Talk: World of Warcraft: The Comic

Interesting comments by Metzen

Metzen discusses how he personally views orcs as noble, and loves the theme, but most people at Blizzard view their orcs as evil gankers, and bad asses. Not wishy washy, poetry readers. He sees Thrall as a messiah character, to find racial idenity and their powers again, so they don't have to be monsters. He then says there is a need for an anti-thrall character, a human character, someone that can perceive them for the threat they could be. He then brings up an interesting scenario; What if Thrall didn't exist? He thinks it would be catastrophic. Does all the orcs really buy into all this peace and stuff? ...or is it just the power of thrall, magnitude of him, and the faith of him as a leader that keep them all civil. But if anything were to happen to thrall, heaven forbid, it could be horrific. He says its something that makes him lay awake at night and go "Ya!!". It could be pretty rad. He knows most people see orcs as "evil" he wants to account for the people who enjoy orcs of that type as well. He has to find balance between both views, allowing it to be viewed from many pov, as being pro-horde, pro-alliance or neither depending on the individual reading it, creating a kind of balance.-Metzen[1] -Baggins 09:50, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

It's hard to picture a peaceful orc after watching the original WoW opening cutscene showing that orc swing around that club. Although, that may have just been the Bloodlust... User:Reacheround/Sig 09:59, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

Hmm, sounds like we may have a Caverns of Time scenario, something that prevents Thrall from existing.

BTW, does anyone agree with me that Wildstorm may not be the best choice for producing a WOW comic? This could be short sighted, but after butchering the Resident Evil series with the comics they based on it (thank god Capcom didn't take that stuff as canon), I'm hardly filled with confidence, even with Metzen's adherance to lore (which is admittedly dubious given what's occurred in BC-draenei/eredar lore anyone?)

Meh. That's just me.--Hawki 10:25, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

Course the orcs would be different without Thrall. Imagine the humans without Lothar or other important leaders. In the beggining they were barbaric and tribal like everyone else. One thing people forget,is that Thrall didn't change the Horde from scratch,he helped regained what the Burning Legion had stolen from them.

Judging by comments my Metzen(including saying that the unnamed human is a bad dude) and he wants to kill Horde its pretty safe to say he's somewhat villianous. Anyway as it stands orc are generally more accepting and willingly to make peace the humans.

As for what happens if Thrall doesn't exist well thats simple,the end of Azeroth this is shown in the Caverns of time. Zarnks 11:13, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Somehow I doubt that the human will be a villian per se; few stories portray a villain as a main character, especially in a medium as simple as a comic book. True, a 'villainous past' is one thing (especially with that cliche memory loss thing...ugh), but I doubt that'll be a trait that remains manifest.

As for the 'making peace thing...' well, I can see where this could head. We don't want to make this a flame page ;)Hawki 13:34, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind, disappeared off the coast of Kalimdor. His questline was dropped. He was a warrior.

He was going to a diplomatic conference in Theramore. Having the King of Stormwind enslaved by a few unsavory Orcs might be interesting, especially if he was considering peace before.

The Alliance currently lacks strong leaders. This story could be an attempt to give Stormwind a beefier, hands-on king that is the Alliance's answer to Thrall.

Also note the giant Stormwind lion on the mysterious human's belt buckle.

Varian was going to a peace conference. The Defias attack may have been coordinated by Orcs and corrupt nobles who didn't want the hostilities to end. And it'd be a strong choice if this series built up to Varian reclaiming the throne and throwing Lady Prestor out of Stormwind. That way, the comic could progress from a low level zone in Kalimdor through an epic battle with Onyxia, which is a nice portrait of the pre-Burning Crusade game from both sides. Addam 13:34, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

I think we can consider the series as post-BC, considering the presence of a draenei. They arrived after the blood elves had joined the Horde after all.--Hawki 11:48, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

It's now been confirmed to take place before BC, at least before the Exodar crash (though, perhaps still after the Blood Elves started working with the Horde). There's not actually a Draenei character in it, people just jumped to conclusions because there's a Draenei figure. Suzaku 10:47, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

First six World of Warcraft Comic Pages

Can we put the pages from http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2007/10/12/exclusive-look-first-world-of-warcraft-comic-pages-writer-says-its-true-to-game/ in the article. Zakolj 10:20, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

There is a page number Six here [2] if someone is interested. Zakolj 19:25, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

Nah, it would go against fair use.Baggins 22:02, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

All the Slavery

Does it say where the rogue & druid were bought? And the fact that Redeye was a slave, no one cares that 3 sentinent races are slaves? Especially now that the Blood Elves are in the Horde, I find it odd that the Horde has Horde races as slaves. Alliance I can understand since they hate each other. {{User:Mr.X8/Sig}} 21:59, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

But it doesn't seem odd to you for a human, a blood elf, a night elf, and an orc to be fighting together as a team? Frankly, I don't think it's a matter of "the Horde" having Horde races as slaves at all, but rather Rehgar having Horde and Alliance races as slaves. Clearly, the underground gladiator networks operate outside of the standard Horde/Alliance relations, at least to some degree. The slavery also seems more like indentured servitude: Redeye was purchased from authorities after being arrested, and bought his own freedom after earning enough money, meaning it can also be a path to freedom. The relationship between Rehgar and Broll also doesn't seem to be particularily hostile.

So, I imagine it's more-or-less a natural part of the gladiator scene. I'm sure there are plenty of warriors who fight of their own free will, others who are forced into it, and others who are using it to pay off debts or get out of prison. Suzaku 22:42, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

"doesn't seem odd to you for a human, a blood elf, a night elf, and an orc to be fighting together as a team?"

