| “ | That ain't no water, lady. That's blood. Which isn't a good thing, right? You human-type Fables aren't supposed to bleed like a stuck pig when you drop a calf, right? | „ |
| ~ The White Rabbit to Beauty, Fables #100 — "Single Combat" |
The White Rabbit[1] is an animal Fable who comes in two incarnations, after first appearing as a statue in Fables #4 — "Chapter Four: Remembrance Day":
The most prominent version is also known as the Edwardian Rabbit,[2] and lives at the Farm. He debuts in Fables #9 — "Warlord of the Flies: Part Four of Animal Farm" and tends to show up as a background character among the crowds, occasionally interacting with the odd Fable.
A revised version of the character is a former prisoner at the Golden Boughs Retirement Village and first appears in Jack of Fables #48 — "The Impaled Wild Man! The Third Ingredient in the Most Unabashedly Genius Jack of Fables Story in Human History!"
History
First incarnation
Goldilocks' revolution
During Goldilocks' revolution attempt at the Farm, the White Rabbit stands among the many animal Fables gathered in the Farm square. 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 commands all individuals to relinquish their firearms and disperse. The White Rabbit expresses disbelief, asking, "What?" Snow takes action by compelling the surrender of the group through the intimidation of the three giant brothers, and the dragon Clara. The rabbit observes as a vehicle carrying additional support from Fabletown pulls up to assist.[4]
The new neighbors
As Snow White settles into the Farm with her newborn cubs, the White Rabbit joins the multitude of animal Fables who assemble to greet their new neighbor in the Farm square.[5]
Upon the arrival of a newcomer at the Farm, the White Rabbit and a few other animal Fables quickly dash off to investigate the identity of the visitor. The White Rabbit cries out, "Strangers!" It is revealed that the newcomer is none other than the North Wind, the grandfather of the cubs.[6]
Following the mysterious demise of Mary's Little Lamb, the White Rabbit, accompanied by an anthropomorphic teddy bear, observes as Doctor Swineheart carefully investigates the body within the Farm square. Meanwhile, the North Wind elucidates that the culprit behind this unfortunate incident is likely a rogue Zephyr. Subsequently, as spring progresses, the White Rabbit and the teddy bear are spotted sitting together on the lawn, engrossed in a tranquil conversation.[7]
Later, the White Rabbit watches with a troubled expression as Rose Red scolds the Wolf cubs for their frolicking in the Farm square.[8]
The White Rabbit is also 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.[9]
Fabletown-Imperial war
The White Rabbit is one of the animal Fables who attends a gathering in the Farm square, where Boy Blue presents the Farm's Fables with an opportunity to move to Haven and start fresh.[10]
The White Rabbit joins the war between Fabletown and the Empire, and attends a meeting where Bigby Wolf gives instructions to the soldiers stationed at Fort Bravo.[11] During the battle at Fort Bravo, he fights courageously with a gun alongside his fellow animal Fables.[12] When it is believed that Prince Charming has perished, the White Rabbit is observed weeping.[13]
The White Rabbit later attends Prince Charming's funeral.[14]
Threat of Mister Dark
"Fight in the main square!"
As Mister Dark sets out on his quest to bring retribution to all the Fables residing in the mundane world, all the city Fables are relocated to the Farm.[15] As Bigby Wolf and Beast engage in a brutal fight in the Farm square, Red Cap the Troll and the White Rabbit eagerly rush over to witness the spectacle. "Fight! Fight!" cheers Red Cap, while the White Rabbit chimes in, "Fight in the main square!"[16]
As Rose Red and Jack Horner are having loud sex in Rose's bedroom, the White Rabbit joins a group of animal Fables assembled at the staircase, all eagerly listening to the commotion from upstairs. Afterward, he attends a gathering where Jack Horner, pretending to be the resurrected Boy Blue, addresses the Fables in the Farm square. Jack Frost then arrives at the Farm to meet his father, and politely addresses the White Rabbit by saying, "Excuse me, good squire," and inquires about the whereabouts of Jack Horner. Despite that, the White Rabbit claims he has no knowledge of what the word "skwyver" means. He confidently proclaims his identity as a rabbit and boasts about his achievements as a war hero, being trained in firearms and skilled enough to kill a man with just his left ear alone at close range.[3]
When Jack Frost goes after Jack Horner, the White Rabbit joins a team of animal Fables who rally to the latter's defense. After discovering that Jack Horner had merely been pretending to be Boy Blue, the rabbit teams up with an enraged crowd who demands that Sheriff Beast surrenders Jack for retribution.[17]
The White Rabbit is one of the Fables who watches as the dryads; Princess Alder and Prince Aspen, arrive at the main square of the Farm, accompanied by their new employer, Geppetto. He later joins King Noble and Brock Blueheart in a discussion about whether the Fabletown Compact is still valid, since it was in the Woodland building when was destroyed.[18]
He later watches as Rose Red addresses her fellow Fables after finally overcoming her long depression. Following that, the rabbit attends the meeting where Rose speaks to the Fables about the complaints, concerns, advice, and demands of the Farm residents.[19]
As Beauty, heavily pregnant, thinks that her water has broken, the White Rabbit is quick to realize that it isn't water: Beauty is bleeding profusely. The rabbit points out the concerning fact that humans are not supposed to experience excessive bleeding during childbirth, using the colloquial phrase "bleed like a stuck pig." The rabbit's comment upsets one of the Three Little Pigs, who inquires if there was any need for him to make such a hurtful remark towards pigs. Following Frau Totenkinder's victory over Mister Dark, the rabbit 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.[20]
Kingdom of Haven
