| “ | Bad things eventually gotta be rectified. But not every wrong, even those willingly done, has to define you forever. And even the toughest dirt can wash clean in time. | „ |
| ~ Sam to Connor Wolf in Fables #156 — "The Black Forest Chapter Six: The Tinker Bell Dilemma" |
Sam, also known as Old Sam, is a human Fable who is a former inmate at the Golden Boughs Retirement Village. He first appears in Jack of Fables #1 — "The Long Hard Fall of Hollywood Jack." Following his escape from the Golden Boughs, he assists in the defeat of Bookburner and is subsequently enlisted by Kevin Thorn to aid in the creation of his masterpiece. He later becomes a trusted friend and ally of the Wolf family after they settle in the Hesse.
History
Early life
Sam's mother instilled in him the value of manual labor,[7] while his deceased father was well known for his phrase,"Oh my, it's a real nose whacker out there."[6] He had no brothers or sisters.[7]
Prisoner at the Golden Boughs
At some point, Sam becomes an inmate at the Golden Boughs Retirement Village,[5] where Mister Revise does such a good job of revising his story that Sam grows into an old man, and few people remember him.[10] During his captivity, he becomes one of the facility's prisoner-trustees, who assist in the running of the village.[11]
Sam takes on the role of Horatio when Gary the Pathetic Fallacy and a group of Fables decide to perform Hamlet for the rest of the village. In one particular scene, Gary is meant to utilize his magic powers to manipulate two jacks-in-the-box and make them speak lines on-stage. But Wicked John's antics distract Gary, causing him to forget and prompting Sam to inquire about the issue. Accompanied by Sam, Gary takes the stage and attempts to clarify to the confused audience that he was distracted. He attempts to carry on with the play and move onto the next scene, where Prince Hamlet (played by Gary) is accompanied by Horatio and holding the iconic skull. Unfortunately, Gary is so distraught that he forgets his lines and accidentally uses his powers to make the inanimate objects around him come to life. This causes the skull prop to sink its teeth into Sam's costume, eliciting a surprised cry from him.[12]
Meeting Jack Horner
Sam helps plan the escape from the Golden Boughs
When Jack Horner is captured and brought to the village, Priscilla Page requests Sam to take their new "guest" up to his cottage since she's got to visit the library. She also asks him to ask Chicken Laundress to give Jack something from the clothing commissary. As they make their way to the small cottage, Jack and Sam saunter past numerous Fables who are prisoners at the village. Jack assumes that he is a guard and thinks that Sam's advanced age should give him a chance to outrun him, though Sam clarifies that he too is a captive and assures him he is more spry than he appears. Jack is astonished to find that Sam is a Fable, just like him, yet he does not recognize him. Sam confesses that he can no longer be certain if he still fits into that classification. He explains to Jack the purpose of the Golden Boughs and laments that nearly nobody remembers him anymore due to their success in erasing his tale from collective memory. Jack is sure that whatever they are doing, they won't be able to do it to him, but Sam doesn't share his confidence. He explains about Revise and his associates, describing them as a wicked group, and characterizes the Bagmen as the most awful and not even human. When they arrive at the cottage, Sam informs Jack that clothing will be provided for him and that he can come and go from the cottage as he wishes, but must return before nightfall and under no circumstances should he attempt to step over the stone wall.[5]
Sam is raking the lawn when Paul Bunyan passes by, making his way into a nearby pub. Sam calls out a polite warning about drinking so early in the day, but Bunyan responds with an impertinent retort. Sam scolds Bunyan for his lack of politeness, recognizing that even while they are all prisoners, Bunyan is no less obligated to show respect and the rest of them don't use their shared circumstance as an excuse to overindulge in drinking. Mary Mary inquires about Jack, but Sam cautions that despite being the Jack of the tales, he is not a hero and will only cause pain to those near him. She disagrees with him, and he comments that it is expected of her, given her contrary nature. He then shifts his focus to Jack, who announces he is going to escape.[13]
