Tag Archives: mouse guard: legends of the guard

Pick(s) of the Week: The Wake #4 and so Much More

The Wake #4 coverIn a solid week of comic book releases this comic made it on three of our four lists and for those three, it was on the top spot for each. The Wake, is Scott Snyder and  Sean Murphy‘s series from Vertigo. To say it’s good is an understatement.

Trapped…drowning…dying…could things get worse for Doctor Lee Archer and her team? Yes, they could. Much worse, in fact. Turns out the shocking discovery of the creature was only the beginning.

A mix of science fiction. A mix of horror. This series is a tense thriller that’s been solid with each and every issue. Vertigo’s hit new series continues and you should be reading it!

Check out the rest of our picks below.

Andrew:

Top Pick: The Wake #4 (Vertigo) – I don’t know how many times I checked the Internet to make sure this series hadn’t ended while I wasn’t paying attention. I still can’t tell which is better, Snyder’s story or Murphy’s illustrations.

Criminal Macabre: The Eyes of Frankenstein #1 (Dark Horse) – After Steve Niles’ phenomenal but emotionally heavy Breath of Bones, it is great to see him back doing what he does best…writing horror.

East of West #6 (Image) – If an issue of this series is an upcoming release it will always be in my top picks. Hickman and Dragotta kill it every month with their post apocalyptic dystopian world.

King Conan The Hour of the Dragon #5 (Dark Horse) – Fantastic story and artwork. I met writer Tim Truman at the Baltimore Comic-Con and had a blast talking about his passion for scribing the barbarian.

Mouse Guard Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 #3 (Archaia) – I have a ways to go before catching up to this issue, but I’m going to list it anyways. Redwall for adults, fantastic

Brett:

Top Pick: The Wake #4 (Vertigo) – I think I summed it up above, but this series has been amazing with each and every issue. Solid story and art in each release.

Garth Ennis’ Red Team #5 (Dynamite Entertainment) – I love a good cop thriller and this is one charting the fall of a team of cops who take the law into their own hands.

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 #3 (Archaia) – Mouse Guard is an amazing series mixing fantasy with cute mice. I’m not a fan of fantasy, but I’m a fan of this series which is great for kids and adults.

Powerpuff Girls #1 (IDW Publishing) – How can you not include the first issue of the series that takes the popular cartoon and launches it in comics? I wasn’t a die-hard fan of the cartoon, but the episodes I did watch were entertaining enough that I’m really looking forward to checking this series out.

Punisher: Trial of the Punisher #1 (Marvel) – How is there not an ongoing Punisher series going on? Really Marvel!?

Scott:

Top Pick: The Wake #4 (Vertigo) – Last issue ended on a huge, game-changing cliffhanger, and I’m so excited to see it resolve itself. Or maybe it won’t! Either way, it’s going to be a great comic.

Fatale #17 (Image) – Brubaker’s and Phillip’s crime story keeps getting darker and darker, just the way a noir should. I believe this issue has the customary mid-arc interlude, and I’m interested in visiting Nicolas Lash in the modern day.

Saga #14 (Image) – What more can someone even say about this comic? Everything about it is breathtaking, and I’m just so giddy that it’s finally coming out. Feels like it’s been forever.

Sex Criminals #1 (Image) – Matt Fraction has been turning out some solid comics recently, and I hear that this book is like a romantic comedy with heists. Come on. Comedy, heists, and Matt Fraction. Sold.

Sean:

Top Pick: Saga #14 (Image) – I can never wait to get the next Saga issue in my hands!

Aquaman #23.2 Ocean Master (DC Comics) – While Ocean Master is kind of a blase villain, he’s played a major part in New 52 Arthur’s life, and DC is kicking ass with Aquaman all around, so you’d be dead wrong to ignore this.

Batman #23.4 Bane (DC Comics) – Bane’s awesome, so I can’t wait to give this a shot.

Planet of the Apes Giant #1 (one-shot) (BOOM! Studios) – BOOM!’s Planet of the Apes comics are fantastic, despite being rarely discussed. Seriously, try ’em out!

Punisher: Trial of the Punisher #1 (Marvel) – sort of reminiscent of Marvel’s “Trial of Spider-man” event from the 1990s, but this certainly looks like a great Punisher miniseries, and a great place to hop on if you’re not a Punisher fan.

Preview: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 #2

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 #2

Written by David Petersen, Christian Slade, Rick Geary, and Jemma Salume
Drawn by David Petersen, Christian Slade, Rick Geary, and Jemma Salume
Cover by David Petersen
SC, 24pgs, FC, SRP: $3.50

The second storytelling competition at the June Alley Inn is in full swing as three mouse tales are written and illustrated by the talented Christian Slade (Korgi), Rick Geary (The Adventures of Blanche), and Jemma Salume (Unicorn Life Cycle). Yarns are spun about lost love at sea, a mouse that goes over a waterfall, and a ghost owl, all to try and clear the bar tabs of the mice who tell them. With tavern scenes and a cover by series creator David Petersen.

