| “ | Look for the others who are fighting back--that's what I'm going to do. | „ |
| ~ Jack Pumpkinhead to Lily Martagon, Fables #101 — "The Ascent." |
Jack Pumpkinhead is a Fable from the land of Oz, who first appears in a brief flashback in Fables #4 — "Chapter Four: Remembrance Day." He becomes part of Bufkin's resistance movement in their Homeland.
History[]
The Invasion[]
Little is known about the early years of Jack Pumpkinhead. He was brought to life through the utilization of a container filled with the mystical substance known as Powder of Life.[2]
Later, Jack is seen running through the forest alongside a large crowd of Fable people, closely pursued by the Adversary's troops.[3]
Meeting Bufkin[]
After the Empire was defeated, the Nome King seized power of Oz and its neighbourling lands, and declared himself Emperor. Jack Pumpkinhead was drafted into the Nome King's press gangs, who were forced into building a road across the Deadly Desert. He managed to escape with fellow draftees Bungle and Sawhorse, however, the Nome King's enforcers were on to them right away and pursued them all the way to the neighboring Land of Ev. By the time Bufkin encounters the trio, the pursuers are hot on their trail. Riding Sawhorse, Jack urges his four-legged companions to increase their speed due to the approaching enemy.[1]
A mixture of astonishment and delight washes over Jack as he witnesses Bufkin's drop a banana peel from a lunch box tree, causing the two Rumble Tumble Toms to slip and become separated from the snooker balls they are using for transportation. One of the balls falls into the ocean, while the other remains on the ground, prompting the three friends to assist Bufkin in pushing the giant snooker ball into the ocean.[1]
Bungle ponders the reason behind Bufkin's assistance, considering that all the flying monkeys are under the command of the Nome King. However, Bufkin discloses that he is not affiliated with the Nome King's Air Force. Drawing from Bufkin's lack of wings, Jack surmises that the Air Force must forcibly remove the wings of flying monkeys when they are expelled from their military roles. Bufkin, however, makes it clear that he is no longer a part of the Air Force and hasn't been for a very long time. Jack inquires if Bufkin is part of the resistance, but Bungle urges him to remain silent, emphasizing the need to avoid any discussion about the subject. They move to a more private spot, where no one can overhear them.[1]
As they converse quietly near the warmth of the fire, Sawhorse explains that while they were in the press gang, they were forced to building a road across the Deadly Desert, linking Oz proper to the other countries conquered by the Nome King. Bufkin, who is well-versed, notes that this idea is logical and that Rome taught the mundane world that the secret to a successful empire is a well-developed road infrastructure. Jack is puzzled about who Rome, but declares his intention to seek out like-minded individuals who are resisting the tyranny of the Nome King. The four of them and Bufkin's tiny companion, Lily Martagon, secretly establish a resistance movement. Bufkin mistakenly calls Jack "Jack Melonhead," but Jack promptly corrects him by stating that his actual name is "Pumpkinhead."[1]
Robbing the Bunker[]
Jack, standing with the others in front of the Deadly Desert, elaborates on the roads crossing the Deadly Desert, confirming that there are many public rest stops and way stations along the way. He, Bungle and Sawhorse warn Bufkin that these roads are all monitored by the Nome King's enforcers. Suddenly, a flying monkey from the Air Force swoops down towards them. Jack is taken aback as Bufkin murders the monkey in cold blood. They proceed down one of the roads, with Bufkin assuming the role of an Air Force member and pretending that Jack, Bungle, and Sawhorse are his captives.[4]
Upon arriving at a heavily guarded bunker brimming with magic items, the group deliberates on how to infiltrate it. Lily Marangon addresses Jack as "Melonhead," but he kindly corrects her by stating that he is actually called "Pumpkinhead." Bufkin proposes tunneling underneath and entering from below, but Jack and Sawhorse point out the futility of this plan due to the Nomes' control over the underworld. Jack is not enthusiastic about digging, as he considers it to be tough. He escaped the press gang in order to avoid digging altogether.[5]
Bungle suggests seeking out General Blug, the one Nome who harbors more animosity towards the Nome King than they do. However, their discussion is interrupted when they are discovered by the Yoop and two Kalidahs. They all flee for their lives, with Jack shouting that it's "every gourd for himself" (as opposed to "every man for himself").[5] However, the tension eases when the Kalidahs Yoop and the Yoop explain that he no longer wishes to serve the Nome King, but rather want to support their revolution.[6]
