The fables offered on the pages of “Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard” Volume 2 #3 remind us of the purpose of stories. Morals, action, adventure, and reflections of our own humanity come through loud and clear as we gaze into the distorted mirror that transforms mice into men.
Written & Illustrated by David Petersen, Eric Cante, C.P. Wilson, III, and Corey Godbey
Tell me the best story you’ve ever told and the best I’ve ever heard,’ was the request of mouse innkeep June to her delinquent patrons in Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 #1. And the stories continue in this third issue of the second Legends of the Guard series. David Petersen is joined by talented comic writer/illustrators C.P. Wilson III (The Stuff of Legend), Cory Godbey (Labyrinth), and Eric Canete (Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin) to tell stories of mice befriending moles, brothers out to rescue a mouse maiden, and an epic battle of mice against weasels.
In this issue of “Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard” Volume 2 #3, three writer/artists contribute to the mythology that fuels this rodent-centric universe. These stories hearken back to parables, to fables, to legends; to the very origins of the modern narrative. Simple on the surface, but powerful nonetheless, the legends in this issue are as unique as they are entertaining.
The short, “The Mouse Generals,” Eric Canete, provides a tale with a clear moral that warns against the perils of vanity. “The Mouse Generals,” follows a group of three mice and their ascent to power. The power and the station which they come to possess eventually corrupt them, and ultimately cost them their lives. Succinct and clear the story unfolds like a yarn spun in a bar before a captive audience.
Cante’s artwork has a beautiful depth. He is able to render beautiful scenes with clear foregrounds, middle grounds and backgrounds that extend into infinity. Thick, fierce lines accent the angular rodents that populate the story. Canete is able to capture the chaos of battle, even on a scale this small and foreign. In Cante’s hands the weasels, the villains of this tale, become frightful beasts. The centerpiece of this story, the general’s helmets, are fantastic. These helmets are composed of the bones, scales and feathers of vanquished foes they are eye-catching and truly inspired. Whimsical and fiery, this story packs a powerful punch of fun.
C.P. Wilson’s story, “When Moles are Around,” is composed of rhyming couplets. This fanciful flourish reminds the audience of the epics and ballads of old and reaffirms the connection between the ancient and modern arts of storytelling. This tale of friendship follows a mouse and a mole as they are deal with their society’s reaction to their unusual choices. Despite the prejudices the mole faces from the mouse community, he and his friend come together to deliver the community from a band of thieves and miscreants. Ultimately bringing the community together, and providing an opportunity for the mole to ingratiate himself to the mice; their adventure serves many functions.
Wilson’s art is tight and compact. Textures are heavily emphasized with line, allowing the fluidity of the colors to stand in beautiful contrast. The rigid detail of the linear composition creates a signature look and intensity that makes each panel identifiable as Wilson’s work. The cuteness of Wilson’s characters is undeniable, but he captures the brutality of the fighting with skill.
The final story, “The Thief, the Stargazer, the Hunter and the Tailor,” by Cory Godbey stands out due to its aesthetic softness. Visually, Godbey’s work is organic and delicate. The muted color palette continues to enforce those elements of the artwork. In this tale, four mouse brothers strike out on their own to seek their fortunes. Each brother takes on a trade and becomes proficient in their own craft. One brother becomes a thief, another a stargazer, the third becomes a hunter and the final brother learns the skill of tailoring. Once the brothers reunite, they learn that when they combine their talents, they are able to accomplish great things. Eventually the brothers kill a dragon and save a princess, in true epic quest form.
Continued belowGodbey shifts the color palette to reflect the personality of each character, and to emphasize emotion. The sparing background and varied compositions within panels indicate an effective respect for negative space. The final legend in this issue of “Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard,” provides an excellent classical adventure story that again harkens back to the myths of old.
Like any good legend, this book reminds us of our human condition, and the capacity we have to rise above the more sinister parts of our nature. Exploring themes of the meaning of power, the importance of friendship and the importance of working together, “Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard” Volume 2 #3 brings forward accessible morals and enjoyable stories. A standalone installment that provides a window into the universe of Mouse Guard, this book might serve as a wonderful introduction to this world.
Final Verdict: 7.4 – Mice man up, in this fun read.
