Critical Role – Vox Machina: Origins #1

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins I

by Matthew Mercer (Writer), Matthew Colville (Writer), Olivia Samson (Artist)

Roguish twins Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia investigate a curse afflicting the impoverished citizens of the port city of Stilben. Things are not what they seem for the adventurous siblings...between fighting shark-riding fish men and black-clad assassins, they meet an antlered half-elven druid with her own theory about the curse.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Dungeons and Dragons, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

27 pages, ebook

First published September 20, 2017

About the author

Storyteller, Voice Over Guy, Dungeon Master, McCree, Cor, Yusuke, Jack Cooper, MacCready, Levi, Chrom, Leon Kennedy, & keeper of the #CriticalRole...

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, lovely art.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elvish twins out investigating strange goings-on in a swamp town.



Decent artwork, humour, banter. Not bad. Too early to tell if this develops into something really good.

3.5 stars

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want the next one already! It was so well written, and the art is amazing, and it encapsulates the characters so wel!!

[Alexandra Wimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to sit down and read issue #1 of the new Critical Role comic, and it didn't disappoint! The story and the art were both lovely, and it was a delight to get a look into what the members of Vox Machina were like before they were, in fact, Vox Machina.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid start i'm really excited to see more of Vox Machina's beginnings.

[Caroline Eising · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have seen the show this is based on, and it is very difficult to separate that experience from the comic, or to imagine how this might appear to someone who is not already familiar with the characters in the Critical Role game. But I found this a charming depiction of the Vax, Vex and Keyleth before they knew each other, and their reactions to teach other when they first met.

The scenario was a little shocking for a show which often ventures into the whimsical even in the face of death and horror of apocalyptic dimensions, but I guess even the most average Dungeons and Dragons game will seem more terrible when rendered into graphic form. Even then, going straight from sibling squabbles to dead children was a little jarring - and it took me a moment to even realise what was happening in that scene.

Keyleth is adorably naive yet alarmingly powerful, which seems par for the course, and the way that Vex's avarice and skepticism boils out through the text is really interesting. I also appreciate how the character introduction has been split up to avoid people being overwhelmed at the beginning if they don't know them already.

Overall, and enjoyable read, even if I found it very short due to being used to reading trades instead of single comics. Looking forward to finding out what is behind this new (to me) mystery.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first issue of this new/old Vox Machina adventure, before they even were Vox Machina, is well written, beautifully drawn and left me wanting MORE! I'm so excited to meet the rest of the party. I am eagerly awaiting issue 2.

[Emily Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why weren't you longer?! I love everything about Critical Role and these comics are beautiful and brilliant, it's provided me a fix that will keep me going until Thursday at least. I love that we are going to see more about how Vox Machina became Vox Machina. #IsItThursdayYet

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have too many Vax and Vex feels. Also the art style looks awesome, such an eye candy. I can hear all their voices in my head, can imagine their facial expressions and all, and it's awesome. If only we had more comics of their origin story. Personally, I would kill for the S.H.I.T.S. comic, the Vox Machina saving the royal family comic and how they became members of the council. Oh, and the battle with the white dragon of course! The consequences of Pike's death and how she was revived,
too. Give. Me. More.

[Tom Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait a minute. Did you actually think for a minute that I wasn't a nerd? Wow, whoda thunk it?

[Ashleigh (ash_and_books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: death (inc babies), stillborn, murder, blood

[Pash⁷ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid start to the series

[clumsyplankton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot, reminds me of a Witcher side quest.

[Emma Dissociates 🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m loving these graphic novels so much!! The art is very unique and I’m completely obsessed with the characters.

[Isabelle Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything I love about Critical Role and this characters in comic book form? Yes. All the yes.

Loved the second one more than the first, hence the 4 star rating.

[DeeDee Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel a bit weird counting this in my Goodreads reading challenge because it’s only 27 pages, but it was a fun morning read and I can’t wait for the next one!

