Gretel

Lore & Background

In the original story, Gretel outwitted and defeated a cannibalistic witch to save her brother. In the Fables continuity, this history establishes her as someone accustomed to lethal stakes from childhood. Upon arriving in Exile, she adapted quickly to modern weaponry and tactics, becoming one of the more physically imposing members of the community.

Her time in Fabletown is marked by tragedy and growth. The early loss of Hansel during conflicts with wolf adversaries hardened her resolve. Over time, she moved past pure vengeance, integrating into the town's security apparatus. Her partnership with Bigby Wolf became central to her later life, offering a rare sense of peace amidst the constant threat posed by the Adversary and other enemies.

In Their Own Story

The woods behind Fabletown were silent, save for the crunch of boots on dry leaves. Gretel paused, her rifle raised instinctively as she scanned the tree line. She didn't need to see the enemy to feel their presence; years of hunting had tuned her senses like a finely strung bow. Beside her, Bigby shifted his weight, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark. They weren't just guarding a perimeter tonight; they were protecting the fragile peace everyone else enjoyed while they stood watch.

Reader's Guide

Real Name: Gretel | Origin Tale: Hansel and Gretel (Brothers Grimm)

Upon arriving in Fabletown, Gretel quickly adapted to the modern world, utilizing her survival instincts from the fairy tale woods. She works alongside other Fables to maintain security within their hidden community, often taking on dangerous missions outside town limits as a hunter or enforcer. Her demeanor is stoic and pragmatic, forged by the trauma of losing her brother, Hansel, during the early days of exile against wolf adversaries.

Personality-wise, she is fiercely protective and physically formidable, preferring direct action over diplomacy. Key relationships define her arc, most notably her enduring romance with Bigby Wolf, which bridges their shared history as hunters and survivors. She also maintains strong ties with Snow White and the leadership council regarding town safety. Major plot arcs involve her participation in the war against the Adversary and navigating the complex politics of Fabletown while balancing her personal grief with new love. Her story highlights resilience amidst supernatural warfare.

Did You Know?

• Britannica's Tales Around the World is also referred to as Britannica's Fairy Tales from Around the World and Familiar Tales Around the World.
• The series was released direct-to-video in 1990.
• The series opens in a computer-generated landscape containing a floating castle and the planet Earth in the background.
• Pat Morita explains the significance of each of the three stories in the series.
• The series includes the tale 'Hansel and Gretel' as one of its featured stories.