What do you think?
Rate this book
The Adventure Zone Graphic Novels #7
The Adventure Zone: Story and Song
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26The triumphant final installment in the #1 New York Times-bestselling Adventure Zone graphic novel series, a meta-fictional D&D adventure story based on the smash hit podcast.
After six beloved and bestselling installments, The Adventure Zone series returns one final time for a grand Story and Song. Our heroes—Taako, Magnus, and Merle—are about to discover the long-lost truths about themselves, their shared history, and the nature of the threat they’ve been facing since they first agreed to join the Bureau of Balance. But just as their eyes are opened to the truth—mere moments after being reunited with long-lost loved ones—the forces that have hunted them for all these years catch up in a spectacularly horrifying fashion.
After six beloved and bestselling installments, The Adventure Zone series returns one final time for a grand Story and Song. Our heroes—Taako, Magnus, and Merle—are about to discover the long-lost truths about themselves, their shared history, and the nature of the threat they’ve been facing since they first agreed to join the Bureau of Balance. But just as their eyes are opened to the truth—mere moments after being reunited with long-lost loved ones—the forces that have hunted them for all these years catch up in a spectacularly horrifying fashion.
416 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 14, 2026
About the author
Griffin McElroy
26 books355 followersGriffin McElroy is a podcaster, video producer, composer and writer living in Austin, TX.
He does a comedy podcast called My Brother, My Brother and Me, which was adapted into a TV show for Seeso in 2017.
He also does a bunch of other podcasts with my friends and family.
He was chosen as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 for the Media category in 2017, which he's still kind of in shock about.
He was a Senior Editorial Producer over at Polygon, which is a long-winded way of saying he made goofy videos for them full time. He also occasionally does a bit of writing.
He does a comedy podcast called My Brother, My Brother and Me, which was adapted into a TV show for Seeso in 2017.
He also does a bunch of other podcasts with my friends and family.
He was chosen as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 for the Media category in 2017, which he's still kind of in shock about.
He was a Senior Editorial Producer over at Polygon, which is a long-winded way of saying he made goofy videos for them full time. He also occasionally does a bit of writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 23, 2025
I can’t Waitttt 🥺
March 24, 2026
The Adventure Zone: Story and Song by Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and illustrated by Carey Pietsch brings the saga to a vibrant and emotionally charged close.
This final installment reveals the hidden past of Taako, Magnus, and Merle while bringing their long battle with a mysterious, relentless force to its climax. As buried truths come to light and lost connections resurface, the story builds toward a dramatic and high stakes confrontation.
What stands out most is how much depth this volume adds to the overarching narrative. The extensive backstory is full of imaginative ideas and genuinely enriches the world, even if its retelling nature makes parts feel a bit slower compared to the more immediate, adventure driven energy of earlier volumes. Still, the variety of experiences keeps things engaging, and longtime readers will appreciate the many callbacks to beloved characters encountered along the way.
The antagonist is a highlight, offering compelling interactions that add tension and emotional weight. All of this culminates in a resolution that feels both epic and well earned, delivering a satisfying payoff to the journey.
Carey Pietsch’s artwork once again shines throughout. The illustrations are bold, expressive, and bursting with color, perfectly matching the tone of the story and elevating every moment. As a whole, this volume serves as an epic conclusion that celebrates everything that made the series memorable.
A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher First Second Books and 23rd St. for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This final installment reveals the hidden past of Taako, Magnus, and Merle while bringing their long battle with a mysterious, relentless force to its climax. As buried truths come to light and lost connections resurface, the story builds toward a dramatic and high stakes confrontation.
What stands out most is how much depth this volume adds to the overarching narrative. The extensive backstory is full of imaginative ideas and genuinely enriches the world, even if its retelling nature makes parts feel a bit slower compared to the more immediate, adventure driven energy of earlier volumes. Still, the variety of experiences keeps things engaging, and longtime readers will appreciate the many callbacks to beloved characters encountered along the way.
The antagonist is a highlight, offering compelling interactions that add tension and emotional weight. All of this culminates in a resolution that feels both epic and well earned, delivering a satisfying payoff to the journey.
Carey Pietsch’s artwork once again shines throughout. The illustrations are bold, expressive, and bursting with color, perfectly matching the tone of the story and elevating every moment. As a whole, this volume serves as an epic conclusion that celebrates everything that made the series memorable.
