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Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin
For Yasha, there has always been a storm on the horizon. Maybe it formed with her adoption by the Dolorov people in the harsh lands of Xhorhas. Or perhaps when she fell for her first love, Zuala. Or still later, when grief and madness drove her from her village and out into––somewhere else. Maybe, on the other hand, Yasha IS the storm.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published August 23, 2022
35 people are currently reading
1540 people want to read
About the author
Cecil Castellucci
221 books722 followersCecil Castellucci is an author of young adult novels and comic books. Titles include Boy Proof, The Year of the Beasts (illustrated by Nate Powell), First Day on Earth, Rose Sees Red, Beige, The Queen of Cool The Plain Janes and Janes in Love (illustrated by Jim Rugg), Tin Star Stone in the Sky, Odd Duck (illustrated by Sara Varon) and Star Wars: Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure.
Her short stories have been published in various places including Black Clock, The Rattling Wall, Tor.com, Strange Horizons, Apex Magazine and can be found in such anthologies such as After, Teeth, Truth & Dare, The Eternal Kiss, Sideshow and Interfictions 2 and the anthology, which she co-edited, Geektastic.
She is the recipient of the California Book Award Gold Medal for her picture book Grandma's Gloves, illustrated by Julia Denos, the Shuster Award for Best Canadian Comic Book Writer for The Plain Janes and the Sunburst Award for Tin Star. The Year of the Beasts was a finalist for the PEN USA literary award and Odd Duck was Eisner nominated.
She splits her time between the heart and the head and lives north and south of everything. Her hands are small. And she likes you very much.
Her short stories have been published in various places including Black Clock, The Rattling Wall, Tor.com, Strange Horizons, Apex Magazine and can be found in such anthologies such as After, Teeth, Truth & Dare, The Eternal Kiss, Sideshow and Interfictions 2 and the anthology, which she co-edited, Geektastic.
She is the recipient of the California Book Award Gold Medal for her picture book Grandma's Gloves, illustrated by Julia Denos, the Shuster Award for Best Canadian Comic Book Writer for The Plain Janes and the Sunburst Award for Tin Star. The Year of the Beasts was a finalist for the PEN USA literary award and Odd Duck was Eisner nominated.
She splits her time between the heart and the head and lives north and south of everything. Her hands are small. And she likes you very much.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
September 22, 2023
Boring with poor art
This thing dragged on much more than a 50-page comic should. The art was awful. It looked like a knock-off fantasy Rick and Morty comic. Not at all what I want in what should be a gritty story.
This thing dragged on much more than a 50-page comic should. The art was awful. It looked like a knock-off fantasy Rick and Morty comic. Not at all what I want in what should be a gritty story.
September 21, 2022
Before I move on to the actual review, keep in mind that I read this book as an outsider - I don't know the characters or the Mighty Nein campaign.
I liked it quite a lot. It's a bit Game of Thrones-y, with murdered tribes and another tribe taking in the sole survivor, the titular Yasha Nydoorin. It's all a bit callous and harsh, but who doesn't like a bit of that now and then. The story doesn't do anything unexpected, but is generally written well. Maybe the turn of events in the last ten pages or so could've used a bit more room to breathe.
The art is a bit on the cartoony side, some dramatic moments work less well then I feel they could've with a different artist (there's a moment of high drama with the main character crying out, that made me giggle a bit).
I have a problem with the colouring. Lots of prime colours, fighting for your attention, making the whole thing look flat, and doesn't seem to reflect what is happening in the narrative. It made me think of the colouring in a children's picture book.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)
I liked it quite a lot. It's a bit Game of Thrones-y, with murdered tribes and another tribe taking in the sole survivor, the titular Yasha Nydoorin. It's all a bit callous and harsh, but who doesn't like a bit of that now and then. The story doesn't do anything unexpected, but is generally written well. Maybe the turn of events in the last ten pages or so could've used a bit more room to breathe.
The art is a bit on the cartoony side, some dramatic moments work less well then I feel they could've with a different artist (there's a moment of high drama with the main character crying out, that made me giggle a bit).
