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The Adventure Zone Graphic Novels #5
The Adventure Zone, Vol. 5: The Eleventh Hour
The fifth 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.
The Bureau of Balance has located yet another Grand Relic, and this time it's...time? A small mining town called Refuge has been locked away behind an arcane bubble, and somewhere inside it the Temporal Chalice is causing unknown mayhem. Taako, Magnus, and Merle are launched into their investigation, but they've barely had a chance to get their feet under them before the situation literally falls apart. When the town clocktower strikes noon, Refuge and its citizens are destroyed in a sudden chaos of flame and ruin, and our heroes' relic hunting -- along with their lives -- comes to an abrupt end.
But woah, what's this? It's 11AM, they're alive again, and Refuge definitely hasn't just been exploded? Looks like a classic time loop, friends. This town is trapped in its final hour, and so are the three of them. And in order to escape, they'll not only have to solve the mystery of what happened to the Chalice, they'll also also have to resist what it offers: the chance to rewrite the worst days of their own pasts.
Based on the blockbuster podcast where the McElroy brothers and their dad play a tabletop RPG, and illustrated by cartooning powerhouse Carey Pietsch, The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour is a thrilling new chapter in this #1 New York Times Bestselling series.
The Bureau of Balance has located yet another Grand Relic, and this time it's...time? A small mining town called Refuge has been locked away behind an arcane bubble, and somewhere inside it the Temporal Chalice is causing unknown mayhem. Taako, Magnus, and Merle are launched into their investigation, but they've barely had a chance to get their feet under them before the situation literally falls apart. When the town clocktower strikes noon, Refuge and its citizens are destroyed in a sudden chaos of flame and ruin, and our heroes' relic hunting -- along with their lives -- comes to an abrupt end.
But woah, what's this? It's 11AM, they're alive again, and Refuge definitely hasn't just been exploded? Looks like a classic time loop, friends. This town is trapped in its final hour, and so are the three of them. And in order to escape, they'll not only have to solve the mystery of what happened to the Chalice, they'll also also have to resist what it offers: the chance to rewrite the worst days of their own pasts.
Based on the blockbuster podcast where the McElroy brothers and their dad play a tabletop RPG, and illustrated by cartooning powerhouse Carey Pietsch, The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour is a thrilling new chapter in this #1 New York Times Bestselling series.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2023
93 people are currently reading
4389 people want to read
About the author
Clint McElroy
42 books854 followersClint McElroy is the father of Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy. He does the Adventure Zone podcast with them and has also appeared on several Maximum Fun donors-only bonus episodes.
Clint is the Ultimate Dad.
Clint is the Ultimate Dad.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 582 reviews
February 27, 2023
This was honestly perfect.
February 21, 2023
TAZ: Balance is one of my favourite stories of all time, and The Eleventh Hour is probably my favourite arc. I have a quote from this part tattooed onto my arm so I see it every day! Just like the podcast, the graphic novels really only get better and better, and they were pretty damn good to start too. I loved this book, the tweaks made to the story to make it tighter and more consistent are all excellent and some of the more abstract parts of this arc translated into a visual medium are stunning. I laughed, I cried, I gasped, and at one point I let out a squeak of pain. It's like experiencing the story for the first time all over again and words can't describe how happy that makes me feel. It's perfect, and I already can't wait for the next part!!
March 5, 2023
Solid adaptation of what is likely my favorite of the Balance chapters. A bit lighter than usual on the comedy but the ones that land, really hit hard. This is the longest and most ambitious chapter yet, and the time loop aspects are put to page in many interesting ways. The art feels a bit looser than in previous volumes — it was hard to make out exactly what was happening on the mine cart chase toward the end — but the storytelling and fun factor are top notch.
Are there really only two left?? That can’t be right, can it? These last volumes have a lot of emotional ground to cover, and I’m here for it!
Are there really only two left?? That can’t be right, can it? These last volumes have a lot of emotional ground to cover, and I’m here for it!
August 13, 2023
#1) Here There Be Gerblins ★★★★☆
#2) Murder on the Rockport Limited! ★★★★☆
#3) Petals to the Metal ★★★★☆
#4) The Crystal Kingdom ★★★☆☆
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
July 16, 2025
4.5 stars
March 5, 2023
This series always delivers! Considering that I already know what's going to happen because of the podcast, it's impressive that I stay invested in these graphic novels
February 22, 2023
this made me cry so much i have absolutely no idea how i'm gonna survive the rest of the graphic novels. also, as always after i read one, now i just want to relisten to the whole thing.
December 19, 2022
This is the fifth in the series and easily the best one yet. The art by Carey Pietsch stands out as incredibly rich in detail while staying easy for the eyes to read. Absolutely stunning! The humor from the podcast is translated perfectly, retaining the original voice while adapting and making excellent use of medium of comics.