Sam listens attentively as Jack explains his plan for a daring escape. He contributes to the discussion, providing an overview of Revise and its personnel, as well as the security measures they use, such as tigers and Bagmen. He shares the number of lookout posts with Jack, but he does not know how many tigers populate the area. After everyone leaves, Goldilocks reminds Sam to do away with the map by burning it. When Jack scales a tree afterward, Sam speaks up to warn him of the danger, but Jack does not listen. Sam watches in horror when a branch snaps and sends Jack tumbling down, only to be impaled on the sharp metal spikes of the fence. He is equally startled when Jack states that the pain is so intense that he could begin to weep, and if Sam tells anyone that he's been crying, he will kill Sam. To help Jack, Sam dispatches the Tortoise and the Hare to locate Gary the Pathetic Fallacy. Meanwhile, he attempts to avoid unwanted attention by shooing away any onlookers who have gathered. Gary finally arrives and frees Jack from the fence by making it come to life and gently drop him to the ground. Sam looks over Jack quickly before trying to shepherd him away, in order to avoid any more complications.[11]
Escape from the Golden Boughs
Sam comes to Jack's rescue during the mass breakout from the Golden Boughs
As everyone began their great escape from the Golden Boughs, Jack warns Sam that he will be left behind if he can't keep up. Sam responds confidently that he is an experienced runner and will not be a hindrance. Jack, Goldilocks, and Sam aid Humpty Dumpty in getting over the fence. Then, a Bagman appears and Sam panics when Jack tries to confront it on his own, as he knows that they are no match for it.[14] Despite Sam's warnings that he stands no chance in a fight with one of them, Jack goes ahead and recklessly engages the Bagman in physical combat. Sam shouts for Jack to flee before it's too late. He sees that the Bagman has Jack in a chokehold, and realizes that if Jack doesn't get away soon, he may be dead. Sam quickly back scrambles over the fence to save Jack. He attempts to lunge a knife into the Bagman, but the figure retaliates with a punch and Sam falls, dropping the weapon. Desperately crawling on the ground, he searches for the knife, but before he can find the blade, the Bagman grabs his neck and starts to choke the life out of him. But Jack manages to pull the Bagman away from him, and Sam finds the knife. He then slashes the Bagman's face with it. Suddenly, the thing grows into a giant, mushroom-like figure, releasing an ear-piercing screech. It halts its chase and retreats back to the Golden Boughs.[10]
When several of Robin Page's tigers make an appearance, Sam draws the tigers away from the others by sprinting away, prompting the predators to give chase. Instead of being caught, he transforms them into a large pile of butter. Mister Revise is greatly dismayed, as he has seen Sam as one of his greatest successes. According to Revise, Sam's story was "censored, shunned and forgotten by the oversensitive mundys."[10] Jack, having lost track of Sam, continues onward without him.[1]
End of the Golden Boughs
A year later, Mr. Revise reprimands Priscilla Page, saying that although she has managed to track down and capture a small number of Fables who escaped, Jack, Sam and the Pathetic Fallacy still walk free.[15]
Sam is reunited with Priscilla Page
Sam later arrives near the village as Bookburner's forces launch an assault on the Golden Boughs. Taking cover in the woods, he watches as the enemy army approaches, prepared for battle.[16] He encounters Priscilla, who is surprised to see him and wonders why he is there, as she had expected him to be long gone by now. Sam claims he caught wind of Bookburner's army crossing into the mundane world, and he was aware that Bookburner was a dangerous enemy, so the logical course of action was to assist in his defeat. Priscilla explains that it will take a while to reach Bookburner by circling the valley. However, Sam offers her a speedy ride on his back, using his superhuman speed to get them there in no time.[17]
In a last-ditch effort to defeat Bookburner, Revise makes the decision to allow the Fables' original stories to be reinstated, and distributes copies of the book containing them to everyone.[18] Sam is given his own book and meticulously reads through it. Revise finally unleashes a roaring volcano, marking the end of the Golden Boughs Retirement Village.[19] After the destruction, the Fables flee from the ashes of their former prison now filled with lava. Cuchulain and Kiviuq extend an invitation for him to join them on their quest for Fabletown, but Sam politely declines. He reveals that he has a peaceful and tranquil home in the Bahamas awaiting his return, a place where he will not have to "sweep a damn thing” less he wants to.[20]
