Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents:  Vinnie's Take On... The 2011 Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) Edition of the Mouse Guard / Dark Crystal Flip Book  From Archaia Entertainment!     -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3399:

Welcome to 'My Take' On: the Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2011 Mouse Guard / Dark Crystal Flip Book!

This FCBD flip book, published by Archaia Entertainment, contains a never-before-seen story of 'Mouse Guard', and a prelude of the fourth series of the Dark Crystal. The promo information provided by Archaia is as follows:

MOUSE GUARD: (W, A, COV) David Petersen

THE DARK CRYSTAL: (Concepts, Art Direction, Cover) Brian Froud, (W) Brian Holguin, (A) Alex Sheikman and Lizzy John.

Archaia presents two, amazing, all-new stories in one fantastic flip book - David Petersen's Eisner Award winning MOUSE GUARD and Jim Hesnon's beloved THE DARK CRYTAL which share the spotlight on Free Comic Book Day!

On one side of the book, a brand-new tale of the fan-favorite Mouse Guard, elite warrior mice tasked with protecting common mice from predators, the elements and other dangers. It's the perfect introduction to Mouse Guard for new fans, and a rewarding treat for existing ones!

On the other side of the book, Archaia Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company are proud to present an exclusive prelude to its forthcoming series of the DARK CRYSTAL graphic novels, featuring covers, art directions and concepts by Brian Froud, conceptual designer of the original film! This prelude begins the epic creation story of the world of Thra, and explores the origins of the world of the Dark Crystal!

The Mouse Guard story was great, to put it simply. The art looks like the art from the regular issues, which I had liked as well. However, the story just blew the others I have read, out of the water!

This story contained action, adventure, and the use of thinking and being clever. It took the format of the other issues, meaning someone asks a question, and the question is answered by a story that has a hidden moral. The story was only eight pages, yet it showed so much!

There was a promo story, Season of the Dapper Men, which followed Mouse Guard. It was short, with only four pages, and I don't believe it had enough content to serve as a promotional item, but more as an advertisement. I haven't read the actual book, and I don't know any more about it, from reading this story, to put it bluntly.  But hey, it does let people know it's out there to check it out, and that's what these FCBD comics are for!

(Editor Michael's note:  Tina LoSasso has guest blogged on the earlier 'Return of the Dapper Men' book, as seen in this link.)

The next promo piece was information about an upcoming graphic novel called 'A Tale of Sand'.  Jim Henson had worked on it for six years, but had set it aside. Now, Archaia Entertainment is producing it in a 120 page graphic novel. It sounds interesting, so I will be watching for it when it comes out on Septemeber 20th of 2011, four day before what would have been Jim Henson's 75th birthday!

The final item was an origin story of The Dark Crystal. It gave quite a bit of  insight about the storyline, as I have been building interst in it due to seeing issues in the Archaia promotional packages.  It showed a lot about what the story was about, which is exactly what these FCBD edition comics should do.  Overall this portion of the FCBD comic had a great lead-in to the series, since this was part of the prelude to the comics already out.

All in all, this was very good FCBD edition comic!  Be sure to pick up a copy for yourself and a friend when you go to a FCBD event on Saturday, May 7th of 2011... Which is coming soon!!

My Review Rating for this FCBD Edition Comic is a NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) 9.2 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale. 

This FCBD edition comic is available on May 7th, for the 2011 Free Comic Book Day event, in comic book shops that are celebrating FCBD!  Yes, it's available For FREE!

Retail Price: Free (On FCBD) - Page count: 32 pages

Format: staple bound, 8" x 8", full color.

For:  All Ages.

If you aren't close to a Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS), several of them, and online comic book dealers such as ourselves here at ComicBooksCircus.com, usually have them for a minimal charge plus shipping afterwards.

Here is the Facebook Fan Page for Archaia Entertainment, which I suggest YOU 'Like' also to keep up with what this publisher is presenting next.

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