A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher First Second Books and 23rd St. for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2026
“I have magic powers.”
An incredibly iconic line from Taako, one that may seem simple but holds a lot of weight. It’s also unironically one of my favorites. Not the only one amongst dozens that live rent free in my head and of which I think of on the regular.
It’s amazing to get chills over a story you’ve heard before—in this case one I’ve literally heard at least three or four times before. This was an iconic end when I listened to Balance for the first time and it’s still an iconic end reading it here. I love TAZ, I love this story and these characters. I LOVE getting to see Lup here at last—she’s such a fun and important character to the overall story.
It’s sometimes hard to compare something that is strictly audio to a different media of paper and no speaking whatsoever, but I do think the team has done well, especially with any changes to the original story to make everything more cohesive. Meandering storylines and confusion can sometimes go hand in hand with an improve storytelling format, even when the end result is spectacular, so I do like and agree with changing things up a bit.
I can’t leave here without shouting out Carrie for the incredible art. I’m so excited to see it in person and have all those boys on my shelf in one place. I still love the character designs, they all look so perfect to how I imagined and I simply cannot improve upon her designs. Brava.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an early arc of one of my most anticipated reads of the last 5 years honestly. I’m so sad it’s over, but ready for a new story from the hoys
An incredibly iconic line from Taako, one that may seem simple but holds a lot of weight. It’s also unironically one of my favorites. Not the only one amongst dozens that live rent free in my head and of which I think of on the regular.
It’s amazing to get chills over a story you’ve heard before—in this case one I’ve literally heard at least three or four times before. This was an iconic end when I listened to Balance for the first time and it’s still an iconic end reading it here. I love TAZ, I love this story and these characters. I LOVE getting to see Lup here at last—she’s such a fun and important character to the overall story.
It’s sometimes hard to compare something that is strictly audio to a different media of paper and no speaking whatsoever, but I do think the team has done well, especially with any changes to the original story to make everything more cohesive. Meandering storylines and confusion can sometimes go hand in hand with an improve storytelling format, even when the end result is spectacular, so I do like and agree with changing things up a bit.
I can’t leave here without shouting out Carrie for the incredible art. I’m so excited to see it in person and have all those boys on my shelf in one place. I still love the character designs, they all look so perfect to how I imagined and I simply cannot improve upon her designs. Brava.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an early arc of one of my most anticipated reads of the last 5 years honestly. I’m so sad it’s over, but ready for a new story from the hoys
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As wtih most people who are reading this series, TAZ (especially the Balnce Arc) is very special to me. I was thrilled when they did a graphic novelization of the series, and when I saw Story and Song on NetGalley the WAVE of nostalgia that washed over me was huge. The Stolen Century and Story and Song are easily some of my favorite parts of the Balance arc. And I think this is a fantasic novelization. BUT I think readers that may not listen to the podcast (WHY THO?!?!) will miss some of the most amazing character growth that happens in the podcast but is not included or felt a little rushed in the novel. A lot of the point of The Stolen Century was the boys' chahnce to really flesh out Taako, Magnus, and Merle's backstories. They each get timelines that really explain a part of their character's personality or point of view. Like Magnus and the Power Bear in particiular. We see it, we meet the Bear in the book but it flashes by so quickly that when they meet again later...you lose the weight of it. I KNOW you can't have everything in a book, The Stolen Century was 7 episodes ON ITS OWN. But it's been years and those episodes still hang in my brain and I would get eager to see something and then it would either not happen or it felt very rushed.
I sound like I'm ripping this book up, but I genuinely loved every minute of reading it. I got to see some of my most favorite moment's from the arc come to life and it was amazing. I laughed. I cried. It was great. I didn't know who Carey Pietsch when this series started, but I don't know if anyone else could have done the boys justice now.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, First Second Books, and 23rd Street Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I sound like I'm ripping this book up, but I genuinely loved every minute of reading it. I got to see some of my most favorite moment's from the arc come to life and it was amazing. I laughed. I cried. It was great. I didn't know who Carey Pietsch when this series started, but I don't know if anyone else could have done the boys justice now.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, First Second Books, and 23rd Street Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I will admit up front that this is a biased review. As a long time TAZ Balance was my first ever actual play podcast, and one of my first podcasts in general. The McElroys are very near and dear to my heart.
