| “ | Who knew I'd have to stay a boy forever? The ditzy bitch interpreted my wish too literally. I'm over three centuries old and I still haven't gone through puberty. I want to grow up, want my balls to drop, and I want to get laid. | „ |
| ― Pinocchio airing his grievances to Cinderella, Fables #4 — "Chapter Four: Remembrance Day" |
Pinocchio is among the Fables who escaped to New York City and became a part of Fabletown. He debuts in Fables #4 — "Chapter Four: Remembrance Day." Originally a wooden puppet, Pinocchio wished to become a "real boy," a wish the Blue Fairy took literally as he then spent the next centuries stuck as a prepubescent boy.
History
The Homelands
After being carved from the Sacred Grove by his father Geppetto, Pinocchio was transformed into a real human boy of flesh and blood by the Blue Fairy. Following his transformation, he frequently escaped from his father to embark on numerous adventures. On one such adventure, he was accompanied by the Talking Cricket.[2] With time, it turned out that the Blue Fairy had taken his wish to become a real boy literally, as he became trapped in the form of a boy forever, unable to grow up into an adult.[6]
Fabletown
In Fabletown, Pinocchio lives with Boy Blue and the Talking Cricket in The Woodland building,[7] and he, Blue and Flycatcher are close friends; a tight-knit trio of comrades.[3]
During the invasion of the wooden soldiers, Pinocchio comes to believe that his father has been captured by the the Adversary and enslaved to create his wooden army.[8] The wooden soldiers have utmost respect for Pinocchio,[8] and he attempts to reason with them and is willing to give himself up to find his father. However, he is beheaded in battle and returned to his unliving puppet form.[9]
Brought back to the Homelands by Boy Blue, Pinocchio is eventually revived by Geppetto, who is revealed to be the true Adversary, and the figurehead Emperor is one of his many younger brothers.[2] This new discovery causes conflict in Pinocchio's loyalties. While he is fully aware of the evil deeds his father had committed, he still loves him and doesn't want any harm to come to him. Boy Blue, who is being held captive by Geppetto, escapes with Red Riding Hood back to Fabletown.[10]
The Empire
Pinocchio remains at Geppetto's side, and is present when Bigby Wolf destroys their home so as to deplete Geppetto's supply of enchanted Sacred Grove wood.[11] Geppetto hopes that Pinocchio will give out important details about the mundane world to strategize on;[12] however, the only information Pinocchio yields is that the mundane world is more advanced and war-ready than the Empire is led to believe. Geppetto's plans for war are delayed in light of the news.[13]
On Geppetto's birthday, Pinocchio presents him with a birthday gift of an animate wooden bug carved from some surviving pieces of the enchanted wood. A furious Geppetto hits Pinocchio twice, enraged that he has carved from the grove wood when only he is be allowed to do so. Upset at the sudden abuse,[14] Pinocchio flees[15] back to the mundane world, where he immediately contacts Fabletown,[16] providing them with vital information that allows them to defeat Geppetto's Empire.[17]
Physical description
Pinocchio is at least twelve centuries old,[10] but looks no older than eight or nine.[18]
Appearances
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Personality and traits
Pinocchio, despite his young appearance,[6] is rather brash.[19] After centuries stuck in his body, he wants to grow up, so he can enjoy the more grown up aspects of human life.[6] He is bitter and sullen, but also has a caring, softer side to him, and enjoys spending time with Boy Blue and Flycatcher,[19][20] with the three of them being close friends.[3] He is also willing to give himself up for Fabletown and his friends, which shows a more selfless side of him.[9] Even though Pinocchio is entirely aware of the evil acts his father has performed, he still holds love for him and desires that no harm comes his way.[10]
Original source
| “ | What the hell were they doing, writing so much about you and me and every other dumbshit Fable who never did anything important? | „ |
| ― Pinocchio to Flycatcher, Fables #82 — Waiting for the Blues (An Epilogue of Sorts for The Dark Ages)" |
Pinocchio is based on the titular character of The Adventures of Pinocchio, an 1883 children's fantasy novel by Italian author Carlo Collodi.
Trivia
- When he is first introduced, Pinocchio states that he is over three hundred years old,[6] and Bigby Wolf says the same thing during the Tommy Sharp operation.[21] This is retconned when Pinocchio is reunited with his father, where Pinocchio is revealed to be at least twelve centuries old.[10]
- As Pinocchio stands in line outside the Business Office, insisting on speaking with Fabletown's authorities, he is wearing a jacket with a wood screw motif on the shoulder; fitting for[22] a former wooden puppet.[2]
- Baba Yaga claims Pinocchio is a legend among the Empire.[19]
- According to Pinocchio, he comes from a small town, in a tiny kingdom, in one of the poorest and most insignificant of the old worlds.[19]