Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins Volume IV

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins (Collected Editions) #4

by Matthew Mercer, Jody Houser, Noah Hayes (illustrator)

Vox Machina returns to investigate a strange disappearance!

Hello! Is anybody home?

After the disappearance of Sir Fince, Vox Machina is tasked with investigating his whereabouts. After some poking and prodding, the team is led to a mysterious basement where dark forces loom. Meanwhile, Vax and Pike face off against a vicious chimera which puts both of their fighting skills to the test, and the rest of the crew navigate an underground cavern in hopes of reuniting with the two. It’ll take the help of an unexpected ally to guide the members of Vox Machina to their next objective…the Clasp’s headquarters.

The campaign continues with series IV of Critical Vox Machina Origins, from the New York Times bestselling team of Jody Houser (Orphan Black, Stranger Things), Noah Hayes (The Avant-Guards), Diana Sousa (Critical The Mighty Nein Origins, Mall Goth), and Ariana Maher (James Bond, Xena)!

Collects Critical Vox Machina Origins IV #1–#6.

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, Adventure, Comic Book

152 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2025

About the author

Storyteller, Voice Over Guy, Dungeon Master, McCree, Cor, Yusuke, Jack Cooper, MacCready, Levi, Chrom, Leon Kennedy, & keeper of the #CriticalRole...

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still plenty entertaining, though it probably doesn't take enough advantage of the split party in most of the first half, and it leaves us on a random cliffhanger. One note: as of this volume the storyline is no longer compatible with the Vox Machina animated series (since it adapts certain pre-streaming events differently). (B+)

[ari ୨♡୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was great, I loved seeing the two groups dealing with different situations. The scenes with Vax and Pike were hilarious. In this volume, we get a bit closer to the start of the series, and we begin to see the dragons in action. Things are going to get REALLY interesting.

(-) For me, this change in illustration doesn't quite work. It's very cutesy, but it's definitely a shift from what they had before — the characters now have a more "adorable" look, and I feel like in previous editions, the art style really added a lot of personality to the characters.

Anyway, I already miss them. I am getting closer and closer to starting the og campaigns.

P.S. I read the single issues, but for the reading challenge I'm only counting this edition.

[Tamara Morrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

great volume , without spoilers it was nice to see some of the things we never saw in the podcast like them meeting allura

i look forward to the next volume

[Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Tyler Butts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decided I may as well track the comics I read here too. I've really enjoyed the Vox Machina Origins series, it feels really well done, the art is fantastic, and it pulls you into a true DnD table re-telling. The story is quite faithful to the events pre-campaign of Campaign One and it's really fun seeing it play out with gorgeous art snappy pacing. Can't wait for Volume V!

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest entry in the series, it feels incredibly rushed, with few moments to really savor the scenes or characters. the art is also loose and lacks weight to the battles/threats

[Çınar Demir · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't be the only one who's HEAVILY off put by the art style? Most scenes have this weird Disney eyes and face, and the bodies are all sketches instead of fine lined. There are frames where proportions are WAY out of whack, I don't expect superb anatomical drawings in a comic book but this level of choppiness is not something I would expect from a Critical Role product.

[Madeline Rossell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do miss the previous art style.

[DaniLanglie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is in line with the other comics in this series, which is to say I was glad to flip through it and glad to have it on my shelf, but I'm never like, eagerly desperate to read these, you know? I think my biggest joy in this one was comparing the story as told here in the comic, based off the original home game, with what they adapted for the animated series as the 2-part opener that also had to serve as the introductory story for these seven characters. It was fun to see the changes! I liked getting the origins of meeting Allura and the flying carpet moment, I liked seeing so many little references to the animated series and to the earliest days of the streaming game. I wonder if Volume V is going to be the final volume that will catch the story up with the beginning of Campaign One as it exists in video form? Or is there a lot more in between this adventure and Pike's brush with death, and when Allura sends her new adventuring party friends to go find an old pal of hers in the Underdark...

[Aspiring · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one gets between a 3 and 3.5 star from me because in comparison to the first 3 volumes, it seemed a bit more rushed between the scenes and encounters. I wanted a little more attention paid to the storytelling and the details. (I also missed Olivia Samson's artistic style. She had a talent for drawing fight scenes that were very intentional. Her artwork drew the eye to each important detail, one-at-a-time, in the order she meant you to notice those details.) This one ends with a cliffhanger, so if they release a Volume V, I will read it, but I'm not sure they will, since the publisher has started printing other material for Campaign 2 in the meantime, and we haven't heard anything since about Vox Machina. I do want to see the conclusion for this one because it leaves off at a very emotional part in the plot. I will be a bit disappointed if we don't get closure for that final scene.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of the streamed cartoon, this will be great. A crisp art style that illudes to the action and text that keeps the tone of sarcastic humour that you hear in the animation. I spoke to a solid fan of Critical Role, and their fan performances of the D&D adventures of Vox Machina and she said that the streamed show and therefore the graphic novels may not be as appealing to old school nerds like her, but another medium was still another entry point into the Vox Machina trope. The plot line was as thrillingly convoluted as and DM's imagination could contrive, ending in a cliff hanger that would only continue in the next instalment of the series (ie volume V).

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vox Machina continue their investigation into the murder of a Tal'Doreh council member, only to run afoul of a Chimera, the Clasp, and a motherfucking dragon, because why not.

Houser's script captures the characters' voices nicely, building on the last series and setting up another in the ongoing plot while feeling like a complete adventure on its own. Noah Hayes's art is expressive and fun, and the background humour he injects into some of the characters really sell their personalities even when they're not talking.

Screw "Is it Thursday yet?" - is it Volume 5 yet?

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fine entry into the Critical Role comics series, though the content of this volume feels at once like filler and feels like too much happens in a short span of time.

Now that the comics have officially crossed over into covering events addressed by the cartoon, but presented in a different continuity, I wonder how much longer VMO will continue to provide a 3rd "canon" timeline of events in Exandria alongside its televised counterpart.

[James Deaville · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so good seeing this in comic version the actual way it played out at the table. Finally seeing how Pike died was incredible as well. I knew it happened I just wasn’t sure when it happens and how they bring her back. Look forward to the next volume to find out.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing collection of CR’s graphic novels now approaches launch of animated adaptation and the story tie-ins and tweaked designs start to show. Although the murky too-dark-to-see inking also continues. Overall enjoyable for fans.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume IV of Vox Machina Origins: three stars. Some interesting plot developments here, but I wasn't loving the new art style (more cartoonish and with some color inconsistencies), and the characters came off as very one-dimensional in this installment.

[Monica (Tomes Project)]

I would like to personally thank Critical Role and Dark Horse for continuing this series.

[Bekah Tribble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as always

[Prima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THESE DORKS!!!!!!!

[Mari Sil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Дизайн Аллури дуже сподобався.
Та й в нас тут знову дракони, прикольні моменти зі згортанням башти і магічними картинами, ну, важко не любити цей том.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer the previous art style of these comics by FAR, but all in all it’s still vox machina so its enjoyable

[Kevin Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sure do like these guys but does anyone know if there will be a Vol 5?

Also I love magic bags

[Yam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

New art style is a bit off-putting

[Kendra maidment · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the new art...

[SassieMolassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and these characters SO MUCH! Funny and packed with adventure!

[Aluisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED ANOTHER PEAS

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

5/5
-Plot:+1
-Characters:+1
-Art style:+1
-Writing/Storytelling:+1
-Overall enjoyment:+1

[Ellie Cripps · Rating 3 out of 5]

An improvement on the third one, though I can't help but agree with others that I wasn't super into the updated art style. 3.5 stars.