Exclusive: Boom! Studios' Magical "Mouse Guard" Franchise Continues To Expand With "Dawn of The Black Axe"
Boom! Studios is releasing the latest follow-up to the Eisner Award-winning series Mouse Guard, “bring[ing a brand new chapter to life in this sprawling saga” according to the publisher. The original comic and its sequels introduced readers to the spellbinding fantasy world populated by intelligent mice, and now Dawn of the Black Axe continues to elaborate on the lore of the potent new franchise.
Screen Rant is thrilled to share an exclusive preview of Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #2 – written by David Petersen, with art by Gabriel Rodríguez – which continues to escalate the thrilling sequel series, as “the origin story of the Black Axe continues.”
The latest issue of the series is set to ship with exciting covers from Petersen and Rodríguez, as well as a variant by lauded Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman, making this Boom!’s latest can’t-miss release.
"Black Axe" Expands On The Mythology Of "Mouse Guard," The Award-Winning Comic Book Miniseries
Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #2 – Written by David Petersen; Art By Gabriel Rodríguez; Main Cover By Rodríguez
David Peterson's Mouse Guard has been a fan-favorite comic series since its first issue was released in 2006; now, nearly twenty years later, the adventure series continues with Dawn of the Black Axe, a prequel series expanding on the mythology of the franchise's centerpiece weapon. According to Boom! Studios' synopsis for the next issue of Dawn:
The origin story of the Black Axe continues! Bardrick, the first wielder of the Axe, continues his campaign against the serpents surrounding the mouse territories, but even he can’t be everywhere at once… The legendary weapon-bearer must serve his duty, but can he truly manage it all on his lonesome?!
The prequel series is still very much in its early stages, as its action continues to rise, and the stakes continue to grow even higher in the face of overwhelming odds.
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In other words, the tale of Bardrick in Dawn of the Black Axe is shaping up to be another classic hero's journey, one that will add a fitting puzzle piece to the overall history of the Mouse Guard world. The comic is also notable for serving as a celebration of the looming 20th anniversary of the original Mouse Guard comic; further, it doubles as a tribute to publisher Boom! Studios itself, as the company officially celebrates two decades in the comic book industry, during which time Boom! has become a staple of the indie publishing scene.
"Mouse Guard" Is A Celebrated Franchise That Deserves More Attention – Starting With "Black Axe"
Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #2 – Variant Covers By David Petersen & Kevin Eastman
Mouse Guard is highly regarded among indie comic fans; the series remixes and recontextualizes familiar beats from actual medieval history, filtered through the use of non-human main characters. Despite its origins in the mid-aughts, though, only a limited set of Mouse Guard issues have been published;while existing fans are clamoring for more, though, this gives new readers the perfect opportunity to jump on board and get up to date before the release of Dawn of the Black Axe, as Boom! Studios ushers in a new era for the beloved series.
Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #2 will be available May 7, 2025 from Boom! Studios
