The Mice Templar: Destiny #5

Chapter Five: An Order Divided

by Brian JL Glass (writer), Michael Avon Oeming and Victor Santos (artists), and Veronica Gandini (colors)


For the first time since leaving the great tree and the Readers of the Wheat, Karic and Cassius encounter other mice, Templars. Though they were once Cassius' brothers they are not pleased to see him.

This is an intermediate chapter. Although the volume ends with this chapter the story does not. The chapter feels a bit rushed. As with some of the previous chapters there are two segments. The first is about their arrival in the Templar camp or community. The second is about the events that lead to Karic's acceptance of Ronan's (inevitable) challenge. Unlike the previous couple chapters that told more than one tale, in this case both stories revolve around Karic.

The Mice Templar: Destiny #4

Chapter Four: A Measure of Justice

by Brian JL Glass (writer), Michael Avon Oeming and Victor Santos (artists), and Veronica Gandini (colors)


The story continues to roll forward on two fronts with more action and more flashbacks. Karic continues to develop under Cassius tutelage as he is challenged by his mentor and the world around him. After an unsuccessful escape attempt some, but not all, of the mice live to fight another day.

Victor Santos does a beautiful job on this issue. He draws in a style that is similar to but not identical to that of Michael Avon Oeming. The use of a rougher approach and a different color palette for the flashback sequences is both effective and a thing of beauty.

What I Bought - Apr 15, 2012

I went to the Capicon Show at the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Department today. I didn't find any of the things at the top of my list but I did buy a number of other things.

- Hercules, Prince of Power #1 - 4 (1982 mini-series)

- Machine Man #1 - 4 (1984 mini-series)

- New Teen Titans (1980) #21 - 25 :: first appearance of Brother Blood (21-22) followed by the first 3 parts (of 4) of the Titans encounter with Starfire's sister, Blackfire; this story concludes in Annual #1, which I already have

- Captain America #262 :: to replace the coverless copy that I have had for years; I still need to buy #261 and #264 to complete my run of the early DeMatteis/Zeck run on Cap

- The Untold Legend of the Batman #1 - 2 :: I was unable to find #3 at a "reasonable" price

- DC Comics Presents Annual #2

- Comic Book Comics #4

Total cost: $11.50 which includes the $2 admission fee

I grabbed a bite to eat and then went to Barbarian Comics in Wheaton, MD where I bought some new, much more expensive books.

- 20th Century Boys v19
- Scalped v3: Dead Mothers
- Punisher Max v1: Kingpin

The Mice Templar: Destiny #3

Chapter Three: The Bright Realm

by Brian JL Glass (writer), Michael Avon Oeming and Victor Santos (artists), and Veronica Gandini (colors)

This chapter reads much faster than its predecessors. There are some flashbacks but for the most part the story moves forward with exciting moments in two different settings. Karic's tutelage continues as he and Cassius encounter beauty and danger when they cross into the Bright Realm. While to the north, led by Leito, imprisoned mice fight for their lives in a bid to escape the dungeons of Dealrach Ard-Vale.

The Mice Templar: Destiny #2

Chapter Two: In the Bowels of the Earth

by Brian JL Glass (writer), Michael Avon Oeming and Victor Santos (artists), and Veronica Gandini (colors)


Karic and Cassius, captured by mole goblins, descend beneath the Haunted Wood. In Dealrach Ard-Vale mice of varying stripes fight amongst themselves while the rat Druids scheme to overthrow King Icarus.

This chapter seems much busier than the previous one. Much happens as the bigger story starts to take shape.