Not really, actually it seems to be following the scale in the RPG a bit closer in that respect. There are several short stories and of course Brann's account's that have Horde and Alliance races working together fairly well. While its not entirely peaceful there is a bit of the comradery one saw at the battle of mount hyjal.

However I think a better question is how did the night elf get into a situation to get put into the slavery in the first place? I think it better explains how orcs could end up in slavery. Not sure about blood elf though.

I don't know about you but it seems Regher has mirrored thrall's life somewhat, but in a darker way. Both were in the gladiatorial arenas, both became shamans. However, Thrall wanted to abolish slavery, Rehger wants to embrace it.Baggins 22:52, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

I just download the *six* page preview from DC Comics. On the sixth page, Rehgar knocks the human unconcious and has him chained and caged. Broll tells Rehgar that he's playing with fire to capture a "free human", due to the treaty between the Horde and Alliance. Rehgar, replies, quite sinisterly, that the captured human is an army deserter, and will fight for him until proven otherwise. So, clearly, there are guidelines in place. As for Broll, he's supposed to be consumed by rage, right? Maybe he mauled the wrong guy. Valeera's description makes it sound easy for her to get in trouble. Suzaku 23:12, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

Apparently Valeera stole a talisman from a Horde shaman, and was thrown into a Horde jail, where Rehgar bought her as his slave to become a gladiator.Baggins 17:37, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Gladiators illegal

Several words in the comic seems to suggest collosieums are illegal in the Horde and Alliance. They are described as underground and his riches are described as hidden. The network is also called underground in the first panel. Zarnks 00:18, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Yes, that does seem to be the case. What's your point? --Flyspeck 00:21, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

They could also be a reference to the coliseums ingame. Zarnks 00:22, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Ya, the Crimson Ring itself is underground, however strangely, its apparently gladiatorial fights are well known enough that Bloodeye became a major gladiatorial champion among the orcs of the Horde, the "Orcs' favored champion" in the "Fight Circuit". Perhaps the orcs know of it, but the rest of the Horde of the is in the dark about these gladiatorial fights? Baggins 00:25, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Well they did say the riches were hidden. But its probably just a referering to the coliseum battleground ingame Zarnks 00:27, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Actually think these arena games may actually be a reference to the Arena PvP games in the MMO. Its not underground and well known in both factions as one learns if you talk to the barkers in the cities. However whoever is in charge of the games (likely this Crimson Ring), and the gambling system is probably underground and running illegal gambling operations.Baggins 00:29, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

The background of the Gurubashi Arena might have a connection too. Apparently the Horde support the games there as well. No as far as I know the games aren't considered illegal. But one has to be careful not to be captured and enslaved as a gladiator.Baggins 00:40, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

The arena system in game is run by the Steamwheedle Cartel, and doesn't seem to be illegal in the least, as its representatives are in all the capital cities in the game. --Flyspeck 00:44, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

The Alliance has also been known for gladiators ever since Lord of the clans. We should mention that its probably a refference to the battleground. Zarnks 00:42, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Indeed, although as far as we now most of the Alliance arenas were closed up after Thrall destroyed Blackmoore and freed most of the orcs, and after most of Lordaeron fell.

It is also interesting to note that Horde have a nice big arena inside the city of Orgrimmar as well, and there is that Arena on that island in the Barrens as well, where warriors of many races challenge each other.Baggins 00:46, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Flyspeck the point is I don't think gladiatorial games in general are considered illegal, however what goes on behind the games may be. The games are quite popular among both factions in the world as far as the lore seems to show.Baggins 00:48, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Oh yeah Fray island. Zarnks 00:48, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Oh ya you can't see them in game because of the scale issue, but ratchet also has its own gladiatorial arenas as well.

"In addition to commerce, Ratchet hosts a series of arenas that sponsor gladiatorial tournaments. These enormously popular tourneys are open to all comers, and winners can reap enormous prizes. The princes of the Golden Circle often hire those who distinguish themselves in the arenas, either as bodyguards or as caravan escorts."

Hmm, Golden Circle? Crimson Ring?--Baggins 00:59, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

How about some Dwarven culture as related by Brann;

"We also have contests — usually revolving around warfare. Marksmanship contests, sparring, jousting, gladiatorial combat — you name it, we do it! But we also play other games, too. Team and individual sports, as well as a wide variety of board games. Some are even imports from human cities, but for the most part we play our own creation.Template:Cite"

...of course info about the Ring of Valor.--Baggins 01:04, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Here's more;

"The city of Orgrimmar serves as the center of civilization in this arid and hostile land. Orgrimmar stands as one of the mightiest warrior cities in the world. Shamans council the young and train the spiritual leaders of the future while warriors hone themselves in gladiator pits and fierce contests of skill and battle.Template:Cite"

--Baggins 01:22, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

We should create an article on coliseums. Zarnks 02:39, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

We could use the official name in The TBC Manual, "Gladiatorial arenas", or "Gladiatorial games".Baggins 02:43, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

It would seem that some of these Orgrimmar is allowing some of these prize-winning death tournaments into the city as well, I haven't gotten my copy of the comic yet, but overview seems to imply that arena is used more than just troll and orc warrior training, but for the gladiator training.Baggins 17:35, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Subscription issues

So who else is having problems with their subscriptions? I still haven't gotten my copy of the first issue, and there is no direct contact information from the Warcraft Comic's website...Baggins 17:59, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

ISBN equivalent?

Do comics have an ISBN equivalent? I can't find it in Canada, and I bet it's just not titled correctly. Kimera757 12:55, 20 November 2007 (UTC)