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The Order of the Stick #0
On the Origin of PCs
Like all great stories in the history of the universe, this one begins in a tavern. The Order of the Stick: On the Origin of PCs reveals the secret character backgrounds of your favorite band of webcomic adventurers, the Order of the Stick. Spinning out of the popular online comic (and subsequent book collections), On the Origin of PCs presents 72 pages of all-new, never-seen- before-or-since OOTS action and comedy that detail what each of the six members of the Order were doing with their lonely and pathetic lives before they joined forces to become a less lonely (but no less pathetic) team. Presented in nostalgic greyscale that we like to call "Past-O-Vision," On the Origin of PCs is a vital part of your Order of the Stick collection.
72 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 12, 2023
You can tell this is still pretty early on and that Cerebus hasn't gotten a hold of things much yet: for an "origin story", it's quite lacking. It gives us some insight on how the party got hooked up in the first place, and Roy's backstory gives a little bit more context on his motivations and personality and how he ended up the way he did, but other than that it's just a clip-show of some things the party was doing earlier in their lives. Funny gags, but nothing enlightening.
The main comic itself goes into far more detail about everything as the time comes, and the more we go on the more this one is left to dust.
And speaking of dust, I hope we'll see something of Belkar before he bites it...
The main comic itself goes into far more detail about everything as the time comes, and the more we go on the more this one is left to dust.
And speaking of dust, I hope we'll see something of Belkar before he bites it...
August 2, 2015
First of all, the title is, again, awesome.
Second, I dunno what it is about origin stories, but I simply love them.
Also, I'm currently reading these comics in the best possible way (my friend, another fan of them, gave me the order to read them in: 1, 2, -1, 0, 3, 4, D.)
It's amazing how this story keeps evolving into a better and better high fantasy. It's about a billion times better than anything Patrick Rothfuss would write lol.
Second, I dunno what it is about origin stories, but I simply love them.
Also, I'm currently reading these comics in the best possible way (my friend, another fan of them, gave me the order to read them in: 1, 2, -1, 0, 3, 4, D.)
It's amazing how this story keeps evolving into a better and better high fantasy. It's about a billion times better than anything Patrick Rothfuss would write lol.
May 5, 2012
On the Origin of PCs is a prequel story featuring the heroes of the Order of the Stick webcomic. It is the first "print-only" OotS book, featuring material not available on the website.
As with the other print-only collections, this trade is in greyscale due to cost concerns.
On the Origin of PCs is 72 pages long, and features a short tale (or two) about each of the members of the OotS, as well as their formation as a team and first mission together. It's a well done, humorous set of stories, but there's nothing here vital to understanding the main story (nor anything all that important or illuminating really). But the background for Roy, Durkon and Haley is interesting, the trade as a whole is enjoyable, and it introduces some characters that would later appear in the "proper" trades (ie the thieves guild).
All in all this is a solid, albeit not totally necessary, addition to the OotS library. I wouldn't call it "only for completists," but you could skip it without losing much if you were so inclined.
While the volume number 0 is appropriate from a "in-comic" time perspective, it doesn't tell you when you should be reading this volume (although the author somewhat does, in the introduction). I'd recommend reading it between Volumes 3 and 4. This will prevent anything here from spoiling elements of the main story, and will allow you to get to know the characters before learning about their backstories.
As with the other print-only collections, this trade is in greyscale due to cost concerns.
On the Origin of PCs is 72 pages long, and features a short tale (or two) about each of the members of the OotS, as well as their formation as a team and first mission together. It's a well done, humorous set of stories, but there's nothing here vital to understanding the main story (nor anything all that important or illuminating really). But the background for Roy, Durkon and Haley is interesting, the trade as a whole is enjoyable, and it introduces some characters that would later appear in the "proper" trades (ie the thieves guild).
All in all this is a solid, albeit not totally necessary, addition to the OotS library. I wouldn't call it "only for completists," but you could skip it without losing much if you were so inclined.