The Stolen Century arc was so beautifully done, and honestly even more well-suited to the graphic novel medium than it was to the audio medium. Seeing the different planes and worlds visually was so cool, and it added a lot of weight to Lucretia's character and decision making throughout the story to see what she went through documenting the crew's journey.
As someone who cried right along with the idiots that played D&D so hard they made themselves cry during my initial (and subsequent listens if I'm being totally honest), I will say that the epilogue did not carry the same emotional weight for me that it does on listening. Tying up that many loose ends is hard to do effectively in this medium without feeling choppy. Some moments still had the payoff, particularly with Magnus, but the rest didn't quite hit the same for me. It is a very high bar to meet and perhaps an unfair comparison.
This entire series has been so lovingly adapted, both in the writing and the artistry (I have been made into a Carey Pietsch fan through this to the point of recognizing her work in things like my library's 2025 summer reading materials without looking it up first). I am sad it is over, but damn what a delight it was to read.
Carey and the McElroys, whatever you do next I will follow you. You're going to be amazing.
I will admit up front that this is a biased review. As a long time TAZ Balance was my first ever actual play podcast, and one of my first podcasts in general. The McElroys are very near and dear to my heart.
The Stolen Century arc was so beautifully done, and honestly even more well-suited to the graphic novel medium than it was to the audio medium. Seeing the different planes and worlds visually was so cool, and it added a lot of weight to Lucretia's character and decision making throughout the story to see what she went through documenting the crew's journey.
As someone who cried right along with the idiots that played D&D so hard they made themselves cry during my initial (and subsequent listens if I'm being totally honest), I will say that the epilogue did not carry the same emotional weight for me that it does on listening. Tying up that many loose ends is hard to do effectively in this medium without feeling choppy. Some moments still had the payoff, particularly with Magnus, but the rest didn't quite hit the same for me. It is a very high bar to meet and perhaps an unfair comparison.
This entire series has been so lovingly adapted, both in the writing and the artistry (I have been made into a Carey Pietsch fan through this to the point of recognizing her work in things like my library's 2025 summer reading materials without looking it up first). I am sad it is over, but damn what a delight it was to read.
Carey and the McElroys, whatever you do next I will follow you. You're going to be amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
5/5 stars
So, disclaimer. The Adventure Zone podcast was a huge part of my life when the Balance arc, which these graphic novels are based on, was being released. I loved it so much that I actually have a tattoo of the Bulwark Staff and a quote about Lucretia. So I suppose it’s no surprise that I’ve been deeply excited for these books. It’s hard for things to stand up to the hype that happens when you love the original source material so much, but I gotta say. This stood up and made me feel all the same emotions all over again.
Genuinely, I have no notes, besides the fact that I’m sad they cut the actual encounter with the Stone Judges during the stolen century, because that year in particular was so impactful and so cool. But! With so much to adapt, not everyone’s favorite bits get in, and that’s such a tiny quibble. The art is phenomenal- I can’t imagine anyone else doing a better job than Cary Pietsch. Everything about the adaptation is so, so good.
For those who listened to the podcast, it’s an incredible experience that will bring back those memories. You’ll hear the most memorable lines in the actual voices and feel the same emotions. For those who are experiencing it for the first time… buckle up, because holy shit is it a wonderful ride.
5/5 stars
So, disclaimer. The Adventure Zone podcast was a huge part of my life when the Balance arc, which these graphic novels are based on, was being released. I loved it so much that I actually have a tattoo of the Bulwark Staff and a quote about Lucretia. So I suppose it’s no surprise that I’ve been deeply excited for these books. It’s hard for things to stand up to the hype that happens when you love the original source material so much, but I gotta say. This stood up and made me feel all the same emotions all over again.
Genuinely, I have no notes, besides the fact that I’m sad they cut the actual encounter with the Stone Judges during the stolen century, because that year in particular was so impactful and so cool. But! With so much to adapt, not everyone’s favorite bits get in, and that’s such a tiny quibble. The art is phenomenal- I can’t imagine anyone else doing a better job than Cary Pietsch. Everything about the adaptation is so, so good.
