Walter Simonson and Louise Simonson continue to awe fans of the World of Warcraft comics book. The conclusion of the current story arc is nigh, but every single issue comes packed with hints and info about things to come. Things that will tie-in with the upcoming Cataclysm.

The Twilight’s Hammer and its leader Cho’gall await an event that will weaken the barrier between the Elemental Plane and Azeroth.  Event that will trigger the upcoming Cataclysm. An event planned to herald shortly after the release of the Old gods from their prison.

Hints from the World of Warcraft comic book (SPOILER):

“When the child of three realms becomes as Light, the ancient power will be released. The earth will tremble, the seas will rise up in answer, and all will be madness.  A new day will dawn, bringing with it chaos or peace…

… our master is a god of chaos!  Pandemonium will aid the old one’s release!  To this end, we will weaken the barrier … between Azeroth and the Elemental Plane.

This will allow our great master to reclaim its former Elemental servants … and send them to rampage throughout our world.

The Magi of Theramore will know their source and will send the boy here to stop me.  Then I—Cho’gall—will slaughter him, and the power released by his death will open the way for our master’s return!”—source: World of Warcraft # 23 (Nov 2009)

The child of three realms is Med’an—son of Garona and Medivh, who is part draenei, orc and human. Med’an has learned to wield shaman, arcane and Light magic, and just got infused in World of Warcraft # 24 by some of the power of the Guardian. Medivh left behind with his echo in Karazhan a message and the power. The power of the Guardian was locked in the Chess event hall.

The chess event was merely an illusion to hide the power … awaiting the time when Med’an arrived to Karazhan. The Echo of Medivh dissolved the Chess event illusion and infused the power of the Guardian into Med’an. On top of that, the new Council of Tirisfal commenced the ritual of the Guardian to gift Med’an as the new Guardian.  In ancient times, the power came from arcane mages to infuse a Guardian to protect Azeroth from demons. This new Council of Tirisfal has united to empower a new Guardian with shaman, druid, paladin, priest and mage magics as a champion of Light to defend Azeroth from the Old gods.

The problem is that the prophecy Cho’gall wishes to fulfill is that once Med’an becomes Light … through his death … the powerful magic unleashed will be the key to open the prisons of the Old gods.

From that excerpt above it is clear the comic book and the MMORPG are about to merge and collapse into a single and cohesive common event … World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.

The Elemental Plane will merge with Azeroth. The Firelands are now in Mount Hyjal where Ragnaros advances to burn the healed World Tree Nordrassil.  In the depths of the Great Sea, the Abyssal Maw has merged into Azeroth. Neptulon the Tidehunter awaits you. West of the Burning Steppes, Deephome has warped-in into Azeroth where Deathwing has emerged causing the Cataclysm affecting the entire world.

Cho’gall said in the comic book that the Twilight’s Hammer will weaken the barrier between Azeroth and the Elemental Plane. From Blizzcon, Blizzard revealed the Twilight Highlands as one of the new regions accessible in the next expansion (formerly the region known as Grim Batol, east of Wetlands and Loch Modan).

There is no doubt there is a connection between the Twilight’s Hammer operating there and Deathwing.  The master of Cho’gall is the Old god C’Thun—huh? yea, I know. We killed C’Thun … at least, his physical form, but he is still around whispering and giving orders to his servant Cho’gall.

Is Deathwing serving the Old gods again? Has their whisperings driven him to the edge of insanity to the point he is willingly become their puppet, or is he accidentally served their purposes unbeknownst to himself?

Otherwise, why is the Twilight’s Hammer working with him? Well, it is not certain what the connection between those three is, but it serves the Twilight’s purpose to help Deathwing even if he didn’t know he is indirectly or directly serving the Old gods with the Cataclysm.

Remember Ulduar? Isn’t it curious how we don’t really kill any of the Keepers of Ulduar? Hodir, Thorim, Freya, Mimiron … none of those died. As soon as we beat them down to around 1% they came to their senses and overrode Yogg-Saron’s control over them.

If Deathwing emerged from Deephome in rage and insanity due to the whisperings of the Old gods, will he find a moment of clarity too when players beat him to a pulp down to 20% health? Will Deathwing momentarily revert his consciousness to that of Neltharion—his former-self—and grant players the means to defeat the Old gods as a last minute redemption act?

We will find out soon enough when we get to play through all those epic-quests in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. Those who haven’t subscribed to the comic book should do so.  This awesome story arc is about to conclude, so pick up World of Warcraft # 24 (on sale) and the upcoming issue# 25 (on sale November 18).

On December 9, Wildstorm is launching World of Warcraft Special # 1 followed by World of Warcraft: Alliance # 26 and World of Warcraft: Horde # 1 on January 6, 2010.