The Adventure Zone (graphic novels)

This is a page for the graphic novelization. You may be looking for The Adventure Zone (podcast).
The Adventure Zone Graphic Novels are a graphic novelization of the podcast of the same name. The art and design are by Carey Pietsch of The Adventure Zine fame, and the story is adapted by the McElroys themselves. The first book is notable for being the first graphic novel to reach #1 on the New York Times Fiction List.'Adventure Zone' Graphic Novel Tops New York Times' Trade Fiction Best-Seller List
==Canon==
Announced in 2016,nerdist.com, ENTER THE ADVENTURE ZONE WITH A NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES (EXCLUSIVE), 1 December 2016, accessed 28 June 2017. archived link the Adventure Zone Graphic Novel series is written by the McElroys and drawn by Carey Pietsch. It follows the plot of the Balance Arc, with each book a different arc within the campaign. The first book, The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins, was published July 17, 2018.'The Adventure Zone': McElroy Family Explains Their New Graphic Novel The second book, The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited is slated to be released July 16, 2019.Exclusive 15 Pages From the Next Adventure Zone Graphic Novel
==Fandom==
See The Adventure Zone: Balance for Balance Arc fandom.
==Issues with Character Designs==
While fan reaction to the graphic novels have been largely positive, there has been much discussion about the character designs, especially considering their relative 'canonical' representation.
===Original Character Designs===
While The McElroys have always insisted there is no canonical representation of what the characters look like beyond what's been addressed in the show (a stance that generates its own controversies), the graphic novel designs have a definite 'official weight of approval' to them for many fans. So on December 1, 2016, when the McElroys released a few pages from the first graphic novel that portrayed the three main characters as white, many people felt hurt or betrayed. 
These concerns were quickly addressed by Justin McElroy. Later the same day (as the character design reveal), he tweeted:
Some fans were annoyed, feeling that the issue wasn't that big of a deal, or that the McElroys were pressured into changing the designs by overzealous Migratory SJ Fandom. 
Others voiced their concern for the artist's wellbeing:
===Blue Taako===
On June 1, 2017, the new character designs were revealed, and included Taako as blue, rather than a skin tone found on Earth. Reactions to this delved into already existing controversy in Balance Arc fanart fandom:
===Official Response (AKA, Griffin's Post)===
The next day (June 2, 2017), Griffin McElroy addressed these discussions in a post on the official TAZ Tumblr.On The Adventure Zone Graphic Novel, Blue Taako, and Representation His post was quite long, and went over a few different points.
====Regarding Latinx Taako====
====Regarding Blue Taako====
====Regarding Sun Elves====
====Final Apology====
==Archives and Links==
*The Adventure Zone at First Second Books
*On The Adventure Zone Graphic Novel, Blue Taako, and Representation
*Fan artist shares her thoughts on the importance of non-white fantasy characters (and TAZ)
*Justin providing a characteristically classy response to accusations of whitewashing in the upcoming TAZ graphic novel
*The wait is over! Presenting the first ever look at final art from the #TAZ graphic novel.
*A Rock and a Hard Place – The Adventure Zone Graphic Novel and Representation
*Summary of TAZ discourse today
==References==
Category:McElroy Brothers
Category:The Adventure Zone
Category:U.S. Comics & Graphic Novels
Category:Independent Comics