I have a problem with the colouring. Lots of prime colours, fighting for your attention, making the whole thing look flat, and doesn't seem to reflect what is happening in the narrative. It made me think of the colouring in a children's picture book.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)
August 28, 2022
The art absolutely ruined this for me. It was wildly distracting and just plain not good. I hate to pan a Critical Role product but Yasha got done wrong. The art in the other volumes is amazing compared to this doodle style. And I’m worried for the Nott volume now.
August 22, 2022
I'm sorry, but I'm mad about this.
I love Yasha and have been looking forward to this origins comic for so long...
But I can't get over the art style. The faces are just terrible.
I love Yasha and have been looking forward to this origins comic for so long...
But I can't get over the art style. The faces are just terrible.
May 5, 2022
I received an ARC copy of this book from Edelweiss
actual rating: 3.5
Overall a pretty good read but i just didn't enjoy it as much as the Jester and Caleb origins. I think part of it is because I really hate the art style and feel like it doesn't do any justice to the more serious moments in the comic, but once I was able to move past that I was able to get more into it and enjoy Yasha's story for the most part. I would have personally liked to speed through some things at the beginning more so that we could get a little bit more time to focus on what she did after she left her tribe at the end and I would have also liked to see some stuff after she met Molly because I just love their friendship so much but I get that this was really focusing more on her relationship with Zuala. Maybe they could do a volume 2 for Yasha once they get through with everyone else ;)
actual rating: 3.5
Overall a pretty good read but i just didn't enjoy it as much as the Jester and Caleb origins. I think part of it is because I really hate the art style and feel like it doesn't do any justice to the more serious moments in the comic, but once I was able to move past that I was able to get more into it and enjoy Yasha's story for the most part. I would have personally liked to speed through some things at the beginning more so that we could get a little bit more time to focus on what she did after she left her tribe at the end and I would have also liked to see some stuff after she met Molly because I just love their friendship so much but I get that this was really focusing more on her relationship with Zuala. Maybe they could do a volume 2 for Yasha once they get through with everyone else ;)
August 23, 2022
The artwork didn't speak to me as much as some of the other Critical Role comics, which was a shame. As some other reviewers have noted, it's more stylized, arguably more 'cartoony', which at times seemed to work against the serious nature of most of the story.
That story, however, I loved. I hope we get a volume 2, maybe covering from the end of this book, through meeting Molly, and until when they're circus rolled into town in the 1st episode of campaign 2. That'd be swell.
That story, however, I loved. I hope we get a volume 2, maybe covering from the end of this book, through meeting Molly, and until when they're circus rolled into town in the 1st episode of campaign 2. That'd be swell.
August 2, 2023
**Content Warnings at Bottom**
Yasha was one of the characters in The Mighty Nein that didn’t get as much screen time and in-depth character moments due to Ashley Johnson’s shooting schedule and the character's uncharacteristic ability to fail every wisdom check she had to roll for. Now, I have not rewatched the campaign since it first aired, but I did not remember just how terrible Yasha’s childhood was from watching the stream. It was hard to watch young Yasha be molded and used by so many people, but it speaks to everything we see during her time with the Mighty Nein. I will say that this story seems a lot more removed from her than I expected, it felt more like someone telling a story around a fire than being immersed in the experiences. The artwork has stunning colors, though the style is not my favorite, but that is very subjective. Overall, a tale of longing and loss that sets up a character that suffers more longing and loss during the Actual Play game.
**Content Warnings**
Death, Violence, Blood, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore
Yasha was one of the characters in The Mighty Nein that didn’t get as much screen time and in-depth character moments due to Ashley Johnson’s shooting schedule and the character's uncharacteristic ability to fail every wisdom check she had to roll for. Now, I have not rewatched the campaign since it first aired, but I did not remember just how terrible Yasha’s childhood was from watching the stream. It was hard to watch young Yasha be molded and used by so many people, but it speaks to everything we see during her time with the Mighty Nein. I will say that this story seems a lot more removed from her than I expected, it felt more like someone telling a story around a fire than being immersed in the experiences. The artwork has stunning colors, though the style is not my favorite, but that is very subjective. Overall, a tale of longing and loss that sets up a character that suffers more longing and loss during the Actual Play game.
