Parents may want to give this one a look-over before handing it to their children, if only so they can be prepared to discuss the more difficult material in an effective way. There are a handful of scenes where the lack of color makes it difficult to discern between foreground and background and sometimes causes characters to blend into the background, but these are few and far between.įinally, though the premise of the text-a world inhabited by mice!- lends itself to the realm of children’s literature, this text includes multiple deaths and at least one murder, albeit alongside some detailed exploration of ethics, and one especially haunting scene wherein a group of crows mourn the loss of one of their own. Petersen’s selected settings also prove useful for the development of craft the text includes several ocean and forest scenes that demand attention to detail on the page, and Petersen largely delivers.
The black-and-white color scheme is fitting for the text’s setting - a fantasy space that feels a little like England, except this England is inhabited only by non-human animals and generally contributes to the part-fantasy, part-medieval mis-en-scene. This particular version is printed in black and white to give readers the most direct experience of Petersen’s manuscript. These features operate meta-textually, as well the journey’s success relies equally on compelling secret-keeping and good note-taking, and Em keeps a detailed journal that maintains the same aesthetic. Each chapter includes a heading page that features elements of medieval manuscript, such as ornate letter art and calligraphy. Celanwe and Em are both compelling characters, and their quest is easy to invest in. They’re badasses.įree Press columnist Dan Brown moderates London’s L.A.The setting and tone of the story, both of which are well supported by the art and pacing, are charming and make this text a pleasant read. I almost felt sorry for the (much larger) animals that the Guard mice go up against. Welcome back to the world of mice in the third collected volume of the Eisner Award-winning and critically acclaimed fantasy comic.Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Comics & Graphic.
His powerful storytelling transcends most talking-animal tales so that readers forget they are reading about tiny furry creatures with swords. Petersen has created a milieu within which he can explore issues of love, honour and courage in the face of impossible odds.
in his characters.Īt least one strand of the story was powerful enough to bring me to the verge of tears, which is why Mouse Guard may be my favourite comic right now. He also has a knack for finding the essential. Petersen, who is based in Michigan, does a fantastic job of creating a believable world that is gorgeously rendered.
The mice of the title are sort of like Jedi Knights: Since the colonies they protect are in far-flung locations separated by wild terrain, the Guard’s members act as a police force to keep trade routes open, defend against common enemies and rescue the lost. The Black Axe, the latest collection of David Petersen’s work, is billed as a prequel, although I’d argue it’s more of a sidequel - it helps to have read the first two books, but is not absolutely necessary.
#Read mouse guard the black axe series
What does a series about sentient mice living in a medieval society have to do with Star Wars?īut if you enjoy the blend of action, mysticism and sheer fun George Lucas whipped up in his films about Luke Skywalker, then you should be reading Mouse Guard, which reminds me of all the reasons why I fell in love with comics in the first place. Mouse Guard: The Black Axe is the best Star Wars story I’ve read in years.
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