Michigan Comics Events:
Three big events are coming up for the Michigan comic community! And I am fortunate enough to be a part of them all! Here is the rundown:


MSU Comics Forum:
Held every year on the beautiful campus of Michigan State University, The Michigan State University Comics Forum is an an event that brings together scholars, creators, and fans in order to explore celebrate the medium of comics, graphic storytelling, and sequential art.
I'll be delivering the keynote speech on Friday March 27th at 7PM and I'll be on a comic creators panels on Saturday March 28th. The events are free to all
here is the link for more information

Michigan Comics: MIRTH, MOCKERY AND MAYHEM
My Art History Professor at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has been putting on shows about comic originals as art for a number of years. This time, he and Michigan-based cartoonist Dave Coverly have co-curated a show featuring solely Michigan-based artists working in graphic storytelling from the past and present. The show dates are March 31-June 5 in the University Gallery at the Student Center. There is also an opening reception/comics symposium on the 31st from 7PM to 8:30PM. Three Mouse Guard originals will be part of the show and will tour with the show as it travels over the summer and early fall.
here is a link to the EMU Student Center for directions & maps

Visual Storytelling at the Gallery Project in Ann Arbor:
The uber-talented Katie Cook is co-curating a show at the Downtown Ann Arbor Gallery Project that will feature multiple works of sequential artwork. It looks to be a great collection of artists works and the focus is on the storytelling and the process of making artwork which tells a story. I'll have several Mouse Guard originals and a paper model I made as reference on display. The show runs April 15th through May 15th.
here is a link to the gallery project's site for hours and directions

Mouse Guard Winter #6
Is done! It is in the hands of Archaia now. The few friends who have seen the issue are enthusiastic about it. I'm pretty happy with it myself. I am terribly sorry it took so long to get to the end of that l-o-n-g winter, but it feels good to have 2 finished Mouse Guard story arcs under my belt. I feel that this series was an improvement over the Fall 1152 arc and even the later issues of Winter are better than the beginning issues. Currently I'm getting the extras for the hardcover ready...so bear with me, but I'm trying to get the work in by the deadline.

Mouse Guard Winter #4

The wait is over! I really appreciate all the patience the fans have shown and I hope you all enjoy Issue #4. Jesse Glenn, who composed the music for the Ballad of the Ivory Lass, also recorded a version where he performed the lyrics as well.

So here for download is the MP3: Ballad of the Ivory Lass

Mouse Guard Issue #4

I have word both from Diamond and ASP that the long delayed Issue 4 of Mouse Guard will be in stores Nov 26th! This is my favorite issue to-date, has my favorite cover, and features Mouse Guard music!

Speaking of which, I will make the MP3 of the ballad (performed by Jesse Glenn, the real life Kenzie) available here next Wed. once the issue is in stores.

So re-read Issues 1-3 of Winter (you may need the refresher, I certainly did!) and check back here Wed. for that special download.

Another note on ASP and Mouse Guard. The latest release date for the RPG is Dec. 24th, and the Limited Ed. Slipcase B&W hardcover is slated for release at the New York Comic Con in Feb.

Mouse Guard takes home 2 Eisners!!

I am proud to announce that Mouse Guard won in both categories that is was nominated for:

-Best Publication for Kids (Fall 1152 & Winter 1152)

-Best Graphic Album - Reprint (Fall 1152 Hardcover)

Last year after winning the Russ Manning at the Eisner awards I leaned in to Julia pointed to an Esiner globe and said "someday I want one of those". Who knew it would be so soon!

Thanks to everyone who voted and supported Mouse Guard!

ForeWord's Book of the Year Awards
Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 won bronze in ForeWord Magazine's annual awards in the Graphic Novel category! This is the fifth straight year that an ASP book has won in the category:
**Gold Medal (2003): ARTESIA
**Silver Medal (2004): ARTESIA AFIRE
**Honorable Mention (2005): THE LONE AND LEVEL SANDS
**Bronze Award (2006): ROBOTIKA
**Bronze Award (2007): Mouse Guard Fall 1152
It is a huge honor and I thank the folks at ASP and the folks at ForeWord Magazine!!

By now fans of Mouse Guard have had a chance to see the news about ASP’s restructuring. Obviously, I have known about it for a while now, but waited for the news to go public before talking about it.

As one of the earlier additions to the ASP family, I’ve had many interactions with Aki Liao over the years and while I will miss him, I can see that this will be a positive change for the company. I still strongly believe in the vision, quality, and talent Mark Smylie has brought to ASP.

"What does this mean about future Mouse Guard issues and hardcovers?" you may be asking. I have no plans to move Mouse Guard to another publisher. Once the restructuring is complete Mouse Guard will be back on track. I apologize for the delays thus far and hope that the fans can bear with us. The coming weeks should give us a better idea of the timeline for upcoming releases.
No matter what, I am fully committed to creating more Mouse Guard and getting it into the fans hands as soon as possible.

I am thrilled to announce that Mouse Guard has been nominated for two Eisner Awards this year!!

Best Publication for Kids
Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 and Mouse Guard: Winter 1152
Best Graphic Album—Reprint
Mouse Guard: Fall 1152, by David Petersen (Archaia)

I am truly honored!