Comic Book Day 08-22-07 - Mouse Gaurd Winter 1152

Here's another great book from Archaia Studio Press that I had the opportunity to pick up at Comic Con. Everything is done by David Peterson, who I must say is quite talented. Story picks up after the Fall of 1152 storyline. The original Black Axe has joined the Guard again, as the best of the Guard have been sent out to get supplies and necessities for the main city, whose name escapes me at the moment. One of their own is sick and they need to get medicine to them, the doctor's have given the sick guard a day and our troops are at least 3 away. The thing I like about Mouse Guard is that there's a lot going on, but not a lot of story at the same time. Really I've already ruin the entire issue for you and yet if you read it you'll still be, or should still be interested in it. This is due mostly in how it's presented. Archaia loves to break traditional comic book format, having books that are taller then current standards, or in Mouse Guards case being short and wide. Peterson's art and color are fantastic and just work so well with the format and story, that you have to wonder when someone else's is going to be bold enough to try it as well. Image Comics has a mouse book coming out as well, The Mice Templar, which hits a little too close for comfort. Mouse Guard has been great so far and with the new series out, it doesn't show any signs of letting up. The hardcover for Fall 1152, is out now as well and is a great read and full of extras if you're interested in catching up with the series. You don't need to but you'll probably want to after reading the first issue of Winter 1152. As always, visit Archaia's site as well as Mr. Peterson's site. Also buy the book after reading two of my favorite pages from the book after the break. Enjoy!

Oh I forgot to mention, this is a new weekly article/blog I will be doing where I review a book that's come out that week. So every Wednesday you can stop by and see what I'm reading that week and what's worth putting in your comic collection... or not worth putting in your collection. I'll still review comics from that week later on the week so look for updates all the time! Thanks for reading.

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Killing Pickman - Archaia Studio Press

Indie Comic Time! Sometimes we all get caught up in what the big 2 are doing and forget about the little guys. The big 2 if you didn't know are Marvel and DC comics. Well the always impressive and groundbreaking Archaia Studio Press has a couple of new books coming out, or they may already be out I don't know I got this one at Comic Con so I'm not sure when it was released. The when is not important... okay I'll look it up hold on... okay it came out on the 1st of this month, there you go.

Anyways it's a pretty quick read and a simple story. The art is the selling point since it pretty much has an indie look to it that the big boys can't get away with. The story starts with a Cop going door to door asking about a missing girl. When he arrives at door he was looking for, Pickman answers. He doesn't know his name at this point but I may as well inform you, the reader that it's Pickman. So the Cop asks his questions and Pickman says yeah sure I remember seeing her and invites the cop in. The usual, "Can I get you something to drink?" happens, even though I have never offered a stranger that's entered my house a drink before yet movies, TV and now comics do it all the time, and of course the cops says yes so that he can look around the house.

I've included the first 3 pages so that people can get an interest in the book and not make it so damn difficult for me to find all these indie books, so read them and buy the book. Without going into details, the ending to the first issue totally starts to go typical movie setup and you're expecting the Cop to give the typical cop answer but he totally throws you a curve ball. It'll be interesting to see what twists the author and artist can add to this Cop/Serial Killer story.

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