World of Warcraft: Shaman manga preview
by Kelly Aarons 
May 8th 2010 at 2:00PM
Do you like World of Warcraft? Do you like comics and/or manga? If you answered yes to either question, then I highly recommend you check out the newest upcoming WoW manga by Tokyopop titled World of Warcraft: Shaman. Written by Paul Benjamin (Starcraft: Frontline) and drawn/inked by the ever-talented Roccio Zucchi (World of Warcraft: Death Knight), this will be the next installment of the WoW class-themed comics.
World of Warcraft: Shaman follows the epic tale of one Muln Earthfury, leader of the shamanistic group known as the Earthen Ring. Muln and his fellow shaman become concerned over time, as the elements they worked so closely with start becoming unresponsive and exceedingly violent. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, in comes Shotoa -- a mysterious tauren shaman who doesn't just work with the elements, but brutally forces them to do his bidding. Shotoa promises power and grandeur for the ancient organization, claiming that Muln has lost his power. He vows to lead his followers into a grand new era of shamanism, but Muln and his people must decide if Shotoa is honoring their traditions, or desecrating them.
I like the way this manga has a nice tie-in to the upcoming Cataclysm expansion. If Deathwing's arrival is going to force open several elemental planes, it makes a lot of sense that the resident spirits of Azeroth are going to be in upheaval. There is also very little known about Muln himself. All we know is that he leads the Earthen Ring. Other than that, he's kept a pretty low profile. We'll also get to meet Kettara Bloodthirst, his spunky-looking orc apprentice. Once again, Blizzard is using the idea of trans-media to their advantage and exploring major lore characters that otherwise would be overlooked in-game.
World of Warcraft: Shaman will be available in October 2010.
World of Warcraft: Shaman follows the epic tale of one Muln Earthfury, leader of the shamanistic group known as the Earthen Ring. Muln and his fellow shaman become concerned over time, as the elements they worked so closely with start becoming unresponsive and exceedingly violent. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, in comes Shotoa -- a mysterious tauren shaman who doesn't just work with the elements, but brutally forces them to do his bidding. Shotoa promises power and grandeur for the ancient organization, claiming that Muln has lost his power. He vows to lead his followers into a grand new era of shamanism, but Muln and his people must decide if Shotoa is honoring their traditions, or desecrating them.
I like the way this manga has a nice tie-in to the upcoming Cataclysm expansion. If Deathwing's arrival is going to force open several elemental planes, it makes a lot of sense that the resident spirits of Azeroth are going to be in upheaval. There is also very little known about Muln himself. All we know is that he leads the Earthen Ring. Other than that, he's kept a pretty low profile. We'll also get to meet Kettara Bloodthirst, his spunky-looking orc apprentice. Once again, Blizzard is using the idea of trans-media to their advantage and exploring major lore characters that otherwise would be overlooked in-game.
World of Warcraft: Shaman will be available in October 2010.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Lore, Comics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jormund Fenris May 8th 2010 2:14PM
I've played Draenei Shaman since 2007, and never looked back... Well maybe it wasn't a good idea to make it male.
/waggle
Outis May 8th 2010 2:20PM
Same here =D. Was expecting a Dranei shaman, but i guess no luck D=
Suzaku May 8th 2010 2:49PM
Thank God it's not about draenei. Just about everything that's been released in the last 2-3 years has been primarily told from an Alliance point of view.
It's about time to have a Horde-centric story again.
brian May 8th 2010 4:06PM
Especially for the Horde invented class. Draenei already have Unbroken. Though I guess that isn't a manga.
SaintStryfe May 8th 2010 2:31PM
Ok, official WoW publication, specifically about a class that they can play... nope, probably not a mention of a Draenei anywhere in it I bet.
/seriously, Blizz, stop ignoring us Blueberries.
MazokuRanma May 8th 2010 9:53PM
Are you serious? I have a Draenei shaman and I still think it makes more sense that this be a Horde race. The most famous shaman in the game is an orc, and only Horde could even have shamans for the entire breadth of the original game. Now, I'm willing to wager some Draenei shaman exist within the Earthen Ring, but this is really a Horde story.
