Wow Comic Book – Wildstorm / DC Comics

Few days ago I reported sighting of a suspicious entry at the San Diego Comic Con 2007 schedule, which listed Jim Lee, Chris Metzen and Mickey Nielson for Friday, July 27 from 3:30-4:30pm.  What can a veteran comic book artist and a Warcraft lore (Creative Director) have in common at such event?

To those who do not know Jim Lee, he is the famous artist of X-Men# 1 (second series, 1991), issue that sold over 8 million copies. He created the concepts of the X-men uniforms at the time of launch: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Psylocke, Storm. On 1992, Jim Lee co-founded Image Comics – later named Wildstorm Productions.  Among his credits are WildC.A.T.s., Cliffhanger, Gen13, DV8, Stormwatch, Deathblow, The Authority, Planetary, and Divine Right.

In 1996, Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld returned to Marvel Comics to reboot Iron Man and the Fantastic Four titles back at issue# 1 with Heroes Reborn, after the Onslaught: Universe / Onslaught: X-Men storyline. The success of Heroes Reborn basically saved Marvel Comics from bankruptcy. Nowadays Jim Lee is working with DC Comics on a Batman title and on a rumored DC MMO.  Seeing this artist sharing schedule with Chris Metzen caught my attention.

Is Wildstorm / DC Comics licensing and planning the launch of a World of Warcraft comic book?  At the time of this posting some of my emails to various key people haven’t been replied back.  However, deep-searching online for some hours brought up a curious forum thread by thefreakytiki at the thecomicforums.com.  He mentioned to have sighted a free comic sampler at his local comic book store.  According to thefreakytiki, the credits for the free sampler goes like this: Jim Lee (Cover Artist), Ludo Lullabi (penciler), Walter Simonson (Writer). Some Marvel Comic fans will remember Simonson from Thor title. Thanks to this I was able to search more thoroughfully online and found a scan at ComicPriceGuide.com – click the image.

All we need now is an official confirmation from Blizzard or to wait for details from San Diego Comic Con.

UPDATE 7-20-07: Official. Jim Lee will make a public appearance at BlizzCon 2007 at Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, August 3.  Nuff’ said.

UPDATE 7-20-07: Scans of the inner pages of the free comic book sampler reveal a short interview with Walter Simonson (writer) and Ludo Lullabi (artist).  It is official.  World of Warcraft# 1 to be released on November 2007.  Image scans at the bottom.  Contact your local comics store 1-888-COMIC BOOK.

Thanks, Dassaace for the scans