For those who listened to the podcast, it’s an incredible experience that will bring back those memories. You’ll hear the most memorable lines in the actual voices and feel the same emotions. For those who are experiencing it for the first time… buckle up, because holy shit is it a wonderful ride.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The phenomenal conclusion to this excellent graphic novel adaptation of a TTRPG podcast classic really delivered. A little personal history, back when TAZ: Balance was airing, was one of the hardest years in my adolescence and I truly credit this podcast and the McElroys in general for giving me hope to get through it all. I listened to them constantly and they continue to be very dear to my heart as an adult. (Fun fact! I did get to appear on their show My Brother, My Brother and Me at a liveshow in Tampa to ask a question about my parent's pheasants! Can't help but plug that since it is one of my finest accomplishments, and 15yr old me would go insane if she knew she got to do this lol Episode 751: Tragic Mike Tour) All that said, it is an absolutely buckwild feeling to be able to ARC read the final installment of the TAZ Graphic Novels.
I truly devoured this edition and the combination of the last two sections was a great idea. While there were a few bits I wished were not cut for time, the story flowed well and the humor and heart jumped off the page. Carey Pietsch's art style fits this story so well and I'm always in love with her designs and panel choices. Such a wonderful ending and I cannot wait to get a copy in July!
Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I truly devoured this edition and the combination of the last two sections was a great idea. While there were a few bits I wished were not cut for time, the story flowed well and the humor and heart jumped off the page. Carey Pietsch's art style fits this story so well and I'm always in love with her designs and panel choices. Such a wonderful ending and I cannot wait to get a copy in July!
Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Adventure Zone: Story and Song is a triumphant and visually stunning conclusion to the "Balance" arc that fans of the McElroy family have cherished for years. Having followed Taako, Magnus, and Merle since the early days of the podcast, seeing their journey from a simple tabletop game into this graphic novel series is nothing short of incredible. The transition to a visual format is particularly effective here. The podcast's finale was chaotic and difficult for me to track in the audio podcast form alone so seeing it in a visual format provided much-needed clarity for me. I especially loved the creative choice to represent Griffin as the DM within the narrative, allowing the characters to interact with their creator in a way that perfectly honors the spirit of the original play sessions. While this is strictly for established fans as the weight of the story is impossible to grasp without the context of the previous volumes or the podcast it is a deeply moving and beautiful wrap-up for these beloved characters. I give this grand finale a well-deserved 4/5 stars for finally bringing the Bureau of Balance's mission to a clear and heart-wrenching close.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the advance reader copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the advance reader copy.
June 17, 2026
Thank you SO much NetGalley and the publisher for the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion!
As always with TAZ comics- Perfection, oh my god. I can hear the boys' voices in my head as I read, and the art.. I swear it gets more beautiful with every edition of this series! I will admit, I definitely had to go back and reread the other comics as a refresher, but it's absolutely worth it. The final arc installation was so, so beautiful. Of course they had to cut a few parts which I will forever mourn, but the comic, as always, really captured the heart of the podcast.
It makes me want to erase my memory (with the jellyfish perhaps.) so I can go relisten to the podcast and fall in love with our favorite boys all over again.
I cannot believe the final book is here, and concluding The Adventure Zone- I absolutely teared up at the ending because this is one of my favorite podcasts of all time. They all did such a beautiful job bringing Taako, Magnus, and Merle's story to life and it's still so amazing that it brought an equally beautiful book series with it.
I cannot wait to have this copy in my hands and complete the series. Seriously, that empty spot on my bookshelf is killing me.
As always with TAZ comics- Perfection, oh my god. I can hear the boys' voices in my head as I read, and the art.. I swear it gets more beautiful with every edition of this series! I will admit, I definitely had to go back and reread the other comics as a refresher, but it's absolutely worth it. The final arc installation was so, so beautiful. Of course they had to cut a few parts which I will forever mourn, but the comic, as always, really captured the heart of the podcast.
It makes me want to erase my memory (with the jellyfish perhaps.) so I can go relisten to the podcast and fall in love with our favorite boys all over again.
I cannot believe the final book is here, and concluding The Adventure Zone- I absolutely teared up at the ending because this is one of my favorite podcasts of all time. They all did such a beautiful job bringing Taako, Magnus, and Merle's story to life and it's still so amazing that it brought an equally beautiful book series with it.
I cannot wait to have this copy in my hands and complete the series. Seriously, that empty spot on my bookshelf is killing me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
And that concludes the story of four idiots who played D&D so hard they made themselves cry...