The rebels find General Blug and attempt to convince him and his troops to join their cause. Jack assumes the role of elucidating to the General the significance of extensive excavation, underscoring that only genuine Nomes possess the expertise to carry out this endeavor inconspicuously, without alerting the Nome King. Unfortunately, Bufkin is discovered and apprehended by the Air Force.[6]
Blug's presence on the team enable them to dig into the bunker from below and steal all the enchanted weapons. Jack is delighted when he finds a box of Powder of Life, saying that it is practically his own mother and father in a box.[2] Lily Marangon utilizes enchanted spectacles to glimpse into Bufkin's imminent future. Overwhelmed with panic, she hastily rushes towards Jack, who is peacefully dozing beside one of the Kalidahs. Urgently, she commands him to awaken, referring to him as a "lazy gourd." In a drowsy state, he inquires about the cause of her distress, to which she reveals that Bufkin is destined to face execution.[7]
Revolution in Oz[]
However, Bufkin successfully manages to flee and rejoins the rest of the group. Jack is delighted to have his boss back and welcomes him with open arms.[8] They proceed with their planning. Bufkin proposes the idea of offering a reward for the capture of the Nome King. Jack thinks it's a great idea. However, Bungle points out that they lack the necessary treasure for the bounty, unless they are willing to part with all the magical items they worked hard to acquire. Eventually, they decide to offer a modest bounty instead, aiming to embarrass and provoke the Nome King. [9] Later, Bungle reports to Bufkin and Jack that the Nome King has gone crazy and is killing everyone in the Emerald City.[10]
During an air strike on the Nome King's soldiers by winged monkeys[11] that Bufkin controls with the Golden Cap,[10] Lily Martagon remarks that the latter is very well-read. Jack misunderstands the word "well-read" as "well-red," and replies, "Really? Looks sort of bluish to me." The victorious monkeys bestow praise upon Bufkin, declaring him as the only wingless monkey capable of flight, leaving Jack utterly bewildered. Seeking clarification, he questions the meaning behind this assertion. In a state of fluster, Bufkin attempts to explain that his aim was to convey a poetic essence rather than a strictly literal interpretation.[11]
Following the demise of the Nome King, a jubilant celebration commences. Bufkin declines the opportunity to become the new Emperor of Oz, prompting Jack to offer himself as a replacement. Bufkin then converses with Bungle, Jack, and Sawhorse. He admits that he thinks of himself as a Beowulf to their Hrotgar, but Jack does not understand the reference and says that pumpkins don't come down with hrotgars. Bufkin announces that the revolution is over and now the hard work of governing remains, which is the job that they will now take on. Jack protests when Bufkin refers to them as his fine trio of "doughty lieutenants," saying that they're mostly sticks and glass. Rather than picking a new emperor, Lily Martagon and Bufkin advise them to dismantle the Nome King's Empire and break it into its original component kingdoms, or form new ones. Then Jack, Bungle, Sawhorse and just about everybody who helped them could be kings.[12]
Fabletown[]
It appears that Jack eventually established a residence in Fabletown. He joins the other Fables at Castle Dark to prepare for their return to the Homelands, under the guidance of Flycatcher for magical repatriation. As Jack hugs Cinderella goodbye, he can be observed with a few suitcases beside him. Despite that, he continues to don his striped prisoner uniform from his previous involvement in the Nome King's press gang, albeit with a green T-shirt layered over it.[13]
Appearances[]
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Trivia[]
Jack Pumpkinhead is based on the character of the same name from the Oz books. Initially introduced as a main character in The Marvelous Land of Oz, the second installment of the Oz series penned by L. Frank Baum, he made frequent appearances in the following books. Jack possesses an exceptionally tall and slender physique constructed from tree branches and connected with wooden pegs. His head is a sizable jack-o'-lantern, hence his name (unlike typical jack-o'-lanterns, his head still contains pumpkin seeds and guts, serving as his brain substitute).
Tip, a young boy, created Jack with the intention of frightening his guardian, an elderly witch named Mombi. To dress Jack, Tip retrieved a set of old garments from Mombi's chest, including purple trousers, a red shirt, a pink vest adorned with white polka dots, and stockings. Additionally, he equipped Jack with a pair of his own shoes. Upon catching sight of Jack, Mombi was on the verge of destroying him completely. However, she opted to experiment with her new Powder of Life on Jack instead. Miraculously, the powder proved effective, and Jack was brought to life. Jack's intelligence is not renowned, as it appears to fluctuate based on the quality and quantity of seeds within his pumpkin-shaped head. Nevertheless, he frequently surprises others with sporadic pearls of wisdom and common sense.
References[]