It seemed only fair to review The Mice Templar, after reviewing Mouse Guard last week. Let me start by saying that this is not an attempt to cash in on Mouse Guard's success, this is just one of those weird moments when two similar ideas hit the market at the same time and no one knows why. If you're unfamiliar with what I'm talking about check out Reaper vs Chuck in the archives.
Glass and Oeming craft a dangerous and mysterious world that has a Secret of NIMH feel to it, but with a lot more blood. Since this is Oeming's brain child, I have to wonder if they'll ever truly be enough blood and loss of limbs in a book for him. Either way I don't really care so long as he continues taking his unique style of art to the next level. If you are familiar with Oeming's style then you might be able to just look at the book and say, "Yeah that's him." but others still may have a hard time with it. It's definitely a step up in his artistic journey and really shows that he's not a one trick pony but that he's got some artist chops on himself.
The story opens with a brief history of the Templar's as told by Leito, a young mouse apprenticing with an exiled Templar. The Templar's are like the Musketeer's and have fallen from grace, having caused a war within it's own ranks and nearly destroying the Mice community. But when trouble strikes the exiled Templar (Now a Blacksmith) is there to the rescue. A spider that's been stalking the village makes an attack and the Blacksmith jumps into action flipping the spider onto it's back and chopping off it's legs. Whereas Mouse Guard shy's away from showing any actually blood or loss of limbs, Mice Templar embraces it head on.
The story however does not follow the Blacksmith, it is not about the Templar of old but the Templar that are to come. Karic is like any youth, easily excited, full of energy, and totally in love with the stories about the Templar and pretends every night that he is a great Templar. This is his story and how his dreams are going to come true, but he'll soon find out that they might come out a terrible cost. After all isn't that how the real world works? You might have noticed that I said night before, that's because the world the Mice live is from dusk to dawn. When I read that I thought it was brilliantly simple. It's enjoyable to watch Karic's Mother tuck him in as the sun rises. Since there's an Owl on the cover and an Owl at the end of the issue, I guess that Owl's will some how come to play within the story. As always I've included some preview pages, and since this book is a double sized issue and goes for 4 bucks, I don't think 6 pages will harm your reading experience. Enjoy and more comic reviews this week!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Comic Book Day Reviews - The Mice Templar 01 with Preview
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
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.