Mouse Guard Legends of the Guard v2 002 Front Cover

BOOM! Studios and Archaia in November 2013

PROTOCOL #1

Author: Michael Alan Nelson
Artist: Mariano Navarro
Cover Artist: Stephane Roux
$3.99

WHY WE LOVE IT: Written by Michael Alan Nelson (SUPERGIRL, HEXED) and drawn by newcomer Mariano Navarro, PROTOCOL is an action-packed espionage series with a compelling cast of young characters struggling with their transition into adulthood.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: PROTOCOL is a tense thriller perfect for fans of fun spy fiction like TV’s Alias or Mission: Impossible.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Grabbed up by the United States government and thrown into training camps, orphans around the country have been raised to become America’s next generation of superspies. Now, as adults, they live amongst us, ready for “the family” to call them back into action.

IMAGINE AGENTS #2

Author: Brian Joines
Artist: Bachan
Cover Artists: (A) Khary Randolph (B – Connecting Variant) Felipe Smith
(A) $3.99; (B) $0.00

YOU MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THEM. BUT YOUR IMAGINARY FRIEND HASN’T FORGOT ABOUT YOU.
Terry and Dave must gather their wits and uncover the mystery behind Dapple’s evil plan. With the help of the toy-filled, lovable gelatin-mass, Blounder, they may just have a chance to crack the case. Unbeknownst to them, the kidnapping of Furdlegurr has put 6-year-old Elliot Fairview onto Dapple’s trail.


SONS OF ANARCHY #3

Author: Christopher Golden
Artist: Damian Couceiro
Cover Artist: Paul Azeceta
$3.99

With the plan to transfer Kendra to a safe haven in place, Tig, Jax and the rest of SAMCRO prepare for the dangerous cross-country ride. But Griggs and the Ghost Brothers are already hot on their trail, and even worse, some of SAMCRO is beginning to question risking everything just to help the ex-porn-star daughter of a long dead member…

HIT #3

Author: Bryce Carlson
Artist: Vanesa R. Del Rey
Cover Artist: Ryan Sook
$3.99

As the noose slowly tightens, Slater is left with a choice: Does he give in to Blair’s sadistic demands and rejoin the Hit Squad, or does he take action against the East Coast mafia to save Bonnie? But really, he doesn’t have much of a choice at all…


ROBOCOP: LAST STAND #4

Story: Frank Miller
Sequential Adaptation: Steven Grant
Artist: Korkut Öztekin
Cover Artist: Declan Shalvey

Roaring down the burning streets of a dying city in a juiced-up cruiser, RoboCop must disappear into the night or meet his end by the onslaught of OCP officers on his tail. Barely functioning and fighting to maintain consciousness, RoboCop will need all the help he can get to survive.

3 GUNS #4

Author: Steven Grant
Artist: Emilio Laiso
Cover Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
$3.99

The gun deal Trench and Steadman were blackmailed into facilitating has gone south, and now the two guns are caught in the crossfire of the two warring factions. Meanwhile, Joey meets up with her government handler, leveraging the stolen weapons and money into a last-ditch attempt to bring both sides to justice.

SIX-GUN GORILLA #6

Author: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Jeff Stokely
Cover Artist: Ramón Pérez

Blue has almost made it back to the BlisterGate in his mission to return the dying general’s love-token to his Earth-side wife. The only problem? He’ll have to cross a battlefield to get there, with both the Rebels and the BXF soldiers out to get him and no 6GG in sight.

SUICIDE RISK #7

Author: Mike Carey
Artist: Elena Casagrande
Cover Artist: Tommy Lee Edwards
$3.99

With the Nightmare Crew’s true plan revealed, Leo Winters must test the very limits of his burgeoning power to stop them—but will using his powers play right into their hands? Or, cause an even bigger tragedy than the one Leo’s putting so much at risk trying to stop?

CLIVE BARKERS: NEXT TESTAMENT #7

Authors: Clive Barker, Mark Miller
Artist: Haemi Jang
Cover Artist: Goni Montes

As Tristan and Elspeth continue their race to Providence, their new traveling companions may hold the key to the mystery of Wick’s brethren. Meanwhile, Wick’s jealousy leads to a show of force unlike any of his previous acts.

