Today is Free Comic Book Day, and we have a special review of Archaia’s great offering – a flip book of David Petersen’s Mouse Guard and Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock! Even better, we split up reviewing duties on this one as I took the review of Guard and Gil took the review of Fraggle. Check those out after the jump, but by all means, don’t forget to pick this phenomenal title up when you swing by your local shop today!
Fraggle Rock
Written by: Nichol Ashworth and Sam Humphries
Illustrated by: Jake Myler and Jeremy Love
I never had so much fun as when I watched Fraggle Rock as a kid. I learned to dance my cares away and just have a lot of fun following the likes of Boober and Red sneaking by Gorg’s and eating the Doozers constructions. This book truly brought back my memories of the show and I couldn’t help but smile throughout.
The book itself has two stories that go together but aren’t dependant on each other. In the first, Boober wants to be a Doozer instead of a Fraggle, and you really get the sense that they’re telling you about being yourself and trying to be someone else just won’t work. The second stories centers on Red and her quest to find a present for the World’s Oldest Fraggle, and not really knowing what to do about it. This one in particular was my favorite because it had quite a few nods to pop culture that would have otherwise been lost on a younger audience. I giggled quite a bit when I saw a reference to Andy Warhol AND Bob Ross, I couldn’t help but get excited. So much fun. The moral to this little vignette was about trash being someone else’s treasure, but it was so much fun, who really cares, right?
Bottom line, since it’s free, you really can’t go wrong with it. Plus, it’s Fraggle Rock! Who doesn’t love Fraggle Rock? The Soulless, that’s who.
Final Rating: 8.5 — Pick it up!
Mouse Guard
Written and Illustrated by: David Petersen
This short offering from David Petersen captures a little of everything as to why Mouse Guard is such a special comic, and, to boot, it gives us a little forward momentum in the plot since we last left off in Mouse Guard: Winter 1152. In many ways, it’s the perfect FCBD offering.
This entry into the lore of the Guard is narrated by the matriarch of the Guard, Gwendolyn. It seems winter has passed and they are now into the vicious season of spring, in which the predators (with their young) and the horrid weather comes out to prey upon the mice. It seems that our boy Lieam (the new Black Axe) has disappeared, but everyone is tied up with one big task that they must follow through on.
At first, it seems as if they are all just collecting food for themselves (a lot of REALLY huge food) to rebuild their stocks, but then it all starts coming together at the end when you realize there is a new factor into the equation. This issue gives Petersen the artist ample opportunity to shine, as his ability to render the huge battles of scope (mice vs. turtles and badgers!) is one of my favorite things he does. I love the way he illustrates these brave guardsmice taking on vicious giants, and this issue gives him the chance to render their bravery and their ingenuity well throughout.
It’s all very well told, it’s all very Mouse Guard and it feels great to be back. The good news for new readers is you won’t be lost and this is a pretty exciting story to jump in on. I’d expect nothing less from David Petersen.
Final Verdict: 8.5 – Buy (for free!)
