#299—Mouse Guard by David Peterson

What if Beatrix Potter had illustrated a serious medieval fantasy series? That’s basically the first impression I got of the graphic novel series Mouse Guard, written and illustrated by David Peterson.

Much like my earlier review for Amulet, this is a series where the author and illustrator are one and the same. One serious difference between the two is the effect they had on me as a former cartoonist. The beautiful yet simple style of Amulet made me think, “Hey, maybe I could revive Fuzzy Knights someday.” It even got me to start doodling and taking cartooning courses.

Mouse Guard, on the other hand, gave me serious feelings of inadequacy and made me want to give up because there is no way I’ll ever measure up to it.

This is my way of saying the artwork is frickin gorgeous. Growing up, I loved the works of Beatrix Potter, because she managed to make her animals both seem like animals and yet have them behave like people, and the art of David Peterson reminds me of that. You never forget that these are tiny little mice, and the art is never Disney-fied just to make them even cuter. They’re cute for natural reasons, not artificial ones.

The weapons, clothing, armour, and equipment they carry are all meant to feel appropriate to the historic setting, and reminds me a bit of Redwall or The Secret of NIMH in that regard.

Redwall, perhaps, bears the closest comparison, being set in a similar time period. Though both these series are classified as fantasy, that’s really only because of the anthropomorphic natures of the animals. They don’t really have magic or monsters or anything.

The first Mouse Guard book begins in Fall of 1152. In this world, sapient mice live in villages hidden away from the predators that live all around them. And that’s where the Mouse Guard come in, not only to act as soldiers to fight off intruders, but also as guides for mice wishing to journey from one village to another, as well as patrol the borders, find new safe paths through dangerous lands, and keep an eye out for any other threats.

The first book follows three of these Guardmice: Saxon, Kenzie, and Lieam, who are sent to search for a missing merchant that never arrived at his destination. However, finding this merchant mouse uncovers a conspiracy within their own ranks, and threatens their greatest city.

The book takes an unusual format, favouring a more square shape over the more usual rectangles of various proportions. The art favours muted desaturated earthy colours, which really add to the “realism” of the setting. You never forget that these stories take place outdoors in the woods, maybe even woods not too different from your own.

Mouse Guard’s main run lasted about ten years, from 2005-2015, though it seems on his blog as though he is still producing short stories. And it covers more than one story and era. While the story starts off in 1152, later stories are about the Great Weasel War of 1149, and another prequel goes back as far as 1115. Other books (Legends of the Guard) are made up of legends told at a tavern, which each contain one truth and one lie.

The author’s website (www.mousguard.net) includes details you might not find elsewhere, such as maps of the Mouse Territories, including the routes various characters took, and even music created for the setting.

Even more impressive, the series even has its own roleplaying game, designed by Luke Crane, which lets players create their own Guard Mice and form their own patrols.

Mouse Guard won two Eisner awards, both for Best Publication for Kids and Best Graphic Album in 2008. It’s also been on the New York Times bestseller list. There were even plans for animated film, which was sadly cancelled in 2019 after Disney acquired Fox, just two weeks before production was about to begin. Thanks a lot, Mickey, ya jealous bastard.

While these stories are kid-friendly, there is a certain grit to them that will appeal to adults as well. Death is a constant and real danger, and you will find yourself wondering how things will turn out. I mean, there are no GRR Martin-esque “Red Weddings” or anything, but it doesn’t feel dumbed down or overprotective of its younger readers… which is saying a lot for a story about sword wielding mice.