Mice Templar: Destiny #2

story MICHAEL AVON OEMING & BRYAN J. GLASS art VICTOR SANTOS & MICHAEL AVON OEMING cover MICHAEL AVON OEMING variant cover VICTOR SANTOS & VERONICA GANDINI

Last issue ended with Cassius and Karic captured by the Mole Goblins, and this issue picks up with them being escorted to have an audience with the Mole Goblin King. While the moles are just being introduced in the Templar mythos I really enjoyed them. They offered a little comic relief while still being a serious problem that our heroes have to deal with. Cassius shows a little determination and diplomancy in the way he deals with the Mole Goblin King, proving that there are layers as yet unexplored to his character.

We are also given a further look in to the happenings in the city of Dealrach Ard-Vale, and things take an interesting turn. Icarus, the mouse king, shows some of his true motivations for how he is governing the kingdom. We are also introduced to some new players in the landscape of the royal line. The politics and dealings in the royal city are much more deep than I first believed, and it will be interesting to see how things play out. Let's just say that nothing is as it seemed at first look last arc.

We get a peek in to what is going on with the captured mice, and for every bright moment that Glass gives us for them there is a counterpoint of self-preservation and deception. The way that area is playing out is interesting in itself and seeing the way Leito continues to grow as a character is nice, He seems to be trying to go the way of the Templar, but without the benefit of a mentor by his side. He is developing into a much more interesting character the more we are given a look at his descisions and actions while captured.

The confrontation with the evil that has entered the mole goblin tunnels was equal parts startling and exciting. Seeing how what has happened in the past, and how it is still carrying over to the present in the story is quite interesting, and establishes the fact that Glass and Oeming have crafted and living and developing world of the Templar legacy.The issue ends with us witnessing our heroes emergining in to an area of the Templar world that we have not seen to date, and how that will effect Cassius and Karic will be interesting to watch play out.

Overall a great second issue to the arc that moved the story forward at a break neck pace in places, while slowing down and revealing the inner workings of the world in which the story is set. This issue was a perfect balance of action and character development that should not be overlooked.

Proof #22

story ALEX GRECIAN art & cover RILEY ROSSMO

As the "Julia" arc continues we see what happens after the events leading up to Julia and Lent leaving the circus in the wake of the Springheel Jack reveal.The story begins with Proof and Ginger traveling back to the lodge. As the story unfolds we get a chance to see the depths of Lent's depravity in dealing with his wife and newborn child. While I don't want to give anything away here, I will say that this episode left me with an emotional feeling toward a character that few if any comics have ever elicited. It ends on a cliffhanger that doesn't look good for the future of Thomas Lent, and could further the developments that become the rift between Proof (Gulliver) and Mi-Chen-Po (Gilgamesh).

The art throughout this arc has been really good, and Riley continues that trend in this issue. You can feel the emotions of the characters as you read the story, and empathize with what is going on in the story.

Dave Casey again does a fabulous job on colors and has been a major contribution to the story since he joined the team. There has never been a bad colorist on Proof, but Dave is probably the best so far.

Alex Grecian's writing continues to impress 22 issues in to this book. He writes stories that draw you in to the book, and makes you care about the characters.

This issue features two back-up stories; one featuring Nadine (Chupacabra) and reveals that her intentions might not have been what readers thought when she was offering aid to the Colonel, the second is the finale of the current Archie Snow story that has been running the last few issues. Both are really well done and it's nice to see some resolution of previous events, and Archie Snow is always a fun and intriguing read.

Overall, Grecian, Rossmo, Casey and everyone else involved in this book continue to deliver the goods month after month.

If you believe in monsters...you need PROOF.

Mice Templar: Destiny #1

story MICHAEL AVON OEMING & BRYAN JL GLASS art VICTOR SANTOS & MICHAEL AVON OEMING cover MICHAEL AVON OEMING variant cover VICTOR SANTOS & VERONICA GANDINI

Bryan Glass and Mike Oeming's epic fantasy adventure continues in this second story arc. Picking up right where Prophecy left off we see Karic and Cassius as they begin their new teacher/student relationship.

The issue opens up with a retelling of the battle that saw the end of the Templars. We get to see a little more in to the events of that fateful day, and it is outstanding in story quality. A huge two page spread reveals some of the major players in the battle and we are given a little more on the aftermath.

As Karic and Cassius journey on, Cassius recounts what lead to the woods they are skirting being haunted, and it is rendered in classis Templar style in beautiful watercolor. The tale is sad one, but the beauty of the art really make it stand out and grab your attention.

We get a look in to Karic's motivations to become a Templar, and see a little bit of the internal conflict in the character through a "vision" sequence. Also we get to see more into what drvies Cassius and the burden he is carrying with him. It is a tribute to Bryan's writing that we are drawn into the lives of these characters and really made to care for them.

Victor Santos takes over the art duties on the majority of the book, and there is no drop off in quality. Usually when a new artist comes on a book there is a distinct difference, but I can honestly say that if I hadn't known there was a new artist I probably wouldn't have noticed.

The colors on the book make each page come alive, and draw you in to this vast world that Oeming and Glass have created. The colors are vivid and really pull you in to the book.

Overall, a great start to the second arc of this fantasy tale, that should be read by any fan of fantasy. This book always impresses me, and you can tell that it is a labor of love for all involved in making it.