While the volume number 0 is appropriate from a "in-comic" time perspective, it doesn't tell you when you should be reading this volume (although the author somewhat does, in the introduction). I'd recommend reading it between Volumes 3 and 4. This will prevent anything here from spoiling elements of the main story, and will allow you to get to know the characters before learning about their backstories.
April 18, 2010
I guess you'd have to be already invested in OOTS to appreciate all the prequels, but I am!
Ooh, and I got the Buffy reference, as well as the Iron Chef ref.
And Roy and I seem to have had similar college experiences, um, without the Blood Oath.
And I love it that Elan's special knowledge of stories gets the narrative rolling.
The book's short, but when you're freaking out about losing your cat, and waiting for your gf to come home so she can successfully find him, it's the perfect distraction.
I will purchase this book!
Ooh, and I got the Buffy reference, as well as the Iron Chef ref.
And Roy and I seem to have had similar college experiences, um, without the Blood Oath.
And I love it that Elan's special knowledge of stories gets the narrative rolling.
The book's short, but when you're freaking out about losing your cat, and waiting for your gf to come home so she can successfully find him, it's the perfect distraction.
I will purchase this book!
March 15, 2012
While this is a fun book, it suffers by comparison to the other volumes. It shows how the Order came together, and is most reminiscent of the first volume of the story proper. The tales are more gag-ish and light, and while a fun read for people who love the OOTSverse, I can't recommend it as a starting off point
December 13, 2007
OOTS is wonderful, amazingly well thought out, and you don't have to be a hard core gamer to get the jokes.
September 16, 2011
Matt & I read aloud.
I'm a sucker for back stories, so I was happy with this slim volume in the OOTS canon.
I'm a sucker for back stories, so I was happy with this slim volume in the OOTS canon.
January 22, 2020
This is the first of several supplemental volumes of OOTS published by Rich Burlew, meaning material that did not appear in the online strip. These volumes are nice bonuses that break up the long stretches between publication of the main OOTS print collections, typically filling in pieces of backstory and subplot that are not crucial to the online story. On the Origin of PCs depicts events that led to the formation of the Order Of The Stick and explains what brought the Order to the dungeon in which readers first found them at the beginning of the entire comic.
As such, it’s a slim volume, both literally and in terms of plot, though not without every bit as much humor as the main story. Different characters are given different amounts of backstory; Roy, for example, receives a fair amount of story here, as his family history factors heavily into the main plot of OOTS. Belkar, meanwhile, is left just as much a cypher as ever; as Burlew explains in his introduction, a backstory that explains Belkar’s psychotic antisocial tendencies would only serve to make him tragic, not funny or outrageous.
So this is not an integral part of the OOTS epic, but it does further explain some of the motivations and meetings of characters that we first met when they were already an “official” adventuring party. And, as always, it’s funny, putting its protagonists through amusing situations while poking fun at yet more tabletop gaming tropes. Bear in mind that it is printed in black and white, and that some of these backstories are entangled with plot developments portrayed in the second main OOTS book, No Cure for the Paladin Blues, and should thus perhaps be read during or after the reading of that book.
As such, it’s a slim volume, both literally and in terms of plot, though not without every bit as much humor as the main story. Different characters are given different amounts of backstory; Roy, for example, receives a fair amount of story here, as his family history factors heavily into the main plot of OOTS. Belkar, meanwhile, is left just as much a cypher as ever; as Burlew explains in his introduction, a backstory that explains Belkar’s psychotic antisocial tendencies would only serve to make him tragic, not funny or outrageous.
So this is not an integral part of the OOTS epic, but it does further explain some of the motivations and meetings of characters that we first met when they were already an “official” adventuring party. And, as always, it’s funny, putting its protagonists through amusing situations while poking fun at yet more tabletop gaming tropes. Bear in mind that it is printed in black and white, and that some of these backstories are entangled with plot developments portrayed in the second main OOTS book, No Cure for the Paladin Blues, and should thus perhaps be read during or after the reading of that book.
