Another fantastic entry intto the comic adaptation of the Podcast; the art is lush, the jokes are witty, and the decisions in format bending (Griffon breaking through panels, the 4th wall fluidity) are peak.

As a fan of the podcast, it's lovely to see how well the content is translated into a visual format. The art style continues to impress, and as we get further in to the series, seeing how big scenes from the podcast (such as the hands outstretched bit when they rescue Magnus) are done. I did think rhe pacing was a little off in this volume as I think they may have shortened the suffering game arc to make some room for the lead in to the next arc, but otherwise this is another great entry jn the series.

I have loved the adventure zone since nearly the beginning a decade ago, and love the graphic novel retellings. They feel so nostalgic to me and draw me back into the story I was so obsessed with when they were first releasing. After finishing this installment, I remembered just what I loved of this story and these characters

I love this series and this book didn't disappoint! It had a great storyline and graphics. I love the humor in this series and the breaking the 4th wall.

Ooooooh, only one book left. Up to now this series has been pretty fun light hearted reading. Still fun. Much less light hearted. But I like that the plot is coming to a head so we can learn the truth behind everything. You really should read this series if you like tabletop RPG games.

The continuation of The Adventure Zone story packs a punch! The art continues to impress and is lively and colorful. Pietsch's interpretation of the hunger is interesting but did make fully absorbing what was happening in certain parts harder to parse.
I wish that there was a little more in this installment, some of the story was condensed/cut to make the story more condusive for a graphic novel format, but there was definitely room for more content. The endind felt slightly rushed but I'm hoping the next installment will make up for it.

Regardless of my small criticisms, this story is continually a huge source of enjoyment as it's fresh, exciting, diverse, and funny. I can't wait to see what's next!

Honestly this was the best volume so far. We see the characters vulnerable and the stakes are getting higher and higher.

The shenanigans of the gang continue in this sixth (and penultimate) installment of the graphic novelization of their role playing podcast. Merle, Taako, and Magnus head to Wonderland to recover another one of the relics but this time they know there will be suffering involved. Even with that caveat, they think this mission will be a piece of cake. Little do they know the sacrifices they will need to make and the secrets they will uncover.

I can’t believe there’s only one more arc left. I loved this story the first time around, and I am loving it just as much the second time. (Ha! First Second. Get it?!) Carey Pietsch’s artwork continues to be beautiful and evocative. The coloring is especially stunning in this arc. The greatest thing about it is it works just as well for people who haven’t listened to the podcast, which is quite a feat. The review of “previously on” in that one large panel was delightful. I really enjoyed the insight into the development of the art and the places with the bonus design roughs at the end. I hope that this partnership will continue in some way after this TAZ: Balance segment is wrapped up because I haven’t gotten enough of the McElroys and Pietsch yet.

It's finally here! I was a big fan of this show and I have been following the comics religiously since they started coming out. This arc was when things really started to get pieced together and the comic keeps the excitement and the humor that I remember from my first time listening to the show. I loved the designs for the characters and Lup's (re)introduction was really as awesome as I remember it. I love the new detail that the DM character got pushed out by the arrival of the empty, it really adds to the drama of it all. Really great addition to the series and I am just so excited for the next (last?) volume!

Thank you netgalley for the free ebook in exchange for a honest review.

This installment of TAZ does not disappoint! As always, the art is fun and carries the story in a fantastic way. The story is great, especially to see the characters fleshed out further. Loved it!

What an absolutely fantastic penultimate volume of The Adventure Zone graphic novel. This work was truly Clint McElroy and Carey Pietsch's best work to date. The action scenes practically jumped off the screen! The colors were more vibrant and eye-catching than ever before (partly, of course, because Wonderland is such a colorful place). Taako and Merle and Magnus's emotions were so strong, and so real that it felt like I was the one having my heart broken in two.

But it wouldn't be the Suffering Game without a little suffering, right?

