Critical Role Comics – The Best Ones to Read Before And After The Legend Of Vox Machina

Matthew Mercer is also responsible for my interest in Dungeons and Dragons. I came for the voice and stayed for the game. Anyone who watches Critical Role knows there is no lack of Dungeons & Dragons content. The first campaign alone has over 115 episodes. However, all good things must come to an end, and I’ve recently found myself all caught up on Critical Role content and waiting for new episodes of The Legend Of Vox Machina to drop is trying my patience. That’s where my recent obsession comes in, the Critical Role comic books.

If, like me, you’re looking for more signature Critical Role Dungeons & Dragons content or even if you’re looking to dive in for the first time, here is a list of the ones I suggest.

Critical Role Comics To Read Before ands After The Legend Of Vox Machina

VOX MACHINA ORIGINS SERIES I

6 Issues written by Matthew Mercer and Matthew Colville with art by Olivia Samson

The band of adventurers known as Vox Machina will save the world. Eventually. But even they have to start somewhere. Six would-be heroes on seemingly different jobs find their paths intertwined as they investigate shady business in the swamp town of Stilben. They’ll need to put their heads—and weapons—together to figure out what’s going on…and keep from being killed in the process.

VOX MACHINA ORIGINS SERIES II

6 Issues written by Matthew Mercer and Jody Houser with art by Olivia Samson

Vox Machina Origins Series II continues the adventures of Vox Machina. When Grog goes missing in the night, tracking him down will see the party lose one member, gain two more, and reveal parts of Grog’s secret past. But first, his friends have to actually find him.

VOX MACHINA ORIGINS SERIES III

6 Issues written by Matthew Mercer and Jody Houser with art by Olivia Samson

Vox Machina Origins Series III picks up with Vox Machina enjoying some R&R in Westruun’s lap of luxury. But that costs coin, which has a bad habit of running out. So to keep themselves in the black, they agree to join an underground fighting ring. But before they can bash their way to cash, their attention is snagged by the case of a missing child.

CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS: JESTER LAVORRE

1 Graphic Novel written by Sam Maggs (Fearless and Fantastic! Female Super Heroes Save the World; Marvel Action: Captain Marvel: Ghost in the Machine; Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas) and with art by Hunter Severn Bonyun

Jester Lavorre had an unconventional upbringing, even for one born in cosmopolitan Nicodranas. Daughter of the famed Ruby of the Sea, she had many opportunities for mischief as a small child, of which she took full advantage. Dive into the mystery of Jester’s early years, her first meeting with the Traveler, and the fateful events that set her on a path to eventually join the Mighty Nein.

CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS: CALEB WIDOGAST

1 Graphic Novel written by Jody Houser (Stranger Things; Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy; The Web Of Black Widow) and with art by Selina Espiritu (Brave Chef Brianna; Quincredible Vol. 1: Quest to Be the Best!)

Bren Aldric Ermendrud is chosen to attend the exclusive Soltryce Academy, preparing for an important future in service to the Empire. But nobody, least of all Bren himself, can foresee the cruelty he will endure and the ways in which it will break and remake him. Witness the events that transform Bren into the Mighty Nein’s Caleb Widogast, and how they inform the path he’ll take in the future.

CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS: YASHA NYDOORIN

Critical Role Comics - The Best Ones To Read Before And After The Legend Of Vox Machina

1 Graphic Novel Written by Cecil Castellucci (The Plain Janes; The Year of the Beasts) and with art by William Kirkby (Rat Queens)

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.

CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS: FJORD STONE

Critical Role Comics - The Best Ones To Read Before And After The Legend Of Vox Machina

1 Graphic Novel written by Kevin Burke and Chris “Doc” Wyatt (This is Ant-Man; A Mighty Marvel Chapter Book: Ant-Man) with art by Selina Espiritu (Brave Chef Brianna; Quincredible Vol. 1: Quest to Be the Best!)

Growing up in an orphanage on the Menagerie Coast, Fjord Stone has never been comfortable with the assumptions people draw from his half-orc heritage. His sweet, sensitive nature will do him no favours in Port Damali. Luckily, a chance meeting lands Fjord with a job, a mentor, and more adventure than he could ever dream of on the path that will eventually lead him to the rest of the Mighty Nein.

CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS: NOTT THE BRAVE

1 Graphic Novel written by Sam Maggs (Fearless and Fantastic! Female Super Heroes Save the World; Star Wars Adventures: Order and Chaos; My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise) and with art by William Kirkby (Rat Queens)

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 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.

THE TALES OF EXANDRIA: THE BRIGHT QUEEN

4 Single Issues Written by Darcy Van Poelgeest (Little Bird; Precious Metal; The Orchard) and with art by CoupleofKooks

The Tales of Exandria: The Bright Queen focuses on Leylas Kryn, who those familiar with the Mighty Nein campaign may recognize as the Bright Queen. Leylas Kryn, the Bright Queen, has spent multiple lives in pursuit of assembling the otherworldly Luxon. So when another piece appears nearby, Leylas sends her eternal lover Quana to collect it…with consequences that may threaten the entire Dynasty.

Over the last two years, I’ve found myself constantly looking for ways to stay connected and have fun with my friends that didn’t consist of us going out or just chatting over Discord with each other. Dungeons & Dragons was that way. It allowed for us to get together and, for a while, forget about the real world and replace it with one of our creations. While I would never have thought reading comics based on another groups Dungeons & Dragons games would be entertaining, they are, and they are also an excellent source of inspiration for my games with my friends.

If you found this list helpful and it’s made you want to spend your hard-earned gold on some physical copies, then remember to head over to Critters and Comics. Also, If you haven’t started watching The Legend of Vox Machina yet, click here to read our post on why you really should.

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Critical Role Comics – The Best Ones to Read Before And After The Legend Of Vox Machina