**Content Warnings**
Death, Violence, Blood, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore
December 30, 2024
a arte desse putsssss
August 27, 2022
As someone who is a Critical Role fan, I was especially looking forward to this specific book, because Yasha is easily my favorite character of their campaigns so far.
The writing is superb, Cecil Castellucci did a wonderful job capturing Yasha's characterization and setting the tone for this dark installment of the M9:Origins. You don't have to be a Critical Role fan to appreciate this story, but if you are, you will not be disappointed.
The art, well, that's a little bit of a tougher thing to grade. We're all different and we all have different tastes. Not to mention there's a ton of pressure put on both the artists and writers of these books because of how loved these characters are, so I understand none of this is easy or simple to do. This is certainly not meant to disparage in any way.
That being said, I must echo many of the reviews here in saying that I don't think this particular artists style works for this story because of how cartoonish it is compared to how serious the story is. Sometimes, these two things can work in tandem and create something that really works. Sadly, I feel it doesn't work well here.
There were several key points (as others have said) in which the expressions of the characters were essential to convey certain, serious emotions, but the simplicity of the style made for some unintentionally goofy faces, that sometimes ruined the seriousness of the moment.
It is a bit disappointing, but personally, I can look past the goofy art style and appreciate the beautiful story.
The writing is superb, Cecil Castellucci did a wonderful job capturing Yasha's characterization and setting the tone for this dark installment of the M9:Origins. You don't have to be a Critical Role fan to appreciate this story, but if you are, you will not be disappointed.
The art, well, that's a little bit of a tougher thing to grade. We're all different and we all have different tastes. Not to mention there's a ton of pressure put on both the artists and writers of these books because of how loved these characters are, so I understand none of this is easy or simple to do. This is certainly not meant to disparage in any way.
That being said, I must echo many of the reviews here in saying that I don't think this particular artists style works for this story because of how cartoonish it is compared to how serious the story is. Sometimes, these two things can work in tandem and create something that really works. Sadly, I feel it doesn't work well here.
There were several key points (as others have said) in which the expressions of the characters were essential to convey certain, serious emotions, but the simplicity of the style made for some unintentionally goofy faces, that sometimes ruined the seriousness of the moment.
It is a bit disappointing, but personally, I can look past the goofy art style and appreciate the beautiful story.
February 6, 2023
The story was intriguing, but the art style wasn't my cup of tea.
May 6, 2023
love the writing but the art is an entirely different issue
September 15, 2023
I love Yasha Nydoorin so so much, and I’m glad to know her story better now. The tone of this comic was too brutal for me to say I had a good time, though I found the contrast between the grave, portentous writing and the funky, scrappy art style fascinating.
I was surprised to see how thematically similar Yasha’s backstory is to Caleb’s, which I don’t remember picking up on during the campaign. Children chosen to suffer for the good of their people, told they’re special and must endure any sacrifice, type beat. Definitely interesting, though I wished for a little more softness, some truer domesticity with her wife!! Her wife. brb crying.
I was surprised to see how thematically similar Yasha’s backstory is to Caleb’s, which I don’t remember picking up on during the campaign. Children chosen to suffer for the good of their people, told they’re special and must endure any sacrifice, type beat. Definitely interesting, though I wished for a little more softness, some truer domesticity with her wife!! Her wife. brb crying.
February 1, 2023
Waaaaaaa.
This was heartbreaking. Poor Yasha. I loved this so much. I’ve always thought Yasha’s story would be best told in depth and this… was incredible. So real and sad and touching. It really shows so much about why Yasha was the way she was and how and what she was driven by. The writing was incredible, my favourite of them all. Although this was my least favourite of the art styles so far; beautiful nonetheless but just not my cup of tea, a lot going on and made it a bit hard for my eyes.
This was heartbreaking. Poor Yasha. I loved this so much. I’ve always thought Yasha’s story would be best told in depth and this… was incredible. So real and sad and touching. It really shows so much about why Yasha was the way she was and how and what she was driven by. The writing was incredible, my favourite of them all. Although this was my least favourite of the art styles so far; beautiful nonetheless but just not my cup of tea, a lot going on and made it a bit hard for my eyes.
