So much for fears of audiences not relating to
"non-human" heroes. After a successful run featuring the travails of tailored-for-badassness Alliance leader
Varian Wrynn, Wildstorm studios announced during the
San Diego Comic Con 2009 that the
World of Warcraft comic will be splitting into two titles after Issue #25. The issue will conclude the current story arc and will trigger events that will lead to the spinoff of a Horde-centric
World of Warcraft comic slated to launch in January, 2010.
Although BlizzPlanet reports that there were little details beyond that - they point to
an earlier interview they did with Walt Simonson who dodged the question about such a title - there'll likely be more information in the coming weeks. In particular, players and comic fans alike should prepare for significant announcements regarding this and other projects during
BlizzCon. A title featuring the Horde should quell one of the biggest criticisms levied against the comic, and should be a refreshing change of pace.
Tags: Comic, Comic-Con, Comic-Con-2009, Comics, Horde, San-Diego-Comic-Con, San-Diego-Comic-Con-2009, SDCC, Varian-Wrynn, Wildstorm, Wildstorm-Studios, WoW-comic, WoW-comics
Filed under: Fan stuff, Comics
Jul 27th 2009 at 1:00PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Sengir Jul 27th 2009 1:08PM
You mean someone who does a WoW comic book/novel will actually focus on something that's NOT the alliance?
Well-a-day.
Badger Jul 27th 2009 1:14PM
Heh, I think your criticism was actually the focal point of Zach's post, Sengir.
tjduck Jul 27th 2009 1:25PM
Don't worry. "Blizzard assures readers that while this comic will focus on the Horde, the Horde will continue to be presented as evil, shallow, primitive, one-dimensional villains. 'We want to present our readers of the comic with a different side of the case,' said Chris Metzen, 'It just happens that this side of the case supports what you were reading Alliance side.' He later continued, 'We're hoping to get the chance to show you just how blood-thirsty and violent the Horde can be, BUT from their perspective. We think that this will really balance things out well.' Although the storyline has not been released yet for this new comic, it is expected that the comic will be six issues involving orcs watching themselves getting steamrolled by Varian. Rhonin is also expected to make a guest appearance in the comic disguised as a character named Gary Stu."
impurezero Jul 27th 2009 2:41PM
Damnit...how am I supposed to keep track of which faction bias I'm supposed to hate Blizzard for supposedly having?
qoa Jul 27th 2009 3:15PM
COMING SOON: BLOOD ELVES THE COMIC.... featuring Rhonin.
You know that's all it'll be.
MazokuRanma Jul 27th 2009 5:05PM
How can anyone actually believe Blizzard hates the Horde?
The entire wrap-up chapter of Warcraft III was about the Horde, and it was fantastic. On top of that, the ending theme is sung by the Elite TAUREN Chieftains, about the power of the Horde.
I've also played both Horde and Alliance toons to 80 and I think the Horde quest lore has been way superior to the Alliance, and I actually primarily play Alliance. That epic Thrall quest chain in Nagrand is just one example.
As I recall, didn't Blizzard just erect a huge statue of an Orc Wolfrider in front of their headquarters too?
Based on all of that, I can't see how people can't see the Horde as equal at the minimum, and personally I think they're coming out on top at the moment. Especially with that ass Varian Wrynn back now. For me that kind of seals it. I understand why Wrynn is supposed to think and act as he does, but I still think he's a dick.
Zarfay Jul 27th 2009 5:23PM
@ MazokuRanma
>As I recall, didn't Blizzard just erect a huge statue of an Orc Wolfrider in front of their headquarters too?
Because a statue of a human is really recognizable amirite?
jam Jul 27th 2009 7:48PM
Yeah, claims of Alliance bias are pretty laughable. Horde has the biggest Mary Sue character in the WoW universe. Thrall, that is.
skreeran Jul 27th 2009 10:10PM
How is Thrall Mary Sue?
He's no more Mary Sue that Odysseus, Aragorn, or any of the other great heroes throughout history.
Johan Forn Jul 27th 2009 1:13PM
Crybabies. As if there hasn't been enough focus in history on Thrall and his journeys.. I bet the spinoff will focus either on Valeera Sanguinar or Rehgar Earthfury.
tjduck Jul 27th 2009 1:25PM
Probably and unfortunately.
Sengir Jul 27th 2009 1:43PM
Elves, blood elves, orcs, and humans.
I'd like to see something involving the Forsaken, for a change, or tauren. Gnomes and dwarves, too, get second billing compared to the humans.
Eternauta Jul 27th 2009 3:27PM
The Horde is not just Thrall.
The Tauren, Forsaken, Blood Elves and SPECIALLY the Trolls can be very interesting characters.
SunwellVialist Jul 27th 2009 1:34PM
At last!
A horde centric comic!
.... everyone be ready for an allstar cast of Blood Elves...
SunwellVialist Jul 27th 2009 1:36PM
In all seriousness though, I have been looking forward to a Horde focused comic since they announced the first issue of the WoW comic, and I am glad to see it happening at last.
Alliance tends just to be too much cookie cutter fantasy for my tastes (no offense to those who like it that way)
Shrike Jul 27th 2009 2:37PM
Yay! A Horde-centric comic! Now the Horde can know the joys of mortified shame at the ridiculous, extremely-poorly-written and poorly-characterized Horde equivalents of King Fighty McChin, his loyal Poorly-Drawn Skeletally-Challenged Fan Service, and the rest of his cast of Sues. The only character with any meaningful or interesting characterization (Broll) has been put on the bus already, what makes Horde think their comic will be any better?
There are good comics in the world. So far, the WoW comic is nowhere remotely close.
Azizrael Jul 27th 2009 1:37PM
"50% of WoW players feel the other 50% get more attention than they do," you say?
Alert the media!
Wendy Jul 27th 2009 1:43PM
I agree with SunwellVialist about Alliance being a bit too much cookie cutter fantasy, and while true they have done a lot (novel wise) with the focus on Thrall and the orcs I wouldn't be suprised to see it occur in comic format. However, what I'd like to see is some focus on the Trolls. Their tribal culture is facinating and considering there are so many tribes (among even just the jungle trolls) it would be cool to learn more about the Darkspears.
Eisengel Jul 27th 2009 8:38PM
I think the story of the Darkspears' integration into the Horde would be pretty interesting... since they gave up a lot of what made them Trolls. They don't have any voodoun, axe throwers, dark stalkers, and apparently have given up cannibalism. It would be interesting to see the stress in the tribe as they give up the elements of their culture and identity in order to survive... especially when the Forsaken run around eating rotted corpses (a far cry from butchering your fresh dead), talk about how they're going to nuke everyone, conduct strange experiments on their allies in their dank hole in Lordaeron, and are ruled by two apparently 'reformed' high-ranking Scourge, while their Deathstalkers skulk around every corner. It would be an interesting story...
Agerath Jul 27th 2009 1:44PM
Lol, faction fanboys.
GO RED TEAM