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mossgoblins's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
trin's review against another edition
4.0
Doesn't quite capture the experience of listening to it, and I'm honestly not sure how clearly it would read to someone who hasn't listened, but as a supplement to the original podcast, it gave me a lot of warm fuzzy feelings of getting to hang out with a gang I love, back at the very beginning.
sklus's review against another edition
5.0
I mean, what can I say? It's the good boys and their dad doing a D&D podcast that is now also a comic book. Somehow, the podcast translated extremely well into a comic which was kinda surprising but also amazing. The art was so cute and I just love those good D&D boys. So 5 out of 5 and would recommend!
daumari's review against another edition
5.0
It's the good good boys, but in visual form! It makes me want to relisten to the podcast as I haven't done that yet, but if you have friends who aren't podcast people (I commute 45 minutes each way so I'm all about some pods but I understand some people don't want to or can't commit the time), this is an excellent way to introduce Tres Horny Boys to them.
I do miss the asides and goofs, though some of that comes from format (here, Griffin addresses the characters from his DM position- there's no banter between brothers, though). Continuity errors and retcons are cleaned up, however (Merle is an acolyte of Pan from the start now, instead of whatever short-lived faith he had with another god).
I do feel like Wizards of the Coast would've been ok with using the names Phandalin and other named proper nouns from the Lost Mines of Phandelver (the Rockseeker dwarves, Klarg), but perhaps they wanted to avoid any potential copyright snafus in the future? oh well.
The other caveat I should probably mention is that as something that started as a podcast, there aren't really canon depictions, and the McElroys intend for there to not be- this came up earlier during production because fans felt a green-skinned Taako erases the possibility of representation in a Latinx Taako. Their statement, I feel, is pretty nuanced.
Recommended for: fans of TAZ, friends of fans of TAZ who don't want to commit to podcasts, fans of fantasy & tabletop
I do miss the asides and goofs, though some of that comes from format (here, Griffin addresses the characters from his DM position- there's no banter between brothers, though). Continuity errors and retcons are cleaned up, however (Merle is an acolyte of Pan from the start now, instead of whatever short-lived faith he had with another god).
I do feel like Wizards of the Coast would've been ok with using the names Phandalin and other named proper nouns from the Lost Mines of Phandelver (the Rockseeker dwarves, Klarg), but perhaps they wanted to avoid any potential copyright snafus in the future? oh well.
The other caveat I should probably mention is that as something that started as a podcast, there aren't really canon depictions, and the McElroys intend for there to not be- this came up earlier during production because fans felt a green-skinned Taako erases the possibility of representation in a Latinx Taako. Their statement, I feel, is pretty nuanced.
Recommended for: fans of TAZ, friends of fans of TAZ who don't want to commit to podcasts, fans of fantasy & tabletop
venusaspirant's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED THIS. TRULY. I actually got kinda weirdly emotional because I just? Really love TAZ. It encouraged me to play D&D with friends. It felt like coming home. I can’t wait for the next installment.
5/5 stars
thefantasticalworldofsara's review against another edition
5.0
GOD I LOVE THE MCELROYS!!
I’ve never listened to TAZ so I only had a rough idea of what to expect here but DAMN DID I LOVE THIS!!! I could tell within the first two pages which McElroy was playing what character though because even in writing their voices are so distinct :P There were so many funny moments and some sweet ones too. I’m so excited to see where the story goes and maybe I’ll give TAZ a listen!
Ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of it's subsidiaries.
I’ve never listened to TAZ so I only had a rough idea of what to expect here but DAMN DID I LOVE THIS!!! I could tell within the first two pages which McElroy was playing what character though because even in writing their voices are so distinct :P There were so many funny moments and some sweet ones too. I’m so excited to see where the story goes and maybe I’ll give TAZ a listen!
Ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of it's subsidiaries.
carlyxdeexx's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly the best thing about this one is its ability to tell a very sweet story about this band of adventurers while also incorporating D&D’s meta-elements (the DM, skill checks, spell slots), and to do this very well, in a way that’s balanced and def not distracting or gimmicky. It’s the kind of book that I can see being super endearing to D&D vets (like me) but also an inspiring and fun window into D&D for people who haven’t played before.
It’s such a nice balance of silly and serious, the art is great (super vivid and fun to look at), and the characters are, well. Characters. ;) Taako is def my favorite, but I love Magnus’s conviction, and I have a soft spot for Merle since I’m playing a cleric now in a great campaign.
I’d definitely read the next one! And maybe tune into the podcast. This is just another reminder of how great D&D is and why I love it so much.
It’s such a nice balance of silly and serious, the art is great (super vivid and fun to look at), and the characters are, well. Characters. ;) Taako is def my favorite, but I love Magnus’s conviction, and I have a soft spot for Merle since I’m playing a cleric now in a great campaign.
I’d definitely read the next one! And maybe tune into the podcast. This is just another reminder of how great D&D is and why I love it so much.
justabunchofcharacters's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
ccaitlinranae's review against another edition
5.0
re-reading the first two before i read the newest! it’s always going to be a 5 star- i’ve listened through this 70+ hour podcast several times and read the graphic novels more times than i would like to admit. what can i say? the worlds the mcelroys create always feel like home :) as always i highly recommend!