February 3, 2019
I am a fan of the "Order of the Stick" main series and so I was interested in its prequel, On the Origin of PCs.
This is an Origin Episode for the Order of the Stick. It was a fun thing. There is a mix of seriousness and comedy in how the main characters come together. Roy, for example, is fresh out of fighter college and seeking to defeat an evil sorcerer because his dad said he couldn't do it. There's an even a heartfelt speech at the guy's grave. Vaarsuvius, on the other hand, is introduced on a parody of "Iron Chef".
It was interesting to see the diverse initial motivations of the Order's members. Frankly, it's surprising that they all stuck together as long as they have. The final scene makes something that happens in the Godsmoot arc take on much greater weight.
It is not required reading for the main comic as anything in here that is necessary is already included there. Rather, I feel it enriches the narrative to know what happened earlier.
It is a quick read. I finished it about 2.5 hours.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Order of the Stick - On the Origin of PCs" an A+
This is an Origin Episode for the Order of the Stick. It was a fun thing. There is a mix of seriousness and comedy in how the main characters come together. Roy, for example, is fresh out of fighter college and seeking to defeat an evil sorcerer because his dad said he couldn't do it. There's an even a heartfelt speech at the guy's grave. Vaarsuvius, on the other hand, is introduced on a parody of "Iron Chef".
It was interesting to see the diverse initial motivations of the Order's members. Frankly, it's surprising that they all stuck together as long as they have. The final scene makes something that happens in the Godsmoot arc take on much greater weight.
It is not required reading for the main comic as anything in here that is necessary is already included there. Rather, I feel it enriches the narrative to know what happened earlier.
It is a quick read. I finished it about 2.5 hours.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Order of the Stick - On the Origin of PCs" an A+
August 18, 2017
I've been following the webcomic for years and it's done an amazing job of taking a metagaming funny webcomic (drawn using stick figures...) and making a "serious" work of it while keeping it's funny tone. I look forward to every new comic and reading them in the book format, with the comment and a better flow as I do not have days (weeks) between panels, makes me appreciate them anew.
January 17, 2022
Honestly, I'm a little peeved Durkon didn't tell Roy about the aasimar and the other thing even though he said he found everyone for their party, I mean he could have gotten rid of belkar, and I love elan but he isn't as useful as an aasimar and whatever that other thing was. But overall a good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2022
Prequels are often forces or lacklustre; this, for me, was not. I found the humour consistent with the main series and the background dales to fit with what we know from the main and yet still fresh and entertaining.
Still had to struggle with the un-bubbled black text on the greyscale main image.
Still had to struggle with the un-bubbled black text on the greyscale main image.
November 7, 2024
i read this whole webcomic years back, and have started a reread on a whim (and with a lot of free time and procrastination now that uni is over). never read this little prequel, which doesn't add a huge amount, and is more just little vignettes.
October 8, 2019
Best Scene: "On the plus side I think some of the kobolds died laughing."@
June 14, 2020
Hilarious and wonderfully written
October 26, 2021
Belkar é o personagem favorito do meu filho de 06 anos. Devo me preocupar?
October 27, 2022
I am loving this series!
November 18, 2015
So, this was really the first time that I'd delved into any OotS stuff. Occasionally Jarrod has shared some panels with me, but this is the book that really made me fall in love with it. I'm so glad that I decided to give it a try, since in the past I've been "meh" about graphic novels. But I really enjoyed this! I actually laughed out loud at some of the jokes throughout the storyline.
And really, I don't normally laugh out loud at books. Even books that are intended to be humor -- like Bill Bryson's stuff -- sure, I find a lot of what he says funny, but not to the level of "here I'm going to laugh out loud like a lunatic because THIS IS HILARIOUS!" :)
Am definitely looking forward to reading more OotS comics!