Rewriting the story
Sam dumps Hansel off a cliff
Shortly aftwerward, Kevin Thorn recruits Sam and Hansel for advisors, hoping they can inspire him in writing his masterpiece: a brand new universe. Hansel is happy when they learn that Thorn intends to do away with the current universe, which Hansels considers depraved and fallen, but Sam is shocked.[21] Time and time again, Thorn attempts to end the story, but ends up failing. He learns this is because he is now haunted by his twin brother, Writer's Block. Sam has met writers struggling with writer's block before and advises Thorn to do what they did and take a break from his work and look at it later with fresher eyes. Hansel attempts to beau Writer's Block to death with his cane, but Sam grabs his arm and stops him, reminding him he cannot kill someone in cold blood, especially someone who is unable to protect themselves. Hansel argues that Thorn does not need to kill his brother for good, just for now (as Literals are immortal, much like many Fables).[22]
After numerous disagreements, Sam has had enough, and uses his superspeed to roll Hansel and his wheel chair away from Thorn's estate, and proceeds to dump Hansel out of the wheelchair and off a cliff. As he walks back, he attempts to come up with good arguments that he can use to persuade Thorn not to destroy existence, but when he returns, he discovers that Thorn has followed Hansel's advice and finally killed his brother (for now).[22] Sam then attempts to stop Thorn by convincing him to wash off his brother's blood in the shower, while Sam attempts to steal the pen. However, when he grabs the pen, it literally fries his brain, overloading it with information contained within the pen.[23] As punishment, Thorn rewrites Sam to live in complete isolation, unable to be seen or heard by anyone.[2]
However, upon Dex's creation of an alternate universe for Thorn and the Literals, Thorn and his pen are sent into this new realm before the door is permanently sealed.[2] Sam subsequently escapes the fate that Thorn wrote for him.[24]
Meeting the Wolf family
Sam somehow escapes the fate that Thorn wrote for him. After Fabletown is destroyed, he and Geppetto survey the wreckage of the Farm. Sam expresses his concerns when Geppetto talks of wanting to create a new Empire, but their conversation is quickly interrupted when Peter Pan appears. Wanting to talk to Geppetto alone, he forcefully shoves Sam through a portal which leads to the Homelands.[24] Sam crashes to the ground in the Hesse, startling the animals who are gathered in a meeting.[25]
Sam strides through the wilderness when Kit Helconer and his apprentice, Connor Wolf, appear. Helconer aggressively demands Sam's reason for being on this path, but Sam politely declines to answer, instead chiding him for his improper behavior.[26] Helconer then accuses him of being an evildoer based solely on the color of his skin. Connor is disgusted by Helconer's racism, but Sam insists that he can defend himself. He begins to run around Helconer in circles, readying himself to use his magic. Suddenly, Connor transforms into a massive creature and bites the man's head off. Noticing Sam has not eaten in a while, Conner kindly offers him an invitation to dine with his family.[27]
Sam offers advise to Connor Wolf
As they make their way towards the Wolf family camp, Connor expresses his disappointment in himself for sticking with Helconer for so long. But Sam offers a different perspective, saying that although mistakes need to be corrected, every wrong decision doesn't have to define you forever. He encourages Connor to seek out an alternative mentor. Sam spends several days with the Wolf family, and they provide him with meals while he lends a hand in constructing their new cabin. Blossom Wolf introduces him to her boyfriend, the son of Herne, the forest god.[27]
Helping the Wolf family
Five years later, Ambrose Wolf proudly presents Sam with the college of literature that he and Yosephesus Jadpoplar Kyrkogrim have been working on. Ambrose suggests that the institution should also focus on entomology, and Sam reveals that he has a longstanding curiosity for studying insects.[28]
After a mysterious massacre of animal Fables in the woods, Sam accompanies Bigby Wolf as the latter examines the corpses. Suddenly, Herne emerges to converse with Bigby and Jack in the Green. He announces himself as the only Protector of the Black Forest. Sam is alarmed as he understands that trouble is brewing.[29] He points out to Herne and Bigby that none of them had stopped the recent massacre from occurring. Herne insists he is working on regaining his abilities, but Sam doubts him, noting that Herne has been liberated from prison for quite a while now. Bigby claims he was taking care of his family at home, to which Sam responds that it makes no difference who is superior among them. Herne then scolds Sam for his impudent tongue, to which Sam admits it's a weakness he's had for his entire life.[30]