The 11th hour was my favourite arc of the Adventure Zone so I’m glad it’s being done justice. So for I’ve just read the first 90 pages sample so I’ll update this when I’ve read the whole thing. Looking forward to the full release 02/21/2023
The 11th hour was my favourite arc of the Adventure Zone so I’m glad it’s being done justice. So for I’ve just read the first 90 pages sample so I’ll update this when I’ve read the whole thing. Looking forward to the full release 02/21/2023
March 12, 2023
oooh. i lied i am incapable of being normal about this series. yeehaw.
February 26, 2023
first adaptation i haven’t liked, unfortunately! this one felt YA-ified, and stripped a lot of cool character moments away that were (imo) necessary and would have made this a lot stronger. removing a significant part of a main character’s trauma makes him a worse, less interesting character, even if that’s better for the purposes of the novel. don’t care! you unseasoned my boy! now he doesn’t get to grow! as my roommate said, making these boys closer to their final evolutions/selves at the end of Balance makes all of their development for nothing, and a really uninteresting (despite visually amazing) read. “Plus, they should be shittier.” I relistened to Eleventh Hour, and guys, they’re way shittier. Stop making them into unimpeachable YA protagonists. Bring back my dickheads.
regardless, Carey Pietsch is a talent and i will slurp the next one up like an umbrella ☂ pls and thanks
regardless, Carey Pietsch is a talent and i will slurp the next one up like an umbrella ☂ pls and thanks
June 18, 2024
Once again, our heroes are dispatched to retrieve a potentially dangerous artifact, this time within a Wild West setting. Can they Groundhog Day their way out of a time loop and save the day?
The further into the Adventure Zone books I get, the more I like them. Part of that may be Carey Pietsch's artwork–which is a joy and a delight; don't get me wrong. For some reason, it makes me expect the series to be funnier than it is. Sure, there's humor. But there's also a lot more action and adventure than you'd expect from a humor title. The disconnect took me a volume or two to adjust to.
I've never listened to any of the McElroys’ podcasts, so I have no idea how much of The Adventure Zone is scripted, and how much is improvised in the moment. Obviously, that latter skill goes with the territory of tabletop RPGs, but to have it at such a consistently high level is a rare gift indeed.
This series is a delight! Looking forward to the next volume.
The further into the Adventure Zone books I get, the more I like them. Part of that may be Carey Pietsch's artwork–which is a joy and a delight; don't get me wrong. For some reason, it makes me expect the series to be funnier than it is. Sure, there's humor. But there's also a lot more action and adventure than you'd expect from a humor title. The disconnect took me a volume or two to adjust to.
I've never listened to any of the McElroys’ podcasts, so I have no idea how much of The Adventure Zone is scripted, and how much is improvised in the moment. Obviously, that latter skill goes with the territory of tabletop RPGs, but to have it at such a consistently high level is a rare gift indeed.
This series is a delight! Looking forward to the next volume.
August 22, 2024
junebug
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2023
I don't know why they changed the bit about Taako's guilt - it used to be much more powerful in the podcast, almost as sad as Magnus' story. But Magnus man.... it made me tear up :(
February 25, 2023
I cried… a LOT. I know that Eleventh Hour is a lot of folks’ favorite TAZ Balance arc, so HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS if that’s the case. (I always say Crystal Kingdom is my favorite because that’s when everything starts to gel, plot-wise, but it’s a very very close second for Eleventh Hour because suddenly everything has STAKES and BACKSTORY.)
The way that Carey Pietsch drew the THB’s flashbacks was HEARTBREAKING and I was just fully sobbing for those pages. (Peep how Taako’s flashback panels have static INSIDE THEM while Magnus and Merle’s have static only as the background! HMMMM!) Her Istus is exactly how I pictured Istus, too, which of course ALSO had me crying. And the way the team incorporated the “Lunar Interlude” scenes as part of the narrative was so smart! (Crazy how Garfield is obsessed with Magnus’ blood, huh?!)
This was an extremely challenging arc to adapt into graphic novel format because of the time loops and the 83920203 side-plots that Griffin had running in Refuge during the original podcast, so I’m blown away with how cohesively and beautifully they told the story. I’m actually doing my first *full* re-listen EVER of the podcast right now (about to finish Petals to the Metal) and man am I psyched to get to Eleventh Hour because of this graphic novel.
At the virtual launch event they said they’re well into work on Suffering Game (holy shit if they made me cry this much with Eleventh Hour I am NOT prepared for “arms outstretched” lmfaooo help) and have even started Story and Song so… WHEW. LET’S FUCKIN GO. I’m so so so excited for the concluding two (or more probably three? MAYBE FOUR, FINGERS CROSSED?) graphic novels. Time to go cry some more.
