REVIEW: ‘Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II,’ Issue #2 (of 6)

Published by Dark Horse Comics, Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #2 brings fans back to the story of the members of Vox Machina before the Critical Role crew began their successful weekly streamed campaign. The primary story is from the mind of Matthew Mercer, while characters and their development are from the players themselves. Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #2 is written by Jody Houser, features art from Oliva Samson, colors by Msassyk, letters by Ariana Maher while Fiona Staples provides the cover art.

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #1  ended with the Vax’ildan, Vex’ahlia, Keyleth, and Scanlan on the search for Grog who had left Stilben in the middle of the night. Unbeknownst to the others, Grog was having ghostly visions of his father that called him away from the town. The questioning of the locals led the group to the neighboring town of Westrunn. In Westrunn, the party met Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson),  and her great-great-grandfather, Wilhand Trickfoot. The gnome duo claims to know Grog and intend to offer any help that they can.

In the opening panels of Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #2, Wilhand gives our heroes a bit of information of about the direction Grog was headed. However, the Cursed Mountain, as you can imagine from Grog’s visions, is not the most welcoming place in Tal’Dorei. Determined to help her friend despite the dangers, Pike dawns her cleric armor and insists on joining the group to find Grog.

Along the way to The Cursed Mountain, readers learn about Grog and Pike’s unusual connection. Grog was once a part of a  family of half-giants who were planning to attack Wilhand. Despite his smaller size, Grog protested their actions and was beaten within an inch of his life for the gesture. The two gnomes tended to his wounds and remained close ever since.

The three continued to live together, however, the incident has left a mark on Grog. He left the Trickfoots to prove himself as a warrior. This background sheds light on why Grog may be seeing his father in his visions. As the group approached The Cursed Mountain it is clear that there is some sort of dark magic pulling at the deepest parts of Grog’s past. Now the group must face whatever vile creature is powerful enough to subdue the party’s fiercest warrior.

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #2 continues to bring the eventual eight members of the party together in a way that is satisfying even for those who may know Grog and Pike relationship. Samson continues to provide beautiful art that builds the tension of the panels as the group gets closer to The Cursed Mountain as the lush green of Westruun gives way to dark and mysterious corruption.

Further, I am very impressed with Houser’s writing as she even incorporates dungeon master Matthew Mercer’s famed one-liners into character dialogue. While the voices I read the panels in are of the voice actors themselves, it brings a smile to face to see a, “You can certainly try” sprinkled throughout the story.

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #2 provides something for old fans and new fans alike. Even though the Grog and Pike backstory is known through parts of the streamed campaign, there is still much for longtime fans to learn about.

The threat to Grog may have more to it than meets the eye and we still have yet to meet Percival de Rolo (Taliesin Jaffe). I am excited to see the group grow to its final form as this story only takes place during the second session of their home game. This means there are many things that may be new for all readers in the future. As a side note, the cast read the first three pages of this issue at before their Talks Machina live show at SDCC 2019. Really fantastic to see the crew get back into their old characters if only for a moment. You can find it here.

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #2 is available now.