Overwatch
Overwatch No. 1 (April 2016)
Cover art by Bengal
Publication information
PublisherBlizzard Entertainment
Genre
Publication dateApril 2016–April 2018
No. of issues16
Main character(s)Overwatch roster
Creative team
Created byJames Waugh
Written by
List
Artist(s)
List
Colorist(s)
List
Editor(s)
List

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.[5] On April 21, 2016, Train Hopper, headlining the cowboy character McCree, became the first Overwatch comic title released by Blizzard.[6] This issue, as well as all subsequent issues of the comic title, were published for free.[7]

The comic series is published in cooperation with Dark Horse Comics, who republish the series on their own digital comic service.[8] Animated versions, or animatics,[9] 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.[10][11] Madefire's animated versions are viewable on Battle.net, as well.[10]

Although Blizzard initially announced six comic issues to be released,[4] they published Legacy, featuring Ana in July 2016.[12] Ana was also the first character to be added into the game post-release.[12] 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.[8][13] Blizzard later released holiday themed issues, Junkenstein and Reflections, in October and December 2016, respectively.[10] In Reflections, the character Tracer is portrayed in a lesbian relationship, making her the first Overwatch character to be confirmed canonically LGBT.[14] As a result, access to this issue was made unavailable in Russia, to avoid legal conflict with the country's gay propaganda law.[15]

On November 18, 2016, Blizzard announced it had canceled the release of the First Strike graphic novel.[5] 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."[5] Chu added that "in the years since First Strike's 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."[5] 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

# Title Main character(s) Publication Date[lower-alpha 21] ASIN Ref.
Volume 1
1Train HopperCassidy[lower-alpha 22]April 21, 2016B01EXUFAKW[24]
2Dragon SlayerReinhardt and BrigitteApril 28, 2016B01EZ2S0PU[25]
3Going LegitJunkrat and RoadhogMay 5, 2016B01GGOEM6G[26]
4A Better WorldSymmetraMay 13, 2016B01GGOEMM0[27]
5Mission StatementPharahMay 20, 2016B01GGOEN3I[28]
6DestroyerTorbjörnMay 24, 2016[lower-alpha 23]B01GGOENQU[30]
7LegacyAna and WidowmakerJuly 14, 2016B01IO5REE2[31]
8Old SoldiersAna, Soldier: 76 and ReaperJuly 21, 2016B01IUBQM0C[32]
9JunkensteinJunkrat, Reinhardt, Torbjörn, Ana, Reaper, Soldier: 76, Cassidy[lower-alpha 22] and MercyOctober 11, 2016B01M622PNA[33]
10ReflectionsTracer and WinstonDecember 20, 2016B01NBWIP0B[34]
11BinaryBastion and TorbjörnMarch 8, 2017B076JPL1VJ[35]
12UprisingTracer, Reinhardt, Torbjörn, Ana, Reaper, Soldier: 76, Cassidy,[lower-alpha 22] Winston and MercyApril 5, 2017B072MLWN4Q[36]
Volume 2
13MasqueradeDoomfist, Reaper, Sombra and WidowmakerJuly 19, 2017B076JFN1JR[37]
14Wasted LandJunkrat and RoadhogSeptember 6, 2017B076JKQKP9[38]
15SearchingZarya and SombraSeptember 27, 2017B076JFPH7C[39]
16RetributionReaper, Soldier: 76, Cassidy,[lower-alpha 22] Genji and MoiraApril 4, 2018B07C49HY4W[40]

