When Critical Role launched their second campaign back in 2018, the Mighty Nein’s adventures immediately felt different than the high-fantasy hijinks of Vox Machina. These weren’t a band of awe-inspiring adventurers whose deeds bards would sing about in taverns from here to Whitestone. No, these were broken souls, hurt people who hurt people, searching for a sense of belonging. That inherent darkness and vulnerability, along with a healthy dose of humor and a flair for the dramatic, made The Mighty Nein‘s saga perhaps Critical Role‘s most compelling story to date.
With the launch of the The Mighty Nein animated series on Prime Video, more people than ever are meeting Beau, Caleb, Fjord, Jester, Nott, Mollymauk, and Yasha. But before they became the beloved band of misfits known as the Mighty Nein, they were total strangers. Now you can read all about what happened to this cavalcade of weirdos, misfits, and goofballs before their original campaign adventures formally began in Dark Horse Comics’ The Mighty Nein Origins hardcover box set.
The Mighty Nein Origins Deepens Critical Role’s Storytelling
Each installment of this lavish eight-volume box set focuses on a single member of the Mighty Nein adventuring party. Masterfully written and beautifully illustrated by fan-favorite Critter creators, each The Mighty Nein Origins comic offers unique insights into the psychology of these characters and adds rich context to the story you thought you knew.
With its tarot card-inspired motif, Mollymauk Tealeaf’s story is a haunting look into how our favorite fortune teller went from monosyllabic to master of ceremonies. Written by Jody Houser, with art by Hunter Severn Bonyun, letters by Ariana Maher, and colors by Cathy Le, it offers crucial insight into Molly’s true colors…in every sense of the word.
The Mighty Nein Origins–Jester Lavorre shows us Jester’s first meeting with the little-known deity known as the Traveler, and how her mischievous streak masks an even deeper well of insecurity. Writer Sam Maggs expertly captures Jester’s unique cadence, and the artwork by Hunter Severn Bonyun, colors by Cathy Le, and letters by Ariana Maher are as vibrant and vivacious as the puckish would-be priestess herself.
As any fan of Critical Role can tell you, discovering a morsel of your favorite character’s backstory is like looting a +1 greatsword from a dragon’s treasure hoard. These so-called “session zero” moments might have been lost to the sands of time or the proverbial Bags of Holding of the cast’s imaginations, but thanks to Dark Horse Comics and this set of The Mighty Nein comics, you can experience these formative moments for yourself.
The Mighty Nein Origins Plays a Major Role in the TV Show
When The Legend of Vox Machina premiered on Prime Video, Critical Role fans around the world had the incredible opportunity to see their favorite Campaign One characters and iconic stories make the leap from livestream to their television screen. But with only 22 minutes per episode, the creative team had to hew fairly close to the original story.
With The Mighty Nein animated series, the creative teams at Critical Role, Titmouse, and Prime Video had the opportunity to create 44-minute-long episodes. That means we get to delve deeper into our favorite characters’ backstories and witness never-before-seen moments brought to life for the very first time.
Well, maybe not the first time. Many stories from The Mighty Nein Origins comics provide additional context for the stories that are now unfolding across our screens. Moments like Fjord Stone’s fateful voyage aboard the Tide’s Breath and Trent Ikithon taking a special interest in Caleb Widogast at the Soltryce Academy feel like they leap directly off the page and into animated form, with surely more to come. The result is something that feels fluid, raw, and emotional while giving these comic moments their rightful place in the Mighty Nein’s canon.
The Perfect Prelude to The Mighty Nein
This gorgeous hardcover collection makes the perfect addition to any Critical Role fan’s home library. Masterfully written and beautifully illustrated by fan-favorite Critter creators, each volume contains unique insights into the events that shaped our heroes before they became the Mighty Nein.
The collection contains all eight volumes of Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins comics, together for the first time in hardcover volumes in a box that definitely isn’t trapped. (Make a Perception check if you don’t believe us.) Inside, you’ll find:
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins–Jester Lavorre
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins – Fjord Stone
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins–Caleb Widogast
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins–Mollymauk Tealeaf
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins–Nott the Brave
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins–Yasha Nydoorin
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins–Caduceus Clay
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins–Beauregard Lionett
The best part? You don’t need to succeed a roll to find these incredible stories. Dark Horse Comics’ Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins hardcover boxed set is available now at your friendly neighborhood comic book store or wherever fine books are sold. Pick up your copy today to experience a whole new side of Exandria, as well as gain a deeper appreciation for The Mighty Nein animated series on Prime Video.