Update (January 23) — The book description for World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms is now available, but my previous gut feeling is starting to take shape with a new bit of information: the book author. Gentlemen and Ladies… this book is written by New York Times best seller author; and current Blizzard Entertainment Senior writer Christie Golden.
Now that’s major eye-popping news. It is much easier to take a guess at its content and structure from the point of view of Blizzard’s two-decade book writer.
January 16, 2020
I am going by gut feeling here as the pre-order page doesn’t have a book description. So hold my assumption with a grain of salt.
Blizzard Entertainment is publishing a brand-new book under the Blizzard Legends label that might probably be a mix of concept art and in-depth history about each of the zones of the Eastern Kingdoms.
If true, this is a very different way of doing concept art books. Past Blizzard Games’ Art Books have been themed around a specific expansion, or around encompassing the history of Warcraft as a whole (spanning several expansions).
But publishing an exploration art book focused on the Eastern Kingdoms?
At least 27 of the 15th Anniversary World of Warcraft Server Blades have made their way to eBay in the past few days. These are listed as “New condition.”
These were not the ones sold from 2010-2012 batch. These were originally sold for the Blizzard Charity Auction Benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® through Thursday, October 31 through Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
Some have a “Buy Now” set price, and others have an open bid. Regardless of the deal, always read and make sure the items are listed as new and nowhere in the text specifies the item is damaged in any way. At least 3 of the 27 that I inspected specify a damage to the holding pieces or the acrylic cover itself.
Blizzard Entertainment will re-publish the DC Comics World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria graphic novel under the Blizzard Legends publishing label.
The graphic novel was originally written by Micky Neilson and illustrated by Sean Galloway . The story featured Chen Stormstout and his niece Li Li.
The graphic novel was published on September 2012 as a prelude to the World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria expansion that shipped the same month.
World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria
In this enthralling original graphic novel published in a landscape format, you will meet the PANDAREN, one of the most beloved (and mysterious) races in World of Warcraft!
World of Warcraft: Traveler, Book 3: The Shining Blade
Don’t miss the epic conclusion to the World of Warcraft: Traveler trilogy, brought to life by New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux!
Aramar Thorne and Makasa Flintwill have borne their fair share of troubles. Ever since Aram’s father entrusted him with an enchanted compass, Aram and Makasa have traveled the extraordinary lands of Azeroth, seeking out the shards of a legendary weapon: the Diamond Blade. The truth behind the weapon, and the terrible doom it seeks to prevent, seems to have been lost at sea with Captain Greydon Thorne. But not all secrets are meant to stay buried.
As the pair struggles to stay two steps ahead of Malus and the Hidden – dangerous mercenaries and sorcerers who’ll stop at nothing to gain the compass – Aram and Makasa have assembled a powerful band of their own allies. From lively goblins and fantastic creatures to mighty druids and mysterious dryads, people are drawn to the talented young artist and the formidable fighter – a fortunate fact. For in their most desperate hour, Aram and Makasa will need all the help they can get to prevent Azeroth from being plunged into eternal darkness and chaos.
This epic conclusion to the World of Warcraft: Traveler trilogy is penned by New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux and features stunning new artwork throughout.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Series: World of Warcraft: Traveler (Book 3)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Release Date: December 26, 2019
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1338538942
ISBN-13: 978-1338538946
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 7.6 inches
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Madeleine Roux is the New York Times bestselling author of the Asylum series, which has sold over a million copies worldwide, and whose first book was named a Teen Indie Next List Pick. She is also the author of the House of Furies series, Allison Hewitt Is Trapped, Sadie Walker Is Stranded, and the upcoming Salvaged. Her short story contributions can be found in collections such as Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View, RESIST, and New Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Madeleine is a 13-year World of Warcraft veteran, a noncombat pet enthusiast, and was briefly known as the Slayer of Incompetent, Stupid, and Disappointing Minions. She spends all her DKP on treats for her beloved corehound in Seattle, Washington.
Blizzard Entertainment will publish the World of Warcraft online comics of the three most recent expansions: Warlords of Draenor, Legion, and Battle for Azeroth in the upcoming The World of Warcraft: Comic Collection: Volume One — available now for pre-order.
The collection description doesn’t mention the title of the comics it collects, but mentions Jaina Proudmoore, Magni, and Gul’dan.
From the front cover, it is evident that “Son of the Wolf” — by Robert Brooks (writer) and Nesskain (artist) — is one of them.
“What is the price of peace? This is a question that Anduin Wrynn must answer as war against an ancient foe begins anew and hidden enemies threaten his very life. In “Anduin: Son of the Wolf,” a letter from Anduin’s father, King Varian, speaks of ill times ahead, prompting the young ruler to ponder leadership and responsibility. Anduin must face his fears and decide if he can defend Azeroth while still keeping true to his beliefs.”
The Jaina Proudmoore comic was titled “Reunion” — by Andrew Robinson (writer) and Linda Cavallini, Emanuele Tenderini (artists).
Jaina Proudmoore went unseen on Azeroth while the Alliance and the Horde finally defeated the Burning Legion for good. Now, after much soul-searching, she finds herself in the ruins of Theramore, the city she once ruled. Here, she reflects bitterly on how her hopes and actions for a lasting peace with the Horde have led only to betrayal, heartbreak, and disaster. Particularly haunted by her part in her father’s death, she believes it is only a matter of time before the Horde breaks another hard-won treaty. She decides to return home—to the island of Kul Tiras—to confront her past.
