Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Nott the Brave

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins

by Sam Maggs (Writer), William Kirkby (Illustrator), Matthew Mercer (Writer)

When you become that which you fear most, how do you carry on?


Veth Brenatto doesn't have an exciting life, but she likes it that way. Unlike her childhood, it's safe. Predictable. And her husband and son love her almost as fiercely as she loves them. But Veth's cozy existence is turned on its head when she and her family are captured by raiders. In order to save them, Veth will commit an atrocity that will sever her from all that she loves--maybe forever--and lead her to become Nott the Brave of the Mighty Nein.

Celebrated writer Sam Maggs (Captain Marvel, The Unstoppable Wasp) is joined by Critical Role cast members Matthew Mercer and Sam Riegel, with the expert art of William Kirkby (Rat Queens) and colors by Eren Angiolini (Multiversity: Teen Justice) for a heartbreaking look at a halfling's end and a goblin's beginning.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, Graphic Novels Comics, Role Playing Games

56 pages, Hardcover

First published January 17, 2023

About the author

SAM MAGGS is a bestselling writer of books, comics, and video games, including Marvel Action: Captain Marvel, The Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope, Tell No Tales, Con Quest!, and Marvel's Spider-Man PS4. A Canadian in Los Angeles, she misses Coffee Crisp and bagged milk. Visit her online at sammaggs.com or @SamMaggs!

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, easily the best book I've read in this series. And to be clear - I have never seen or listened to an episode of Critical Role, so I review this book purely as its own work.

The art will be divisive, I think, but I really enjoyed its curious mix of roughness and detailedness. Lots of evocative character work.

The story is heartbreaking, and in a way is about war and PTSD, the after effects of war and violence, how it changes a person (in this case, quite literally).

Recommended.

(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the art in this. It really brought alive the fantasy world that features in this story. The story itself is tragic and moving.

[Mareike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust Matthew Mercer and Sam Riegel to find whole new ways to make my heart break for Nott.
I’m really enjoying how they flesh out some of the backstory with details like Veth’s brothers (who I want to fight) and how she found the mask.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the portraial of Notts family life, but I wanted more for that all important last scene!

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad, so lovely 💜

[Willemijn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slay! I'm sad that I've read all of the Mighty Nein graphic novels now, but what a way to end the series with!

Let me start with something that I usually finish my review with, talking about the art.
The art for this book is fucking unbelievable! The colours, the details... Everything is so beautifully done, I would love to have some of these pages as an art print or an HD background on my pc or something.

I also really enjoyed the storytelling. It was simple, yet intriguing, an intricate balance to find. The pacing was also perfect. It had a nice flow. There were no confusing flashbacks. It simply was a cohesive and strong story!

I really enjoyed this one.

[Ben A · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far each and every one of the Mighty Nein Origin graphic novels have been excellent, but I think this one was the best yet. There is a large measure of sadness to it and it really brought the strong emotions. These characters really grow on you and especially knowing where Nott the Brave came from will make me look at the character very differently the next time. Very well done.

Special Thanks to Dark Horse Comics and Edelweiss Plus for the digital ARC.

[Meredith Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing in this one is absolutely incredible, incredibly uncomfortable and strong. Really good origin story. The art style here is technically strong -- the style not my favourite, but the grittiness of it really works well for the story.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably my favourite of the series

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though it's brief...it's a great looking story that pulls at your heartstrings.

[iasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

queria mais

[Kalliah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reflection page killed me, emotions

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veth Brenatto my beloved ❤️

This was the most beautiful of the comics so far and full of gut punches - Sam Riegel really knows how to write a character, what can I say.

Now a comic of Nott and Caleb carrying out their schemes please 🙏

[Bryony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who knows Nott's backstory knew where this was going - and yet it still was able to evoke the strong emotions I had learning about her backstory in the campaign. This comic is beautifully drawn and coloured, especially the depiction of Isharnai's spell and the thematic repetition of water imagery, and I'm so glad we we're able to get more insight to how her life was growing up and how that is still impacting her in the current timeline.

As per usual with these comics, I do wish it was a little bit longer. But I definitely enjoyed it and would say it's worth a read for anyone who is a fan of the Mighty Nein or Nott.

[Elaine Mayo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the story. Art is not attractive and detracts from the story. The coloring is amazing, unfortunately the art isn’t deserving of how well it is colored. It isn’t as bad as the Yasha Origin, but close. By the end I was just reading the words and not looking at the images.

[Amy Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read about everyone's favourite button-collecting thief, the story moved quickly. I read this in about half an hour. It spends a lot of time telling Nott/Veth's backstory and how she came to meet the first member of the Mighty Nein. The art style was pretty and the writing was good, so this is perfect for anyone who is looking to learn more about the characters of Critical Role!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veth is so freakin cute. I loved this art style and the story was so sweet. I loved that we got Veth’s thoughts throughout and it made it a lot more personal. Poor girlie has been through so much. Made my heart happy to see Caleb.

[Dani's Forehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really likes this story, while it's a story I think the show has always been very clear and open about, it was nice to look back at it again to get those details you wouldn't read about otherwise. I enjoy the art and how the art blends into eachother between Nott and Veth, both young and older.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 ⭐️

[Vince Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

……… 🥹🥹🥹

[David C · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan on critical role I really enjoyed the book. The art work is very nice and sleek. The story goes at a good pace but the book itself is short and would have loved a little more.

[Dany Doncel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh! Veth’s backstory is so heartbreaking!

[Sharlene Gerena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Nott’s story is so sad. Honestly, they all have pretty sad backstories. I did enjoy this one, definitely not my favorite but I liked the art style in this. I like that the artist is different for each of them and it makes each story more personal to the characters.

[Becca Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this digital ARC in excitement for the Nein returning in tonight's CR ep. Once again, a CR origin comic that I loved. It's great getting more information about these characters' pasts and Nott/Veth is one of my favorite of the Nein.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic origin story with good character development. Very effective acid.

[James Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A less complex story than the other Mighty Nein Origins tales, but it's emotionally affective, well-paced, and self-contained - all of which combine to create the strongest story so far in the series. (A-)

[Gerry Sacco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the lot. Absolutely stunning art, and good story.

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nott, my beloved!! 🥺💕
La storia la conoscevamo già tuttɜ, ma queste cinquanta pagine sono comunque riuscite a spezzarmi il cuore (molto fa anche lo stile di Kirkby, magnetico e più che adatto a raccontare per immagini la genesi della nostra rogue preferita).

[Lineke · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTT T.T

[Kobie]

Very tactile drawing style