HELLRAISER: THE DARK WATCH #10

Authors: Clive Barker, Brandon Seifert
Artist: Tom Garcia
Cover Artist: Lorenoa Carvalho

Elliot Spencer’s last run-in with Leviathan didn’t go as planned, but the lord of the Labyrinth has no idea what his former protege has in store for him…

FANBOYS VS. ZOMBIES #20

Author: Shane Houghton
Artis: Jerry Gaylord
Cover Artist: Jerry Gaylord

Series Finale! “4 Stories of the Apocalypse” concludes with an alternate reality tale: What if the Wrecking Crew turned zombie at SDCC, and the scrappy creators of a comic book series called FANBOYS VS. ZOMBIES were the only humans left alive to stop them?

DEATHMATCH #12

Author: Paul Jenkins
Artist: Carlos Magno
Cover Artist: Carlos Magno

The final battle is here, as the two heroes left standing wage war for the fate of the universe. This is the conclusion to the vaunted superhero maxiseries from famed creators Paul Jenkins (FAIRY QUEST, INHUMANS) and Carlos Magno (PLANET OF THE APES, TRANSFORMERS).

REGULAR SHOW: SKIPS #1

Author: Mad Rupert
Artist: Mad Rupert
Cover Artists: (A) Mad Rupert (B) Kel McDonald (C) Mia Schwartz (D) Tessa Stone
(A, B, C, or D) $3.99

WHY WE LOVE IT: No one is more mysterious in the crazy world of REGULAR SHOW than Skips, the park’s enigmatic yeti groundskeeper who always seems to know what’s going on. Finally, we get to see the world from his point of view.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Because you know that REGULAR SHOW is anything but ordinary…and newcomer Mad Rupert has crafted a comic that is extraordinary.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Pops decides to take the team on a mini-vacation for all the good work they’ve done. Little does Skips know, this vacation is not going to be a restful one…

HEROBEAR AND THE KID: THE INHERITANCE #4

Author: Mike Kunkel
Artist: Mike Kunkel
Cover: Mike Kunkel
$3.99

Tyler learns what it means to be a hero while at the same time trying to figure out the mystery behind Von Klon. He might finally feel like he’s getting some answers, but it looks like he’s also getting more questions. A great story of a boy and his best friend overcoming the crazy obstacles that life throws at us.

ADVENTURE TIME: CANDY CAPERS #5

Authors: Yuko Ota and Ananth Panagariya
Artist: Ian McGinty
Cover Artists: (A) Nomi Kane (B), Linda Price, (C) Larry Birdsall, (D) Mad Rupert
(A, B, C, or D) $3.99

This ADVENTURE TIME whodunit continues with hilarious team-ups no one is expecting as Ooo searches for its newest hero, but is Peppermint Butler any closer to figuring out what happened to Finn and Jake? Each issue is great for fans by itself but for series readers, it’ll only be a matter of time before the truth finally comes out.


REGULAR SHOW #8

Author: KC Green
Artist: Allison Strejlau
Cover Artists: (A) Phil Jacobson, (B) Reed Black, (C) Yumi Sakugawa,
(D) Jemma Salume
(A, B, C, or D) $3.99

The newest issue of this not-so-regular REGULAR SHOW comic once again takes Mordecai and Rigby on an adventure that could only be found in a comic book! A great series for fans of slacker comedy, ’80s humor, and awesome, one-of-a-kind art!

GARFIELD #19

Authors: Mark Evanier, Scott Nickelt
Artist: Andy Hirsch
Cover Artist: Gary Barker
$3.99

Garfield and the gang have plenty to give thanks for, and we’re going to share two all-new stories this month, including the gang getting into some turkey day shenanigans, and the next chapter of the Lasagna Monster saga!

BRAVEST WARRIORS #14

Author: Joey Comeau
Artist: Mike Holmes
Cover Artists: (A) Tyson Hesse, (B) Kerrith Johnson, (C) Ashley Davis, (D) Matt Sheean
(A, B, C, or D) $3.99

Things are never easy for the Bravest Warriors; it’s probably what makes them so gosh darn likable. This issue isn’t just another “will they, won’t they” between Beth and Chris (answer: socks), it’s another mission where the Bravest Warriors will get to bring their unique personalities together to overcome all obstacles in their way!

ADVENTURE TIME #22

Author: Ryan North
Artists: Shelli Paroline, Braden Lamb
Cover Artists: (A) Mike Holmes, (B) Sarah Harrocks, (C) Tessa Stone, (D) Allen Lau
(A, B, C, or D) $3.99

Finn and Jake find themselves in a sticky situation when Princess Bubblegum’s experiments searching for the origin of life—specifically, her life—go horribly wrong, overcoming the Candy Kingdom! What sour weapon can the boys find that can overcome something so primordially sweet?

PEANUTS #13

Authors: Charles M. Schulz, Various
Artists: Charles M. Schulz, Various
Cover Artist: Charles M. Schulz

When it comes to winning this year’s Miss Crabby Pageant, Lucy is going all out. But with competition like Molley Volley and Crybaby Boobie, can Lucy out crabby her way to the shiny winner’s trophy? Enjoy “Miss Crabby Pageant” and many more Peanuts adventures in this latest issue, full of heart and fun galore!

