Overwatch (digital comic series) explained

Overwatch
Ongoing:n
Adventure:y
Publisher:Blizzard Entertainment
Date:April 2016–April 2018
Issues:16
Main Char Team:Overwatch roster
Creators:James Waugh
Subcat:Overwatch

Overwatch is a digital comic series published online by Blizzard Entertainment and republished by Dark Horse Comics, featuring events surrounding the characters of the Overwatch universe. It was published between April 2016 and April 2018.

Blizzard uses the comic series, along with animated media, fictional news reports, and online character biographies, to develop the narrative of Overwatch, as the video game includes no traditional story or campaign mode.

Development

Blizzard did not include a traditional campaign or story mode in the Overwatch video game.[1] Instead, Blizzard opted to develop the story and lore of the Overwatch universe through a transmedia storytelling method, including animated shorts and comic titles.[2]

On the approach to the storytelling, senior game designer Michael Chu, stated, "it was a solution that was born out of the kind of game we were making, because multiplayer shooter, obviously usually doesn't have a linear story. We had to think about other things, and we knew from day one that we wanted to make a significant Overwatch universe."[3] Chu has also elaborated on how Blizzard decides which stories to tell through a comic format, stating, "every time we approach a story, very much like the skins, we have this backlog of story ideas, and hooks that we'd like to explore. We decide which ones we feel are the most exciting or make sense for the present. Like if we do a comic, comics are better for telling certain types of stories," adding, "we really decide what kind of story we want to tell, what's the story that we're going to tell, and then it's all about, lets figure out the best way to do this."[3]

Publication history

Blizzard announced they would release six digital comics prior to the game's May 24, 2016 release, in addition to a graphic novel titled Overwatch: First Strike, set for a release later in 2016.[4] First Strike was later revealed to have a November 2016 digital release, in addition to an April 2017 hardcover release. On April 21, 2016, Train Hopper, headlining the cowboy character McCree, became the first Overwatch comic title released by Blizzard.[5] This issue, as well as all subsequent issues of the comic title, were published for free.[6]

The comic series is published in cooperation with Dark Horse Comics, who republish the series on their own digital comic service.[7] Animated versions, or animatics,[8] of the comic's issues are also produced and released by Madefire Studios, an interactive comics publishing platform, shortly after they are released on Blizzard's own service.[9] [10] Madefire's animated versions are viewable on Battle.net, as well.[9]

Although Blizzard initially announced six comic issues to be released,[4] they published Legacy, featuring Ana in July 2016.[11] Ana was also the first character to be added into the game post-release.[11] Later in the month, Blizzard and Dark Horse announced a deal that would have Dark Horse publish future comic works centered around the Overwatch universe, as well as the First Strike graphic novel and an art book.[7] [12] Blizzard later released holiday themed issues, Junkenstein and Reflections, in October and December 2016, respectively.[9] In Reflections, the character Tracer is portrayed in a lesbian relationship, making her the first Overwatch character to be confirmed canonically LGBT.[13] As a result, access to this issue was made unavailable in Russia, to avoid legal conflict with the country's gay propaganda law.[14]

On November 18, 2016, Blizzard announced it had canceled the release of the First Strike graphic novel.[15] In the cancellation announcement, Michael Chu detailed that "the original idea for the graphic novel dates back to the early days of the game's development and came from our desire to tell the story of the founding of Overwatch during the Omnic Crisis."[15] Chu added that "in the years since First Strike conception, we have done a lot of development on the universe and its stories. While the core of this story remains, we have changed and expanded upon how we see the events that took place during the first days of Overwatch."[15] Micky Neilson and Ludo Lullabi were slated to be the writer and artist for the graphic novel, respectively.[16]

A hardcover collection of the first twelve issues of the Overwatch digital comics titled Overwatch: Anthology, Volume 1 was released on October 10, 2017.[17] [18] Dark Horse published an expanded edition of the anthology in November 2021,[19] with a hardcover version released on December 1.[20] The Russian edition of Anthology, Volume 1 originally did not include the Reflections issue to meet the original game's 12+ age restriction, although the issue was included in the 18+ rated 2021 re-issue of the anthology.

