| “ | Why work our aces off making a two-bit illusionist the star? We'll end up with a lousy cut of the money and a zippity-doo-dah share of the fame! | „ |
| ~ Six of Spades to their fellow playing cards, Fables #150 — "The Last Story of Many Fables" |
The playing cards are a group of anthropomorphic playing card Fables that reside at the Farm. They first appear in Fables #6 — "Road Trip: Part One of Animal Farm." The playing cards tend to show up as background characters among the crowds, but after the fall of Fabletown, they prosper in a mundane world that's finally woken up to its magical nature.
History
The Farm
One day, some of the living playing cards stand by the pond where the mermaid Mersey Dotes resides, observing quietly as Mersey voices her frustrations to Reynard the Fox about her lack of freedom to leave.[2]
Goldilocks' revolution
The playing cards[1] appear in the barn, 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 group is shocked when they notice her sudden presence in the room. Chicken Little becomes frantic and starts fluttering around the room, causing playing cards to fly in all directions.[3]
The next day, two of the playing cards watch as Boo Bear and Red Cap work together to remove Colin's severed head from its gruesome display in the center of the Farm square. In the midst of the Farm's revolution orchestrated by Goldilocks, two cards find themselves watching as Posey shows a potential recruit, Rose Red, all the weapons they have acquired. Later that evening, some of the cards are stationed outside the main building with a selection of animal Fables, patiently waiting for Rose to come out and join them. Some of the cards also participate in a hunt for Reynard the Fox, to keep the latter from sounding the alarm.[4]
Ace of Hearts is present when Rose Red arms herself in a cave and when she apprehends her sister Snow White in the same cave shortly after.[5] Ace of Clubs is also present when Snow is arrested.[6]
After Snow White escapes and puts an end to the revolution, some of the cards observe as a vehicle carrying additional support from Fabletown pulls up to assist.[6] When the revolution teeters on the edge of erupting once more after Goldilocks shoots Snow, a faction of human Fables swiftly seize control, the cards wisely run away. Two of them are sent flying through the air while Bufkin the flying monkey chases Chicken Little.[7]
When Dun and Posey, two of the revolution's ringleaders, are beheaded for their involvement in the failed coup a few months later, some of the playing cards sit on the sidelines, observing the somber execution.[7]
Invasion of the wooden soldiers
When Baba Yaga's hut runs amok on the Farm, Mustard Pot Pete forms a makeshift posse in a desperate attempt to regain control of the cabin. Several playing cards are seen flying through the air as the rest of the Fables struggle to secure the runaway cabin as it careens through the woods.[8]
New neighbors
After the North Wind, a guest on the Farm, departs, powerful gusts of wind emerge. The living playing cards are caught up in the wind and tossed around. Mister Sunflower springs into action, frantically attempting to catch them all in a hand net.[9]
Goodbye to the Farm
As a result of some of the human Fables accidentally being transformed into animals during a glamour casting, the Farm is partially wrecked.[10] Standing amidst the ruins of the Farm, some of the playing cards 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.[11]
After magic is introduced into the mundane world, the playing cards prosper in a world that's finally woken up to its magical nature. With excitement, they discuss their next move: Six of Spades suggests that they should not have to rely on working with the "great Pantini" or another "close-up huckster," as they will only receive a small portion of the profits while the illusionist steals all the fame. Three of Hearts protests, longing for a career in show business; but Six of Spades suggests heading to Las Vegas and joining poker games instead. The idea sparks enthusiasm in Jack of Diamonds, who also proposes blackjack as an alternative option. Seven of Clubs echoes its support, declaring that this is an ingenious plan. It confidently proclaims that the cards will win every hand, destroy Vegas, loot Reno, and break the bank in Monte Carlo. Two of Hearts consents to the plan, but adds that it would prefer to not have any dealers with cold hands involved. Queen of Hearts concurs with Two of Hearts, adding that the playing cards also need to steer clear of any "hard-shuffle pervs."[1]
Appearances
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Original source
They are based on the playing cards from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
References