World of Warcraft comic splits into Horde and Alliance
by Zach Yonzon 
Oct 22nd 2009 at 11:00AM
This should be great news for all comic fans, particularly Horde players, who haven't had representation in Wildstorm's take on the game world. World of Warcraft: Horde follows the story of an orc hunter named Malgar and his tauren ally -- presumably an enhancement Shaman from the cover art -- Ironhoof, which probably means they'll fight over the same loot. Written by Doug Wagner and drawn by Batgirl artist Pop Mahn, the story focuses on "the harsher side of Kalimdor". We presume that means Barrens chat.
On the other side of the spectrum, World of Warcraft: Alliance follows the father and son tandem of Karlain and Mardigan, a Mage and Warrior who don't quite get along. I mean, if you were some scholarly ectomorph, you probably would be disappointed in your doofus, jock son. Written by Hawksmoor's Mike Costa and drawn by brit Neil Googe, the series promises "murder, a mysterious quest for a powerful artifact, and some fist-pounding action!" It's just what the doctor ordered. And by doctor I mean your mom. The one who wears army boots.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Comics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Richie Oct 22nd 2009 11:04AM
And by issue 50. they'll cross faction transfer back?
Jonathan Oct 22nd 2009 11:06AM
Maybe I'll actually give this a shot. Depends on the writer. If Simonson is still writing it, I'm out. The guy's written some classic comics, but his writing's a bit too clunky for me these days. As it stands, I'll probably give it at least one story arc.
Nathanyel Oct 22nd 2009 11:11AM
"Written by Doug Wagner"
Nathanyel Oct 22nd 2009 11:07AM
haha Zach, you made this announcement even sweeter ;)
Caidhg Oct 22nd 2009 11:24AM
YA! barren chat rules!
Tolkfan Oct 22nd 2009 11:10AM
What? The Horde didn't have any representation in the comics? They had Garrosh!
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1292/garroshvarian.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9986/garroshvarian2.jpg (and there's Thrall too!)
:D
devilsei Oct 22nd 2009 11:31AM
You know, I actually like their depiction of Varian, much more than Blizzard's at least. They make him seem sensible, and not as blood-crazed as Garrosh is Like Blizz's representation does (to a Horde toon at least). I mean he's talking, peacefully even, with Thrall and it didn't devolve into a shouting match in the first 5 seconds.
Cleverly disguised as normal Oct 23rd 2009 11:42AM
Yeah but no one likes Garrosh and Thrall... Well he's losing his edge. Death to the HORDE!
Nagi Oct 22nd 2009 11:16AM
Okay, so now we have Horde representation in the comics. But here's where the real question comes in: will it be a representation of the noble, honorable, intelligent side of the Horde that so many of us Horde players are such staunch fans of, the side that gives us Thrall, Cairne, Saurfang, Vol'jin, Liadrin, and the like? Or will it be the generic, boring, "HURP DURP BLOOD SLAUGHTER EVIL ANGER ARGH RAWR" savagery that every Alliance player and fantasy fanboy seems to think we have to be shoehorned into because anything outside of high fantasy status quo is bad?
Based on the picture at the top of this article, I for one am a little worried.
Eternauta Oct 22nd 2009 11:49AM
Me too.
Dreyja Oct 22nd 2009 11:50AM
whow... I'm an alliance fangirl and I've been sticking up for you guys!
Don't get mad about stereotypes and then do it in spades.
I'm working on a personal vendetta against Mr. Durp Durp, Me Smash himself if he does to Cairne what I think is going to happen.
In fact, from most things I've heard from the Alliance side not many are fans of that direction for the Horde either. Don't blame us. ;-p /hug
swampsquatch Oct 22nd 2009 11:56AM
While I agree the Horde has an honorable side, you can't write off the savage side. Some people play BECAUSE the Horde is considered "more savage," and would like a story of such. The problem is, people don't realize the Alliance have people that are just as savage as the Horde, and the Horde have people just as noble and honorable as the Alliance. This game is not "Good vs. Evil." There is not a bad faction and a good faction (sorry Alliance, I know you think you are playing the good guys).