The way that Carey Pietsch drew the THB’s flashbacks was HEARTBREAKING and I was just fully sobbing for those pages. (Peep how Taako’s flashback panels have static INSIDE THEM while Magnus and Merle’s have static only as the background! HMMMM!) Her Istus is exactly how I pictured Istus, too, which of course ALSO had me crying. And the way the team incorporated the “Lunar Interlude” scenes as part of the narrative was so smart! (Crazy how Garfield is obsessed with Magnus’ blood, huh?!)
This was an extremely challenging arc to adapt into graphic novel format because of the time loops and the 83920203 side-plots that Griffin had running in Refuge during the original podcast, so I’m blown away with how cohesively and beautifully they told the story. I’m actually doing my first *full* re-listen EVER of the podcast right now (about to finish Petals to the Metal) and man am I psyched to get to Eleventh Hour because of this graphic novel.
At the virtual launch event they said they’re well into work on Suffering Game (holy shit if they made me cry this much with Eleventh Hour I am NOT prepared for “arms outstretched” lmfaooo help) and have even started Story and Song so… WHEW. LET’S FUCKIN GO. I’m so so so excited for the concluding two (or more probably three? MAYBE FOUR, FINGERS CROSSED?) graphic novels. Time to go cry some more.
February 20, 2023
This was such a wonderful adaptation of one of my fav TAZ arcs. I did a full reread of the previous volumes in anticipation of this book and I forgot how much this story means to me. TAZ Balance is honestly one of my favorite stories of all time. I’m so excited for the next book and for the overarching plot to unfold further.
February 24, 2023
They outdid themselves with this one
August 5, 2024
i love my boys so much and carey does such an amazing job illustrating this
REP: gay main character and side character
REP: gay main character and side character
March 22, 2023
FIVE STARS BABYYYYYYY LETS GO! 🫵😋
I was pretty nervous going into this one as I found the Crystal Kingdom GN to be pretty lacklustre and very disappointing. however mamamia 🙈 mcelroy family i will never slander ur names again this was UNBELIEVABLY terrific.,🫶🫶🫶
one of my major criticisms of CK is how Taako felt like he was unnecessarily pushed into the position of main character and magnus and merle were just his sidekicks 😖 (n u know it’s gotta b bad bc that bitch is my fav character n even i was thinking he had too much focus) but that was not at all a problem here, while i still think taako gets slightly more “runtime” than the others,, they all had so many amazing moments 😭🫶
the way they split up the moonlighting podcast ep to be scattered through the time loops was GENIUS!!! it gave a much needed break from refuge and i felt genuinely so excited to keep reading so i could see how each character spent their morning!!!!!
THE MAGNUS JULIAN REVEAL SHUT UUUUUUUUPPPP Pietsch captured the intensity of Magnus’ grief so perfectly it was such a perfect “oh shit” moment even tho i knew it was coming!!! it was that good!!!!!!
speaking of oh shit !!!!!!!!!!!! the way they did the backstory reveal!!!!!! HOLY FUUUUUCCCKKKK i already talked about magnus but merle’s was also extremely *chefs kiss* BUT TAAKO TAKES THE CAKE!!!!!!! the way the static bled into his childhood memories AWOOOOOOOO howling into the moon that’s my babygirl!!!!!! in one panel in particular when u see Taakos aunt talking directly to the static!! it’s not super obvious but for people who know what’s coming it’s such an amazing but if foreshadowing i’m going bananas
i think one of the most fun things about these books is being able to include scenes that don’t have current taako merle and magnus there to witness.,, it really just fleshes out the story and makes it feel much more cohesive (the red cloak scene at the start when i tell u i was going rabid omfgg)
altho i will say im lowkey DEVASTATED garfield and fantasy costco did not make it into this one 😭😭
Overall i’m just so amazed how well they were able to translate the podcast into this book, yes there were a few scenes that were cut that i wish they had kept in but overall i think this really is the perfect adaption🥹🥹🥹 tbh even tho i was bitter and twisted at the time i’m so glad they delayed it another year!! next up suffering game!!!!!!!!!! CANT WAIT!!!
“You’re going to be amazing.”
I was pretty nervous going into this one as I found the Crystal Kingdom GN to be pretty lacklustre and very disappointing. however mamamia 🙈 mcelroy family i will never slander ur names again this was UNBELIEVABLY terrific.,🫶🫶🫶
one of my major criticisms of CK is how Taako felt like he was unnecessarily pushed into the position of main character and magnus and merle were just his sidekicks 😖 (n u know it’s gotta b bad bc that bitch is my fav character n even i was thinking he had too much focus) but that was not at all a problem here, while i still think taako gets slightly more “runtime” than the others,, they all had so many amazing moments 😭🫶
the way they split up the moonlighting podcast ep to be scattered through the time loops was GENIUS!!! it gave a much needed break from refuge and i felt genuinely so excited to keep reading so i could see how each character spent their morning!!!!!
