Archaia’s Mouse Guard: The Black Axe #2 pulls readers back into Celanawe’s quest. The first issue of this series was released in December, so you may have to go back and re-read to refresh your memory. Celanwe is traveling with his relative, Em, to find the black axe. One of his ancestors forged the weapon, and it was passed down from mouse to mouse. Eventually it faded into myth. The two brave mice have traveled to Port Sumac to find passage across the Northern Sea. They believe the last bearer of the black axe took it hence. The journey is long, and it isn’t easy.Author and artist David Petersen tells his story just as much with images as he does with words. The pieces of this epic tale are being put into place very carefully. This issue moves the story forward, and while the pace isn’t slow, it isn’t exactly breakneck either. I wouldn’t want it any other way. The art is phenomenal as always. Every detail, every worn surface and aged paper, and the lettering immerses the reader into this world. It’s obvious that Petersen puts a lot of time into making this fantasy world believable; it feels like the actual past. This is a comic that I will absolutely go back to repeatedly just to lose myself in the images. And I’m happy to do so until the next issue is released.