Notes

  1. ↑ Robert Brooks was credited as the writer for issues 1, 3, and 14.
  2. ↑ Matt Burns was credited as the writer for issues 2, 9, 11, and 16; for issue 9, he is credited as the writer for story only. For issue 11, he is co-credited for its script.
  3. ↑ Andrew Robinson was credited as the writer for issues 4–5, 7, and 15.
  4. ↑ Micky Neilson was credited as the writer for issue 6.
  5. ↑ Michael Chu is credited as the writer for issues 8–10 and 12–13. For issue 9, he is credited as the writer for plot only. For issues 12 and 13, he is credited for the issue's script.
  6. ↑ Jame Waugh is credited as the writer for issue 11; specifically, he is co-credited for the issue's script.
  7. ↑ Joelle Sellner is credited as the writer for issue 15; specifically, she is co-credited for the issue's script.
  8. 1 2 Bengal was credited as the artist for issues 1 and 7–8. Bengal was also credited as the colorist for issue 1.
  9. 1 2 Nesskain was credited as the artist for issues 2 and 5. Nesskain was also credited as the colorist for both of these issues.
  10. 1 2 Gray Shuko was credited as the artist for issues 3, 6, 9, 12, and 16. Shuko was also credited as the colorist for issues 3 and 6.
  11. 1 2 Jeffrey "Chamba" Cruz was credited as the artist for issue 4. Cruz was also credited as the colorist for issue 4.
  12. ↑ Miki Montlló was credited as the artist for issues 10 and 14.
  13. ↑ Joe Ng was credited as the artist for issue 11.
  14. ↑ Ryan Benjamin was credited as the artist for issue 13.
  15. ↑ John J. Hill was credited as the graphic designer for issue 13.
  16. ↑ Kate Niemczyk was credited as the artist for issue 15.
  17. ↑ Espen Grundetjern was credited as the colorist for issue 11.
  18. ↑ Robert Simpson and Cate Gary were jointly credited as the editors for issues 1–6. From issues 7 onwards, Simpson was solely credited as the lead editor, and Gary was solely credited as the senior editor.
  19. ↑ Logan Lubera was credited as the art editor for issues 1–6.
  20. ↑ Allison Monahan was credited as the associate copy editor for issue 13.
  21. ↑ The publication date information is provided for the original digital publication date on PlayOverwatch.com.
  22. 1 2 3 4 The character of Cassidy was named McCree at the time of this issue's release.
  23. ↑ Although the official blog post announcing Destroyer was released on May 26, 2016,[29] Blizzard published the comic on May 24.[30]

References

  1. ↑ Mascarenhas, Hyacinth (April 23, 2016). "Blizzard releases first free Overwatch comic featuring vigilante Jesse McCree". International Business Times. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  2. ↑ McCarthy, Caty (June 13, 2016). "Overwatch and the pleasure of transmedia narratives". Kill Screen. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Haywald, Justin (November 6, 2016). "Overwatch's Sombra Started Out OP, Here's How the Devs Fixed Her". Gamespot. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Barrett, Ben (April 4, 2016). "Two more Overwatch animated shorts, plus six digital comics, coming before release". PCGamesN. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Mascarenhas, Hyacinth (November 19, 2016). "Blizzard cancels Overwatch's graphic novel 'First Strike'". International Business Times. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  6. ↑ Frank, Allegra (April 22, 2016). "Overwatch's first comic tells the story of bounty hunter McCree". Polygon. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Overwatch Media - Comics & Short Stories". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Schedeen, Jesse (July 20, 2016). "Comic-Con 2016: Dark Horse and Blizzard Partner for New Overwatch Comics". IGN. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  9. ↑ Frank, Allegra (April 5, 2017). "Overwatch's new comic sets the stage for its next big event". Polygon. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 Plante, Corey (December 22, 2016). "Watch the 'Overwatch' Tracer Reveal in the Animated Comics". Inverse. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  11. ↑ Burlingame, Russ (May 16, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: First Look at Blizzard's Overwatch: Pharah Comic". Comic Book. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  12. 1 2 Grant, Christopher (July 15, 2016). "Overwatch comic series adds Ana installment". Polygon. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  13. ↑ Oh, Ashley (July 21, 2016). "Overwatch comics and art books to be published by Dark Horse". Polygon. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  14. ↑ Frank, Allegra (December 20, 2016). "Overwatch's new comic confirms game's first queer character". Polygon. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  15. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (December 20, 2016). "Overwatch webcomic blocked in Russia over gay character". Eurogamer. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  16. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (November 18, 2016). "Blizzard cancels Overwatch graphic novel". Polygon. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  17. ↑ Yehl, Joshua (May 15, 2017). "ART OF OVERWATCH AND HARDCOVER ANTHOLOGY COMIC ON THE WAY FROM DARK HORSE AND BLIZZARD". IGN. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  18. ↑ Wickline, Dan (May 17, 2017). "The Art Of Overwatch And The Overwatch Anthology Coming This October". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  19. ↑ Bishop, Rollin (March 2, 2021). "Overwatch Anthology: Expanded Edition Announced". ComicBook.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Overwatch Anthology: Expanded Edition HC". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  21. ↑ Nunneley, Stephany (April 4, 2018). "Overwatch's latest comic "Retribution" teases next week's Archives event". VG247. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  22. ↑ Crecente, Brian (April 26, 2018). "How the 'Overwatch' