Review – Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 3 #1 (of 4) (BOOM!)

March 10, 2015

2–3 minutes

Publisher: BOOM! Studios (Archaia Imprint)
Writers/Artists: David Petersen, Mark Buckingham, Skottie Young, Hannah Christenson.
Release Date: 11th March, 2015

David Petersen’s ‘Mouse Guard’ is something of a phenomenon. For the uninitiated, he has created an extraordinary, beautiful, medieval civilisation of mice in a constant struggle to survive against predators, the seasons and each other. It’s a glorious sandpit that many writer/artists are keen to play in, and with the highly successful Legends of the Guard he gives free reign to their impulses.

In this world, there is a tavern like many others. Its proprietor lays down a regular wager to her clientele: if they tell her the best tale from all those assembled, their tab is cleared. This is a simple but effective narrative frame, written and illustrated by Petersen; it allows us to see a whole raft of different stylistic takes not only on his creation but a wonderful array of stories that delight with their elegance, tenderness and warm humour – though this is not to say that there is anything saccharine about the Legends.

The first, Buckingham’s ‘The Ghost and The Gosling’, has overtones of classic Aesopian fable with its greedy goose, luckless miller and portly guardsman. It’s a fun introduction to the tone and style, although arguably it is almost too similar to Petersen’s own look. Young’s whimsical tale of ‘The Mouse and the Moon’ couldn’t be more different: sparse, psychedelic and sincere, it’s a neat story with a clear and effective message. However, it’s Christenson’s story “The Armor Maker” that really shines of the three: it’s the one that most accurately captures the feel of Petersen’s world whilst remaining distinctive. The artistry is exceptional, with the exploded, almost diagrammatic art in places absolutely exquisite. The story itself is spot on, and would definitely get my vote for getting a clean slate at June’s Tavern.

To wrap it all up, we have a tremendous cover of a tortoise-riding caravan; Mouse Guard is a family favourite here, and I recommend it to one and all.

Rating 5/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
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