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's definitely potential here. The art is great and the brother-sister dynamic is fun, but various elements are oversold.

Full RTC.

[April Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but Good Start

The beiginning of it all! Yay more Vax and Vex! It's nice to see the characters in action again. I only want more.

[Jennifer Melzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already looking forward to #2. I thought the characters were really well done and the art is beautiful.

[Miryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so good to see these guys in this fresh way! I needed more Vox Machina having finished the first season of the animated series, and found these! Super enjoyable, I’d have to say Scanlan is my favorite so far; he’s so smol I could put him in my pocket (which he’d no doubt enjoy lol)!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeeeeeee 😍❤️

[Rachel F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good short graphic novel,
enjoyable, I hope to read the rest in due course :)

Read for reading challenges/fun.

[Joansie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have Critter bias so naturally I just loved this despite the fact that it has some shortcomings. I didn't feel like it portrayed Vex entirely as I originally imagined her but I felt like Keyleth was authentic to her voice in the series. I'm lowkey hoping her 'sorcerer friend' turns out to be Tiberius because I enjoyed their chemistry on the show but only time will tell. I only watched the first campaign through once but a rewatch might have to be on the cards after the completion of this series. I love the art style and the more serious approach Matt and the gang took towards developing the comics. This issue was way too short but it still packs a punch. The attack in the alley was my favourite board and I can't wait to see where the action takes us next!

[Lym · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5? It ends so abruptly (not at like a cliffhanger, but more just in the middle of, or right at the end of, a scene) that it's hard to judge on its own (well, with the rest of CritRole for context) but I really enjoyed what was there. The art is great (and sometimes super adorable. Kiki!!) and the three members of what will one day become Vox Machina who show up in this volume all feel like (early versions of) themselves. I want more <3

[Emily Duncan]

i just [sniffles] love Vax and Vex so muuuuuuch.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great book for the first of the series. Long live critical role. Can't wait for the mighty nien to have their turn

[Jordan Short · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good. Much better characters and dialogue than most D & D comics.

[hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

vax’ildan vessar I would take a bullet for you. or an arrow.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting beginning to a soon-to-be epic story!

Vox Machina: Origins is a story set in the Dungeons and Dragons style world of Tal'dorei, following the adventures of a group of "mercenaries", who meet by means of a dangerous plot to rid the small town of Stilben of its inhabitants. The story opens with Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia, twin half elves with a penchant for mischief. On the trail of an epidemic level of stillborn children, the duo find themselves hired to investigate the situation by a man who lost his own children and wife to the so called curse. They've come to investigate the nearby swamp where they are ambushed by a particularly ugly and hostile fish person who, of course, dies, but manages to wound Vax. When suddenly, a young and quirky red headed half-elf shows up and heals Vax of his injuries. They discover that she, too, is on her own investigation of the stillborn children and her new insights lead the twins to believe that there is so much more to this than a simple curse.

This first issue is something I would recommend to anybody, whether fans of Critical Role or even if you've never heard of Critical Role. I myself being a long time fan of the show! Exciting action, witty dialogue and beautiful artwork, this will not disappoint! Can't wait for the rest!

[Kaitlynn Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical Role is the best story experience I have ever had, and this graphic novel series lives up to the show I love so much. It is so exciting to be able to experience the story that occurred before Critical Role started airing on Geek & Sundry. The world, atmosphere, and characters are all beautifully portrayed through the illustrations and colours. The dialogue was fantastic - it made me feel like I was watching the show. The voices and personalities of the characters were captured so well, it was hard to believe it wasn't transcribed directly from their gaming session. If you are a fan of Critical Role, you should definitely read this series. If you don't know what Critical Role is, (You are seriously missing out. Go watch it. Or listen to the episodes on Podcast.) you can enjoy this series as a wonderful fantasy story without seeing any episodes. (But you really should watch them. They're great.)
I hope this strong start is the first of many issues that will eventually chronicle the entirety of the adventures of Vox Machina.