The Super Powered Fancast

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Vol. 2

Dark Horse Comics

Written by Jody Houser, Mae Catt, Chris “Doc” Wyatt, Kevin Burke, Kendra Wells, Taliesin Jaffe, Marisha Ray, Travis Willingham and Matthew Mercer

Art by Hunter Severn Bonyun, Guilherme Balbi and Selina Espiritu

Colors by Cathy Le, Diana Sousa and Eren Angiolini

Letters by Ariana Maher

The Rundown: Four stories explore the past of members of the Mighty Nein before they banded together.

Mollymauk Tealeaf

In the shadow of the two moons of Exandria, a purple-skinned Tiefling emerges from the ground, clawing his way back to life with no memory of who he is or what happened to him. Unable to remember anything, he makes his way to a traveling carnival where the performers take him in and become a family for him as he claws his way to a new personality and the discovery of powers he didn’t realize he had. A personality that will bring him joy, love and a sense of belonging as his journey brings him face to face with another in need of a place to call home.

A beautifully rich and engaging story that showcases how unique Mollymauk is as a character. The subtle hints at his dark past are beautifully woven into the story and I love the art throughout this story, especially how it incorporates elements of the tarot deck the character is known for.

Beauregard Lionett

A dark past will lead to prosperity for a man desperate for a new life. A new life that will include a daughter with a penchant for trouble and a stubborn streak that will lead to adventure. Beauregard grows into a young woman of privilege, but she yearns for something more. Something that will lead her to make some poor personal choices including theft and fraud. Choices that will lead her to a confrontation with her father that will find the pair at odds. A confrontation that will change her life forever as she is taken from her home to become a monk of the Cobalt Soul.

A dark, thrilling and action-packed adventure with a fantastic story of perseverance at its heart. Beau is a thoroughly engaging character who is beautifully complicated. The art is perfectly tailored to this story as it matches the rough, action-filled tone of the story itself.

Fjord Stone

In the town of Port Damali, a young orphan half-orc deals with prejudice, abuse and exploitation at the hands of the man who runs the orphanage he lives in along with the other orphans who bully young Fjord. When the opportunity to join Captain Vandren and his crew on the Tide’s Breath arises, Fjord takes his chance, but also finds himself working and living alongside the boy who bullied him the worst. Vandren sees something in young Fjord and takes him on as an apprentice showing him how to run a ship, blend into his surroundings and defend himself. When a tragedy destroys the ship and nearly kills him, Fjord finds himself on a beach with not only a new sword, but new powers he doesn’t understand. He also finds a new sense of purpose and resilience as he searches for answers.

I love the nature of this story a lot. It’s a fantastic story of resilience and perseverance in the face of darkness. It explains a lot about the character of Fjord and why he can be seen as stoic and shy. The story allows the reader to feel for Fjord without pitying him because it shows the strength within him that is brought out through him time with Vandren. I also love the art in the issue and how beautifully detailed everything is from the characters to the environments.

Caduceus Clay

Young Caduceus learns early about the finality of life and is lucky to have a loving family to lean on as the reality of death is revealed and the renewal of life is shown to him as he grows up in the shadow of his graveyard home. Unfortunately, the corruption of their family home will cause member of his family to leave and find help while Caduceus and his sister are left to tend to their family’s purpose of honoring the dead. A purpose that will bring him face to face with the reality of that corruption as he continues his duties alone. Duties that will bring him a vision of adventure and a new purpose.

A truly beautiful and endearing story with an interesting and complicated character at the heart of it. I am a fan of the character and this story gives a wonderfully interesting and compelling picture of him and his journey. The art is just as beautifully detailed and ethereal as the story and the character.