THE MAGNUS JULIAN REVEAL SHUT UUUUUUUUPPPP Pietsch captured the intensity of Magnus’ grief so perfectly it was such a perfect “oh shit” moment even tho i knew it was coming!!! it was that good!!!!!!
speaking of oh shit !!!!!!!!!!!! the way they did the backstory reveal!!!!!! HOLY FUUUUUCCCKKKK i already talked about magnus but merle’s was also extremely *chefs kiss* BUT TAAKO TAKES THE CAKE!!!!!!! the way the static bled into his childhood memories AWOOOOOOOO howling into the moon that’s my babygirl!!!!!! in one panel in particular when u see Taakos aunt talking directly to the static!! it’s not super obvious but for people who know what’s coming it’s such an amazing but if foreshadowing i’m going bananas
i think one of the most fun things about these books is being able to include scenes that don’t have current taako merle and magnus there to witness.,, it really just fleshes out the story and makes it feel much more cohesive (the red cloak scene at the start when i tell u i was going rabid omfgg)
altho i will say im lowkey DEVASTATED garfield and fantasy costco did not make it into this one 😭😭
Overall i’m just so amazed how well they were able to translate the podcast into this book, yes there were a few scenes that were cut that i wish they had kept in but overall i think this really is the perfect adaption🥹🥹🥹 tbh even tho i was bitter and twisted at the time i’m so glad they delayed it another year!! next up suffering game!!!!!!!!!! CANT WAIT!!!
“You’re going to be amazing.”
Read
March 27, 2023There’s plenty I like here - mainly that it reminds me of a podcast that I used to listen to and really loved at the time - but it’s kind of bogged down by how cluttered each page is. I probably only feel this way because I just read Saga, but this tells-doesn’t-show far too much, and for as often as the artist does something intriguing, just as often the art style is unclear and messy in a way I didn’t jive with. Too much text! Not enough letting images speak for themselves. But yeah, I liked it.
February 27, 2023
The art in this arc is the best yet, and the way the time loops are represented is so fun and evocative. It’s so exciting to get more and more of the Red Robes mystery. Every single one of these that comes out just gets us closer and closer to Suffering Game which WILL kill me :)
July 19, 2023
Finally got around to reading the graphic novel of my favorite TAZ Balance arc! I knew this was going to be amazing (a wink to all the podcast listeners who get the reference) but it was even more wonderful than I expected.
They’ve all been good, but they’re just getting better with each new book. This book in particular did a great job of tightening up the original story and making it a bit cleaner. And THE ART! Was truly astounded by the beauty and color of a few pages in particular. Cant recommend this enough for lovers of the podcast and newcomers alike.
They’ve all been good, but they’re just getting better with each new book. This book in particular did a great job of tightening up the original story and making it a bit cleaner. And THE ART! Was truly astounded by the beauty and color of a few pages in particular. Cant recommend this enough for lovers of the podcast and newcomers alike.
March 9, 2023
As usual, Carey Pietsch and the McElboys have outdone themselves. I laughed, I cried, I giggled and kicked my feet at all the little hidden easter eggs and nods to future events (Lup, my heart!). This is a perfect adaptation of the podcast.
And I absolutely cannot wait for all the pain that The Suffering Game will bring us when it comes out 😅
Also: shout-out to "panic at the teller window". That one had me dead💀💀💀
And I absolutely cannot wait for all the pain that The Suffering Game will bring us when it comes out 😅
Also: shout-out to "panic at the teller window". That one had me dead💀💀💀
February 25, 2023
I absolutely adore these nerds and their campaign, and this is the best chapter in their story, imo. The graphic novel is wonderfully done and the art is fantastic, as always.
March 9, 2023
Just finished reading this today during my lunch--- loved the podcast when it first came out and the graphic novels just add so much!!
March 18, 2023
The Eleventh Hour is my favorite arc of Balance, and I thought this was a solid interpretation of it. As always, a couple moments I was looking forward to weren't there, but that's the nature of the beast.
May 13, 2023
This was a BLAST of an adventure. I love spending time with these characters.
April 1, 2024
truly still amazed at how well this story is told and how emotional a dnd podcast turned graphic novel can make me
February 24, 2023
Delightful as always! I can't wait for the next one.
March 4, 2023
This is my favorite arc from the show, and the visuals did not disappoint. There were several story cuts (I assume) to make the book a reasonable length, but the heart of the story is still here and lovely.
March 7, 2023
I'm having a lot of emotions about TAZ lately and this really hit the spot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 582 reviews