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Champions Online dev diary by comic book writer John Layman
The next major superhero MMO to be released will be Champions Online, based off of the pen-and-paper RPG system and in development at Cryptic Studios, slated to be released in mid-July 2009. To add even more superhero cred to the game, Cryptic has hired writers well-versed in the comics industry like John Layman, of both Marvel and Wildstorm fame. IGN is hosting a Champions Online developer diary written by Layman that focuses on his work at Cryptic Studios. Layman introduces what he does,"I'm the writer-guy for Champions Online, a comic book writer imported specifically to write a comic book themed game. And, just like writing comics, coming up with the right words, concepts, and plots is the very first part of a very long chain of work." He writes about the process of hashing out the best ideas with other Cryptic notables like Jack Emmert, Randy Mosiondz, and Brian Gilmore, and then working to tailor those concepts to 'comic book-ese' that works for Champions Online.
Jim Lee to illustrate Gears of War comic cover
Why miss, you look awfully proud of yourself. Is it because you had the gumption to down a brumak or did you look down and realize that you were drawn by comic book icon Jim Lee? Just go on sitting inappropriately atop that beastie's noggin while you mull it over.Calling Gears of War "visceral yet elegant," Lee will illustrate the cover for the #9 issue of DC's comic book adaptation, which launched in late 2008 under the company's Wildstorm imprint. The issue is said to introduce a new character to the story, who we'd guess is miss sassy pants up there. According to the publisher, the series has enjoyed success so far among comic book enthusiasts, with the first two issues completely selling through their initial printing. The Jim Lee-covered issue is expected to fill collectors' pull lists in July, while a second alternate cover by Epic's art director Chris Perna is promised as well. Now, climb down off that thing, you're making us nervous.
Prototype comic detailed, hitting stands in April
New details have emerged surrounding Wildstorm's upcoming comic book take on Radical Entertainment's Prototype. First announced last April, the graphic reworking will be penned by Jonah Hex writing duo, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, with illustrations by Transmetropolitan co-creator, Darick Robertson. The adaptation's debut issue will cut into comic book pull lists this April as the first in a six part mini-series. But read slowly. Even with a variant cover by veteran X-Men and WildC.A.T.s artist, Jim Lee, that's still just one issue for every two hours of game.
Ashbringer Wednesday
If you love comic books, play World of Warcraft, and are interested in the lore of the Ashbringer -- all of which I actually apply to myself -- then you might want to set aside $3.99 and check out DC Comics' limited series about the legendary sword coming out this Wednesday, September 10. The first issue of a four-part limited series, the comic deals with the story of Alexandros Mograine, the Ashbringer himself. Produced by Wildstorm Studios, the guys behind the World of Warcraft comic featuring the badass Varian Wrynn, the comic will be written by Blizzard Creative Director Micky Neilson and drawn by original WoW comic artist Ludo Lullabi with help from Tony Washington. The covers will be drawn by Blizzard Art Director Chris Robinson (not to be confused with the singer of The Black Crowes...), with variant covers from Lullabi and Washington.
Read the Mirror's Edge comic teaser issue
The gang at Silconera grabbed a copy of the Comic-Con 2008 teaser issue of WildStorm's Mirror's Edge comic, jumped across a few rooftops, performed a couple leaps of faith, then landed safely at the office to scan it. You have to admit that sounds cooler than "EA was handing it out and they scanned it."Anyway, the site has indeed posted the comic in its teaser-short entirety. It contains dialog from the game, which was previously confirmed to be the work of Heavenly Sword scriptwriter and Alanis Morisette look-alike, Rhianna Pratchett. After reading it, we're left to wonder if we'll be hearing a lot of female protagonist Faith's inner dialog throughout the course of the game as well. We'll find out in November, which is when both the game and the comic book mini-series based on it perform somersaults and land on shelves.
Mirror's Edge comic coming from DC
Everyone likes to prepare for big video games in different ways. Some like to watch video walkthroughs or even trailers, both of which are very normal. But some people, get this, like to read. And not even normal internet reading like you or me, but reading from paper. Rather than scold this deviant subset, EA is actually encouraging their perversion with a six-part comic book series based on upcoming Mirror's Edge, on DC's Wildstorm imprint. Here's the weird thing: After fans pick up the first issue at their local shop or at San Diego Comic Con, if they get bored while reading it, do you think they can just poke a different part of the page to read something else? No. No, they can't. They have to literally put the comic down and pick up something else to do. C'mon people, live in the now!
Blizzard releases preview of World of Warcraft comic #9
If you're a Lore Nerd like Alex and I are, you've probably at least been following the storyline of the World of Warcraft Comic, and you know it's likely going to have a pretty big impact on WoTLK lore, as King Varian Wrynn returns and we finally get an end to the Missing Diplomat Storyline. Issue #9 continues the journey of Lo'gosh and his companions as they travel toward Ironforge and brings a familiar old villain into the light as well. Blizzard has posted the first few pages of the issue on the official WoW site. I have to admit, I have one major reservation about the story.
Walt Simonson comics to be published in book form
Walt Simonson's World of Warcraft comics will be published as a graphic novel by Titan Books who has obtained the rights from DC comics. The rights include publication in the UK and Ireland and is set for release on September 26. The book will be a collectible priced at £16.99 (about $33.82 USD). This volume of the book will include the first seven comics, which was drawn by Ludo Lullabi. The story follows a human who washes up on the shores of Kalimdor with no memory and is subsequently enslaved by Orc shaman Rehgar Earthfury. The book form of the comic will become available for purchase by North America's readers on July 30 for $19.99 USD. World of Warcraft Issue #9 of the comic will go on sale for $2.99 USD on July 16. The comics are written by Walter Simonson; Art by Jon Buran and Jerome K. Moore; Covers by Samwise Didier and Ludo Lullabi.
Blizzard previews World of Warcraft comics for the year
Fans of the ongoing World of Warcraft comic series from Wildstorm press have a lot to look forward to this year. If you've been following along from issue #0, you'll already know that the adventuring crew have made a recent - and somewhat startling - discovery about the identity of one of their members. Above is pictured that hero's homecoming, one presaged by quests in-game as far back as at-launch World of Warcraft. You can check out a six-page preview of the comic (WoW #8) at the game's official website.If you haven't jumped into that storyline but are still interested in the concept of a WoW comic, you might want to check out the new four-part series coming this fall. The series is set to be titled simply Ashbringer. It will follow the story of the legendary sword of the same name, once the personal blade of Highlord Alexandros Mograine. The general story of the weapon is outlined in the Caverns of Time instance Old Hillsbrad, and expanded by the Ashbringer Scarlet Monastery event, but hints seem to indicate Blizzard will be previewing elements from Wrath of the Lich King in the pages of the comic. Check it out.
New DC Comic series to reveal Ashbringer's backstory
One of the most endearing new stories to be introduced into the Warcraft mythos by WoW is that of the Ashbringer, the blade of the Scarlet Highlord Mograine, which slew the Scourge by the hundreds and might have singlehandedly redeemed Azeroth, were it not for the treachery of his son, Renault. Unfortunately, beyond that and a little scene in Old Hillsbrad where we see the first steps of its creation, we don't really know much else of the story behind the fabled blade. In September 2008, we'll learn a little bit more of it. On September 10th, DC Comics' Wildstorm division will release the first of a 4 issue miniseries that covers the history of the Ashbringer, both the sword and the wielder, Alexandros Mograine. The series is being written by Blizzard Creative Director Mickey Nielson, with art by Ludo Lullabi and Tony Washington. The first book will feature cover art by Chris Robinson, with a variant cover by Lullabi and Washington. I know I'm excited. In fact, I think I'll call my local comics store now and make sure they'll carry it. Then again, I'm also a bit concerned. If this comic book gives us Ashbringer backstory that's important to WoTLK, does that mean they aren't releasing it until the series is done? I don't want to wait til 2009 to play a Death Knight, that's for sure!
DC Universe Online: still being worked on, artists named
Even with Marvel Universe Online now cancelled (and Champions Online rising in its place) there's been surprisingly little revealed about the shadowy DC Comics contender from Sony Online Entertainment. Last we heard, John Smedley was hoping to deliver the first glimpse of DC Universe Online to the media later this summer, probably at E3. Despite the lack of available details, we can at least be assured that it's still taking shape. According to Austin Craigslist, there are currently positions outstanding for a producer and a senior artist on the Outsource Team.
Jim Lee likes to gank noobs, make WoW comics
Jim Lee is excited about the World of Warcraft comic-- he makes that clear in this short clip from a Gametap interview done with the veteran comic book artist. Lee isn't actually drawing the comic, unfortunately (the little preview we saw didn't look bad, but it didn't look like Jim Lee, either), but he is putting the cover together, and the comic is actually being released under his imprint at DC, Wildstorm.He's also a player (paging Blizzard's ad department), and enjoys ganking "low-level noobies." He says also that he was glad to grab the comic license, since they did it so long after WoW actually got successful, and that Wildstorm has big hopes for the comic (apparently they're not just pinning their hopes on the Heroes serial). We're rooting for you, Jim, but only as long as you draw some more cool pictures of Shamans. Totems FTW.[Via Incgamers]
Issue #0 of World of Warcraft comic online
If the first few pages of the first issue of the World of Warcraft comic tickled your proverbial fancy, then you might want to check out the online-only issue #0 that MTV Multiplayer recently put up. The series, which is being published by Wildstorm (a branch of DC Comics) and written by former Hawkgirl author Walter Simonson, seems to pay more attention to lore than most comic book adaptations of popular franchises. For instance, on page three, a level 6 human rogue runs up to a level 70 blood elf warlock, calls him a H0M0L0RD, and /spits on him twenty times.You should be able to find issue #1 in your nearest Cheetos-scented comic book retailer this Wednesday.
