Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe

The origins of the legendary Black Axe and its first mouse wielder revealed for the first time!

Eisner Award–winning creator David Petersen joins forces with Eisner-nominated artist Gabriel Rodríguez to bring a brand new prequel chapter in the epic Mouse Guard saga to life—just in time to celebrate the series 20th anniversary!

Set at the earliest point in the series’ timeline, this epic reveals the origin of the legendary weapon and the courageous mouse to first wield it—Bardrick. As darkness encroaches and monstrous serpents threaten the fragile peace of the Territories, Bardrick must rise to a duty greater than himself and embark on a perilous journey of sacrifice, bravery, and legacy. But with such immense stakes at hand, can the first Black Axe survive the toll of his quest?

Featuring stunning sequential art from Rodríguez paired with colors by Petersen himself, this hardcover volume beautifully expands the Mouse Guard mythos with the untold history of its earliest heroes.

Collects Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #1–3.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs