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Explore the backstories of Critical Role’s Mighty Nein in Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition

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Dark Horse Books and Critical Role present Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition Volume 1! This first of two oversized volumes collects the whimsical, tragic, and sometimes haunting backstories of Jester Lavorre, Caleb Widogast, Yasha Nydoorin, and Nott the Brave. These stories are each available as a standalone graphic novel, but now, this Library Edition collects them all together in one oversized volume. Like the Mighty Nein, these stories are better together, including an expanded sketchbook section and all-new cover art by Robynn Frauhn.

The first story in this library collection features Jester Lavorre. Dive into the mystery of Jester’s early years as the daughter of the famed Ruby of the Sea, witness her first meeting with the Traveler, and watch the fateful events unfold that set her on a path to eventually join the Mighty Nein. Written by Sam Maggs, with art by Hunter Severn Bonyun, colors by Cathy Le, and letters by Ariana Maher, in consultation with Laura Bailey and Matthew Mercer of Critical Role.

In the second collected story, written by Jody Houser, with art by Selina Espiritu, colors by Diana Sousa, and returning letterer Ariana Maher, with consultation from Critical Role’s Liam O’Brien and Matthew Mercer, explore the troubled past of Bren Aldric Eremund of the Soltryce Academy and witness his transformation into Caleb Widogast of the Mighty Nein.

The third story in this collection – the revelation of Yasha Nydoorin’s tumultuous past – features the work of writer Cecil Castellucci, artist William Kirkby, colorist Diana Sousa, and letterer Ariana Maher, with consultation from Critical Role’s Ashley Johnson and Matthew Mercer. For Yasha, there has always been a storm on the horizon. 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.

Finally, writer Sam Maggs, artist William Kirkby, Eren Angiolini, and letterer Ariana Maher, with consultation from Matthew Mercer and Sam Riegel of Critical Role, detail Veth Brenatto’s tragic tale of transformation. When the comfortable life with the family she loves is turned upside down by a goblin raid, Veth discovers a new side of herself…and is doomed to become the goblin Nott the Brave of the Mighty Nein.

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition will be available in bookstores September 12, 2023 and in comic shops September 13, 2023. It is now available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local comic shop and bookstore.

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition

Discover the Origins of Critical Role’s The Mighty Nein

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Dark Horse Comics and Critical Role have announced Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins—a brand new line of hardcover graphic novels focusing on Jester, Caleb, Fjord, Mollymauk, Yasha, Beauregard, Nott, and Caduceus. Following newly revealed stories about the heroes who would become the Mighty Nein, Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins will be launching with volumes about Jester Lavorre and Caleb Widogast!

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.

Written by Sam Maggs, line art by well-known Critter Hunter Severn Bonyun, colored by Cathy Le, and developed in direct consultation with Critical Role cast members Laura Bailey and Matthew Mercer, Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Jester Lavorre will be available everywhere books are sold June 16, 2021. It is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at your local comic shop.

In Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Caleb Widogast, 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: Caleb Widogast features Critical Role alum writer Jody Houser, illustrated by Selina Espiritu and colors by Diana Sousa, with direction from Critical Role cast members Matthew Mercer and Liam O’Brien. This graphic novel will be available everywhere books are sold on July 14, 2021. It is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at your local comic shop. 

The Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins line is presented in hardcover format and volumes will retail for $17.99 each.

ECCC 2019: Dark Horse Delivers More Critical Role with Comics, Collections, and Art Books

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Dark Horse Comics and Critical Role have announced three new projects set to release in 2019. Based on epic tales from the world of Exandria, these new comics, art books and more will explore this universe in new and original ways! The most popular digital tabletop game in the world, Critical Role is live-streamed every week and set in Exandria. In each episode, veteran voice actor and Game Master Matthew Mercer leads his nerdy ass and wildly entertaining friends (also fellow voice actors!) on a thrill ride of turmoil and adventure. The cast includes Matthew Mercer (Overwatch, Final Fantasy XV, Fallout 4), Travis Willingham (Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble, The Legend of Korra), Marisha Ray (Star Wars: Battlefront, Batgirl: Spoiled, Metal Gear: Survive), Taliesin Jaffe (Street Fighter, World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV), Ashley Johnson (Blindspot, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teen Titans Go!), Sam Riegel (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, One Punch Man, The Amazing Spiderman), Liam O’Brien (Star Wars Rebels, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Wolverine and the X-Men), and Laura Bailey (Dragon Ball Z, Fullmetal Alchemist, Gears of War 4).

On July 10, 2019, Dark Horse and Critical Role will release Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins series II #1, which finds the unlikely heroes of Vox Machina back in action-packed yet absurdly entertaining adventures! The six-issue series will be available through Dark Horse Digital and through retail stores and continues to follow the origin stories of engaging characters, material hinted at but not fully disclosed in the live-stream. From award-nominated writer Jody Houser and first series artist Olivia Samson, with colorist MSASSYK and letterer Ariana Maher comes Critical Role: Vox Machina Originsseries II, the highly anticipated sequel to Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins series I. The beautiful first issue cover is by artist Fiona Staples. The series will be collected into a trade paperback collection in summer 2020. 

In Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins series II, familiar faces from Critical Role’s smash-hit first campaign return as their escapades in Stilben lead them towards their next adventure—and a dire threat to Grog Strongjaw, the goliath barbarian, 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.

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins series II

Due to popular demand, Dark Horse and Critical Role will also release a trade paperback collection of Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins series I on October 15, 2019! Writers Matthew Mercer and Matthew Colville team with artist extraordinaire Olivia Samson and colorist and letterer Chris Northrop to tell the story of how Vox Machina first met. Originally released through Dark Horse Digital, the Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins series I paperback collection will be available for fans to purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, critrole.com, and in local comic shops! Featuring a cover by Stjepan Šejić, Critical Role fans can buy this 168-page collection for $19.99. 

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins series I

In late 2019, Dark Horse and Critical Role will release Critical Role: The Chronicles of Exandria — The Mighty Nein. With a stunning cover by Matteo Scalera and Moreno Dinisio, this gorgeous hardcover art collection contains materials presented chronologically from the first few story arcs of the Mighty Nein campaign. Featuring a wide variety of illustrations from the Critical Role fan community paired with text by cast members Liam O’Brien and Taliesin Jaffe, and art direction from Lauryn Ipsum, this 200-page tome retails for $39.99.

Critical Role: The Chronicles of Exandria -- The Mighty Nein