animal Fable who lives on the Farm in Upstate New York and debuts in Fables #9 — "Warlord of the Flies: Part Four of Animal Farm." He tends to show up as a background character among the crowds, occasionally interacting with the odd Fable. Mole is friends with Br'er Rabbit, and often appears alongside him.
History
Exile
Mr. Mole is from King Cole's kingdom. When Toad Hall and the rest of King Cole's kingdom fell during the invasion led by the Adversary, Mr. Mole, Mr. Toad and Mr. Badger were all forced to flee. The three were among the many Fable creatures who hid for many days and nights in an abandoned mine with King Cole, and accompanied him to the hidden sanctuary in the mundane world during Fabletown's early days in the 1600s.[1]
Unfortunately, with the ever-expanding mundane population around them, King Cole, the elected Mayor of Fabletown, was eventually left with no option but to exile all animal Fables to the Farm in order to maintain the secrecy of Fabletown from the mundys.[1]
Goldilocks' revolution
As Goldilocks' revolution unfolds at the Farm, Mr. Mole and Br'er Rabbit take it upon themselves to approach every residence, in order to convince the undecided inhabitants who have not yet taken a definitive stance. They knock on the door of the Three Billy Goats Gruff and instruct them to open up, all in the name of revolution. One of the Billy Goats goat emerges from his dwelling and inquires about their intentions and the reason behind the incessant knocking on its door. Br'er Rabbit conveys that the grand revolutionary authority has invited him to take part in a big rally in the village center at noon, with Mole adding that attendance is mandatory. The two revolutionaries head over to Tom Thumb's miniature castle, but there is no response when they knock on the door. Mole muses about the possibility that Tom Thumb may be at his ex-girlfriend Thumbelina's home, as he heard rumors of them reconciling.[2]
Mr. Mole stands 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. Suddenly, Mole becomes aware of a person approaching and alerts Br'er Rabbit to their presence. The crowd recognizes Snow White and hears her command someone out of their line of sight to set the barn on fire. Mole looks up in shock as he sees the dragon Clara circling over them, realizing that she used her dragonfire to set the barn on fire. Snow further compels the surrender of the group through the intimidation of the three giant brothers. Mr. Mole observes as a vehicle carrying additional support from Fabletown pulls up to assist.[2] As the revolution teeters on the edge of erupting once more after Goldilocks shoots Snow, Mr. Mole stands among the Fables present. However, a faction of human Fables swiftly seize control.[3]
Following the unsuccessful revolution, Fabletown conducts war trials. Mr. Mole is observed waiting in line to have his case assessed. When Dun and Posey, two of the revolution's ringleaders, are beheaded for their involvement in the failed coup, Mole and Br'er Rabbit stand together on the sidelines, both sporting clothing adorned with blue hues and downward pointing arrows like Red Cap the Troll and Papa Bear, who are also attending. Mole's expression is heavy with sorrow as he watches the scene unfold before them, his head hanging low.[3]
Battle of Fabletown
When the wooden soldiers plot an attack on the secret Fable society, numerous Farm Fables are enlisted to journey to New York Cit and join the defense of Fabletown.[4] Mr. Mole seen participating in the battle, fighting alongside Br'er Rabbit.[5]
New neighbors
As Snow White settles into the Farm with her newborn cubs, Mole and Br'er Rabbit join the multitude of animal Fables who assemble to greet their new neighbor in the Farm square.[6]
Later, Mr. Mole and Br'er Rabbit are among the Farm Fables listening to Boy Blue as he recounts the story of the Adversary's recent ill-fated attack on the Kingdom of Haven.[7]
Fabletown-Imperial war
Mr. Mole attends a meeting in the Farm square, during which Boy Blue offers the Fables living on the Farm a chance to relocate to Haven and begin anew.[8]
During the war with the Empire, Mr. Mole dutifully assists Fabletown in digging trenches for defense.[9]
Threat of Mister Dark
When Boy Blue is on his deathbed, a variety Fables, both human and animal, congregate outside the main house at the Farm. Mr. Mole present as Dr. Swineheart shares the heartbreaking news of Blue's passing.[10]
Mole questions the sanity of Geppetto when the latter shares his intentions to become the new leader of Fabletown. He and Br'er Rabbit are also among many animal Fables who gather around while Geppetto tries to persuade the Fables to elect him as their new leader so that he can deliver them from the power of Mister Dark.[11]
Mr. Mole and Br'er Rabbit late watch as Rose Red addresses her fellow Fables after finally overcoming her long depression.[12]
Following Frau Totenkinder's victory over Mister Dark, Mr. Mole joins the jubilant Fables who are celebrating the defeat of their enemy.Unfortunately, everyone's joy at Mister Dark's defeat is short-lived as it soon becomes apparent that the defeat was only temporary and all the Fables must flee to the Kingdom of Haven for safety.[13]
Kingdom of Haven
Mr. Mole later watches while Thumbelina auditions for a spot in Pinocchio's group of superheroes in Haven.[14]
Brock Blueheart addresses a gathering of animal Fables and shares his vision of Boy Blue returning from the dead to defeat the Dark One in glorious fashion. Mr. Mole and what appears to be Br'er Rabbit, are among those present for the sermon.[15]
