Writer, Colorist & Letterer: David Petersen
Artist: Gabriel Rodriguez
Cover Artists: David Petersen, Gabriel Rodriguez, Goñi Montes, Derek Laufman, Walter Simonson & David Petersen
Publisher: Boom!
Price: $4.99
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Farrer served the residents of Shorestone. He enjoyed a happy life with a loving family. Now, Farrer braves a storm, crossing All-That-Is to reach the castle at Lockhaven. As he pushes through the rain and wind, he drags a heavy burden tied and wrapped in cloth. Why has the blacksmith abandoned his town to visit the Mouse Guard keep? Let’s grab our weapons, leap into Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #1, and find out!
Story
Farrer interrupts a meeting of the Mouse Guard with a tale of woe. He explains that a great snake and its kin have slain his wife and three daughters. The blacksmith poured his mourning into his craft, fashioning a new weapon to avenge his family. But the guards argue that his black axe is too heavy to wield effectively. Matriarch Siobhan explains that she can not spare any guard mice to champion his cause.
Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #1 transpires in 915 AD. These are dark times for civilization, made all the darker by the snakes that enclose All-That-Is. The serpents’ continual incursions leave survivors like Farrer in mourning. Yet Matriarch Siobhan cares for her people as best she can. She assigns her captains to guard the workers when they harvest the fields. Siobhan also provides escorts for merchants transporting food and goods to towns like Shorestone.
In David Petersen’s story, one Guard Captain disagrees with the matriarch’s decision. But then, Bardrick already feels like he doesn’t belong in Lockhaven. The others are so focused on protecting the necessities that they have forgotten how to live. They only believe in what they can see, while Bardrick dares to believe in things he cannot prove. As they fail to understand what Farrer offers them, Bardrick accepts the gift they thoughtlessly reject. In so doing, Bardrick leaves his old life behind to embark on an adventure of discovery.
Art
While Ferrer braves the elements in a tunic and traveling cloak, the Guard Captains cover their chests in armor. They sit at a wooden table, illuminated by a candle and the nearby fireplace, and study a map of mouse-held territory. Gabriel Rodriguez shows tears fall from Bardrick’s eyes when Farrer kneels before them in Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #1.
Among his fellow captains, Bardrick’s lowered hood rises higher toward his mouth. When Farrer leaves the room, Bardrick pursues the blacksmith down the dark halls supported by rings of voussoirs and roof bosses. Bardrick touches the metal ball at the end of the twisted metal handle. Then Bardrick kneels as Farrer lowers the axe onto the captain's shoulder with the inscribed blade pointing toward the ceiling.
David Petersen portrays the shadow that hangs over this land with muted browns, grays, and greens. Yellow and orange flames roar in fireplaces while candles burn in alcoves and make metal lanterns glow. The guards' armor and cloaks shine compared to Ferrer's gray cape and muted green and brown tunic. Matriarch Siobhan glows in her elegant purple, blue, and gold finery. When Bardrick embarks on his new mission, orange, peach, and brown threaten the dominance of the gray clouds.
While large white letters locate us in space, colored boxes fix events in time. Printed black text inhabits yellow and blue balloons. David Petersen opens Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #1 with a frontispiece containing a symbol and colored lettering evoking illuminated manuscripts. Sound effects enhance a final battle as Bardrick struggles to wield the heavy weapon against an angry titan. Thanks to Boom! Studios and Archaia Entertainment for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Farrer forged the Black Axe through a desire for revenge. In Bardrick’s hands, it embodies the hope for a better future, one not ruled by their serpentine enemies. Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #1 is about faith and sacrificing everything to protect the endangered and oppressed.
Rating 9.4/10
To look inside and view more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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