Word Balloons: Artist-writer’s success inspires new spinoff

/> Petersen’s covers appear on Muppet projects including "Muppet King Arthur” and "Muppet Snow White.”

Petersen also will draw the covers for the first "Mouse Guard” spinoff, a four-issue miniseries. "Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard” will feature creators including Gene Ha, Guy Davis and Ted Naifeh. Petersen also will draw chapter breaks.

"My initial push was to try to find creators who are both artists and storytellers, just like I am,” Petersen said. "The setup is that it’s a storytelling competition at a tavern in the ‘Mouse Guard’ world.”

In September, the third volume of "Mouse Guard” is scheduled for release. "Mouse Guard Vol. 3: The Black Axe” will reveal the back story of the Mouse Guard’s most powerful member.

"It’s going to be a prequel,” Petersen said. "Now is the time to reflect on (The Black Axe’s) life and his past and see where things came from, before we see where they go.”

And a Mouse Guard movie is being discussed.

"We’re talking with a studio,” Petersen said. "It’s a studio that I like the stuff that they’ve done. They’re excited about doing a Mouse Guard movie, I’m excited about them doing a Mouse Guard movie. ... I think we’re very close.”