This is like a Blood Elf coming in crying if the Paladin manga features an Alliance race.
alpha5099 May 8th 2010 2:36PM
The sad thing is that if and when they do the pally comic, there's no way in hell they'd not include those dirty belfs.
With any luck, with it focusing on the Earthen Ring, we'll at least see some Broken shammy, as there seem to be a fair number of Broken ER NPCs, more than I remember seeing Draenei.
Possum May 8th 2010 10:22PM
Screw belfs. Put the Tauren in that thing.
Thorie May 8th 2010 2:48PM
He's a shaman that forces the elements to do his bidding.
Sounds more like a Shamlock to me, or is it a warman?
Suzaku May 10th 2010 10:14PM
Or a taunka.
Moonkinmaniac May 8th 2010 3:03PM
Its a shamwow!
brian May 8th 2010 4:09PM
Tauren Shaman that forces the elements to do their bidding?
Sounds like the Taunka to me. Maybe he studied their philosophy in Northrend.
Ravasha May 8th 2010 2:48PM
Earthfury sure is a common name for shamans.
Doma May 8th 2010 3:04PM
Forcing the elements to do his bidding sounds a bit Taunka-esque.
I was not aware for these class-themed mangas, but I want to see this one! I have 2 80 Shamans (One Tauren, one ex-Draenei-now Tauren) and a Orc shaman bank alt. Seeing these new drawings of shamans is like seeing a mirror image of my toons.
It doesn't help that I keep bouncing a shaman-centered webcomic around in my head. Coming to Deviantart (booo) when I find the time!
Kylenne May 8th 2010 3:14PM
You know, I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth because it's awesome that we're FINALLY getting a Horde-centric story after the parade of Alliance stuff that's been released. But Christ, would it kill them to have a female lead in one of these things? It's really getting tiresome; so sick of Faux Action Girl sidekicks and lame ass Sues-in-Distress ala Anveena. Hopefully the one with the further adventures of Tyri will help buck the trend but I don't have a whole lot of hope. :\
Doma May 8th 2010 4:03PM
A very notable female Tauren Shaman already exists in game, and may play a huge role in other upcoming lore: Magatha Grimtotem. http://www.wowwiki.com/Magatha_Grimtotem
As far as powerful Tauren in game are concerned, she is right up there. Though, there are only a few:
-Cairne Bloodhoof (Tauren Faction Leader)
-Hamuul Runetotem (Archdruid of Thunder Bluff)
-Muln Earthfury (High Shaman of the Earthen Ring)
-Magatha Grimtotem (Elder Crone and Leader of the Grimtotem Clan)
-Perith Stormhoof (Holy Strider)
Nagaina May 8th 2010 4:16PM
SING IT, sister. For a game that includes no mechanical differentiation between the sexes, it certainly gives the ladies short shrift in the conspicuous competence and badassery categories. More stories about WoW's *heroines,* plz.
Possum May 8th 2010 7:34PM
Awesome as the Battlecry artwork was, setting it as my desktop background made me realise that there are only 2 female faction leaders :(
I'm hoping for the goblin faction leader to be female. If it is I think I've found my new race :)
Thepoe May 8th 2010 8:55PM
Well comcerning women in power in WoW, in the horde side, it would be near impossible for a female to lead the factions save Sylvanas for understandable reasons. The orcs aren't exactly women's right advocates and tauren seem old fashioned. But I'm pretty sure we can agree that all the BE are female anyway. As for the alliance, kings are needed for the alliance to appear strong to the other groups, female dwarves aren't real, gnomes are stupid and Draenei have the shinny thing
Siddaru May 9th 2010 9:51AM
@Thepoe: Actually, Thrall is an active feminist. If you're a male character, the female Orc quest giver at Crossroads will say to you "I see that look in your eyes, do not think I will tolerate any insolence. Thrall himself has declared the Horde's females to be on equal footing with you men. Disrespect me in the slightest, and you will know true pain."
Also the Tauren have one female tribal leader already, and Hamuul Runetotem seems to be grooming his daughter to take his place. So unless Trolls are jerks to their women, the Horde is a very female-friendly place.