And it also made me cry. Often. With many tears. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book. Reading off a screen does not do the illustrations justice. Carey Pietsch did an incredible job illustrating the graphic novels. It’s hard to accurately rate a story I’ve loved for almost a decade, but Carey and the boys did a fantastic job bringing the podcast to life in these graphic novels. I was nervous when I saw that Stolen Century and Story and Song were being combined, but I think this flowed very well and helps weave the conclusion together. It retained so many of my favorite parts and brought me back to the first time I listened to the podcast — Merle’s conversations with John, Lup’s departure, and, of course, the epilogue. TAZ: Balance, you’ll always be so special to me.
Now maybe I’ll go back and listen to it again.
And that concludes the story of four idiots who played D&D so hard they made themselves cry...
And it also made me cry. Often. With many tears. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book. Reading off a screen does not do the illustrations justice. Carey Pietsch did an incredible job illustrating the graphic novels. It’s hard to accurately rate a story I’ve loved for almost a decade, but Carey and the boys did a fantastic job bringing the podcast to life in these graphic novels. I was nervous when I saw that Stolen Century and Story and Song were being combined, but I think this flowed very well and helps weave the conclusion together. It retained so many of my favorite parts and brought me back to the first time I listened to the podcast — Merle’s conversations with John, Lup’s departure, and, of course, the epilogue. TAZ: Balance, you’ll always be so special to me.
Now maybe I’ll go back and listen to it again.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Shout out to NetGalley and First Second for this ARC! The Adventure Zone graphic novels adaptions just get better and better. When they announced that Balance would be made into a graphic novel, I was so curious about how they would adapt the last two arcs of the series. It's a hefty, heavy chunk of story that wraps up Balance Campaign so well. The same can be said about the graphic novel. It was such a good move to combine The Stolen Century and Story and Song into one graphic novel. This was incredible. It hits the emotional beats of the podcast while still remaining unique and its own artform. Carey Pietsch has always done an excellent job and Story and Song only hammers her abilities home. One of the reasons I love McElroy Family Universe (MFU) so much is its deep sense of sincerity and the love they have for each other, this really comes across in the final installment of the graphic novel series. Love, love, love those good McElboys!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I adored The Adventure Zone. It defined my 2017, so getting to return to this story nearly ten years later is such a blast, literally. The art is beautiful and such a wonderful job has been done in adapting the podcast to the graphic novel medium and also in fleshing out the characters. There’s so many iconic scenes from the podcast, too many to name honestly, that have been adapted here and the emotional impact hits just as hard as the original. Incredible fight scenes. I’m crying. This installment makes me want to go back and read through the rest of the graphic novels, to experience TAZ all over again. I’m emotional.
(I also didn’t know that Sloane and Hurley)
Thank you to First Second and NetGalley for the ARC.
(I also didn’t know that Sloane and Hurley)
Thank you to First Second and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the ARC!
The Adventure Zone Story and Song, a fantastic ending to a heartfelt story.
I have followed the McElroy Family for some time and I have listened to this arc of The Adventure Zone podcast multiple times. Despite knowing how the story goes and knowing how it ends, the McElorys and Carey Pietsch have managed to make me feel all the emotions again.
We get to see every one of our favorite characters from the rest of the series come back in this last epic fight against The Hunger! Story and Song has brought this series full circle and concluded it beautifully.
The Adventure Zone is my favorite podcast and now the graphic novel series is in my top 5 favorite series of all time. This book will stay on my shelf for as long as I am alive. (except for when I’m re reading it of course)
The Adventure Zone Story and Song, a fantastic ending to a heartfelt story.
I have followed the McElroy Family for some time and I have listened to this arc of The Adventure Zone podcast multiple times. Despite knowing how the story goes and knowing how it ends, the McElorys and Carey Pietsch have managed to make me feel all the emotions again.
We get to see every one of our favorite characters from the rest of the series come back in this last epic fight against The Hunger! Story and Song has brought this series full circle and concluded it beautifully.
The Adventure Zone is my favorite podcast and now the graphic novel series is in my top 5 favorite series of all time. This book will stay on my shelf for as long as I am alive. (except for when I’m re reading it of course)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley, First Second and the authors for this advanced reader copy
The Adventure Zone: Bureau of Balance is one of my comfort podcast listens, I can’t even count how many times I’ve listened to it, so to be able to read and review the final book in their graphic novel series meant the world to me. They managed to combine two of the most important arcs, Stolen Century and Story and Song, into this last book without losing the heart, humor and joy that made the podcast so amazing. Carey Pietsch’s art added so much to this already amazing story, the emotions and heart of the story are in every facial expression, color, and tiny detail. I cried at the end, and while I’m sad it’s over I’m so grateful they brought this story to life.