STEED AND MRS. PEEL VOL. 2: THE SECRET HISTORY OF SPACE TP

Author: Caleb Monroe
Artist: Yasmin Liang
Cover Artist: Joseph Michael Linsner
$14.99

Caleb Monroe and Yasmin Liang bring you all-new stories of the original Avengers, as the super-spy duo face a murderous conductor, crack the case of the Suicide Town, and get into a literal race against time. Collecting issues 4-7.

PLANET OF THE APES: CATACLYSM VOL. 2 TP

Authors: Corinna Bechko, Gabriel Hardman
Artist: Damian Couceiro
Cover Artist: Alex Ross

After the cataclysm that devastated Ape City, Doctor Zaius, his family, Cornelius, and Marcus are tasked with the difficult and often treacherous responsibility of rebuilding civilization. But what terror lies beneath the ruins? Ancient mysteries unfold and Ape City continues to crumble while Zaius’ search for answers winds its way deeper into the unknown. Collecting issues 5-8 of the critically acclaimed series.

ADVENTURE TIME VOL 2: PIXEL PRINCESS OGN

Authors: Danielle Corsetto
Artist: Zack Sterling
Cover Artist: Stephanie Gonzaga

WHY WE LOVE IT: Our favorite princesses are getting a chance to take the main stage as they learn the importance of friendship and what it really means to wear a crown.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: It’s a book about how Princesses can overcome their differences while at the same time kicking butt and taking names.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Princess gatherings aren’t always tea parties and doilies, there is a lot more to being a Princess that one might think. Danielle Corsetto (GIRLS WITH SLINGSHOTS) and Zack Sterling return with an
adventure where some of our favorite princesses learn what it really takes to be a princess, while learning to respect each other for their unique outlooks on life.

THE JOYNERS IN 3D HC

Author: R.J. Ryan
Artist: David Marquez
Cover Artist: David Marquez
$29.95

In mid-21st century Northern California, prosperous technology executive George Joyner stands on the brink of revolutionizing life in America (again) with his latest high-flying invention. But just as business booms, George’s private life begins to implode, with devastating consequences, for his wife Sonya, their children Rochester and Michelle, and Sonya’s ailing father, David. Brought to life in stunning anaglyph 3-D (two pairs of glasses come enclosed with each book), The Joyners in 3D details a story of personal betrayals, industrial intrigue, and sexual desire in uncompromising and visually impeccable terms. The Joyners in 3D reunites writer R.J. Ryan and Ultimate Spider-Man illustrator David Marquez, collaborators on Archaia’s acclaimed graphic novel Syndrome, for which Marquez earned a 2011 Russ Manning Award nomination.

MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 2 HC

Authors: David Petersen, Ben Caldwell, Eric Canete, Rick Geary, Cory Godbey, Cliff Monear, Stan Sakai, Jemma Salume, Christian Slade, Jackson Sze, Nick Tapalansky, Bill Willingham, and C. P. Wilson III
Artists: David Petersen, Ben Caldwell, Eric Canete, Alex Eckman-Lawn, Rick Geary, Justin Gerard, Cory Godbey, Jemma Salume, Stan Sakai, Christian Slade, Jackson Sze, Bill Willingham, and C. P. Wilson III
Cover Artist: David Petersen
$19.95

The 2011 Eisner Award winner for Best Anthology is back with a second volume! In the mouse tavern known as the June Alley Inn, a new round of storytelling begins between the patrons. Their goal is to be declared the best story of the night in hopes of having their outstanding debt to the barmaid forgiven. Each story is written and illustrated by a different creator, while Mouse Guard creator David Petersen supplies the tavern scenes! Legends of the Guard continues the tradition of featuring handpicked artists and storytellers by Petersen, including fan-favorites like Stan Sakai (Usagi Yokimbo), C.P. Wilson III (The Stuff of Legend), and Bill Willingham (Fables), and up-and-comers like Christian Slade (Korgi), Rick Geary (The Adventures of Blanche), and Jemma Salume (Unicorn Life Cycle).

AN AURORA GRIMEON STORY: WILL O’ THE WISP HC

Author: Tom Hammock
Artist: Megan Hutchison
Cover Artist: Megan Hutchison
$24.95

After her parents’ accidental death by mushroom poisoning, young Aurora Grimeon is sent to live with her estranged grandfather on Ossuary Isle, deep in the southern swamps. Joined by her grandfather’s pet raccoon Missy, Aurora explores the fog-covered island of graves. Along the way, she meets its sinister residents who care for the tombstones and mausoleums, living out their lives by the strange rules of Hoodoo magic. When ghostly things start happening out in the swamp and island residents start disappearing, Aurora thrusts herself into the middle of the mystery, uncovering secrets that might be better left buried.

