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Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins (Collected Editions) #2
Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins Volume II
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
The unlikely heroes of Vox Machina are back in action!
Join familiar faces from Critical Role's smash-hit first campaign as their escapades in Stilben lead them toward new adventure--and a dire threat to Grog when he goes missing in the night. Tracking him down will see the party lose one member, gain another, and reveal parts of Grog's secret past. But first, his friends have to actually find him.
From award-nominated writer Jody Houser (Orphan Black, Stranger Things) and first series author Olivia Samson, with colorist Michele Assarasakorn (Isola, Gotham Academy) and letterer Ariana Maher (James Bond, Xena)!
Collects Critical Role - Vox Machina Origins series II #1-#6.
The unlikely heroes of Vox Machina are back in action!
Join familiar faces from Critical Role's smash-hit first campaign as their escapades in Stilben lead them toward new adventure--and a dire threat to Grog when he goes missing in the night. Tracking him down will see the party lose one member, gain another, and reveal parts of Grog's secret past. But first, his friends have to actually find him.
From award-nominated writer Jody Houser (Orphan Black, Stranger Things) and first series author Olivia Samson, with colorist Michele Assarasakorn (Isola, Gotham Academy) and letterer Ariana Maher (James Bond, Xena)!
Collects Critical Role - Vox Machina Origins series II #1-#6.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
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1762 people want to read
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Matthew Mercer
70 books970 followersStoryteller, Voice Over Guy, Dungeon Master, McCree, Cor, Yusuke, Jack Cooper, MacCready, Levi, Chrom, Leon Kennedy, & keeper of the #CriticalRole...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
August 27, 2020
The only thing wrong with the second Vox Machina collection is that it’s not twice as long (many…okay all…have said the same about me—hey-oh!).
Otherwise, it’s pretty much pitch perfect—the story and dialogue feature a delightful mix of humor and adventure, the pace is brisk pace, the characters are well conceived, the art is amazing, and the coloring is spectacular.
This is exactly what I want from my TTRPG-inspired comics, so produce more of this posthaste, please and thank you. That Critical Role gang knows how to party. (Get it? Party? Like an adventuring party? I AM ON FIRE!)
(Shamelessly shameful plug: if you like Critical Role and this particular volume, you probably won’t completely loathe The Part About the Dragon Was (Mostly) True. It’s a kindred tonal spirit.)
Otherwise, it’s pretty much pitch perfect—the story and dialogue feature a delightful mix of humor and adventure, the pace is brisk pace, the characters are well conceived, the art is amazing, and the coloring is spectacular.
This is exactly what I want from my TTRPG-inspired comics, so produce more of this posthaste, please and thank you. That Critical Role gang knows how to party. (Get it? Party? Like an adventuring party? I AM ON FIRE!)
(Shamelessly shameful plug: if you like Critical Role and this particular volume, you probably won’t completely loathe The Part About the Dragon Was (Mostly) True. It’s a kindred tonal spirit.)
December 22, 2020
Everything I want in an RPG inspired fantasy comic; fun adventure, danger, and laughs. Grog gets himself in trouble and the party has to go questing to save him. This series is excellent. The art and coloring is top notch. Other fantasy series could take some lessons from this.
December 6, 2020
Dungeons & Dragons at its absodamnlute finest.
Graveyard rituals? Check.
Bardic seduction? Check.
Creepy lich? Check.
Spectacularly failed heist? Check.
Prison break? Check.
Fantasy library? Check.
This second volume was spectacular. Not high literature by any means, but probably the best D&D-related comic I've ever heard of. Almost had the the same feel as watching an actual Critical Role episode.
For the uninitiated, here's a wonderful chance to begin wasting hundreds of hours in the most wonderful way.
Graveyard rituals? Check.
Bardic seduction? Check.
Creepy lich? Check.
Spectacularly failed heist? Check.
Prison break? Check.
Fantasy library? Check.
This second volume was spectacular. Not high literature by any means, but probably the best D&D-related comic I've ever heard of. Almost had the the same feel as watching an actual Critical Role episode.
For the uninitiated, here's a wonderful chance to begin wasting hundreds of hours in the most wonderful way.
April 3, 2023
A story that actually reads like a homemade RPG adventure, kind of schematic - you can almost read where a session would end and another would start. Houser adds a lot of fun dialogue.
The art is good, especially the characters - the world can be a bit bland (every city looks pretty much the same, for example).
On to series 3.
The art is good, especially the characters - the world can be a bit bland (every city looks pretty much the same, for example).
On to series 3.
March 10, 2021
In this second volume of this series, the relationship between the characters solidify as they work more as a team than in the first volume where they were thrown together by circumstances. As a result, the banter is quite good. The story is a standard roleplaying story, but role players will probably get a lot out of it as it will remind them of their own roleplaying adventures. The art is really attractive.
January 5, 2023
Loved this one. The illustrations are gorgeous and the plot was a lot more coherent with its pacing making a lot more sense than it did in the first volume (big props to Jody Houser for that). There were many moments where I couldn’t help laughing out loud and I love how much I’ve already grown to care for this band of adventurers (especially Scanlan, Keyleth, Trinket and Grog). Aiming to finish the third volume tomorrow because I’m a little bit obsessed at the moment.
January 31, 2022
Just so glad that there is more of the Vox Machina universe to explore, a few weeks ago I knew almost nothing of this book, TV show or the new Animated TV show and now as a fantasy fan I'm pretty much obsessed.
April 4, 2022
When Grog disappears in the middle of the night, the rest of the newly formed Vox Machina head off in search of him, in the process discovering some other familiar faces and running afoul of a lich's curse that can only be stopped by committing the biggest roleplay game sin - splitting the party!
The first volume of Vox Machina was okay, but this one really shines. New writer Jody Houser nails all of the characters' voices easily, and balances everyone nicely. This is Grog's story, but he never overwhlems the others, and Scanlan is noticeably restrained instead of running rampant over everyone else with his jokes like in the first volume.
What I really liked about this volume however was just how much it felt like a Dungeons & Dragons adventure played out in comic form. There are all the usual tropes you'd expect, like the epic quest, the splitting of the party, the evil wizard, and some sad backstory, as well as subtle nods to the audience about meta-gaming and even the use of certain D&D spells and abilities (even if they're not named out loud). It's obvious when Scanlan's using Vicious Mockery, for example, but it doesn't break up the flow of the story to elicit a smile from the reader. There's even a "dagger/dagger/dagger, Hunter's Mark" joke that made me laugh out loud, but it's all done with a cheeky wink on Houser's part rather than a "HEY LOOK LOOK WHAT I DID" kind of framing to it.
Olivia Samson's artwork is again gorgeous, and she gets much more opportunity to flex her artistic muscles thanks to a wider variety of locations and set pieces on offer from Houser's storyline. The frozen ice forest is especially beautiful, and I've never seen anyone draw a bear quite as adorable as Samson's depiction of Trinket.
A good time from beginning to end, with perfect characterisation, the addition of the missing characters from volume 1, and amazing artwork on every page. A tale worthy of Scanlan himself.
The first volume of Vox Machina was okay, but this one really shines. New writer Jody Houser nails all of the characters' voices easily, and balances everyone nicely. This is Grog's story, but he never overwhlems the others, and Scanlan is noticeably restrained instead of running rampant over everyone else with his jokes like in the first volume.
What I really liked about this volume however was just how much it felt like a Dungeons & Dragons adventure played out in comic form. There are all the usual tropes you'd expect, like the epic quest, the splitting of the party, the evil wizard, and some sad backstory, as well as subtle nods to the audience about meta-gaming and even the use of certain D&D spells and abilities (even if they're not named out loud). It's obvious when Scanlan's using Vicious Mockery, for example, but it doesn't break up the flow of the story to elicit a smile from the reader. There's even a "dagger/dagger/dagger, Hunter's Mark" joke that made me laugh out loud, but it's all done with a cheeky wink on Houser's part rather than a "HEY LOOK LOOK WHAT I DID" kind of framing to it.
