| “ | Boo Bear: Why us, Pops? Why'd we volunteer to go along? Put our lives on the line to help Fables who've got us pulling plows in the field twelve hours a day? Papa Bear: Which we'll have to continue doing for another 98 years, Boo, unless we demonstrate our renewed loyalties to the powers that be. |
„ |
| ~ Boo Bear and Papa Bear, Fables #25 — "Our Right to Assemble Issue: Chapter Six — March of the Wooden Soldiers" |
Papa Bear is one of the Three Bears, an animal Fable family who lives on the Farm in Upstate New York. He debuts in Fables #6 — "Road Trip: Part One of Animal Farm." Papa Bear and his partner Mama Bear are parents to Boo Bear. As a result of their involvement in Goldilocks' rebellion, all three bears are sentenced to hundred years of hard labor at the Farm, and later participate in the Battle of Fabletown to regain their trust and acceptance. Following the loss of their son in battle, the couple becomes parents once again to a new son, who they also name Boo Bear.
History
The exodus
Papa Bear and his family 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. To provide sustenance for the Dish and the Spoon, who take their nourishment from what's eaten off them, as opposed to what they eat; the King makes use of them to serve food to Papa Bear, who is one of the larger animals and thus has a more considerable appetite.[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
| “ | What are you doing, foolish girl? Everyone will hear the shot! | „ |
| ~ Papa Bear to Goldilocks, Fables #7 — "The Guns of Fabletown: Part Two of Animal Farm" |
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.[6]
The following day, Mama Bear and Papa Bear are busy digging a deep hole in the woods for Goldilocks to bury the remains of Colin Pig, who was executed by Goldilocks' revolutionaries. Papa Bear checks with her to see if it's deep enough, and she confirms that it meets her standards. Boo Bear and Red Cap arrive with Colin's head, and Goldilocks urges them to quickly bury it before anyone catches them. Papa Bear grumbles that they could have finished the task and been back in bed hours ago if Goldilocks hadn't insisted on showing off Colin's head by sticking it on a pole. 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.[2]
Reynard the Fox suddenly reveals himself, having been secretly watching the burial. Goldilocks pulls out her gun and aim it at Reynard, claiming that he knows too much. Papa Bear quickly stops her by seizing her and chiding her for being reckless. He warns that the gunshot will alert everyone, and they'll be caught. Reynard takes off, and Goldilocks fumes at Papa Bear for not stopping him. Now, they must chase him down and eliminate him before he can reveal their secret.[2]
The bears are present when Snow White is apprehended in a cave the next day.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9] When Dun and Posey, two of the revolution's ringleaders, are beheaded for their involvement in the failed coup, Papa Bear stands on the sidelines, silently observing the somber execution, sporting clothing adorned with blue hues and downward pointing arrows like Mr. Mole, Br'er Rabbit and Red Cap, who are also attending.[9]
As a result of their involvement in the rebellion, all three bears are sentenced to hundred years of hard labor at the Farm.[10]
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.[10] 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. Mama Bear yells that this is for Boo Bear, while Papa Bear is also hit by gunfire.[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. 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]
New neighbors
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]
Mama Bear and Papa Bear are later observed waiting in line to cast their vote at the Farm during the election for Fabletown's new mayor.[13]
By the time Snow White moves to the Farm, Mama Bear has given birth to her son,[3] who is also named Boo Bear.[4] This is because killed Fables often get magically replaced by new versions of the same Fables.[14] As Snow White settles into the Farm with her newborn cubs, Mama Bear and Papa Bear appear holding their own baby, and join the crowd of animal Fables gathered in the town square to welcome their newest neighbor. Papa Bear excitedly announces that they've prepared a big celebration for their new neighbour in the barn tonight.[3]
Upon the arrival of a newcomer at the Farm, Papa Bear a few other animal Fables quickly dash off to investigate the identity of the visitor. It is revealed that the newcomer is none other than the North Wind, the grandfather of the cubs.[15]
Following the mysterious demise of Mary's Little Lamb, Mama Bear and Papa Bear watch in silence while Doctor Swineheart meticulously examines the lifeless body lying in the center of the Farm square.[16]
Fabletown-Imperial war
The Three Bears are seen with a collection of animal Fables as they come across a notice posted on the Farm, summoning them to a crucial gathering in the Farm square at midday. Papa Bear becomes frustrated as Chicken Little has yet another one of its typical episodes of panic.[17]
It appears that Mama Bear and Papa Bear joined the war between Fabletown and the Empire, as they are spotted at Fort Bravo, listening to Sinbad convey the news of Prince Charming's death in combat to Rose Red.[18]
The bears later attend Prince Charming's funeral.[19]
Threat of Mister Dark
Papa Bear and his family as Rose Red addresses the Fables
Papa Bear attends a sermon where Brock Blueheart preaches with great conviction that Boy Blue will one day return from the dead to slay the Fables' great foe Mister Dark and usher in a new age of power and glory.[20]
All three bears attend a gathering where Jack Horner, pretending to be Boy Blue, addresses the Fables in the Farm square.[21]
Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Boo Bear II can be seen among the Fables gathered outside the Farm's main building as Rose Red, the leader of the Farm, addresses her fellow Fables after finally overcoming her long depression.[22]
Kingdom of Haven
To escape the wrath of Mister Dark, all the Fables are forced to relocate to Flycatcher's Kingdom of Haven.[23] 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. Papa Bear and Boo Bear II are among those present for the sermon.[24]
Return to the Farm
When the Fables are celebrating Christmas at the Farm, Papa Bear joins in the festivities with a tankard of foamy beer in hand.[25]
The glamour crusade
One day, Papa Bear joins the other animal Fables in the barn to hear Reynard the Fox's latest tales of his adventures. The newly recruited knight of Rose Red's new Round Table has gained the power to switch between human and fox forms whenever he desires, and everyone is eager to hear about his experiences. Afterward, Mister Sunflower rallies the non-human Fables to speak up and demand the glamours that Prince Charming had promised them when he was elected mayor. Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Boo Bear II and many other Fable creatures 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.[26]
Shortly afterward, the Three Bears attend 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.[27]
The Three Bears are subsequently one of the numerous enthusiastic animal Fables present when the victors of the Lottery for glamours are declared, and when the spells are cast upon them on Glamour Day.[28]
Alternate universe
An alternate version of Papa Bear and Boo Bear, the younger, appears in The Unwritten Fables, which takes place in an alternate universe where Mister Dark was never defeated. As Mister Dark's army launches an attack on the refugees, Papa Bear fights valiantly on the side of the Fables.[29] He reappears in the camp as the survivors craft new weapons.[30]
Appearances
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Original source
Papa Bear is based on the character 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