MOON LAKE VOL. 2 HC

Author: Dan Fogler, Kevin J. Anderson, and Andrew Harrison
Artists: Nadir Balan, Kevin Colden, Dan Dougherty, Alex Horley, Fernando Pinto, Darick Robertson, Alex Sheikman, Jeff Stokely, and Anna Wieszczyk
Cover Artist: Alex Horley
$24.95

This follow-up to Dan Fogler’s (“Take Me Home Tonight,” “Fanboys”) first volume of Moon Lake is a new collection of stories that mesh comedy, horror, and science fiction into one insane anthology that’s inspired by Tales From The Crypt and Heavy Metal. A seemingly harmless body of water is actually a mysterious portal into the weird and deranged, affecting all who come into contact with it. From zombie dinosaurs to an inter-dimensional Sasquatch trying to save its species from extinction to a mass-murdering high school cheerleader, enjoy more twisted tales from Moon Lake!

Archaia Announces Reprints of Four, Sold-Out Backlist Titles

Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment has announced that four of its sold-out backlist titles are now or will soon be back in print, ready for fans that missed out the first time to grab their copies! The Eisner Award-winning New York Times bestseller Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 1 was back in stock as of July 17, and sleeper hits Cursed Pirate Girl (a 2013 Harvey Award nominee) and Iron: Or, the War After were back in print as of July 24, so be sure to ask your local comic shop to order them for you! In addition, copies of the Eisner Award-winning Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand will be back for sale in comic book shops as of Sept. 11. The reprints come on the heels of Archaia’s acquisition by BOOM! Studios in June.

Getting some of Archaia’s top titles back in print and the marketplace was a priority of BOOM! Studios after its recent acquisition of Archaia. These four books are the first of many more to come.

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 1 ($19.95, hardcover, 144 pages, full color, 8” x 8”, ISBN: 978-1-932386-94-3) is a collection of short stories set in the world of David Petersen’s bestselling Mouse Guard series, with each story written and illustrated by creators he hand-picked himself, including Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), and Ted Naifeh (Courtney Crumrin).

Cursed Pirate Girl ($24.95, hardcover, 152 pages, black and white, 6.625” x 10.25”, ISBN: 978-1-936393-60-2) is a whimsical, swashbuckling tale of a young girl who sets out to find her lost father, illustrated with the most excruciating detail by Bastian that it has to be seen to be believed. Illustrated in beautiful watercolor.

Iron: Or, the War After ($24.95, hardcover, 152 pages, full color, 6” x 9”, ISBN: 978-1-936393-28-2) is the critically acclaimed, anthropomorphic story of the rabbit Hardin, an intelligence spy for The Resistance, who steals secret documents that sets off a chain of events that will change the status quo.

Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand ($29.95, hardcover, 152 pages, full color, 8.25” x 11.5”, ISBN: 978-1-936393-09-1), which won the 2012 Eisner Award for Best New Graphic Album, is based on an unproduced screenplay by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl and gorgeously illustrated by Ramón Pérez (Wolverine & The X-Men).

Review: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, V.2 #1

mar130802There’s something about mice with swords, fighting battles, living lives in complex, visibly-medieval societies in a world full of other rodents and creatures with similar societies that is charmingly appealing, if not downright awesome. Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, Volume 2 #1 is just such a comic, following in a long tradition of rodents in literature, comics, and film, from Stuart Little (1945) and its movie (1999), to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (1971), its movie version (1982), to the Redwall series (1986), Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo (1984), and to Image’s The Mice Templar comics (2007). Rodents seems to be culturally recognized around the world in mythology and folklore, partly because some of them learn quickly and can be trained, so they make great pets and cuddly companions (and the most vicious guardians, as Monty Python taught us). Wikipedia even has lists of fictional rodents in literature, comics, and animation!

Mouse Guard is a comic series begun in 2006 by David Petersen, who both writes and illustrates the series for Archaia Studios, and is an Eisner Award-winning publication. The Legends of the Guard imprint is an anthology series based in the Mouse Guard world, which allows other authors and illustrators to tell their own stories with Petersen’s creation.

This issue is the first in the second volume, and features stories by Stan Sakai (“Autumn Tale”), Alex Eckman-Lawn and Nick Tapalansky (“Leviathan”), and Ben Caldwell (“A Bone to Pick”). These three stories are embedded rather sweetly within a larger narrative drawn and written by Petersen himself. The premise: a bunch of mice have been lodging at a tavern, all of them racking up large debts to the owner, who offers that whoever tells the best story will have their debts cleared. This provides an easy entre into the Mouse Guard world, and though I’ve never read a single Mouse Guard issue before I felt right at home with the tales, each of which was tenderly written and could easily be understood by children but which are still mature enough in thematic content (or cute silliness, as with “A Bone to Pick”) to be appealing to adults.