The Adventure Zone: Bureau of Balance is one of my comfort podcast listens, I can’t even count how many times I’ve listened to it, so to be able to read and review the final book in their graphic novel series meant the world to me. They managed to combine two of the most important arcs, Stolen Century and Story and Song, into this last book without losing the heart, humor and joy that made the podcast so amazing. Carey Pietsch’s art added so much to this already amazing story, the emotions and heart of the story are in every facial expression, color, and tiny detail. I cried at the end, and while I’m sad it’s over I’m so grateful they brought this story to life.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Did I almost cry 4 times at work reading this? Yes, I did. Was it worth it? 100%. As someone who listened to the podcast 7 years ago and read the graphic novel a while ago, I thought I had forgotten most of the story. But all the emotional moments hit just as hard. This is a beautiful finale to this story that meant so much to people. It makes me want to re-listen to the podcast again.
As always, the art was beautiful. It is colorful and so expressive. The design of John and The Hunger was a standout. It was a treat to read. The end was satisfying and tied everything together. If you are a fan of the podcast and/or the graphic novels, this book is the perfect conclusion to the epic story.
As always, the art was beautiful. It is colorful and so expressive. The design of John and The Hunger was a standout. It was a treat to read. The end was satisfying and tied everything together. If you are a fan of the podcast and/or the graphic novels, this book is the perfect conclusion to the epic story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Thank you to 23rd Street Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
It's rare that an adaptation surpasses the source material, but Story and Song ding dang did it. They captured all of the drama of this final story arc without losing the trademark McElroy humor. The art, the colors, the romance, everything was just spot on. (Needs more Garfield, but I'm not going to complain.) The action scenes were so dynamic, Carey Petsch absolutely killed it on the art. I'm pretty sure she invented at least 7 new colors (not to mention some quite interesting onomatopoeias).
Now I just want to go back and reread the entire series.
It's rare that an adaptation surpasses the source material, but Story and Song ding dang did it. They captured all of the drama of this final story arc without losing the trademark McElroy humor. The art, the colors, the romance, everything was just spot on. (Needs more Garfield, but I'm not going to complain.) The action scenes were so dynamic, Carey Petsch absolutely killed it on the art. I'm pretty sure she invented at least 7 new colors (not to mention some quite interesting onomatopoeias).
Now I just want to go back and reread the entire series.
July 4, 2026
“You’re going to be amazing!”
Is something I have been telling myself constantly throughout life after listening to this podcast many years ago. Since the first time I listened to TAZ Balance I’ve gotten married and had 3 kids. This book brings all those emotions right back to me at once, and as I did listening to the podcast, reading this story made me cry. A lot.
A story about three idiots becoming family and saving the world. Who couldn’t like that?
Bravo to the entire team to bring the audio story to life. This book series will be a cherished treasure on my bookshelf for as long as I live.
Is something I have been telling myself constantly throughout life after listening to this podcast many years ago. Since the first time I listened to TAZ Balance I’ve gotten married and had 3 kids. This book brings all those emotions right back to me at once, and as I did listening to the podcast, reading this story made me cry. A lot.
A story about three idiots becoming family and saving the world. Who couldn’t like that?
Bravo to the entire team to bring the audio story to life. This book series will be a cherished treasure on my bookshelf for as long as I live.
Review of advance copy
Almost a decade ago now, a friend recommended a podcast to me to listen to while I worked. And 8 years later I have finally been able to read the story that altered my brain chemistry.
Griffin, Justin, Travis, and Clint created one of the best stories I’ve ever listened to and I’m so glad I got to go on this journey with them for all these years, reliving Balance again and again. This final chapter, not just of the story but of the graphic novel, brought me to tears just like the finale did all those years ago, and I’m so thankful to them (and Carey) for creating these graphic novels for us.
You’re going to be amazing ❤️
Griffin, Justin, Travis, and Clint created one of the best stories I’ve ever listened to and I’m so glad I got to go on this journey with them for all these years, reliving Balance again and again. This final chapter, not just of the story but of the graphic novel, brought me to tears just like the finale did all those years ago, and I’m so thankful to them (and Carey) for creating these graphic novels for us.
