Mood:
caffeinatedTopic: Comic Books - New
TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3260: As mentioned in yesterday's blog...I met several creators at the 2010 Comic Con International: San Diego in July at the Archaia booth. I've already posted a few blogs on those creators and the comics / graphic novels so far in this Blog, as seen here. However, I didn't see anything about Mouse Guard there at the booth, even though it is one of their best known titles. So I'm glad that the above shown publication was sent to me for possible review. I haven't blogged about Mouse Guard for a while, even though I have found the concept to be a good one. Here is what this publication is about, per the promo on it: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #2 (of 4) Inside the June Alley Inn, located in the western mouse city of Barkstone, mice are in the midst of an enthralling tall tale-telling competition. In this issue, Gene Ha (Top 10) and Lowell Francis chronicle the legendary exploits of Worley, a stubborn mouse banker who stumbles upon danger...and a mink! Legends of the Guard is a continuing anthology series with artists and storytellers handpicked by David Petersen. Featured in this issue are tales by Gene Ha, Sean Rubin (Redwall) and David Petersen. (W) Lowell Francis, Alex Kain and David Petersen (A) Gene Ha, Sean Rubin, and David Petersen (Cover) David Petersen. Retail Price $3.50 U.S. Page Count 24 pages Format: saddle bound, 8" x 8", full color. All Ages. So what is 'My Take' on this issue #2 of the series? Long time readers of this blog will know that I find anthologies to be very hard to review. That's because when there are three stories in an anthology comic, the odds seem to be that one story will be good, one okay, and the other not so good. However, I didn't find that in this issue. Starting with the Front Cover: I found that it was a sharp idea for the creator of this concept to illustrate the front cover. Thus keeping a 'tone' or 'house style' of artwork being presented to the buying public. The Inside Front Cover was laid out very well. Giving the casual browser the credits as to who did what in this issue, and enticing the browser to thumb through the pages before purchasing. First Story - 'Potential' - Art by Sean Rubin, Story by Alex Kain. There wasn't that many words in this story, either text or dialogue. Mostly action...But the artwork made up for the lack of additional copy. The writer kept the storyline close to the title of the story. I liked this first presentation. Second Story - 'The Shrike and the Toad' - Art & Story by Terry Moore. Quick tale...very quick! Only two pages. But it got the tale told! Oh...In between the stories are additional pages by David Petersen linking the stories together. Which is why the Third Story seemed to be part of the additional pages. If it wasn't for the change in lettering, I wouldn't have noticed that quickly. The third story's title was 'Worley & the Mink' - Art by Gene Ha, Story by Lowell Francis. This tale was illustrated with much darker colors, thus changing the tone of the publication. But it didn't make the storyline that much darker, no 'grim n gritty' here. The Inside Back Cover features what is being presented in issue #3 of this series. The Back Cover is just a continuation of the Front Cover's illustration. No text, copy, or promo blurb here. So...here's what I think of this publication. I really can't call it a comic book, due to the odd size, 8" x 8", and indeed, I don't even have a comic bag / board to insert this into after reading it. Thus I figure that the publishers are attempting to make this more 'mainstream' to entice non-comics readers to pick it up, borowse it, and realize that it is an 'illustrated booklet', not a 'comic book'. Nothing wrong with that, just that it is harder to bag / board it after reading for safekeeping as it is a paper product without a soft cover or hardcover to protect it. As stated earlier, I like the concept of Mouse Guard. I usually am not totally satisfied with 'anthology' presentation in comics, TPBs, or graphic novels. However, this anthology issue, #2 of a projected 4 issue series, was so self contained, that I didn't feel I missed the point of the series by not reading the first one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this publication. My only concern is the format it was published in, an 8" x 8" soft cover paper publication. That may be my background as a 'collector' where after reading something, I bag and board it until I pull it out again to re-read. I had to dig out a magazine bag and board to insert it into for safekeeping. Thus my 'comic book grade' for this publication is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale. Here is the link to Archaia so that YOU can purchase the issues in this series. Here is the Facebook Fan Page for Archaia, which I suggest YOU 'like' also to keep up with what this publisher is presenting next. My thanks to Archaia for bringing this series to my attention! PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,255 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog! BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app! We currently have over 1,990 'Followers'! Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!! ~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com
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