The art for each of the three stories differs from beautiful watercolor-esque panels by Stan Sakai (47 Ronin, Usagi Yojimbo) to the more sketched, ethereal look of Eckman-Lawn’s illustrations, and finally Caldwell’s very fun, yet still complex art in the final story (reminiscent of The Secret of NIMH animation, actually). The pacing between stories and in the Petersen interludes allows for each story to be satisfactorily told, with enough interest created to desire just a little (or a lot!) more from each story-teller.

This is my first experience with Mouse Guard, but I have to say that I’m not only looking forward to delving into Petersen’s rodent world, but I’ll for sure put the next issue of this anthology, Legends of the Guard, Volume 2 on my pull-list. If you’re a fan of any of these artist, love rodent stories, or just want something fun to read and beautiful to look at, then this is the book for you.

Story: David Petersen, Stan Sakai, Nick Tapalansky, Ben Caldwell  Art: David Petersen, Stan Sakai, Alex Eckman-Lawn
Story: 8  Art: 9  Overall: 8  Recommendation: Read

Archaia provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Picks of the Week: Lazarus #1 and 9 other Choices

lazarus01_coverIn a dystopian near-future, government is a quaint concept, resources are coveted, and possession is 100% of the law. A handful of Families rule, jealously guarding what they have and exploiting the Waste who struggle to survive in their domains. Forever Carlyle defends her family’s holdings through deception and force as their protector, their Lazarus. Shot dead defending the family home, Forever’s day goes downhill from there.

That description alone would get me interested in Lazarus, the series that debuts this week from Image Comics. The fact that Greg Rucka writing it cements it as my most anticipated comic for the week. Rucka continuously shows off his skills and mastery of storytelling. The man is easily one of the best writers in the comic industry.

Expect this first issue to sell out.

Here’s the other picks in alphabetical order.

  • Atomic Robo: Savage Sword of Dr. Dinosaur #1 – Atomic Robo is one of the most entertaining all-ages comics out there. It’s Indiana Jones with a robot!
  • Batman/Superman #1 – Um, how can this not be on the list. Jae Lee’s art alone makes it a pick.
  • Hoax Hunters: Case Files #1 – More fun solving mysteries in this entertaining series that mixes Ghost Hunters and Mythbusters.
  • Larfleeze #1 – I’m crossing my fingers this isn’t a one note series like Red Lanterns and wonder how many times “mine” will be said.
  • The Massive #13 – One of the best comics on the market!
  • Mind MGMT #12 – One of the other best comics on the market!
  • Mouse Guard: Legend of the Guard Vol. 2 #1 – The Archaia anthology returns with more awesome tales also great for all-ages.
  • The Wake #2 – Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy = hells yes!
  • Wolverine and the X-Men #32 – The series found its groove again with the last issue. The Hellfire Saga continues!

Preview: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 #1 (of 4)

MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 2 #1 (of 4)

Miniseries
Retail Price: $3.50 U.S.
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: staple bound, 8” x 8”, full color
Genre: Fantasy
Ship Date: June 16 in comic shops
Rating: E – EVERYONE (all ages, may contain minimal violence)
Written by David Petersen, Stan Sakai, Ben Caldwell, and Nick Tapalansky
Illustrated by David Petersen, Stan Sakai, Ben Caldwell, and Alex Eckman-Lawn
Cover by David Petersen

The 2011 Eisner Award winner for best anthology is back with a second volume! In a mouse tavern called the June Alley Inn, a new round of storytelling begins between the patrons. Their goal is to be declared the best story of the night in hopes of having their outstanding bar tabs cleared! Legends of the Guard continues the tradition of featuring hand-picked artists and storytellers by series creator David Petersen. This issue features Stan Sakai (Usagi Yokimbo), Ben Caldwell (The Dare Detectives!), and the Awakening team of Nick Tapalansky and Alex Eckman-Lawn!

Mouse Guard Legends of the Guard v2 001 Front Cover

Archaia Announces Volume 2 of Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard

New legends will be forged! Archaia has announced a second volume of the Eisner Award-winning anthology miniseries Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard. The first of four issues is set to debut in May 2013. Mouse Guard is the best-selling fantasy comic book series created by Michigan-based David Petersen about a group of elite warrior mice who serve to protect and guide the common mice under their care.

As in the first volume, Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 finds a group of mice at the June Alley Inn trying to outdo one another in a storytelling competition, spinning typically fantastic tales of the Mouse Guard and their adventures. After all, the mouse that tells the best story gets their bar tab cleared! Petersen writes and illustrates the tavern scenes, while each contributor (or team of contributors) writes and illustrates the different mouse tales.