Olivia Samson's artwork is again gorgeous, and she gets much more opportunity to flex her artistic muscles thanks to a wider variety of locations and set pieces on offer from Houser's storyline. The frozen ice forest is especially beautiful, and I've never seen anyone draw a bear quite as adorable as Samson's depiction of Trinket.
A good time from beginning to end, with perfect characterisation, the addition of the missing characters from volume 1, and amazing artwork on every page. A tale worthy of Scanlan himself.
July 31, 2023
oh, that was fantastic! the plot was loads of fun—cool settings, one cohesive driving goal, and Pike and Percy were incorporated into the party in awesome, emotionally impactful ways.
the art really shines in this volume, too. the new colorist brings a stunning improvement in warmth and depth to the illustrations. and Samson’s detailed linework flourishes now that we’re in beautiful, complex locations like Ryndarien’s tower and the Frostweald, instead of a drab swamp. plus Pike is this comic’s strongest character design imo, i’m literally in love with her.
the art really shines in this volume, too. the new colorist brings a stunning improvement in warmth and depth to the illustrations. and Samson’s detailed linework flourishes now that we’re in beautiful, complex locations like Ryndarien’s tower and the Frostweald, instead of a drab swamp. plus Pike is this comic’s strongest character design imo, i’m literally in love with her.
December 13, 2020
VOX MACHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I enjoyed this book a little more than the first, partly because the party has referred to some of these adventures in the game, and it's fantastic to see them play out on the comic pages! It also doesn't hurt that this was the introduction to Pike and Percy, both who are characters who I ADORE. And Grog's journey through this adventure is not an easy one! There were moments where the art didn't quite work for me--mostly in the action sequences, where I had trouble following what, exactly, was happening, and the action sequences finished SUPER quickly, which didn't really make it feel important. That said--a lot happened in these issues, and I had a good time reading this. If you enjoy following the adventures of Vox Machina and want to know their origin story (some of which gets hinted at in the game sessions!), this is absolutely worth checking out.
June 22, 2025
AAAAAA al fin está reunida mi familia disfuncional 🤍 qué bueno tener a Percy y Pike con el resto del equipo, su primera misión fue bastante interesante y vuelvo a decir, totalmente me imagino a los personajes en acción mientras leo, amo aquí!!
Me encanta que la razón por la que todos se encontraron fue para ayudar y salvar a Grog, no estaban en una misión por dinero, solo querían salvar a su amigo 😭😭
Hoy mismo me leo el tercero 🫡
Me encanta que la razón por la que todos se encontraron fue para ayudar y salvar a Grog, no estaban en una misión por dinero, solo querían salvar a su amigo 😭😭
Hoy mismo me leo el tercero 🫡
June 15, 2022
4.5
Questo secondo volume mi è sembrato un po’ fiacco rispetto al primo, dato che si concentra sull’improvvisa scomparsa di Grog, ma introduce finalmente due personaggi chiave del gruppo: Pike e Percy.
Pike è stata una ventata di aria fresca e adoro come Scanlan ci provi con lei (o quanto meno prova ad attirare l’attenzione), mentre l’enigmatico Percy è ancora difficile da decifrare.
Quello che è certo, è che la sfiga segue questo gruppetto di antieroi come una silenziosa compagna, regalandoci fin troppe gag.
Come nel precedente, adoro lo stile delle tavole e la trama ben pensata che riesce a catturare il lettore dall’inizio alla fine. Tutti i personaggi sono caratterizzati in modo eccellente e il loro assortimento è la chiave per il successo di questa storia. Oltre che il quasi insuccesso delle varie missioni… ma sono dettagli.
Non vedo l’ora di leggere il prossimo volume, anche se nel mentre potrei decidermi a guardare la serie… chissà.
Questo secondo volume mi è sembrato un po’ fiacco rispetto al primo, dato che si concentra sull’improvvisa scomparsa di Grog, ma introduce finalmente due personaggi chiave del gruppo: Pike e Percy.