If you want an excellent story about the Horde were they are depicted in a whole slew of ways, read "The Rise of the Horde" by Christie Golden. I am not a person who gets into lore or ever reads those kind of novels, and that book was amazing.
TL;DR version: Some people play Horde because they think they are more savage and some people play Alliance because they are the good guys. Both factions have both aspects. "The Rise of the Horde" is an awesome book.
AutumnBringer Oct 22nd 2009 12:11PM
I loved seeing the noble side of the Horde, even going back to the WC3 campaign and agree that the way it should be presented is that you have 2 different factions, not necessarily a good and a bad side.
However, I recently got my first Horde character to 80 (have a few Alli in Northrend already) and I know that there are quests for both sides doing some questionable things (aside from, you know killing, because we're all desensitized to regular slaying apparently :P ), but the way the quests are presented sure makes you feel like a whole lot of the Horde is made up of bad guys. It's further emphasized of course by the visual style of just about everything Horde side - blood red, spikes, spikes with blood, skulls, skulls with spikes, and blood, hunchbacks on almost every male character, you get the picture.
So, while I disagree with the stereotype of the Horde being a dumb and savage, well, horde, the game reinforces it so much I think it's hard to make that case to people who haven't seen more of the story.
miko Oct 22nd 2009 2:25PM
hey Nagi don't blame the Alliance for giving you Garrosh mmmkay
as swampsquatch said a great many people play Horde because they consider them the more savage 'badass' and warlike faction.
your current in game stoyline is a direct reflection of that (Chris Metzen pretty much stated this flat out in an interview ages ago) the truth of the matter is that its the conflict in the nature between the Horde as defined by the attitude of its players and the Horde as defined by Thrall thats going to give birth to the Horde as defined by Garrosh.
because walking around going "WE'RE THE BADASSES AND CAN KICK ALL YOUR ASSES! VICTORY OR DEATH ! btw we just want to be left alone to live in peace and get in touch with our spiritual side but I KILL EVERY ALLIANCE I SEE. FOR THE HORDE !" doesn't really work
nothing to do with the Alliance talking about your nature you what-so-ever.
everything to do with the Horde talking about it's nature.
strangely enough Allaince don't talk about the Horde anywhere near as much as the Horde talk about the Alliance tbth...
A Nonny Mouse Oct 22nd 2009 11:15AM
Yeah, I might start picking this up again. Horde especially seems promising.
Off-topic, Zach, I love your comic. Heck, you've inspired me to make a comic telling the backstory of my mage, as a serious, ongoing webcomic that I hope will expose a lot of fans to bits of lore they weren't familiar with. :)
doddemagen Oct 23rd 2009 6:45PM
I love the idea...I just don't know if I like that they're going to be focusing only on the father/son for the Alliance comic. Currently, the comic has been setting up the council and preparing us for the upcoming Cataclysm.
I'll have to research more on this. While I love the individual stories, I still like the back stories of our favorite characters such as Wrynn, Thrall, hotstuff Jaina, Broll and others!
Ruhig Oct 22nd 2009 11:33AM
Now I want to see a WoW comic with someone who has Deadpool-like conversations through the 4th wall. Especially when in Barrens chat. XD
Josin Oct 22nd 2009 11:52AM
Ugh. Pop Mhan? Well, I definitely won't be reading the Horde comic.
Mognet T Oct 22nd 2009 1:46PM
What are you talking about? Sure Mhan isn't the best, but there are tons worse than him. I particularly loved his Batgirl run.
Josin Oct 22nd 2009 2:06PM
I've hated his work since back in his Flash days, and when he fills in on a title, it makes me cringe. His style just doesn't agree with me, though it's certainly improved since his early days.