Sam runs off to round up the wolf cubs
Sam inquires Herne as to how they will decide which of them shall become the guardian, worried that it may require a fight to the death. Mrs. Bear, Jack's companion, proposes a more practical solution: why not compete to solve the crime instead? After agreeing on this solution, Sam follows Bigby as he searches for clues that will help him identify and locate the murderer. Bigby orders Sam to round up the cubs, even though he knows they can protect themselves. Sam runs faster than a rocket and quickly finds almost all of them and takes them home. Except Blossom; she's nowhere to be found. Without a moment to spare, Sam takes off again, leaving Snow White to ask Ghost to follow after him.[30]
Sam and Ghost manage to find Blossom right as Tinker Bell is seconds away from ending her life. Ghost uses his windy gifts to save his sister, flinging Tinker Bell around like a leaf in the wind. Thanks to Ghost's help, Sam and Blossom are able to get away unscathed and make it to the Wolf family abode. Once they arrive, they explain to Snow White and the other wolf cubs what Ghost did for them. Sam recounts that Ghost had handled Tinker Bell with ease, labeling the former as an "impressive kid." But their conversation is cut short when Tinker Bell suddenly appears in the house, looking for retribution.[31]
Tinker Bell traps Sam, Ambrose, Blossom, Connor, Snow and Winter in[31] hardened amber[32] before leaving.[31] Luckily, Connor and the wolf cubs are able to escape by changing into small insects. Snow reminds Connor that she and Sam do not have any shape-shifting abilities to escape, but Connor manages to break them free by transforming into a massive creature and shattering the amber encasing them. Snow ventures out with the four wolf cubs, determined to find Bigby. She informs Sam that he cannot come along, as this is a pack issue. She then asks if he is okay with staying back at the cabin and sending Ghost after them once he returns. Sam consents to her request.[32]
Once the Tinker Bell situation has been resolved, Sam remains dedicated to assisting the Wolf family in constructing their home. However, Iago Warduck, another volunteer who ends up staying with the family, tends to irritate him.[33]
Fatherhood
At some point, Sam returns to the mundane world, and spends many years working as an electrician in Yermo, California.[4] Decades after the destruction of the Golden Boughs,[34] his life has taken an interesting turn: After a one-night stand with Robin Page, he suddenly found himself a father to a little baby boy[9] named Sammy Junior.[8] Robin names the child's stuffed tiger "Butter" as a nod to Sam's powers, while Sam affectionately refers to the baby as his "little squirt-pants."[9]
One day, Sam's mundy boss inquires about his tenure at the company, as Sam has been working for the business since the time when the boss' father was in charge, and Sam was already very old at that point. However, Sam refuses to discuss the subject.[4] While Robin sets off to locate the lost books that Jack had had stolen, she leaves their child with Sam, who eagerly anticipates the opportunity to spend time with his son.[9] Shortly afterward, he is seen standing by his son's crib, gently assuring the child that everything will be okay.[34] However, Robin ends up being killed in a violent confrontation with a transformed Jack Horner, leaving Sam a single father.[35]
Sam at the Wolf family reunion one thousand years later
After some time, Sam comes back to the Hesse.[33] Now a young boy, his son also joins him in spending time with the Wolf family.[nb 1] As Sam proceeds to update the readers on what happened to the characters the following centuries, he directly addresses the readers, causing Iago to question who he is speaking to.[33]
Wolf family reunion
One thousand years after the destruction of Fabletown, Sam appears at the Wolf family reunion, having been invited due to his great-grandson having married Connor's great-great-granddaughter.[3]
Powers and abilities
| “ | Did you see that? Did you see what Sam-- No one can run that fast! | „ |
| ~ Jack Horner to Goldilocks in Jack of Fables #5 — "Jack, Off" |
- Immortality: As a Fable, Sam is immortal and extremely difficult to kill. A Fable's durability is allegedly dependent on how well known they and their story is to the mundies.