In April 2018, Blizzard released Retribution, the 16th issue of the comic series to tie-in with the game's Archive: Retribution event.[21] [22] No further issues of the series were released after this, though Blizzard later released further comic titles featuring Overwatch characters beginning with Tracer—London Calling, a five-issue mini-series.[23]

Issues

TitleMain character(s)Publication DateASINRef.
Volume 1
1 Train Hopper April 21, 2016 B01EXUFAKW [24]
2 Dragon Slayer Reinhardt and BrigitteApril 28, 2016 B01EZ2S0PU [25]
3 Going Legit May 5, 2016 B01GGOEM6G [26]
4 A Better World May 13, 2016 B01GGOEMM0 [27]
5 Mission Statement May 20, 2016 B01GGOEN3I [28]
6 Destroyer May 24, 2016 B01GGOENQU [29]
7 Legacy Ana and WidowmakerJuly 14, 2016 B01IO5REE2 [30]
8 Old Soldiers Ana, and ReaperJuly 21, 2016 B01IUBQM0C [31]
9 Junkenstein Junkrat, Reinhardt, Torbjörn, Ana, Reaper,, Cassidy and MercyOctober 11, 2016 B01M622PNA [32]
10 Reflections December 20, 2016 B01NBWIP0B [33]
11 Binary Bastion and TorbjörnMarch 8, 2017 B076JPL1VJ [34]
12 Uprising Tracer, Reinhardt, Torbjörn, Ana, Reaper,, Cassidy, Winston and MercyApril 5, 2017 B072MLWN4Q [35]
Volume 2
13 Masquerade Doomfist, Reaper, Sombra and WidowmakerJuly 19, 2017 B076JFN1JR [36]
14 Wasted Land Junkrat and RoadhogSeptember 6, 2017 B076JKQKP9 [37]
15 Searching September 27, 2017 B076JFPH7C [38]
16 Retribution Reaper,, Cassidy, Genji and MoiraApril 4, 2018 B07C49HY4W [39]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mascarenhas. Hyacinth. Blizzard releases first free Overwatch comic featuring vigilante Jesse McCree. International Business Times. April 23, 2016. January 23, 2017. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202005522/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/blizzard-releases-first-free-overwatch-comic-featuring-vigilante-jesse-mccree-1556368. live.
  2. Web site: McCarthy. Caty. Overwatch and the pleasure of transmedia narratives. Kill Screen. June 13, 2016. January 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160810141743/https://killscreen.com/articles/overwatch-pleasure-transmedia-narratives/. August 10, 2016. dead.
  3. Web site: Haywald. Justin. Overwatch's Sombra Started Out OP, Here's How the Devs Fixed Her. Gamespot. November 6, 2016. January 23, 2017. May 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230524202928/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/overwatchs-sombra-started-out-op-heres-how-the-dev/1100-6445159/. live.
  4. Web site: Barrett. Ben. Two more Overwatch animated shorts, plus six digital comics, coming before release. PCGamesN. April 4, 2016. January 22, 2017. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923140907/http://www.pcgamesn.com/overwatch/two-more-overwatch-animated-shorts-plus-six-digital-comics-coming-before-release. live.
  5. Web site: Frank. Allegra. Overwatch's first comic tells the story of bounty hunter McCree. Polygon. April 22, 2016. January 22, 2017. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202005417/http://www.polygon.com/2016/4/22/11487100/overwatch-digital-comic-first-issue-blizzard-entertainment. live.
  6. Web site: Overwatch Media - Comics & Short Stories. overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. June 15, 2023. June 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230614130517/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/media/?#stories. live.
  7. Web site: Schedeen. Jesse. Comic-Con 2016: Dark Horse and Blizzard Partner for New Overwatch Comics. IGN. July 20, 2016. January 22, 2017. July 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160721160058/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07/20/comic-con-2016-dark-horse-and-blizzard-partner-for-new-overwatch-comics. live.
  8. Web site: Frank. Allegra. Overwatch's new comic sets the stage for its next big event. Polygon. April 5, 2017. April 5, 2017. April 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170406110235/http://www.polygon.com/2017/4/5/15194036/overwatch-kings-row-uprising-event-comic. live.
  9. Web site: Plante. Corey. Watch the 'Overwatch' Tracer Reveal in the Animated Comics. Inverse. December 22, 2016. January 23, 2017. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202005942/https://www.inverse.com/article/25580-overwatch-animated-comics-blizzard-madefire. live.
  10. Web site: Burlingame. Russ. EXCLUSIVE: First Look at Blizzard's Overwatch: Pharah Comic. Comic Book. May 16, 2016. January 22, 2017. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202010902/http://comicbook.com/2016/05/16/exclusive-first-look-at-blizzards-overwatch-pharah-comic/. live.
  11. Web site: Grant. Christopher. Overwatch comic series adds Ana installment. Polygon. July 15, 2016. January 23, 2017. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202005354/http://www.polygon.com/comics/2016/7/15/12197604/overwatch-comic-series-ana. live.
  12. Web site: Oh. Ashley. Overwatch comics and art books to be published by Dark Horse. Polygon. July 21, 2016. January 22, 2017. January 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170111191908/http://www.polygon.com/comics/2016/7/21/12251416/dark-horse-comics-blizzard-entertainment-publishing-overwatch-graphic-novel. live.
  13. Web site: Frank. Allegra. Overwatch's new comic confirms game's first queer character. Polygon. December 20, 2016. January 23, 2016. December 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161221091432/http://www.polygon.com/2016/12/20/14028604/overwatch-gay-tracer. live.
  14. Web site: Matulef. Jeffrey. Overwatch webcomic blocked in Russia over gay character. Eurogamer. December 20, 2016. January 23, 2016. December 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161221092605/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-12-20-overwatch-webcomic-blocked-in-russia-over-gay-character. live.
  15. Web site: Mascarenhas. Hyacinth. Blizzard cancels Overwatch's graphic novel 'First Strike'. International Business Times. November 19, 2016. January 23, 2017. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202005524/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/blizzard-cancels-overwatchs-graphic-novel-first-strike-1592407. live.
