Lots of action in this penultimate issue of Mouse Guard Winter 1152. For those of you who may not know, Petersen’s series of course takes place in the world of mice. That is, a well executed semi-anthropomorphication version of mice. The critters exist in their own microcosm where only forest creatures dwell. No mouse-human interaction à la ratatouilee present here. It’s actually surprisingly grown up.

The stories focus on the Mouse Guard. These are mice trained to aid their fellows in crossing the fields and forests from village to village and provide protection from the various dangers such as predatory snakes and owls and worst of all, weasels – whom we know only via in-story references to a great mouse-weasel war. Petersen’s elegantly developed lore, history and mythos has been something of a quiet hit, as evidenced by the spin off products (See: “Mouse Guard RPG” -> http://www.archaiasp.com/mouse_guard_rpg.php). There’s certainly lots there if you’re into that. On the other hand if you’re just into good stories with compelling characters and gorgeous art, there’s that too.

There are so many reasons why you should buy this book. If not the issues, then the trade or hardcover. Mouse Guard is a shining example of why sequential story-telling is important. This book tells a story in such a way that something big would be lost in the translation to another medium. From the square format split in a grid of thirds horizontally and vertically to the typeface choices and the beautifully rendered pencils and colors, this book delights and enchants. It unfurls a world before your very eyes. The story beats are such that children can enjoy this greatly but the content is sophisticated enough to mesmerize and impress students of the form and fans of great books.

To be cherished indeed.

P.S: This makes a very good coffee table book.