Broken Frontier

Archaia’s Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock one-shot brings together the publisher’s critically acclaimed fantasy series and a preview of their adaptation of Jim Henson’s beloved 1980s TV show.

The Mouse Guard segment, “Spring 1153,” is narrated by the rodent matriarch, Gwendolyn, as she reflects on the events of the previous miniseries and the challenges of the future. While she laments the death of the mouse champion, Celanawe, and the rise of new predators, we are given a fascinating tour of the mouse territories. We also witness the fearless Guardmice battling foes such as snapping turtles and badgers in some very dynamic action scenes. But a new threat looms which the mice must appease or face destruction. As ever, David Petersen’s art has the stunning richness of storybook illustrations and he makes each action of his tiny characters seem epic.

In the Fraggle Rock segment, melancholy misfit Boober decides that if he doesn’t fit in among Fraggles, he will instead join the industrious insect-like Doozers. This does not turn out how he expects. And in a second story, Red experiences a crisis of self-confidence over an art project. Both stories strike the balance between humor and subtle life lessons that the show was so good at. Jake Myler’s art on the first story has a slightly smoother line style than Jeremy Love’s, but both capture the likenesses and personalities of the puppet characters well. If I have one criticism, it is that the book might benefit from a quick intro for new readers who did not grow up with the show and don’t know a Doozer from a Gorg. I already knew the cast, and the stories do provide some context, but a single paragraph to set the scene wouldn’t hurt.

Overall, the Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock one-shot is fun, mostly accessible, and entertaining for readers of all ages, always a laudable feat in today’s comic market.