The Magni comic was titled “The Speaker” — by Matt Burns (writer) and Suqling (artist).
The war with the Legion has left a terrible wound in Azeroth, one keenly felt by Magni Bronzebeard. He can no longer speak to the world’s spirit; he can only hear her screams. Plagued by doubt, Magni journeys to Silithus, desperate to find of a way to rekindle his connection with the world.
For Gul’dan, I assume they refer to the Warlords of Draenor comic rather than the Twilight of Suramar comic; but likely both might be available in the collection. The Gul’dan comic was titled “Gul’dan and the Stranger” — by Micky Neilson (writer) and Alex Horley (artist).
The drums of war have begun to sound for Draenor’s orcs, and the power-mad warlock Gul’dan is the latest to play them. Brimming with fel energy, Gul’dan is convinced that his people will gain glory and strength if they only kneel to the demonic Burning Legion. But a hooded stranger has recently arrived in Gul’dan’s camp with a somewhat… contradictory vision.
The stranger has walked in places where terrifying war machines will soon shake the earth. From the smoldering ridges of Gorgrond to the hunting grounds of Nagrand, he watches over the orcish ranks, stoking their dreams of a united Horde: pure, free, and utterly dominant. And he has a message for Gul’dan.
The collection is slated to ship on June 16, 2020. Feel free to explore previous novels, comics, and audiobooks released in recent years at the Blizzplanet Store.
Blizzard Entertainment will be at the San Diego Comic Con 2019 at booth 140. I am going to be blunt. I am disappointed. There is no Blizzard Publishing panel at SDCC 2019, and the only Blizzard panel scheduled is for Hearthstone.
Not long ago, Insight Editions published The Hearthstone Pop-Up Book. This time, however, the World of Warcraft Pop-Up Book is coming straight from Blizzard Entertainment.
The Cinematic Art of World of Warcraft has been listed on Amazon in the last 48 hours since last I checked. The book is slated to ship on October 19, 2019 for $45.00.
At the New York Comic Con, The Women of AFK panelists discussed different topics ranging from HALO, HelloNeighbor, FiveNightsAtFreddys and RWBY; but they also discussed other topics. World of Warcraft and Overwatch were mentioned a few times by Chloe Fraboni.
During the New York Comic Con 2018 Women of AFK panel’s Q&A, I asked Scholastic senior editor Chloe Fraboni about upcoming Blizzard licensed books.
Blizzplanet: I want to ask if there is any new plans for books about World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, or Overwatch?
Chloe: Yea. World of Warcraft… we are publishing the third book in the Travelers series next Fall. So that’s going to be coming out, and we have a really exciting author that I can’t tell any of you about♪
We have some new stuff going on with Blizzard that I can’t say what property it is for. But I am really excited about it.
Blizzplanet: How soon can we hear about it? Sorry, How Soon™?
Chloe: Probably… maybe in March.
NOTE: Chloe didn’t specify the property, but if you watch the entire video (long before the Q&A), she mentioned she visited Blizzard Entertainment at some point in the past and met her dream developer… Jeff Kaplan. She is an avid Overwatch player. I am not saying the property she refers to is “Overwatch”… but it’s fair to mention what I witnessed.
You can watch the portion of the Q&A skipping ahead to 42:58 in the video.
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A new reprint of Warcraft: Day of the Dragon by New York Times Bestselling Author Richard A. Knaak is slated to ship on March 19, 2019 under the Blizzard Legends publishing label. Pre-orders are now open for $14.95.
Based on the 1997 video game: Warcraft II. Back then, only Deathwing and Alexstrasza existed in the canon.
Originally published in 2001, this is the novel that introduced the dragon aspects for the first time, as well as Rhonin and Krasus (consort of the Dragon Queen Alexstrasza). This is the story of the battle for Grim Batol where Rhonin and Vereesa Windrunner infiltrated the fortress to free Alexstrasza from the clutch of the Dragonmaw Clan. Other characters included: Deathwing, King Terenas, Lord Perenolde of Alterac, Lord Genn Greymane, Nekros Skullcrusher, Falstad, Malygos, Nozdormu, Ysera, Modera, Daelin Proudmoore, Thoras Trollbane, Zuluhed, and Calia Menethil.
WARCRAFT: DAY OF THE DRAGON
In the mist-shrouded haze of the past, the world of Azeroth teemed with wondrous creatures of every kind. Mysterious Elves and hardy Dwarves walked among tribes of man in relative peace and harmony — until the arrival of the demonic army known as Burning Legion shattered the world’s tranquility forever. Now Orcs, Dragons, Goblins, and Trolls all vie for supremacy over the scattered, warring kingdoms — part of a grand, malevolent scheme that will determine the fate of the world of Azeroth.
Series: Warcraft: Blizzard Legends Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment (February 28, 2019) Language: English ISBN-10: 1945683465 ISBN-13: 978-1945683466
Blizzard Entertainment is publishing a brand-new book under the Blizzard Legends label that might probably be a mix of concept art and in-depth history about each of the zones of the Eastern Kingdoms.
