Title: Mouse Guard: Dawn of Black Axe (HC)
Publisher: Archaia
Artwork by: Gabriel Rodrigues
Words & Colors by: David Petersen
Price: $ 33.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 starts
Websites: www.boom-studios.com/archives/category/imprint/archaia/
www.mouseguard.net/dotba
Comments: This book collects issues one through three of the series. In this world, mice are intelligent and walk on their two hind feet.
The story begins by telling us who the Black Axe is and why he came to be. Bardrick steps up to the challenge. He is a mouse of courage, unafraid to stand up and do what he knows is right. As he takes up the burden, he becomes known as the Black Axe. The axe itself is designed as a powerful weapon, you can tell it was made for killing. Bardrick dedicates his life to this task, setting out to hunt down five deadly snakes.
The Black Axe eventually confronts Gammeltann. The battle is fierce: one mouse armed with an axe against a massive snake. The snake is deadly, and the fight is thrilling, with beautifully illustrated scenes of these two clashing in brutal combat.
Throughout his journey, the Black Axe is accompanied by an elk that appears to be some sort of spirit advisor. It follows him, though no clear explanation is given as to why.
The Black Axe keeps busy slaying snakes, and the art perfectly captures the intensity of these battles. He is pushed to his limits in order to survive and continue his mission.
In the end, the Black Axe fulfills the duty he has given himself. He protects the lands of the mice and makes them safer for all. The Black Axe is both a weapon and a mouse the land needed—and he answered the call. Bardrick is a mouse of the highest regard, and he earned the peace he ultimately received.
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