January 18, 2023
Yasha is my favorite character from the Mighty Nein so I knew I needed to read her origin story! The story was heartbreaking but so good. I wasn’t a fan of the art style as it felt too cartoon like. But overall, it was a great quick read.
Prompt: Read a book under 200 pages.
Prompt: Read a book under 200 pages.
March 26, 2024
The drama... This woman has been through some stuff!
I really liked how Yasha told us the story of her past. It felt like we were sitting around a campfire and I was able to see the images of said story like in the movies. Maybe I would just be hallucinating because of all the smoke entering my body, but hey! Vibes nonetheless.
The story was rather short, so I didn't really connect to it. But I enjoyed myself!
The art was very cool! It took some getting used to, but I loved it the longer I looked at it. I think it's very fun that they decided to turn the backstories into graphic novels. I would love to do that for my own characters.
I really liked how Yasha told us the story of her past. It felt like we were sitting around a campfire and I was able to see the images of said story like in the movies. Maybe I would just be hallucinating because of all the smoke entering my body, but hey! Vibes nonetheless.
The story was rather short, so I didn't really connect to it. But I enjoyed myself!
The art was very cool! It took some getting used to, but I loved it the longer I looked at it. I think it's very fun that they decided to turn the backstories into graphic novels. I would love to do that for my own characters.
February 9, 2025
good but should have been like triple the length
March 2, 2024
Liked the story, but was not so much Fan of the art style, sadly :/
January 7, 2024
Story is gorgeous and was so cool the see brought to life but sadly the art style just wasn’t my vibe
August 28, 2022
I was looking forward to being able to read this for a little while and it was so nice to be given an insight into the workings of her old tribe as well as to finally see Zuala.
All in all I really enjoyed it, it definitely succeeded at exploring Yasha's past in depth from her tribe, to her time with Obann, to her joining the circus. I do wish we got more time with her meeting the circus - even if it was just an interaction with Gustav but there is only so much you can fit in a comic of this length so I still think it did it's job well.
All in all I really enjoyed it, it definitely succeeded at exploring Yasha's past in depth from her tribe, to her time with Obann, to her joining the circus. I do wish we got more time with her meeting the circus - even if it was just an interaction with Gustav but there is only so much you can fit in a comic of this length so I still think it did it's job well.
October 7, 2022
I loved getting Yasha's backstory but I'm not a fan of the art at ALL. The story and the art style were terribly mismatched in this one. It would have had way more emotional impact if the art were more polished and less cartoony.
April 27, 2023
It'd have 5 stars if it wasn't for the artwork. Great story, but eesh that looked like some middle schoolers who try to draw manga with no training. Yasha didn't look like Yasha. I've read a lot of CR stuff with amazing artwork, this wasnt it.
August 9, 2024
Look, I loved it, cause Yasha is one of my favourite Critical Role characters, but…. the art… was… 🤡
October 27, 2022
Loved getting to see this part of Yasha's backstory, just wish she got the same art style as the previous volumes
January 12, 2023
This book was really enjoyable, even if it was relatively short. Within its minimal pages there was incredible characterisation, intriguing plot and gorgeous artwork that I couldn’t stop looking at. It is a heartbreaking queer novel about found family and the futility of war, destruction and revenge. 4/5☆
September 9, 2022
4.5*
Wow! Emotional damage!
I loved the exploration of her backstory in depth and the inclusion of so much we didn't know from the campaign this is easily the best comic so far and the one for the rest to beat
Wow! Emotional damage!
I loved the exploration of her backstory in depth and the inclusion of so much we didn't know from the campaign this is easily the best comic so far and the one for the rest to beat
December 19, 2022
Really poor book overall. The art was sub par and the story itself harped way too much on her relationship for the few pages it had for everything else. Even as a Critical Role fan, I'd say this is a pass.
October 7, 2022
A hard upbringing creates a great warrior that loses her path in the darkness when her love is taken away from her. Quite the journey.
November 25, 2022
Allready knew the backstory but the art style was not my cup of tea 🥹
January 1, 2023
3.5
This had my least favorite art style of the three origins so far
This had my least favorite art style of the three origins so far
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews