World of Warcraft Special # 1 hits stores on December 9 featuring Algalon the Observer. This special issue triggers the launch of the new upcoming spinoff title World of Warcraft: Horde # 1. You can’t miss it.
Kicking off a bold new direction for World of Warcraft comics! Algalon will be the judge! This special issue of WORLD OF WARCRAFT introduces new Horde and Alliance characters not yet seen in the ongoing series. Discover, through the eyes of The Observer himself, if the inhabitants of Azeroth are worthy of survival – or will they inevitably meet certain doom?
On Sale December 9, 2009
Wildstorm – 40pg. – $3.99 US
Written by Mike Costa
Art by Pop Mhan
Cover by Jon Buran
Variant cover by Pop Mhan
A promotional image appeared within the Wildstorm Comics World of Warcraft # 25 to advertise the upcoming World of Warcraft Special # 1—on stores this December 9. The events within this special issue set the ground for the split of the World of Warcraft comic book into two spin offs: WoW: Horde # 1 and WoW: Alliance # 26. What little I know from the solicitations is that Algalon the Observer appears in this special issue. Set your google calendar to alert you on December 9 to grab your copy.
I will post some images and a little spoiler when it arrives for those who live overseas—don’t cheat, locals.
World of Warcraft # 25 will be packed with action, where we will learn the fate of Med’an, Cho’gall and the Twilight Hammer who are about to clash in Ahn’Qiraj, Garona, Aegwynn, Meryl and Valeera Sanguinar will be there. Hopefully this issue shows us a glimpse into what might happen to herald the Cataclysm, the events of the upcoming WoW expansion.
A few weeks ago, I provided a spoiler image which captured what Cho’gall’s plans are with breaking the barrier between Azeroth and the Elemental Plane. An event that we know since BlizzCon 2009 is the main focus of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm with the introduction of the Firelands in Mount Hyjal, the Abyssal Maw, and Deepholm.
In issue # 25, the new Council of Tirisfal led by Lady Jaina Proudmoore chant the spell that teleports them into a pocket outside time and space in the Twisting Nether in order to initiate the ritual of the Guardian to infuse Med’an as their new Guardian.
The World of Warcraft comic book’s story arc with the son of Garona and Medivh is coming to a close in issue # 25, which coincides with the apparent departure of Walter Simonson and Louise Simonson who remained as writers since launch. Don’t miss grabbing this issue # 25 while supplies last. It hit newsstands and comic shops on November 18th. The next issue is World of Warcraft Special # 1 (Dec 9) whose events will trigger the launch of the World of Warcraft: Horde # 1 title spinoff and World of Warcraft: Alliance # 26.
Walter Simonson is among the legends of comic books, remembered among many other titles for his run on The Mighty Thor (Marvel) and Orion (DC Comics). I still remember X-Factor # 25 by Louise Simonson as writer and Walter Simonson as penciler. In X-factor # 25, Apocalypse and his four horsemen, including Archangel attack New York City. Their participation in the World of Warcraft comic book is widely welcomed and hope they get back at some point.
The bonus-sized epic final showdown! Will Med’an and the newly formed Council of Tirisfal vanquish the evil Cho’gall and the Twilight’s Hammer? Will the unlikely union of Horde and Alliance be torn asunder?
Written by Walter and Louise Simonson
Art by Mike Bowden and Tony Washington
Cover by Mike Bowden and Tony Washington
Wildstorm – 40pg. – $3.99
On Sale November 18, 2009
SPOILER ALERT
I got issue # 25, and it finally reveals that little mystery whether Meryl Winterstorm was the same character as Meryl Felstorm. In this very issue, Meryl renames himself to Meryl Felstorm.
I’m a bit upset with Aegwynn’s fate. However, considering her arrogance as a young Guardian caused all of the mess that has forgone in Azeroth, it was a noble redemption. Some fans don’t like much the Captain Planet Med’an thing, but I think we have seen that already with a younger Aegwynn until she went solo — and no one complained much. Maybe it’s the tendrils. Don’t know.
Aegwynn was buried at the crypt near Karazhan: Morgan’s Plot.
Med’an continues to be the new Guardian of Azeroth at the end of this book. We will have to wait and see if something happens in the World of Warcraft Special # 1. The thing here is that if Med’an doesn’t die as the prophecy calls … that little rumor about Thrall becoming the new Guardian becomes just that: a rumor.
The only way Thrall could become the new Guardian is if Med’an dies, or if Med’an undergoes Malfurion’s cliche trip to MMO limbo for a few years while Thrall takes the mantle until Med’an returns. We will have to wait and see. I’m very curious whether J. Allen Brack really didn’t know who the New Council of Tirisfal was, or if he pretended not knowing anything when I asked him at the Blizzcon 2009 Press Q&A if the New Council of Tirisfal would play a role in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.
There’s a hint that we might meet Meryl Felstorm and Garona in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. Meryl has left the new Council of Tirisfal to hunt remnants of the Twilight’s Hammer minions. Garona decided to accompany Meryl in his hunt, as a sidekick. Meryl continues to hold the demon Dreadlord Kathra’natir within himself. A nice potential raid boss to tackle. You can read the story of Meryl Winterstorm and Kathra’natir in Warcraft Legends # 5. The story is titled: First Guardian and it’s written by Walter Simonson’s half-heart: Louise Simonson. Check out our video interview with both writers during the New York Comic Con 2009.
Introducing Revil Kost, a priest of the Holy Light! Karlain and Revil combine forces to defend Sentinel Hill from a Defias Brotherhood attack. What are the mysterious Dark Riders hunting for in Westfall?
On sale February 17
Wildstorm Comics
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Mike Costa
Art and cover by Neil Googe
Wildstorm has released preview scans of World of Warcraft # 24 (on sale October 21) featuring the return of Vindicator Maraad and his grand-nephew Med’an to Azeroth after their trip to Shattrath City. In previous issues, both had traveled there to recruit Khadgar as a member of the New Council of Tirisfal. For unknown reasons, he declined but proposed Scryer Magistrix Dalynnia to take his place. The preview starts with all of them flying through the Dark Portal into Azeroth. However, Med’an heard once more the mental call from his father Medivh urging him to come to Karazhan.
Med’an excuses himself before Maraad and teleported away to the Gamesman’s Hall of Karazhan. There he met the Avatar of Medivh who reveals Medivh had left with him a message to relay to his son Med’an. We finally find out how Med’an was conceived. Medivh knew Garona was half-orc and draenei. While Sargeras was distracted, Medivh bedded Garona as part of his plan. The Avatar of Medivh proceeded to tell Med’an his story. For those fans interested in Medivh, Khadgar, Garona and Karazhan, the story of this comic book issue is a recap of the events from the novel Warcraft: The Last Guardian by Jeff Grubb. The novel is based on Warcraft: Orcs and Humans (RTS, 1994).
Because you demanded it! An exciting new series focusing on The Horde from the World of Warcraft MMORPG begins here. The orc Malgar is content to hunt alone with his wolf Remnes. When a band of raiding Kolkar Clan centaurs lay waste to a small orc farm, he has no choice but to return to the violent life he left behind. Aided by a new ally known as Ironhoof, Malgar succeeds in defending the farm—but at a great cost.
This new series explores the harsher side of Kalimdor and the challenges facing the Horde, by Doug Wagner (THE RIDE) and Pop Mhan (BATGIRL, SPY BOY)!
On sale January 6, 32 pg., FC, $2.99 US
Written by Doug Wagner
Art and cover by Pop Mhan
A bold new direction! Straight from the pages of WORLD OF WARCRAFT SPECIAL # 1, a new adventure set in the universe of the mega-popular MMORPG begins! Human mage Karlain and his warrior son Mardigan never see eye-to-eye—and with good reason. A murder, a mysterious quest for a powerful artifact, and some fist-pounding action kick off the first part of a new arc by Mike Costa (SECRET HISTORY OF THE AUTHORITY: HAWKSMO OR, GI JOE: COBRA) and Neil Googe (WILDCATS: WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY)!
ON sale January 20, 32 pg. FC, $2.99 US
Written by Mike Costa
Art and cover by Neil Googe
Coming this December 9, there won’t be a World of Warcraft # 26. Something big will happen on November’s issue # 25 and in this World of Warcraft Special # 1. And it is no surprise. Wildstorm announced at the San Diego Comic Con that two new comics will launch on January: an Alliance title and a Horde title.
Two World of Warcraft comic book titles is awesome-awesome on my book. The front cover is a simple one, but rises many questions to Horde players. Will that seriously happen? Is that Thrall, or is that someone else? That cover will seriously spawn many speculations. My teaser has my own version of what it might mean—but it’s not an absolute. Don’t blame my imagination. An image is worth a thousand words, and this front cover by Jon Buran, left me speechless. Subscribe to the World of Warcraft comics here. The Trade Paperback collecting issues # 1-7 here.
WORLD OF WARCRAFT SPECIAL # 1
Kicking off a bold new direction for World of Warcraft comics! Algalon will be the judge! This special issue of WORLD OF WARCRAFT introduces new Horde and Alliance characters not yet seen in the ongoing series. Discover, through the eyes of The Observer himself, if the inhabitants of Azeroth are worthy of survival – or will they inevitably meet certain doom?
Written by: Mike Costa Art by: Pop Mhan Cover by: Jon Buran Variant cover by: Pop Mhan
ONE-SHOT – On sale December 9 – 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Following an attempt on Med’an’s life, Garona and Meryl team up to take out the ogre Cho’gall. Meanwhile Med’an, Valeera and Maraad travel to Kharazhan to speak with the shade of Med’an’s father. Further explore the world of the best-selling MMORPG in this hit comic series!
Wildstorm – 32pg. – Color – $2.99 US
On Sale September 16, 2009
Written by Walter and Louise Simonson; Art by Mike Bowden; Cover by Mike Bowden and Tony Washington
