wildstorm posts

Free Realms comic to be released on July 29th

by William Dobson Jul 22nd 2009 at 1:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, News items, Free-to-play, Comics, Free Realms

The first issue of a brand new comic based on Free Realms will be released next week, on the 29th of July. The series comes from a collaboration between WildStorm and SOE, with J.S. Lewis (best known for his Grey Griffins series of children's books) writing the story. MMORPG is also reporting that those who pick up the first issue will be eligible to receive an in-game item, the "Spider Bite Sword". Each comic in the series should continue in this manner, offering a new in-game item for the 12 issues that are planned.

A handful of pages from the first issue can be previewed right now, along with a short snippet of the plot:

The story begins when a young boy is abducted and dragged into a darkened forest teeming with twisted monsters. It's up to a relic hunter and a pixie to save him, but their mission is cut short when a horde of troll-like creatures captures them!

Maybe we're just wusses, but that sounds kind of scary.

[Via MMORPG]

Tags: comic, free-realms, grey-griffins, js-lewis, soe, sony-online-entertainment, spider-bite-sword, wildstorm

Champions Online dev diary by comic book writer John Layman

by James Egan May 1st 2009 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Super-hero, New titles, Champions Online

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.

Tags: brian-gilmore, champions-online, cryptic-studios, dev-diary, developer-diary, ign, jack-emmert, john-layman, marvel, new-titles, randy-mosiondz, star-trek-online, super-hero, superhero, wildstorm, writer, writing

Blizzard previews World of Warcraft comics for the year

by Michael Zenke Jun 18th 2008 at 1:30PM

Filed under: World of Warcraft, At a glance, Fantasy, Comics

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.

Tags: ashbringer, blizzard, comics, wildstorm, world-of-warcraft, wow

DC Universe Online: still being worked on, artists named

by Adrian Bott Jun 7th 2008 at 9:00AM

Filed under: Super-hero, MMO industry, New titles

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.

Tags: comics, dc-comics, dc-universe-online, jim-lee, soe, sony-online-entertai..., wildstorm