Fables is a comic book series created by Bill Willingham, published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint. It ran from 2002 to 2015. It follows a huge ensemble of characters from fairy tales / folklore who escaped from a being called "The Adversary" and now hide in a small community called Fabletown, which is located in modern-day New York City.
In 2005, NBC began working on a TV adaptation of Fables, but it was canceled soon after. However, a few years later, NBC created a show called Grimm that had a similar premise, yet differed from Fables enough to confirm that there was no connection.
In 2008, ABC began working on a TV adaptation of Fables, but it too was canceled soon after. However, a few years later, just like NBC, ABC released a show called Once Upon a Time, which had a similar premise, but it, too, differed from Fables enough to confirm that there was no connection.
In 2015, Warner Bros. was developing a film adaptation of Fables, but it too was canceled. It seems like every time Fables gets close enough to an on-screen adaptation, it gets canceled.
The characters of Fables aren't just the generic fairy tale characters. They're unique in their own ways. So are the storylines, which is how Fables fans know that there was never any connection between Fables and Grimm or Once Upon a Time. Those who have read the comics know how special this series is, and a live-action adaptation needs to be perfect.
