Mouse Guard: The Black Axe

David Petersen's Mouse Guard: The Black Axe is a prequel series from Archaia Studios Press, published from 2010 to 2013, that delves into the legendary origin of the Black Axe—the iconic weapon of the Mouse Guard. Over six issues, Petersen both writes and illustrates a medieval fantasy tale set generations before the main series, following a young mouse on a perilous quest that shapes the Guard's history. This standalone story expands the beloved world of Mouse Guard with rich world-building and Petersen's signature detailed, watercolor-style art, offering fans a deeper look at the myths that define the series.