An ambitious graphic novel epic about anthropomorphic mice seeking to restore a lost order, dethrone a mad king, and survive the dangers of the night. The plot is spread across five volumes (in seven printed books), increasing in scope with each installment. While there’s a large cast, the most central character is Karic, a young mouse whose settlement is razed by an army of rats and sets off on quest to revitalize the templar organization and its purpose. As he journeys through the world, he learns about different groups, species, and otherworldly entities that all have a stake in the adventure.
The world that Glass and Oeming create is rich, offering a variety of characters with different motivations and a history that slowly peels back as characters learn or reveal hidden truths. An aspect that I particularly enjoyed was the back matter in each collection, touching on topics that inspired or had parallels with parts of the story, like the real Knights Templar or mythic tropes. The artwork (taken over by Victor Santos starting in volume 2) is atmospheric and action-packed, pairing well with the heroic fantasy tone.
Recommended for fans of other mice-focused series like Mouse Guard and Redwall, as well as epic fantasy readers interested in a unique graphic novel take on the genre.