And really, I don't normally laugh out loud at books. Even books that are intended to be humor -- like Bill Bryson's stuff -- sure, I find a lot of what he says funny, but not to the level of "here I'm going to laugh out loud like a lunatic because THIS IS HILARIOUS!" :)
Am definitely looking forward to reading more OotS comics!
February 6, 2012
On the Origins of PCs (terrible pun I know) is the first prequel to the Order of the Stick online comic, which if you haven't read it yet, then please go and read it now. This will all make far more sense if you do.
This book details some of the history to the main characters of OotS, And culminates in Roy putting together the group and setting off to the Redmountain Hills, where the online strips begin. Obviously we're not getting whole childhoods here but there is enough flavour to each character that it is brilliant side material for the main story.
The chapter with Belkar in the jail is not just funny, it's rib-brakingly, pants-wettingly funny. Honestly even just thinking about the conversation cracks me up. In fact with the exception of Roy and Vaarsuvius' first meeting and their attempt at a 'synonym off', Belkar is by far the highlight of this book. His lack of realisation that murdering his way through life is what's brought him to this point is just so funny provided you never know a real life psychopathic halfling. Bilbo Baggins he is not.
If you like OotS then read this book. If you don't like OotS then don't read this book. If you've never heard of Oots, I've put a link below, enjoy and then find out more about Roy and the gang.
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This book is a print only prequel and therefore cannot be found online, however for the main Order of the Stick storyline, please visit www.giantitp.com
This book details some of the history to the main characters of OotS, And culminates in Roy putting together the group and setting off to the Redmountain Hills, where the online strips begin. Obviously we're not getting whole childhoods here but there is enough flavour to each character that it is brilliant side material for the main story.
The chapter with Belkar in the jail is not just funny, it's rib-brakingly, pants-wettingly funny. Honestly even just thinking about the conversation cracks me up. In fact with the exception of Roy and Vaarsuvius' first meeting and their attempt at a 'synonym off', Belkar is by far the highlight of this book. His lack of realisation that murdering his way through life is what's brought him to this point is just so funny provided you never know a real life psychopathic halfling. Bilbo Baggins he is not.
If you like OotS then read this book. If you don't like OotS then don't read this book. If you've never heard of Oots, I've put a link below, enjoy and then find out more about Roy and the gang.
-----
This book is a print only prequel and therefore cannot be found online, however for the main Order of the Stick storyline, please visit www.giantitp.com
February 11, 2017
This book is just too good. I love everything OOTS. It made my existence meaningful, just like it promised on the back cover.
March 13, 2015
This is a great addition to the OOTs universe. It was a lot of fun to go back to the early years of our favorite bumbling party of adventurers. This was back before the plot was convoluted, the villains were well known, and the gags well rehearsed, and this story does a good job of going back to its roots. It was fun to revisit the jokes on 3.5 and the old jokes that were worn out in the strip because they were too far from their original occurrence. This is a fun little adventure that only really adds anything of substance to Durkon's story, the rest was already fairly well explained or didn't require much more to flesh out their story. Belkar remains a fairly one dimensional character, Hailey doesn't do much more than add a few gags to the mix, same with Varsuuvius. Roy has an interesting scene with his dad that is both funny and more than a little sad. Overall, it was a fun read that was worth the 3 hours I gave it.
March 21, 2020
Another fun entry in the "Order of the Stick" canon, "Origin of PCs" differs from its predecessor "Dungeon Crawlin' Fools" in 2 ways: It's a prequel (featuring short stories that flesh out the backstories and histories of each member of the Order), and it features strips that only exist in printed form, not online! This makes it extra-valuable in my opinion. Each character gets their time to shine (even murderous Belkar, the hilariously sociopathic Chaotic Evil halfling ranger). It also shows how the whole group comes together and how, from the very beginning, they bounce off each other in hilarious ways. If you like "Order of the Stick," it's definitely worth buying and reading. Plus, many of the supporting characters in some of the stories (particularly Haley's) show up for bigger arcs in the main comic, so it's a nice preview!
