Kevin Sutton
Apr 24, 2008, 11:37 pm
<a href=" http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/image/0308/micetemplar04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src= "http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/image/0308/micetemplar04t.jpg" alt="The Mice Templar #4" hspace=10 align=left></a>
Reviewer: Kevin Sutton, kevinsutton@cheerful.com
Story Title: Part Four: The Readers of the Wheat
The readers of the wheat don’t appreciate those who go against the grain.
Story: Glass and Oeming
Art: Michael Avon Oeming
Colours: Wil Quintana
Letters: James H. Glass
Created by: Michael Avon Oeming and Bryan J.L. Glass
Published by: Image Comics (http://www.imagecomics.com/)
The Mice Templar is a treat when it appears on the shelves. It’s longer reading than most other comics, and is a model of a fairly unique and high quality comic. In this issue, Karic’s epic journey from mouse to mouse hero jumps into second gear when Pilot takes him deeper into the world of the Mouse Templars.
Karic was last left by Oeming and Glass in the hands of the local spook Black Annais; a frightful creature in the mold of many child eating swamp hags. Confronted by visages of his departed ones, Karic shows his mettle by banishing the spooks with his metal. His mentor Pilot however, did not leave Karic to be food for Black Annais, or as part of some test –he’s brought Karic to Black Annais to gain access to her vision by way of a dark offering. With his answers and Karic in tow, Pilot is now ready to confront the Templars –but the strange mouse stalking them from the previous issues isn’t going to be left behind again. Pilot and Karic approach the home of the readers of the wheat where Pilot his confronted by his past and perhaps, Karic’s future.
Karic shows the strength of his character in his willingness to defend his friend, his family, and rise above his fear. It’s a swell contrast to both Pilot and Cassius, two weathered warriors each with their own chip on their shoulders. Cassius and Pilot’s dispute is still a mystery to the reader just as it is to Karic, though bits and pieces are starting to become clear. Pilot continues to utilize dark magics in his search for redemption and influence, and he comes dangerously close to suggesting to Karic that raw power is a universal language. But he’s no Emperor Palpatine; it’s clear he views Karic as a means to his personal ends and vindication, but he also seems to truly care for his charge—at least in the manner to which he is accustomed to caring for people. Cassius is wrathful for all the damage Pilot, (and perhaps Cassius himself) caused through his opposition to the priests he has come to despise. While Cassius may be indeed too righteous for his own good, (Certainly Karic’s) listening to Pilot one gets the impression that ambition and jealousy of his superiors led him to this point and not a genuine philosophical difference.
I like the depth of the characters, but they are complimented by an equally rich setting. While this issues’ postscript pays significant tribute to the folk origins of bogeymen, I was more impressed by the story that followed the opening scene. Seemingly innocuous, the wheat field takes on significantly greater importance at mouse-scale. It’s a hypnotizing obstacle of significant dangers, but also the source of power for the priests of the mice who read the cultivated fields for clues to the future. (Though I wonder what they see in the winter) The oddity of the setting is reinforced by a short scene where the mice hide out for the day. I like how the mice view the night and day as separate worlds, a view driven by their religion and influence surely by evolution as much as anything else. This also stands in contrast to most other fantasy stories, which seldom view the passage of a day in such stark terms. It’s another distinct element to this setting which helps emphasize the folklore laden and alien nature of the mice’s world.
The dialogue isn’t perfect, but it is quite good. There’s a high level of diction which helps make the events seem more important and epic, though it occasionally seems a little overwrought. I like how this story has progressed so far in a relatively short span of issues. This fully makes up for the slightly slower pace of installments. (As compared to a monthly) I also really have gotten a good feel for the style of the story as well. Much like other notable epics which drop neophytes into larger situations, the reader can identify with the main character in part due to their role as an intruder into someone else’s adventures and conflicts. Karic may be the ‘chosen one’, (Though perhaps not) but he is also an outsider to the wider world due to his sheltered upbringing. So there’s a level of mystery added to the dramatic events because neither Karic nor the readers are yet fully aware of the full score; and the complexity of the characters and powers makes this all the more anticipated.
Mice Templar is a very good book, and one I’d advise non-readers to seek it out. It’s funny to consider that this book has been as exciting as it is before the hero has even truly involved himself in his supposed destiny to save the mice. The triumph of the mundane is a testament to a story rich in dramatic texture. Just more proof that even the little things can be a big deal.