  16. Web site: McWhertor. Michael. Blizzard cancels Overwatch graphic novel. Polygon. November 18, 2016. January 23, 2017. November 19, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161119181830/http://www.polygon.com/comics/2016/11/18/13680790/overwatch-graphic-novel-canceled-first-strike-blizzard-entertainment. live.
  17. Web site: Yehl. Joshua. ART OF OVERWATCH AND HARDCOVER ANTHOLOGY COMIC ON THE WAY FROM DARK HORSE AND BLIZZARD. IGN. May 15, 2017. July 13, 2017. July 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170727113645/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/15/art-of-overwatch-and-hardcover-anthology-comic-on-the-way-from-dark-horse-and-blizzard?. live.
  18. Web site: Wickline. Dan. The Art Of Overwatch And The Overwatch Anthology Coming This October. Bleeding Cool. May 17, 2017. July 13, 2017. May 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517231930/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/05/17/art-overwatch-overwatch-anthology-coming-october/. live.
  19. Web site: Bishop. Rollin. Overwatch Anthology: Expanded Edition Announced. ComicBook.com. March 2, 2021. December 28, 2021.
  20. Web site: Overwatch Anthology: Expanded Edition HC. Dark Horse Comics. December 28, 2021. December 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211229032222/https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3008-580/Overwatch-Anthology-Expanded-Edition-HC. live.
  21. Web site: Nunneley. Stephany. Overwatch's latest comic "Retribution" teases next week's Archives event. VG247. April 4, 2018. November 22, 2020. April 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408103559/https://www.vg247.com/2018/04/04/overwatch-archives-retribution-comic-event/. live.
  22. Web site: Crecente. Brian. How the 'Overwatch' Team Designed Retribution (Exclusive). Variety. April 26, 2018. November 22, 2020. November 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201112001933/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/overwatch-retribution-design-1202788397/. live.
  23. Web site: Martinez. Phillip. 'Overwatch' Tracer Comic Challenge Event is Live! Here's How to Unlock Everything. Newsweek. September 15, 2020. November 22, 2020. June 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220615083923/https://www.newsweek.com/overwatch-tracer-comic-challenge-event-unlocks-epic-skin-how-1532096. live.
  24. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Train Hopper". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. April 21, 2016. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201217/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20097245/. live.
  25. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Dragon Slayer". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. April 28, 2016. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201218/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20098643/. live.
  26. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Going Legit". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. May 5, 2016. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201219/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20098644/. live.
  27. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "A Better World". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. May 13, 2016. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201915/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20122125/. live.
  28. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Mission Statement". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. May 20, 2016. June 15, 2023.
  29. Web site: Destroyer (Overwatch Digital Comics #6). Goodreads. January 23, 2017. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202023208/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30223015-destroyer. live.
  30. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: Legacy. overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. July 14, 2016. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201922/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20175170/. live.
  31. Web site: While on a mission in Egypt, Soldier: 76 is caught in a trap. But a ghost from the past swoops in to lend a hand—just like old times.. Facebook. Blizzard Entertainment. July 21, 2016. January 23, 2017.
  32. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Junkenstein". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. October 11, 2016. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201914/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20306499/. live.
  33. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Reflections". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. December 20, 2016. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201914/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20411766/. live.
  34. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Binary". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. March 8, 2017. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201916/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20594523/. live.
  35. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Uprising". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. April 5, 2017. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201914/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20586180/. live.
  36. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Masquerade". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. July 19, 2017. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201920/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20874320/. live.
  37. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Wasted Land". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. September 6, 2017. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201916/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/21033642/. live.
  38. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Searching". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. September 27, 2017. June 15, 2023.
  39. Web site: Overwatch Digital Comic: "Retribution". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. April 4, 2018. June 15, 2023. June 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615201918/https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/21658546/. live.

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