Petersen has assembled another all-star lineup for this four-issue miniseries. The contributors to issue #1 of Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 include Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Ben Caldwell (The Dare Detectives!), and the team of writer Nick Tapalansky and illustrator Alex Eckman-Lawn (Awakening).

Subsequent issues will include contributions from Christian Slade (Korgi), Rick Geary (The Adventures of Blanche), Jemma Salume (Unicorn Life Cycle), Jackson Sze (concept art on films like The Avengers and Iron Man 3), Cory Godbey (Fraggle Rock, the upcoming Jim Henson’s Labyrinth), Eric Canete (Fear Itself: Spider-Man), C.P. Wilson III (The Stuff of Legend), Bill Willingham (Fables), and fantasy illustrator Justin Gerard.

Archaia will release the hardcover collection in late Fall of 2013.

Mouse Guard Legends of the Guard v2 001

Free ‘Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard’ Preview Exclusively on Graphic.ly

Official Press Release

FREE ‘MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD’ PREVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON GRAPHIC.LY

READ AN EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT WHILE A NEW PRINTING IS ON ITS WAY

Los Angeles, CA (December 6, 2010) – Because many readers may have missed out on the first printing of MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 1 hardcover, Archaia and its exclusive digital partner, Graphic.ly, have made the first story in the anthology collection available for free digital download on the Graphic.ly platform while a new printing is on its way. The download also includes the two opening pages written and drawn by series creator David Petersen that introduces the through-line of the story. The offer follows in the footsteps of the digital release of a 23-page preview of another recent Archaia sellout, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN, which was the highest downloaded comic in a single day on Graphic.ly.

MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 1 is an anthology collection of short stories created by artists and writers handpicked by Petersen to come and “play” in the Mouse Guard universe. The critically acclaimed graphic novel sold out of its first printing of 15,000 copies at the distributor level within 48 hours, so Archaia wanted to provide those that missed out with a glimpse of the book while they waited for new copies to arrive.

LEGENDS OF THE GUARD is, at its core, about sharing stories, not only in the fictional Mouse Guard world, but also in the real world where a great number of talented people I respect and admire came forward to give my audience some new tales,” said Petersen. “Offering the first LEGENDS story for people to try on Graphic.ly for free is in that same spirit of sharing stories.”

To access the free LEGENDS OF THE GUARD story, which was written and drawn by CURSED PIRATE GIRL creator Jeremy Bastian, readers should download the desktop app at http://graphic.ly/ and create a free account. Apple iPhone and iPad users should download the free Graphic.ly app from the App Store. Click on the Archaia Comics tab in the menu, select Mouse Guard Legends and the preview is available for free download!

MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 1 (hardcover, full color, 144 pages, 8” x 8”, $19.95) is set inside the June Alley Inn, located in the western mouse city of Barkstone. Mice have gathered to tell tales, each trying to outdo the other. A competition, of sorts, begins. The rules: Every story must contain one truth, one lie, and have never been told in that tavern before. Petersen writes and draws the scenes in the inn while the contributors he selected write and draw the tales. The contributors include Jeremy Bastian, Katie Cook, Guy Davis, Lowell Francis, Gene Ha, Alex Kain, Karl Kerschl, João Lemos, Terry Moore, Ted Naifeh, Craig Rousseau, Sean Rubin, Alex Sheikman and Mark Smylie.

MOUSE GUARD is the fan-favorite, Eisner Award-winning property created by David Petersen that chronicles the adventures of an elite group of mice that have been tasked with protecting common mice from predators, the elements and other dangers. It is, essentially, mice with swords! Two series, MOUSE GUARD VOL. 1: FALL 1152 and MOUSE GUARD VOL. 2: WINTER 1152, have been collected into hardcovers thus far. The first issue of the follow-up series, MOUSE GUARD VOL. 3: THE BLACK AXE, launches in December. Petersen and Archaia have also already announced a LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 2 collection is planned, with creators like Eric Canete, Janet Lee, Jim McCann, Kenneth Rocafort, Stan Sakai and Bill Willingham on board to contribute.

About Archaia

Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. Archaia is: Artesia, Awakening, Beautiful Scars, Berona’s War, Critical Millennium, Cyclops, The Dark Crystal, Dark Fall, Days Missing, The Devil’s Handshake, An Elegy for Amelia Johnson, The Engineer, Everlast, Feeding Ground, Fraggle Rock, God Machine, The Grave Doug Freshley, Gunnerkrigg Court, Hybrid Bastards!, Inanna’s Tears, Johnny Recon, The Killer, Killing Pickman, Labyrinth, The Lone and Level Sands, Lucid, Miranda Mercury, Moon Lake, Mouse Guard, Mr. Murder Is Dead, Okko, One in a Million, Primordia, Return of the Dapper Men, Robotika, Saga, The Secret History, Some New Kind of Slaughter, Starkweather: Immortal, Syndrome, A Tale of Sand, Titanium Rain, Trial By Fire, and Tumor.