RATING:
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FIND this issue at X-WORLD and SAVE! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=2810&cat=MICE+TEMPLAR)
Reviewer: Kevin Sutton, kevinsutton@cheerful.com
Story Title: Part Four: The Readers of the Wheat
The readers of the wheat don’t appreciate those who go against the grain.
Story: Glass and Oeming
Art: Michael Avon Oeming
Colours: Wil Quintana
Letters: James H. Glass
Created by: Michael Avon Oeming and Bryan J.L. Glass
Published by: Image Comics (http://www.imagecomics.com/)
The Mice Templar is a treat when it appears on the shelves. It’s longer reading than most other comics, and is a model of a fairly unique and high quality comic. In this issue, Karic’s epic journey from mouse to mouse hero jumps into second gear when Pilot takes him deeper into the world of the Mouse Templars.
Karic was last left by Oeming and Glass in the hands of the local spook Black Annais; a frightful creature in the mold of many child eating swamp hags. Confronted by visages of his departed ones, Karic shows his mettle by banishing the spooks with his metal. His mentor Pilot however, did not leave Karic to be food for Black Annais, or as part of some test –he’s brought Karic to Black Annais to gain access to her vision by way of a dark offering. With his answers and Karic in tow, Pilot is now ready to confront the Templars –but the strange mouse stalking them from the previous issues isn’t going to be left behind again. Pilot and Karic approach the home of the readers of the wheat where Pilot his confronted by his past and perhaps, Karic’s future.
Karic shows the strength of his character in his willingness to defend his friend, his family, and rise above his fear. It’s a swell contrast to both Pilot and Cassius, two weathered warriors each with their own chip on their shoulders. Cassius and Pilot’s dispute is still a mystery to the reader just as it is to Karic, though bits and pieces are starting to become clear. Pilot continues to utilize dark magics in his search for redemption and influence, and he comes dangerously close to suggesting to Karic that raw power is a universal language. But he’s no Emperor Palpatine; it’s clear he views Karic as a means to his personal ends and vindication, but he also seems to truly care for his charge—at least in the manner to which he is accustomed to caring for people. Cassius is wrathful for all the damage Pilot, (and perhaps Cassius himself) caused through his opposition to the priests he has come to despise. While Cassius may be indeed too righteous for his own good, (Certainly Karic’s) listening to Pilot one gets the impression that ambition and jealousy of his superiors led him to this point and not a genuine philosophical difference.
I like the depth of the characters, but they are complimented by an equally rich setting. While this issues’ postscript pays significant tribute to the folk origins of bogeymen, I was more impressed by the story that followed the opening scene. Seemingly innocuous, the wheat field takes on significantly greater importance at mouse-scale. It’s a hypnotizing obstacle of significant dangers, but also the source of power for the priests of the mice who read the cultivated fields for clues to the future. (Though I wonder what they see in the winter) The oddity of the setting is reinforced by a short scene where the mice hide out for the day. I like how the mice view the night and day as separate worlds, a view driven by their religion and influence surely by evolution as much as anything else. This also stands in contrast to most other fantasy stories, which seldom view the passage of a day in such stark terms. It’s another distinct element to this setting which helps emphasize the folklore laden and alien nature of the mice’s world.
The dialogue isn’t perfect, but it is quite good. There’s a high level of diction which helps make the events seem more important and epic, though it occasionally seems a little overwrought. I like how this story has progressed so far in a relatively short span of issues. This fully makes up for the slightly slower pace of installments. (As compared to a monthly) I also really have gotten a good feel for the style of the story as well. Much like other notable epics which drop neophytes into larger situations, the reader can identify with the main character in part due to their role as an intruder into someone else’s adventures and conflicts. Karic may be the ‘chosen one’, (Though perhaps not) but he is also an outsider to the wider world due to his sheltered upbringing. So there’s a level of mystery added to the dramatic events because neither Karic nor the readers are yet fully aware of the full score; and the complexity of the characters and powers makes this all the more anticipated.
Mice Templar is a very good book, and one I’d advise non-readers to seek it out. It’s funny to consider that this book has been as exciting as it is before the hero has even truly involved himself in his supposed destiny to save the mice. The triumph of the mundane is a testament to a story rich in dramatic texture. Just more proof that even the little things can be a big deal.
RATING:
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FIND this issue at X-WORLD and SAVE! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=2810&cat=MICE+TEMPLAR)