You’re going to be amazing ❤️
June 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for providing this electronic advanced copy for review!
It was so exciting to finish the final graphic novel adaptation of the Adventure Zone Balance arc. It made me want to re-listen to the Balance arc all over again. The art was beautiful and I enjoyed the adaptive choices that were made to still capture the tone and story of the podcast, but also make it a cohesive narrative and do justice to its ending. I teared up multiple times reading this. Just a wonderful graphic adaptation of a wonderful story!!
It was so exciting to finish the final graphic novel adaptation of the Adventure Zone Balance arc. It made me want to re-listen to the Balance arc all over again. The art was beautiful and I enjoyed the adaptive choices that were made to still capture the tone and story of the podcast, but also make it a cohesive narrative and do justice to its ending. I teared up multiple times reading this. Just a wonderful graphic adaptation of a wonderful story!!
Review of advance copy
Would recommend listening to the song Voidfish (Plural) by Rachel Rose Mitchell while reading this book
My order came in alot earlier than I expected and I am reeling from the experience, I read all the previous books before this and I listened to the campaign when it was coming out so I knew what was coming but that didnt stop the excitement and tears that followed. The author(s) The McElroys and the Illustrator Carey Pietsch did a wonderful amazing job, I thank them for letting me real live the finale all over again.
My order came in alot earlier than I expected and I am reeling from the experience, I read all the previous books before this and I listened to the campaign when it was coming out so I knew what was coming but that didnt stop the excitement and tears that followed. The author(s) The McElroys and the Illustrator Carey Pietsch did a wonderful amazing job, I thank them for letting me real live the finale all over again.
Review of advance copy
I'm going to be completely honest and say that I was worried for this final volume after the last book. I was afraid that it was going to be rushed, that the heart of the podcast's finale would be piecemealed together in a way to make it digestible to a larger audience, but my god was I wrong.
Finishing this felt like finishing TAZ Balance for the first time again. This book was amazing and phantasmal and resplendent.
Thank you Barnes & Nobel for fucking up and putting this out damn near a week early because I'm an emotional mess and will need the extra time to recover
Finishing this felt like finishing TAZ Balance for the first time again. This book was amazing and phantasmal and resplendent.
Thank you Barnes & Nobel for fucking up and putting this out damn near a week early because I'm an emotional mess and will need the extra time to recover
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
No matter what reread or listen, Magnus reuniting with Julia never fails to get me. While there are some things I miss from the podcast, I think overall this whole series does a great job as an adaptation, especially capturing the feelings of listening to the podcast and I love that all of the most iconic/memorable lines were preserved in this medium.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I can't say how many times I've listened to the Bureau of Balance campaign. It's always bittersweet for it to end, and I still find it moving. This final volume does its best, and what it produces is nothing to dismiss out of hand, but it had big shoes to fill.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
HUGE thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the ARC! I can't believe how lucky I got!
When the end is so good, you have to go back and reread the series to see the entire picture come together. Full RTC closer to release date
When the end is so good, you have to go back and reread the series to see the entire picture come together. Full RTC closer to release date
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher for this free eARC! All opinions are my own.
We learn Takko, Merle, and Magnus's origin story and join them in the battle against The Hunger.#NetGalley #TheAdventureZoneStoryAndSong
We learn Takko, Merle, and Magnus's origin story and join them in the battle against The Hunger.#NetGalley #TheAdventureZoneStoryAndSong
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What an ending!! I'm going to miss them all and their wild adventures plus everyone they collected along the way! I was caught by surprise at every turn and I might've cried during one part of the epilogue, well, no, maybe during all of it. They've come a long way!
It's hard to say goodbye!
It's hard to say goodbye!
Review of advance copy
I devoured this book like a malevolent force devouring a series of realities! The colors are great, the body language is expressive, and the emotions are on full display in this final chapter to the tale of four guys who played D&D so hard they made themselves, and the reader, cry!
Want to Read
February 5, 2026I'm so ready to sob my eyes out over my 7 birds
Review of advance copy
I keep consuming this story over and over and the end never ceases to be a beauty punch to the gut. I love tres horny boys so much and TAZ Balance will never not haunt me.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews