4 out of 5

‘Black Axe’ has a bit of the scope issue that affected the first arc, but as Petersen’s storytelling has become more patient and the Guard world more realized, the series overall comes out on top.  We flash back to Celanawe’s years with the guard, during which he is approach by the female mouse ‘Em,’ bearing a letter from Celanawe’s matriarch – and love – Bronwynn, asking him to, essentially, listen to what she says and do as she asks.  She tells him that they’re related, that they’re the last of their line, and that that line… is of Farrer, forger of the fabled Black Axe.  And we totes need to sail a ship across the world to track down its last location.  Cely uses his wiles to convince a boastful mouse from the port town – Conrad, of the very first issue, though with both legs (as in sans peg-leg) – that fame can be his if he helps them across the sea on his ship.  Thus our quest begins, Petersen drawing a thrilling and gorgeous ocean travelogue for an issue, with cute touches that keep adding to the wonderfully realistic feel of this world…. of talking, fighting mice and animals… and then exploration for the axe, and thrills when our crew runs into a pack of ferrets who’ve taken ownership of the weapon and agree to give it up if Celanawe can complete a mighty errand…  These issues are solid, and the imagination and skill behind designing the outfits for the ferrets (as well as capturing the amazing ‘errand’, the energy and motion of which Petersen has finally found a comfortable and clear way of expressing) is just jaw dropping.

Issues 4 and 5 are the return home, and here’s where things get a little too compressed.  Issue 4 works as an effective segue, I only mention it because Petersen gives a whole page over to a made up song about the arc’s adventures, and that starts to run dangerously close to Hobbit land.  Watch it, Petersen.  Issue 5 just zooms through way too much history in order to wrap us back around to a conclusion we were expecting if we read the previous Winter arc, and unfortunately this highlights a higher level problem I had with the story, in general – that it’s too soon.  The Black Axe was built up in issue 1 then delved into a bit with Celanawe’s addition to the team in issue 2.  Issue 2 ended on an excellent note that could’ve leant itself to drawing out the Black Axe mystery a bit more, or perhaps focusing on Lieam’s background a bit.  But instead we get it all wrapped up six issues later.  And I get that this puts us in good standing for moving forward, but… yeah.  It closes off the world a tad just when it was beginning to grow by keeping the storylines all very in-house for the moment.  The same is true of Conrad’s inclusion – although there will be a great story at some point (I hope) of his time between now and the first arc, it felt too soon to toss him back into the mix as a full-on star.

But I digress.

Sorta.