Matt read and liked Jordan's review of Mouse Guard Volume One: Fall 1152:

"This was the biggest out-of-nowhere indie hit of the comic book world last year. With comparisons to "Bone" and "The Secret of NIMH," I knew it would never live up to the hype. But I enjoyed it nevertheless.
The art was ter...more This was the biggest out-of-nowhere indie hit of the comic book world last year. With comparisons to "Bone" and "The Secret of NIMH," I knew it would never live up to the hype. But I enjoyed it nevertheless.
The art was terrific, the world felt authentic, and the characters were instantly likable. I just think the story he was trying to tell was a little more epic than he gave himself room for. A lot of important stuff got skipped in "meanwhile..." chapter breaks and I wanted more development of the main characters and room for the action to breathe.
Still, it was a good first volume. Hopefully the future series will flesh out the aspects that made this one feel thin. And what an inspiration to anyone self-publishing comics. In just a few short years, this guy went from paying for his own print-on-demand copies to having action figures of his characters. Kudos.(less) "

Matt read and liked Becky's review of Mouse Guard Volume One: Fall 1152:

"Gorgeous book. The story owes a huge debt to Redwall, but the artwork is the real reason to read this book (and slowly). One review called the illustrations "sumptuous," and I can't beat that word. The colors are lush and glowing, and patte...more Gorgeous book. The story owes a huge debt to Redwall, but the artwork is the real reason to read this book (and slowly). One review called the illustrations "sumptuous," and I can't beat that word. The colors are lush and glowing, and pattern & texture are used to great effect to show depth and distance.

I noticed that David Petersen earned his BFA in printmaking, which would explain the care taken in composing each panel. Even though these aren't prints, I can imagine that when you get in the habit of thinking in reverse images, it strengthens your compositions. Also, his line work reminded me of Barry Moser's prints.

The Mouse Guard exists to provide safe journey and protection from one hidden mouse village to another. To a mouse, the entire world is full of predators. Just imagine how huge and terrifying it would be to battle a group of crabs...or a snake! (Some blood and violence...these are warrior mice.) The ancient and powerful weapon, the Black Axe, has fallen into the wrong hands. Will one of the Mouse Guard's own soon betray the Guard?

The "maps, guides, and assorted extras" at the end fleshed out the mice's world and reminded me of the detail taken in imagining other worlds such as Dinotopia. (Dinosaurs...mice...I swear there is a connection.)(less) "

Matt read and liked Jessica Severs's review of Mouse Guard Volume One: Fall 1152:

"Sincerity and simplicity are endangered concepts in much of today's fantasy offerings -- be they books, movies or games -- but "Mouse Guard" recalls the fare of my youth, like "Watership Down" and "The Secret of NIMH," w...more Sincerity and simplicity are endangered concepts in much of today's fantasy offerings -- be they books, movies or games -- but "Mouse Guard" recalls the fare of my youth, like "Watership Down" and "The Secret of NIMH," where even the most unassuming creatures face epic trials of life and death and morality.
Think of it as a "Lord of the Rings" for mice, but instead of battling balrogs, these warrior mice struggle against snakes and crabs, and instead of Sauron and his minions, they combat treachery from within their fragile community.
"Mouse Guard" draws its magic from a rich lore lovingly construction by author and illustrator David Petersen. The sumptuous artwork glows with a warm color palette, as if the illustrations would drip from the pages, and the contrast of shadow and light make the images jump from the page.
The main protagonists -- the mice who safeguard the villages within the border -- aren't rendered cutesy or cartoony. Who would have thought so much expression could be portrayed with beady, little eyes and nearly featureless, fur-covered faces? Yet Petersen succeeds in conveying emotion.
The story reads all too brief, only because the world it inhabits seems as if it would have stories that could fill volumes. It's the perfect book for parents to share with their children and for fantasy fans of any age.(less) "