It was a delight getting to meet Lydia and Edward (as delightful and fashionable as I'd imagined), getting to meet again some of my favorite characters from past volumes, and getting to see Wonderland up close and personal for the first time ever.

This volume is The Adventure Zone at its finest, and I can't wait for the next adventure into The Adventure Zone: Story and Song!

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for providing the ARC.

As a long time fan of The Adventure Zone and the Balance campaign, I have been hoarding these graphic novels like a dragon.

The Suffering Game was probably my favorite mini-arc of the overall campaign, and I have been waiting for this moment for years. I love these graphical representations of one of my favorite D&D podcasts, and this one was just as amazing as the last. Carey Pietsch, once again, does an amazing job with the artwork and the story is just as good as it was when it first aired.

If you love D&D and graphic novels, this is not to be missed.

Another fantastic installment in The Adventure Zone series. As someone who only has graphic novels to go off of, I’m really enjoying how the story is unfolding. While I’m sad that there will only be one more volume in the series this penultimate volume did a great job of setting up the ending arc. I wish we had gotten a bit more of the suffering game but feel that the pacing was right in the sweet spot to set up the big reveal at the end of this volume. Overall, a fantastic addition to the series.
Thank you Netgalley and First Second for access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful continuation of a wonderful series. The artwork perfectly captures the feeling and emotion expressed in the original podcast episodes, and the chosen quotes were top tier. A wonderful adaptation that is just as good for anyone who hasn’t listened to the original podcast.

These are getting very complicated when one has not listened to the podcast. I still read them mainly for Taako’s humor, but this one at least pushed the plot forward, even with a distasteful number of pages dedicated to fighting. They don’t add anything, so it always irritates me in a comic. I believe the next book will reveal a lot.

The sixth installment of The Adventure Zone has been one of my most anticipated and it did not disappoint. The Suffering Game is probably my favorite arc from Balance, and the McElroys and Carey Pietsch brought it to full life in this volume. The boys set out for their most dangerous--and violent--mission yet, taking on two litches who get pleasure--and sustenance--through the suffering of others. The bright, carnival-esque illustrations really highlight the juxtaposition between the game-like nature of Wonderland and the horrors hidden within its depths. And all the threads are beginning to come together as we're getting closer and closer to the truth about the Bureau of Balance and the characters' mysterious pasts being revealed. The amount of joy I get from seeing this podcast brought to life is graphic novel form is immeasurable.

I am a HUGE McElroy family fan and I love reading the TAZ graphic novels. I think because I do not totally keep up with the TAZ podcast these books don’t hold a major meaning to me. I like them none the less. The Eleventh Hour was my favorite and this one fell kind of flat for me, I’m really not sure why, but I was not invested in the story like I had been.
I am looking forward to the final installment next, but maybe I need to listen to the podcast and really get into the characters.

Magnus, Takko, and Merle are back in the sixth installment of this graphic novel series! They find themselves in a wonderland of horrors. We also get some really big plot line movement here!!

I’d definitely recommend reading the others before this. If you have though, this is another amazing entry!! I’ve been loving this series so much. I eventually do want to go listen to this campaign on the podcast but I also don’t want to spoil anything for myself!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

THIS WAS AMAZING. OH MY GOD. In all honesty, this was my favorite arc of TAZ when I first listened to it, but to see it (along with the rest of the podcast) turned into a graphic novel? It's going up there with one of my favorite graphic novels of the year. Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

"The Suffering Game" is the 6th book in The Adventure Zone graphic novel series. Written for teens through adults, this series is based off of a role playing game podcast series called "The Adventure Zone." Character info sheets are shown when main characters are introduced in the book and usually there is a Game Master/Dungeon Master who pops in to emphasize the fact that this is based off of a game. Our three main characters, Taako, Merle, and Magnus are thrust into another adventure to retrieve a magical artifact, but they find out that secrets have been hidden from them throughout the whole book series. A must-read for fans of the series, but newbies will need to read the previous books to be able to fully understand what is happening.