There's not much to say about this book. I know, I know. When you read that, you're probably thinking to yourself, "In other words, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Well, fear not. Mice Templar is a great series. It's just that it's somewhat difficult to put in to words the praise this series deserves. It's only the second issue, but from August's #1 it became apparent that an epic is in the telling. Like Lord of the Rings, but without all the races and Elvish poetry is how I'd describe Mice. Or perhaps similar to that great film from my youth, The Dark Crystal, but for adults. Or both. Mice mixes cute characters in a world of violence and doom. Comics have a long love affair with anthropormhic tales, from Maus to Ninja Turtles to current hits like Mouse Guard, and now this offering from Image Comics. Springing from the minds of Bryan J.L Glass (Magician:Apprentice) and Mike Avon Oeming (Powers) it's obvious that the pair work well together, as they have many times before. Oeming's art is simply lush, combining great use of blacks and the varied layouts reminds me of Mike Mignola's (Hellboy) use of simple shapes in powerful ways, and the colours by Wil Quintana are noticeable when they need to be. If all you read are superheroes, then this book will be a beautiful showcase of what other art styles are out there.

Thankfully, the second issue recaps enough of the action packed events in the previous issue, and explores the Templar's past further, so don't be afraid to pick this up if you have yet to. Glass' script is suitably medieval in it's speech with names like "Kros Cur Onnor Da" and  "Kuhl-En." Glass can offer a better summary than I can, as he did in our interview last week, but basically Mice involves the rise of young Karic as a wannabe Templar, an ancient order of warriors that destroyed itself. After Karic's town is raided by rats, with many taken captive, Karic meets Pilot who teaches him the Templar ways. This issue continues the adventure as Karic continues to train and more is revealed about the world they inhabit. There's fighting between creatures of all kinds and prophecies and Fish God blessings and betrayals and all the usual stuff these kinds of epics involve, but Glass and Oeming put an intricately woven spin on proceedings, and it looks like something is slowly building here. This issue is a 32 pager and the next won't be released until January. It's filled out nicely with letter pages and in-depth look at the origin of the mice mythology. Don't wait for the trade however. There are enough intriguing developments to pique my interest (will Pilot's lack of faith be his, and Karic's downfall?) Despite the cute characters this is not one for the kiddies. The battles and discussions on faith and purpose make this story more than it appears. It may look like a mouse, but it roars like a lion.

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