September 22, 2011
Rich Burlew, author of The Order of the Stick, has, besides his comic strip compilations, also written two companion books. The first, book 0, is called On the Origin of PCs and is about how the various player characters got together to form the Order of the Stick. It gives a little more background on Roy, Haley, and Durkon (including the real reason Durkon was banished), but not much more on Belkar, Elan, or Vaarsuvius. While I enjoyed learning more about the characters, the background information generally wasn’t anything I couldn’t have guessed or didn’t already know, and it didn’t provide any truly new information, so I was a little disappointed in that regard. I’d recommend the book to a completionist, but not necessarily to everyone.
October 28, 2014
As you may have deduced from the number, it's a prequel. It's even a proper prequel, best read after the works appearing before it only in the Real World timeline. Burlew alerts you to that in the Introduction. (As opposed to the Preface, provided by Redcloak because he has no role in it.)
As befits a world based on a role-playing game, some player characters have a lot of backstory; others have none. Belkar of course has none; explaining why he turned into the little sociopath would keep him from playing his comic relief role. Roy's father appears on stage to exemplify the back story that has caused so much problems. And Halley gets the letter that everyone knows from the webcomic.
Amusing little tales. Not much of an overall plot, obviously.
As befits a world based on a role-playing game, some player characters have a lot of backstory; others have none. Belkar of course has none; explaining why he turned into the little sociopath would keep him from playing his comic relief role. Roy's father appears on stage to exemplify the back story that has caused so much problems. And Halley gets the letter that everyone knows from the webcomic.
Amusing little tales. Not much of an overall plot, obviously.
July 29, 2016
Burlew's skill at characterization are what makes his Webcomic engaging, and the same is true with this prequel book. Each of the protagonists have traits that everyone can relate to, making it easy to root for the Order (even Belkar, because, yes, we've all had homicidal thoughts before). It was fun seeing the events that brought the Order together, though even Burlew tells us in his foreword that nothing here is essential to understanding and enjoying the ongoing Webcomic. I can attest to that. It's a fun diversion, but what background you need to know about the characters to understand their motivations is already there. The book is just for those who can't get enough of the series.
December 21, 2015
If you play D&D and don't know The Order of the Stick, you are missing out. This particular comic collection is not part of Burlew's online strip and specifically addresses the origins of the party. Some we've already received either hints of or more details online, others were new information. Some of the origins are hugely funny, as one would come to expect from portions of this comic . I do think that this collection might not make much sense to those who haven't read the online comic or his other printed collections as while it is a bunch of origin stories, some of the punchlines are funnier having know the characters.
August 30, 2007
This is a print comic that serves as a prequel to a webcomic. Recommending this book, as I would do to almost anyone, is meaningless without recommending the comic itself, which can be found at giantitp.com. The first comic is here: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots00...
Personally, Order of the Stick is one of my favorite webcomics, and if you like that then you're going to like this book. If you don't like it, you're not going to like this book--but you're also not going to buy this book, so hey, problem solved. Check out the comic.
Personally, Order of the Stick is one of my favorite webcomics, and if you like that then you're going to like this book. If you don't like it, you're not going to like this book--but you're also not going to buy this book, so hey, problem solved. Check out the comic.
June 11, 2012
So I have to admit...I didn't like these origin stories as much as the origin stories in Start of Darkness, but they do stay true to the spirit of the comic. There were no shocking reveals, but it was very interesting to see the start of certain relationships and their first encounter together was a hoot! I recommend reading the online comic before this compliation. There's nothing super spoiler-y, but the online comic may have less of an impact if you know the roots of the characters before hand.
May 26, 2009
Rich Burlew writes an enjoyable D&D-themed comic called "Order of the Stick" (you can find the archive here). This book is new material about how the characters in the comic started their adventuring party, as well as a little personal history for each character. Really quite fun, but really, at 70 picture-filled pages, I'm not sure I'll count it at the end of the year.
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