- Superhuman speed: Sam has the power to run at incredible speeds.[30]
- Transmutation: Sam can use his super speed to turn living creatures into butter.[10]
Appearances
Original source
Sam is based on the titular character of the 1899 children's book The Story of Little Black Sambo written and illustrated by Scottish author Helen Bannerman. The tale follows a little boy whose parents gift him with extravagant attire — a striking red coat, blue trousers, a green umbrella, and shoes in shades of purple and crimson. He takes a stroll through the jungle, only to come face to face with a pack of chatty tigers who want to eat him. In an attempt to discourage them, he presents each with a different accoutrement. The tigers immediately begin to bicker, each wanting to claim the title of "grandest" for themselves. They start to chase each other in circles around a tree, increasing their speed until they become a swirling mass of clarified butter. The boy retrieves his garments and carries the butter back to his mother, who uses it to whip up a stack of fluffy pancakes. He devours 169 of them in one sitting.[36]
Although many have assumed, because of the way the characters looked, that the story takes place in Africa, it actually takes place in India, where Bannerman lived for thirty years: In Africa, tigers are non-existent, but India is famous for this animal. Also, when the tigers twirl around the tree, the Indian word for butter, ghi, is used in parentheses.[36]
As alluded to by Mister Revise in Jack of Fables #5 — "Jack, Off," the book was met with controversy in the 20th century due to the stereotypical caricature style of Bannerman's illustrations, and the silly, demeaning names of the characters — Little Black Sambo; his mother, Black Mumbo; and father, Black Jumbo. The story is considered by many to be racist.[36] Kit Helconer's racist behavior toward Sam in Fables #156 — "The Black Forest Chapter Six: The Tinker Bell Dilemma" can be seen as an allusion to this.
References
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Notes
- ↑ In Fables #162 — "The Black Forest Chapter Twelve: Rightful Prey," a dark-skinned boy/teenager, wearing the same kind of outfit as Sam, is seen from behind, sitting by the table with Bigby's family; implying that the boy is Sammy Junior.
See also
| Jack of Fables | |
|---|---|
| Characters | Jack Horner • Kevin Thorn • Gary • Mr. Revise • Robin Page • Priscilla Page • Hillary Page • Jack Frost • Babe • Snow Queen • Wicked John • Alice |
| Locations | Fabletown • Golden Boughs Retirement Village |
| Fables | |
|---|---|
| Series | Fables • Jack of Fables • Fairest • Fables: The Wolf Among Us • Everafter: From the Pages of Fables |
| Specials | Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall • Peter & Max: A Fables Novel • Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love • Cinderella: Fables Are Forever • The Literals • Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland • Fairest: In All the Land • The Unwritten Fables • Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham |
| Characters | Bigby Wolf • Snow White • Rose Red • Prince Charming • Beauty • Beast • Boy Blue • Flycatcher • King Cole • Frau Totenkinder • Geppetto • Snow Queen • North Wind • Jack Horner • Bufkin |
| Video games | The Wolf Among Us • The Wolf Among Us 2 (unreleased) |
| Wolf family | |
|---|---|
| "Patmat" | Snow White • Bigby Wolf |
| The cubs | Winter • Blossom • Therese • Darien • Conner • Ambrose • Ghost |
| Allies | Beauty • Beast • Cinderella • Briar Rose • Boy Blue • King Cole • Prince Charming • Sam • Herne • Herne, son of Herne |
| Enemies | Mister Dark • Leigh Duglas • Prince Brandish • Peter Pan |
| Locations | Wolf Valley • The Hesse |
| Other relatives | North Wind • Winter • Lauda • Lauda's husband • Queen of the Silver Realm • Rose Red • West Wind • East Wind • South Wind • Etan Wolf • Lake • Tannika Wynn • Sam's great-grandson • Hel |