Tokyopop announces 2010 schedule for Warcraft manga
by Zach Yonzon 
Oct 6th 2009 at 7:00PM
For 2010, Tokyopop plans to kick off class-based stories starting with the popular Death Knight, featuring Thassarian, the first Death Knight to rejoin the Alliance. According to BlizzPlanet, this full-volume comic written by Dan Jolley and drawn by Rocio Zucchi is slated for December 2010 although they probably mean this coming December, 2009. This will be followed by World of Warcraft: Mage, written by Richard Knaak and drawn by an as-yet-unrevealed artist, which will be available on June 7, 2010. Would Knaak + Mage mean more Rhonin? I certainly hope not -- I think we've just about had enough of the super-heroic, time-traveling, ultra-powerful Mage who actually taught Illidan Stormrage how to use magic (don't ask). Rhonin is kind of like the Chuck Norris of Mages.
The most curious of the three volumes is World of Warcraft: Shaman, which is due for a "late 2010" release. Blizzard works closely with Tokyopop for all its manga, and all the stories are considered canon (Trag Highmountain even made it into the game). The Shaman book is rumored to be Cataclysm-related, although it's a good bet that the game's third expansion will be out by late 2010. There is no official word yet on who will write or draw the comic, but I personally enjoyed Tokyopop Warcraft editor Troy Lewter's stories in Legends so much that I look forward to him writing a full-volume comic. How about Carlos Olivares for the art? I appreciated his unique, almost whimsical style in Legends. He also draws wonderful Goblins, whom as we all know can roll Shamans in the next expansion. As always, stay tuned to WoW.com as we bring you the latest on Tokyopop's Warcraft manga.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Lore, Comics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ben Oct 6th 2009 7:20PM
Thassarian.
Is.
AWESOME.
i am totally syked for this new manga series. even though thassarian is probably the most badass new NPC in WotLK, aside from the death knight stuff and the retaking of the shadowvault, he hasnt had much facetime which i think is what blizzard was trying to go for. also, im in a partial stance, because i do not know the badassery level of koltria deathweaver due to me being alliance.
Arwald Oct 6th 2009 7:30PM
Figures it's all Alliance centered. I wouldn't be surprised if the Shaman one is about a Draenei Shaman.
Tolkfan Oct 6th 2009 7:32PM
All manga should burn. Along with twitter and myspace.
Cyanea Oct 6th 2009 7:36PM
Thank you for your enlightening viewpoint, and I am most gracious to you for continuing the spirit of discussion here.
tonedeff Oct 6th 2009 10:30PM
While we are at it can we also burn the internet? This technology is scary!
Cyanea Oct 6th 2009 7:38PM
I never got the Rhonin hate until I went and read his Wowwiki page.
What's the next announcement for him? That he's going to be secretly half-demon and Arthas' child? Will he pop up after we down Arthas in Icecrown and be the new Lich King?
How much more Gary Stu can that guy get? o.O
Nagi Oct 6th 2009 7:52PM
Well, you see, this coincides with some very recent information about raids in Cataclysm. Blizzard is going to be introducing a new mechanic where, instead of us actually DOING anything in raids, we just sit back and watch as Rhonin single-handedly clears them all and lets us roll on any loot he doesn't want.
Also the end of Cataclysm involves Rhonin becoming the new Blue Dragon Aspect and commanding the blue flight to rescue Alexstrasza from Deathwing, then magically teleporting to Nazjatar and fighting Azshara so we won't even have to play the next expansion at all.
Everything ends when it's revealed that Rhonin was the one who taught the Titans how to craft the universe, and he has a giant fistfight with Sargeras himself for control of the Burning Legion. It is, of course, a very one-sided fistfight where Rhonin KO's Sargeras with a quick one-two jab combination.
Matt P Oct 6th 2009 7:59PM
Rhonin has never bothered me. However, I've often been told I'm more forgiving of Mary Sue-ism than most people. The only issue I have with him, and what Zach already mentioned, is his relationship with Illidan. That came out of nowhere.
That said, I probably won't pick up World of Warcraft: Mage. Just hearing Knaak's name doesn't send me into a fit of nerdrage like some, but I don't appreciate his disregard for what other's have written. If it is his story to tell, like Day of the Dragon, that doesn't really come into play. However, Knaak motto an an author in the universes he's written in seems to be "I reject your reality, and substitute my own."
He's sold more books than I ever will, so I guess he gets the last laugh. ;)
Matt P Oct 6th 2009 8:02PM
* -Knaak's- motto -as- an author
Please, Blogsmith, get a better comment system.
Deadly. Off. Topic. Oct 7th 2009 10:50AM
Knaak's motto is: I write superficial ideas without bothering to utilize skill, vision and... characterization.
PeeWee Oct 7th 2009 12:58PM
Knaak > Tolkien
No wait....
chainlink12 Oct 6th 2009 7:54PM
We need a World of Warcraft now!
SyddieGrl Oct 6th 2009 8:13PM
I'd be very curious to see if the final comic "World of Warcraft: Shaman" for 2010 centers around/focusing on the backstory for Thrall in relation to Cataclysm events. Since he is allegedly moving into a new and/or more powerful role, one that seems to draw on his role as an elemental spellcaster, AND the comics are considered canon, it would be a very easy way for them to tie in his transition. Maybe they'll even make the comic part of the Collector's Edition?
Tom Oct 6th 2009 9:09PM
wow shamen, deathknights and mages, it's so nice to see these classes get some much needed lore love! *end sarcasm*
Seriously though where is the Priest, Rogue or Warlock books at?
ben Oct 6th 2009 9:19PM
Priest: none
Rogue: Does one chapter from cycle of hatred count?
Warlock: the entire second half of Rise of the Horde.
Eternauta Oct 6th 2009 9:32PM
Warlocks are the villains of every single warcraft book ever written.
If I wanted a manga about Warlocks, it would be about a "non-evil" warlock that serves the Alliance or the Horde (you know, like those we play in-game).
Priests, Rogues and (to a lesser extent) Warriors and Hunters get my vote.
Lemons Oct 6th 2009 10:30PM
Warriors!? We don't need any more warriors...what class do you think Lothar was? Or Varian? Warriors!
Moar rogues! and yea maybe priests...
Darky Oct 7th 2009 3:17AM
well Tyrande whisperwind is a priest, and a hunter, so two problems solved in one character woo!
in all seriousness where is the priest/shadow priest lore? they don't have any in game or out of game lore.
QQ
nerdrage
Ydrisselle Oct 7th 2009 10:49AM
Don't forget Night of the Dragon... Iridi was a draenei priestess.
tonedeff Oct 6th 2009 10:31PM
@Nagi
bloody typical of blizzard, sounds like they are catering for the casuals again!