In Haven, 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. A rabbit with white fur — either the White Rabbit or Br'er Rabbit — is among those present for the sermon.[21]
Return to the Farm
When the Fables are celebrating Christmas at the Farm, the White Rabbit joins the Three Blind Mice and Chicken Little in a lively line dance.[22]
Later on, the White Rabbit is observed donning a purple waistcoat as he strolls through the Farm square following a lively night of festivities at the Farm.[23]
The glamour crusade
One day, the White Rabbit joins the other Fable creatures 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. The White Rabbit questions Reynard about his pairing with Lady Maeve, and Reynard self-assuredly declares that she cannot resist his charms. 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. The White Rabbit 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.[24]
Shortly afterward, the White Rabbit 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.[25]
Several weeks later, the White Rabbit attend the grand Lottery drawing, and is one of the lucky winners. Ready to receive his glamour, he is paired with Colonel Thunderfoot as his human chaperone. With the glamour spell successfully cast, the White Rabbit admires his new human form. However, upon seeing how his rabbit clothes look on his transformed body, he starts to question if he should have chosen a different outfit for this transformation. He suddenly becomes aware of his chaperone, Thunderfoot, who has undergone a complete transformation into a rabbit due to a mishap by Mister Sunflower. Fortunately, Morgan le Fay is able to rectify the situation.[2]
Goodbye to the Farm
The White Rabbit can be spotted in a panel among a group of animal Fables at the Farm bidding farewell to the readers in Fables #150.[26]
Wondering where to go next
As a result of some of the human Fables accidentally being transformed into animals during the glamour casting, the Farm is partially wrecked.[2] Standing amidst the ruins of the Farm, the White Rabbit 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. The rabbit ponders where they will go when the mundys descend upon them, and Brock reminds him that he can go anywhere he wants, as they are finally free to roam wherever they choose.[27]
Second incarnation
A revised version of the White Rabbit is seen sitting at the counter in the Dino Diner when Raven shares with his fellow Fables his plans of finding Fabletown.[28]
He is later killed by Jack Horner in dragon form, alongside the Carpenter, the Hatter, and the Butcher, Baker and Candlestick Maker. His dying words as the dragon fatally flings him through the air are "mommy!"[29]
Alternate universe
An alternate version of the first incarnation of the White Rabbit appears in The Unwritten Fables, which takes place in an alternate universe where Mister Dark was never defeated. As the remaining citizens of Fabletown prepare for battle in the Haven, the rabbit is seen running through the magic grove while carrying a dagger.[30] After the battle, a sad rabbit stands beside a body being draped in a shroud. Upon Bigby Wolf's reunion with the group following his release from captivity, the rabbit is seen helping himself to punch while the Fables celebrate with a party.[31] Later, he attends a meeting led by Frau Totenkinder where she shares the 13th Floor magicians' strategy for saving the remaining Fables. Nevertheless, the White Rabbit expresses his lack of enthusiasm, stating that witches won't talk straight unless coerced at gunpoint; he is quick to clarify, however, that he possesses neither a firearm nor an opposable thumb, nor does he have any desire to obtain such things.[32] He also observes the Fables as they transport the felled trees from the sacred grove to make new wooden soldiers for Flycatcher.[33]
Appearances
Fables
Fables #4 (first appearance; as statue)
First incarnation
|
Second incarnation
Jack of Fables
- Jack of Fables #48 (first appearance)
- Jack of Fables #50
Original source
Both incarnations of the character are based on the White Rabbit from the children's novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1856) by Lewis Carroll. The White Rabbit, a recurring character in the story, is depicted wearing a waistcoat, carrying a pocket watch, and always in a great hurry, dreading the Duchess' reaction to his delay. The White Rabbit's presence sparks Alice's curiosity, ultimately leading to her fateful plunge into the rabbit hole.[34]
The White Rabbit is first introduced in the opening chapter of the book, and appears to be running late for his job with the Duchess. Alice then proceeds to follow him into Wonderland down the rabbit hole. Their paths cross anew when he mistakes her for his housemaid Mary Ann, and she becomes trapped inside his house after an unexpected growth spurt. In the concluding chapters, the Rabbit resurfaces as a herald in the Queen of Hearts' court. Always in a state of nervousness and haste, the White Rabbit still exhibits a sufficient level of confidence to oppose the King of Hearts.[35]
The Farm iteration of the character wears a large ruff around his neck,[4] just like the character does in John Tenniel's illustration for the scene where the White Rabbit acts as a herald for the Queen of Hearts.[36] The Golden Boughs version, on the other hand, wears a waistcoat[28] and carries a pocket watch,[29] just like the White Rabbit does for most of the book.[34] However, the Farm iteration is observed donning a long waistcoat following a lively night of festivities at the Farm.[23]
Trivia
- In Fables #4 — "Chapter Four: Remembrance Day," some of the Fables are shown gathering by a statue of Alice and the White Rabbit on Remembrance Day. This is a real statue known as the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, which can be found in New York City's Central Park. It was made by Jose de Creeft in 1959.[37]
- The Fables Encyclopedia erroneously states that the White Rabbit debuts in the scene where Snow White and Rose Red walk in on the animal Fables' secret meeting in Fables #6 — "Road Trip: Part One of Animal Farm."[1] However, the rabbit in question is actually Br'er Rabbit.
References
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