Mouse Guard – Winter: 1152 #3

By David Petersen

After months of delays, issue #3 has arrived. I’ll be frank. It had been so long since the last issue came out that I almost didn’t buy this book out of protest and was just going to wait for the inevitable trade to come out next year (or whenever). I mean, this book was so late that I feared I’d forgotten too much of Winter: 1152’s story. Thankfully, David Petersen was smart enough to put a synopsis page at the beginning. With a few paragraphs I was right back where I left off. Whew!

I am so glad I bought this issue. I know it’s not really fair to make comparisons between the two, but the thing I like about this book over The Mice Templar is how Petersen is able to tell an engaging story without the use of much dialogue. His characters talk concisely and yet still manage to emit a lot of personality. The other thing I like is that the mice aren’t the only ones who can talk or have intelligence – all the creatures in this series have minds of their owns and aren’t limited to being “primitive”.

So what do we get from this issue? Bats, snow, and owls! The conspiracy against Lockhaven’s shield bearer is briefly touched upon in the beginning, but it goes largely ignored. And that’s fine, I can wait with that. We finally learn a bit more about the legend of the Black Axe. Though we’re not told the whole story, we’re given just enough to be left wanting more. Then there’s the whole sequence with the bats that is the centerpiece of the story and boy, is it awesome. The history of their race and the way they’re portrayed is just wonderful.

Despite being months late, Petersen gets a pass for coming back and delivering a strong, fun-filled adventure. His art really shines this issue (I think this is his best art yet) and his double page splash with the bats is incredible. I’m drooling for issue #4. Please don’t be late! (Grade: A)

– J. Montes

The Mice Templar #3 – Review

By: Bryan J.L. Glass (script), Michael Avon Oeming (art), Wil Quintana (colors)

Many people will undoubtedly compare The Mice Templar to Mouse Guard, and rightfully so. Both have come on to the comic book scene very recently and both touch upon similar medieval settings. The similarities end there, however. The Mice Templar’s world seems more adult, dangerous, and broad in scope. More epic, too. Don’t let the mouse theme get in the way of choosing one book over the other; I think both titles are distinguishably different and worth picking up.

Issue #3 continues to follow the “hero’s journey”. Karic and Pilot continue their trek across the Barren Lands and run into a horde of flesh eating ants. Meanwhile, Karic’s family continue on their prisoner march with the rats that captured them. The rats come across as ruthless warriors, running down and killing deer and smacking around their prisoners. Eventually, Karic finds himself alone without Pilot to protect him. This is when things get interesting and we’re left with a cliffhanger (dang it!).

Bryan Glass and Michael Avon Oeming have a nice story developing here – I just hope they don’t slow down the momentum; unlike the first two issues, there’s less story progression. The issue is meaty, though – coming in with 26 pages of story, plus a few more pages of supplemental material. At $2.99 it’s a heck of a deal. (Grade: B-)

– J.Montes