For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com. Archaia can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/ArchaiaEntertainment), Twitter (twitter.com/archaia) and YouTube (youtube.com/ArchaiaEntertainment).

About Graphic.ly

Graphic.ly is a cutting-edge digital content delivery system and community platform for the publishing world. Graphic.ly focuses on comic publishers, creators and enthusiasts, and provides an immersive social experience and marketplace around digital comics and associated merchandise. By expanding its community platform the company is becoming the de facto solution for artists and creators to interact with their fans and expand the reach and influence of their own content. With comics available via applications for the PC Desktop, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone 7, Graphic.ly is the premiere option for comics fans, creators and publishers alike. For more information, please visit http://www.graphic.ly.

‘Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard’ Vol. 1 Sells Out!

Official Press Release

‘MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD’ SELLS OUT, NEW PRINTING BEING RUSHED TO RETAILERS

ANTHOLOGY COLLECTION FEATURING CONTRIBUTIONS BY CREATORS HANDPICKED BY DAVID PETERSEN IS A HIT WITH FANS OF ALL AGES


Los Angeles, CA (November 23, 2010) – Fresh on the heels of news that one of its publications, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN, sold out of its initial run of 10,000 copies at the distributor level in just 24 hours, Archaia is proud to announce that the MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 1 collected edition hardcover has sold out of its initial run of 15,000 copies within the first two days of its availability!

The latest MOUSE GUARD hardcover has charmed critics and readers alike with its eclectic mix of storytelling and art styles, all set in David Petersen’s wonderful world of mice with swords. A second printing is being rushed and will arrive in stores in time for the holidays.

“Archaia and I put a lot of thought into how we would want to make and present a MOUSE GUARD anthology,” said Petersen. “After seeing the contributors execute their stories so well and seeing the final book layout and design, I am very happy the public agreed with our choices and rallied behind this book enough to have us sell out of a first printing so quickly! It gets me very excited for what we will have in store with LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 2.”

While MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 1 is currently sold out at the distributor level, copies are still available at local and online retailers wherever books are sold. Be sure to pick up or order your copy today! To order a copy, use ISBN code 978193238694-3.

MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD (hardcover, full color, 144 pages, 8” x 8”, $19.95), is set inside the June Alley Inn, located in the western mouse city of Barkstone. Mice have gathered to tell tales, each trying to outdo the other. A competition, of sorts, begins. The rules: Every story must contain one truth, one lie, and have never been told in that tavern before. Petersen writes and draws the scenes in the inn while the contributors he selected write and draw the tales. The contributors include Jeremy Bastian, Katie Cook, Guy Davis, Lowell Francis, Gene Ha, Alex Kain, Karl Kerschl, João Lemos, Terry Moore, Ted Naifeh, Craig Rousseau, Sean Rubin, Alex Sheikman and Mark Smylie.

MOUSE GUARD is the fan-favorite, Eisner Award-winning property created by David Petersen that chronicles the adventures of an elite group of mice that have been tasked with protecting common mice from predators, the elements and other dangers. It is, essentially, mice with swords! Two series, MOUSE GUARD VOL. 1: FALL 1152 and MOUSE GUARD VOL. 2: WINTER 1152, have been collected into hardcovers thus far. The first issue of the follow-up series, MOUSE GUARD VOL. 3: THE BLACK AXE, launches in December. Petersen and Archaia have also already announced a LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 2 collection is planned, with creators like Eric Canete, Janet Lee, Jim McCann, Kenneth Rocafort, Stan Sakai and Bill Willingham on board.

About Archaia
Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. Archaia is: Artesia, Awakening, Beautiful Scars, Berona’s War, Critical Millennium, Cyclops, The Dark Crystal, Dark Fall, Days Missing, The Devil’s Handshake, An Elegy for Amelia Johnson, The Engineer, Everlast, Feeding Ground, Fraggle Rock, God Machine, The Grave Doug Freshley, Gunnerkrigg Court, Hybrid Bastards!, Inanna’s Tears, Johnny Recon, The Killer, Killing Pickman, Labyrinth, The Lone and Level Sands, Lucid, Miranda Mercury, Moon Lake, Mouse Guard, Mr. Murder Is Dead, Okko, One in a Million, Primordia, Return of the Dapper Men, Robotika, Saga, The Secret History, Some New Kind of Slaughter, Starkweather: Immortal, Syndrome, A Tale of Sand, Titanium Rain, Trial By Fire, and Tumor.

For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com. Archaia can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/ArchaiaEntertainment) and Twitter (twitter.com/archaia).

Mouse Guard Legends HC Cover

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