Pike è stata una ventata di aria fresca e adoro come Scanlan ci provi con lei (o quanto meno prova ad attirare l’attenzione), mentre l’enigmatico Percy è ancora difficile da decifrare.
Quello che è certo, è che la sfiga segue questo gruppetto di antieroi come una silenziosa compagna, regalandoci fin troppe gag.
Come nel precedente, adoro lo stile delle tavole e la trama ben pensata che riesce a catturare il lettore dall’inizio alla fine. Tutti i personaggi sono caratterizzati in modo eccellente e il loro assortimento è la chiave per il successo di questa storia. Oltre che il quasi insuccesso delle varie missioni… ma sono dettagli.
Non vedo l’ora di leggere il prossimo volume, anche se nel mentre potrei decidermi a guardare la serie… chissà.
September 4, 2020
Emm...it should be noted that the covers seem to be mixed up.
'Tis an entertaining bit of mindlessness. While it's never addressed as to why Grog was err...picked, his getting a lich's reliquary implanted lead to some amusing hijinx...and a couple of new friends. At this point, our band of merry misfits don't have a name.
'Tis an entertaining bit of mindlessness. While it's never addressed as to why Grog was err...picked, his getting a lich's reliquary implanted lead to some amusing hijinx...and a couple of new friends. At this point, our band of merry misfits don't have a name.
October 15, 2022
I actually need more of This. Right away!
August 20, 2020
If it's possible, series 2 of Vox Machina Origins is even better than series 1. Not only because it finally introduces Pike and Percy (and I don't mind admitted to separate squeals of glee when they showed up on the page), but just everything is improved upon. Jody Houser's (who's last work I read, Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy, I wasn't a fan of, a flaw I'm now putting on DC editorial's feet) scripting was tight, but the characterizations spot on, and if possible, Olivia Samson's artwork (in particular her layouts and storytelling) is even better than the first time around.
Fantastic stuff.
Now, the long wait for series 3...
Fantastic stuff.
Now, the long wait for series 3...
April 3, 2023
2023 reread:
Still such a fun installment with good pacing and some character backstories. Loved seeing Percy and Pike appear on the scene.
////
Love the second installment even more than the first (in part because I've already gotten a good sense of the characters and world).
As always the art was stunning and the humour excellent. The pacing was good and even splitting up to search for clues (or ritual items) didn't end in complete disaster.
Percy and Pike are my new faves and I'm so upset I was denied them in the first volume! Looking forward to more volumes with the full cast now.
Still such a fun installment with good pacing and some character backstories. Loved seeing Percy and Pike appear on the scene.
////
Love the second installment even more than the first (in part because I've already gotten a good sense of the characters and world).
As always the art was stunning and the humour excellent. The pacing was good and even splitting up to search for clues (or ritual items) didn't end in complete disaster.
Percy and Pike are my new faves and I'm so upset I was denied them in the first volume! Looking forward to more volumes with the full cast now.
January 8, 2024
The second volume picks up after the party has been together for a while after the end of volume 1. This time the adventure involves helping Grog which means getting an assist from actual saint in gnome-form, Pike, and along the way the pick up everyone’s favorite asshole with a heart of gold, Percy❤️. The character design has definitely improved from volume 1. Can’t wait to see where we go from here.
December 25, 2021
Is there a better way to spend Christmas morning in bed with a book that makes you feel like you’re re-meeting old friends? I don’t think so.
I also recently watched a few episodes that center on Grog and his backstory, so it was great to see some of the things referenced there play out in this comic.
I enjoy the art and especially some of the layout decisions and what they add to the story.
Also
Looking forward to Vol. III.
I also recently watched a few episodes that center on Grog and his backstory, so it was great to see some of the things referenced there play out in this comic.
I enjoy the art and especially some of the layout decisions and what they add to the story.
Also
Looking forward to Vol. III.
November 22, 2020
Having a lot of fun with these, especially the moments between the twins! The plot is a little thin, but that's kind of what I would expect from translating some DnD one shots from the beginning of a campaign.
