I'm a bit late in reviewing this small-press comic, but there's no denying it has a buzz going for it that we haven't see for such a small-press book in some time, perhaps since Bone debuted. The comparison is apt, as it boasts some of the same fantasy, charm and the rural setting as Jeff Smith's opus. The plot for this debut issue is rather simple, so it's the art that really grabs the reader and draws one into this unlikely, Secret of Nihm-esque world. Mouse Guard #1 has already sold out at the distrbutor level, but fortunately, a second printing has been announced. Those who wouldn't normally give a lesser known book or publisher a second look would be well advised to seek out that re-release.
A trio of the finest the Mouse Guard has to offer -- Lieam, Kenzie and Saxon -- head out into the forested land between mouse communities in search of a rice farmer who went missing on his way to sell his wares in the other town. The three mouseketeers (sorry, couldn't resist) happen upon the farmer's overturned cart but find no trace of him, not even blood. They do encounter some trouble in the form of a scaly, slitering behemoth, and the least experienced of the three warriors is determined to take the beast head on despite his colleagues' warnings.
Petersen's artwork is rich in its level of detail, but he's not exactly striving for a sense of realism. There's a down-to-earth but magical quality to the visuals. I'm reminded of Mike Mignola's art at several points in this book, and Peterson's work also puts me in mind of Pubo creator Leland Purvis's style. I love the texture the artist brings to the protagonists' fur, and he manages to action the unusual action and motion of this story incredibly well. The color adds a lot to the book, reinforcing the rich, lush quality of the wooded backdrop and adding a little bit more magic to the story.
Petersen's dialogue manages to convey the radically different nature of a society of intelligent mice but at the same time still humanizes them. More importantly, we get a strong sense of the strong and varied personalities among the three heroes of the story. The creator gives us a clear idea of their experience, instinct and intelligence through the dialogue as well. I have to admit, I even like how the lettering font adds to the medieval and fantastic tone of the story and characters.
I was surprised but pleased to see that Peterson shows his heroes to be somewhat brutal in nature when they can and have to be. Their attack on the vulnerable nest of an enemy teeters on the edge of being barbaric. Their actions make perfect sense, but they seem to take a little pleasure in the unsavory task. The plot of the rescue/recovery mission is simple enough, but the creator wisely hints at a more complex story to come with the revelation at the end of the issue. It's a smart move, as it draws the reader further into the world of Mouse Guard and eager to learn what comes next. 8/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
