written and illustrated by David
Petersen
published by Archaia
Studios Press
reviewed by Cellblock
02.19.2009
I do not
know a lot about Archaia Studios Press, but I do know
that the several series’ put out by them have a tremendous amount of quality
and talent involved. The leader of the
power pack is a series called Mouse Guard.
This gem is exactly what it sounds like: Medieval mice fighting for their land
and livelihood against hunger, the elements, and enemies both within and
abroad. The series is divided into
seasons and years, and I managed to get my hands on Fall 1152 and most of the Winter
1152. The characters are wild, and
diverse with artistry that reflects David Petersen’s genius as a storyteller.
The
storyline revolves around an elite unit of guardsmen who specialize in weather
watching, ranging, and survival. Their
borders are constantly probed by weasels, rats, cats, and rogue bands of mice
looking to loot lone outposts. In the hardcover
Fall edition, maps and routes as well as several
splash pages are included in the appendix.
The winter issues I had read were of traditional magazine/comic book
stock.
Don’t let
the concept jade you, the storyline is gripping and relevant. The mice are as
far from cartoonish as Rasputin was from sane. Everything about Mouse Guard is pleasing to the senses. The colors and font are mesmerizing and even
the paper quality is spot on. This is
undoubtedly the best independent series I have reviewed in a long time and look
forward to further issues.
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MOUSE
GUARD: Legends of the Guard #1 (of 4)
David
Petersen (Author, Artist), Jeremy
Bastian (Author, Artist), Alex
Sheikman (Author, Artist), Ted
Naifeh (Author, Artist), Guy
Davis (Author, Artist), Katie
Cook (Author, Artist), Karl
Kerschl (Author, Artist), Craig
Rousseau (Author), Mark
S. Smylie (Author), Lowell
Francis (Author), Alex
Kain (Author), Gene
Ha (Author), Sean
Rubin (Author)
published by Archaia
Entertainment
(2010)
reviewed by Jordan M. Bobé
06.01.10
The first volume of the Mouse Guard series sets up a unique scenario. All of
the mice that have been accumulating a tab at June Alley Inn are given the task
of telling June a story that cannot be completely true, nor can it be
completely false, and must be something that he has never heard before. The
mouse that tells the best story will have his tab forgiven, while all of the
losers will have only seven days to pay what they owe.
The remainder of the comic is three stories, each written and drawn by a
different artist.
The first is a tale of slavery and battle written and drawn by Jeremy Bastian.
It is entitled “The
The second is a story about true bravery written and drawn by Ted Naifeh. “A Bargain in the Dark” is a yarn about love and
the strength and courage it can afford you. It was equally well written and,
though the art was a bit different than the rest in this story, it was very
well drawn.
The third story is entitled “Oleg the Wise” and is written and drawn by Alex Sheikman, with coloring done by Scott Keating. The third
and final tale in the collection is a brilliant way to end the first comic in
this series. Alex’s art flowed the best with the
artwork in the interludes and introduction done by David Peterson.
All in all, it was an incredibly well written book appropriate for all
audiences with morals that should be passed on to our children. While I am sure
that it will make you think it will also entertain you. I cannot think of
anyone who would not find this comic enjoyable.
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MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD #3
(2010)
stories and art by David Peterson, Katie Cook, Guy Davis,
Nate Pride, and Jason Shawn Alexander
special guest writer Edgar Allen Poe
addition art (colors) by Travis Ingram