In the end, Mister Dark is defeated by the North Wind. Mole attends Brock Blueheart's subsequent sermon, although the latter erroneously holds the belief that Boy Blue was the individial responsible for vanquishing the Dark One, and that he failed to witness Blue's revival.[16]
Return to the Farm
After the disappearance of Bigby and Snow White's cubs, Therese and Darien, an avian Fable notices Bigby searching for clues near the motionless form of Lord Mountbatten, a clockwork tiger. The Fable ponders about Bigby's current activities, and Mole replies that Bigby is engaged in his natural talent: investigating.[17]
Campaign for glamour
One day, Mr. Mole and Br'er Rabbit joins the other animal Fables in the barn to hear Reynard the Fox's latest tales of his adventures. Reynard boasts that Lady Maeve cannot resist his charms, leaving Mole to exclaim, "Goodness!" Later, Br'er Rabbit grumbles about how Ozma publicly gave Reynard a glamour spell, and Mole claims that Rose Red has been handing them out to any of her New Camelot knights who require them. Shortly afterward, Mister Sunflower rallies the animal Fables to speak up and demand the glamours that Prince Charming had promised them when he was elected mayor. Mr. Mole, Br'er Rabbit and many other animal Fables join him as he leads a raucous protest in the center of the Farm. They shout for their glamours and hold up signs as they make their voices heard.[18]
After Charming resigned from his job as Mayor, King Cole took over the position, so Rose Red urgently summons him to the Farm. Mole and Br'er Rabbit join the group of demonstrators outside the main building as Cole remains inside, still demanding for glamours.[18] In the evening, the same group of angry protesters corner King Cole, with Sunflower claiming that Charming has passed on the leadership to him, and with it comes the same promises and responsibilities.[19]
Shortly afterward, Mr. Mole attends a gathering in the Farm square, where King Cole and Rose Red announce that the 13th Floor magicians will create a handful of glamours that can be shared between animals, giving them all a chance to experience life outside their usual surroundings for a brief time. Mr. Mole is delighted with the news and shouts, "Bravo!"[19]
Owl is concerned about his beloved Pussy Cat's recent solitude and turns to his friends for support. Mr. Mole offers his condolences, saying, "How terrible for you," but Sunflower claims that Owl's friends were somewhat lacking when it came to any course of action.[20]
Mole and Br'er Rabbit both attend the grand Lottery drawing, and are also present when the spells are cast upon the lucky winners on Glamour Day. However, the Farm is partially wrecked, a result of some of the human Fables accidentally being transformed into animals.[21] Mole and Br'er Rabbit take in the destruction and Mole expresses his sorrow for the state of things.[22] The sudden arrival of Reynard's girlfriend Meghan's family at the Farm[21] leaves Mr. Mole wondering what their fate will be. Morgan le Fay observes that they seem to have taken a liking to the Farm and may even consider taking over if most of the current residents depart for the Homelands.[22]
Goodbye to the Farm
As a result of some of the human Fables accidentally being transformed into animals during the glamour casting, the Farm is partially wrecked.[21] Standing amidst the ruins of the Farm, Mr. Mole and a cadre of Fable creatures confront the new reality that Fabletown in New York City has been laid bare to the mundys and it is only a matter of time before they find their way to the Farm as well.[23]
Alternate universe
An alternate version of Mr. Mole appears in The Unwritten Fables, which takes place in an alternate universe where Mister Dark was never defeated. Mole is one of the many Fables who joined an exodus lead by Flycatcher and Red Riding Hood into the magic grove in Haven. He is present at a gathering outside the gingerbread house of Frau Totenkinder, while the witch converses with Tom Taylor inside.[24] In the aftermath of a battle, Mr. Mole stands adjacent to a lifeless body that is being draped in a shroud. When Bigby Wolf rejoins the group following his release from captivity, Mole expresses his enthusiasm by calling the new development splendid and a "ripping good show."[25] Later, he attends a meeting led by Frau Totenkinder where she shares the 13th Floor magicians' strategy for saving the remaining Fables.[26]
Appearances
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Original source
Mr. Mole is based on Mole from the children's novel The Wind in the Willows. Known as "Moley" to his friends, he is an independent, timid, genial, thoughtful, home-loving animal and the first character introduced in the story. Discontent with spring cleaning in his secluded home, he ventures into the outside world. Initially intimidated by the hectic lifestyle of the riverbank, he eventually adapts with the support of his new friend Rat. He has a spontaneous intelligence moment with his trickery against the Wild Wooders before the battle to retake Toad Hall.
Trivia
During the scene where Jack Horner calls Snow White and Bigby Wolf from Dino Diner in Fables #83 — "The Great Fables Crossover, Part 1 of 9: The Call," an animal wearing Mole's signature coat and hat is glimpsed behind the Tin Woodman, and a mole wearing fine clothing and glasses, much like Mr. Mole, is seen next to Jack two panels later.