June 13, 2023
Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins Volume 2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pike and Percy came in! I'm so happy the full squad is together, and what a way to bring them together than helping and saving Grog - the gentlest of giants. I love this gang so much
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pike and Percy came in! I'm so happy the full squad is together, and what a way to bring them together than helping and saving Grog - the gentlest of giants. I love this gang so much
April 7, 2023
Love the story arc and the coloring is 😗👌
December 30, 2021
Great and and good story.
February 22, 2022
Fun read! :D
December 25, 2020
PERCY AND PIKE! PERCY AND PIKE!
Ahem. So Percy and Pike join the party in this volume, and it’s fabulous. If you’re a follower of CritRole, it’s effortless to hear the dialogue in the voices of these beloved characters. If you’re a newcomer, this volume has enough pacing, adventure, and humor to keep you engaged in the story whether or not you have years of critter-hood behind you. I also thought that having Tiberius duck out early was a gentle and professional way to handle the character, considering. This volume also introduces Eskil, who is referenced often enough in the show that I knew who he was when he was introduced, and Nahla, the nymph that doesn’t kiss and tell. This volume was a great follow-up to the first volume, and for me personally, a much more enjoyable read. I know I’ll be looking forward to more, as well as any stories from the Mighty Nein campaign that might be forthcoming!
Ahem. So Percy and Pike join the party in this volume, and it’s fabulous. If you’re a follower of CritRole, it’s effortless to hear the dialogue in the voices of these beloved characters. If you’re a newcomer, this volume has enough pacing, adventure, and humor to keep you engaged in the story whether or not you have years of critter-hood behind you. I also thought that having Tiberius duck out early was a gentle and professional way to handle the character, considering. This volume also introduces Eskil, who is referenced often enough in the show that I knew who he was when he was introduced, and Nahla, the nymph that doesn’t kiss and tell. This volume was a great follow-up to the first volume, and for me personally, a much more enjoyable read. I know I’ll be looking forward to more, as well as any stories from the Mighty Nein campaign that might be forthcoming!
February 15, 2021
Volume 1 was 'I've only had these elf twins for one volume but if anything happens to them I will kill everyone in this room and then myself' and Volume 2 is the same except 'I've only had Percy for 2 issues but etc etc' ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Another really great volume, good balance between humor and story, awesome art, great characters and interactions, and now the gang's all here! I've only watched the first few episodes of campaign one but I think these graphic novels really help with getting into it because they really do just start right smack dab in the middle of a storyline when they start streaming. And even if you aren't planning on watching the actual episodes I think this is still a fun story for people who like high fantasy adventure stuff.
Another really great volume, good balance between humor and story, awesome art, great characters and interactions, and now the gang's all here! I've only watched the first few episodes of campaign one but I think these graphic novels really help with getting into it because they really do just start right smack dab in the middle of a storyline when they start streaming. And even if you aren't planning on watching the actual episodes I think this is still a fun story for people who like high fantasy adventure stuff.
August 21, 2020
The first Vox Machina Origins felt like it was written because that's what the Adventure Zone was doing to adapt their D&D game for a wider audience. It was fine, but nothing special, and not really an improvement over the half hour video recap of all the events they did before the live stream started.
This book however, is whip smart, and feels excellent to read, and leaves me very excited for the next one - even though I know the outcome. I'm glad Critical Role is more popular than ever and they get to do what they like now.
This book however, is whip smart, and feels excellent to read, and leaves me very excited for the next one - even though I know the outcome. I'm glad Critical Role is more popular than ever and they get to do what they like now.
September 13, 2020
The origin of Vox Machina continues! This volume introduces two more members, with a storyline centered on Grog. (It also sidelines Tiberius early on; probably a good retcon.) Overall this is an improvement on the first volume, with a more compelling quest, and probably does more for Critical Role fans as well, as we move closer to the starting status quo of the streaming series. (A-)
August 1, 2021
I think my favorite thing about these graphic novels is the dialogue and humor that is woven into it. The characters are witty, unique and charming and the plot line just keeps getting better and better with each issue.
March 14, 2021
Why are there so many giant spiders in Dungeons and Dragons??
Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews