NEW YORK, NY — Jul 11, 2007 — Villard Books, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group, and Archaia Studios Press today announce that MOUSE GUARD has begun its invasion of foreign lands. Foreign publishers are quickly snapping up the rights to publish David Petersen’s MOUSE GUARD: FALL 1152, further increasing the reach of the little band of mice. Currently, foreign rights publishers include Gallimard (France), Cross Cult / Amigo Grafik GbR (Germany), De Agostini (Italy), and Titan Books (United Kingdom). Many other publishers are close to finalizing acquisition deals for their countries, as well.

In MOUSE GUARD: FALL 1152 we are introduced to the fearless guards Saxon, Kenzie, and Lieam, dispatched to find a missing merchant mouse that never arrived at his destination. In this fanciful, dangerous and medieval world, where mice struggle to live safely and prosper among all of the world’s harsh conditions and predators, Saxon, Kenzie, and Lieam stumble onto much more than they bargained for…intrigue, betrayal, and a deadly, traitorous plot to overthrow the stronghold of Lockhaven. The next 6-issue MOUSE GUARD series, WINTER 1152, begins later this month from Archaia Studios Press; the first issue is expected in stores July 25.

Said MOUSE GUARD creator David Petersen, “It’s been so much fun to just be writing and illustrating MOUSE GUARD this past year and to see how well readers have responded. Now it’s even more fun and exciting to know that MOUSE GUARD will see a wider audience in different countries, in different languages. Thanks to everyone who has supported me and given me the chance to tell my stories.”

Acquiring editor Tricia Narwani at Villard said, “This is yet more evidence of the universal appeal of MOUSE GUARD. MOUSE GUARD is truly a story for everyone—for readers of all ages, and for readers all over the world.”

Archaia Studios Press’s hardcover edition of MOUSE GUARD: FALL 1152 (ISBN 978-1-932386-57-8, $24.95, a 192-page full-color graphic novel) collects the first 6-issue MOUSE GUARD series, including 12 pages of bonus material, and is in stores now. The trade paperback edition of MOUSE GUARD: FALL 1152 (Villard, ISBN: 978-0-345-49686-7, $17.95, 200 pages) hits stores in March 2008 and includes 8 new pages of bonus material.

MOUSE GUARD is recommended for ages 10 and up.

ABOUT ARCHAIA STUDIOS PRESS
Mark Smylie founded Archaia Studios Press (ASP) in 2002 as a new home for his epic fantasy comic book, Artesia (first published by Sirius Entertainment). Artesia, winner of ForeWord Magazine’s Best Graphic Novel of 2003, and its sequels — Artesia Afield and Artesia Afire — gave ASP its foundation. Artesia: Adventures in The Known World, a roleplaying game written by Mark, expanded ASP into the world of gaming; the game won the Origins Award for Role-Playing Game of 2005. Now Mark and publishing partner Aki Liao have expanded ASP to include a line of idiosyncratic and creator-driven comic books and graphic novels in the fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres, as well as translations of several of Europe’s best titles. More information can be found at www.aspcomics.com

ABOUT VILLARD BOOKS
Villard Books, named after the Stanford White brownstone mansion on Madison Avenue that was the home of Random House for twenty years, was founded in 1983. It publishes a general nonfiction and fiction list that has positioned itself on the leading edge of popular culture. Villard is the home for several highly regarded graphic novels, including American Splendor by Harvey Pekar; Flight, edited by Kazu Kibuishi; Elk’s Run by Fialkov and Tuazon; and Postcards, edited by Jason Rodriguez. Among the bestselling authors it has published are Jon Krakauer, Eve Ensler, Governor Jesse Ventura and Peter Greenberg, the “Travel Detective.” Visit the Villard website at www.villard.com