Some unusual comics for kids have come out recently, or maybe they're comics for unusual kids. You be the judge.

Top of the list is "Mouse Guard: The Black Axe" (Archaia, $24.99). "Axe" is the third "Mouse Guard" graphic novel, but chronologically the first, as it takes place in Mouse Year 1115, whereas the previous two took place in — and were named for — "Fall 1152" and "Winter 1152." It's a prequel, telling the tale of how Mouse Guard Celanawe came into possession of the legendary Black Axe that he has when he meets fellow Guards Saxon, Kenzie and Lieam in 1152.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you're in for a treat.

The Mouse Guards are the protectors of a mouse civilization created by writer/artist David Petersen, a civilization at a Middle Ages level and built in the grass at our feet. Well, not our feet, as this world is seemingly without humans. But it is still a world full of peril for the tiny mice, beset by all sorts of predators, from owls to ferrets, as well as foul weather, disease and starvation. You know, like the human Middle Ages (except for the owls and ferrets).

Petersen's work is painstaking and gorgeous, as he fools the mind with beautiful images of how such a civilization would work, with tiny houses and carts and ale casks and itty-bitty mouse clothing denoting occupation and rank (for the Guards). When the mice are forced to fight, you can't imagine how they might win against such outsized opponents, and then Petersen orchestrates the combat so that you do believe it, and enjoy every panel of it.

Amazon says this book is suitable for ages 8 and up, but some of the violence — I'm thinking especially of a fatal ferret attack on a bird — might be too much for age 8. Depending, I guess, on the 8-year-old in question. Meanwhile, older kids and adults should enjoy "Mouse Guard: The Black Axe" tremendously.

Also from Archaia is an oddity called "Pantalones, TX: Don't Chicken Out" ($19.95). "Pantalones" stars Chico Bustamante, who likes to drag-race, outrace the sheriff and generally have fun. But when he is challenged to bronco-bust the sheriff's giant chicken, he must tackle the fearsome task or chicken out — and Chico never backs down from a dare. Amazon describes this book as suitable for ages 3 and up. The silly story and rubber-limbed, exaggerated art (by Yehudi Mercado) is simple and light.

Meanwhile, the eighth collection of Mark Tatulli's daily comic strip "Lio" has been released. It is "Making Friends" (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $9.99). For those whose local paper doesn't carry "Lio," the titular character is a creative little boy who has a lot of interaction with robots, monsters, aliens and other things that go bump in the night. He can, as the title implies, literally "make" friends, either a Frankenstein monster or a killer robot. He's sort of like Pugsley of "The Addams Family," only in a family where he's the only weirdo. "Lio" isn't quite as morbid as "Addams Family," but its humor is consistently black, or at least pretty dark gray. And it's entirely wordless, which means even youngsters can get the gags.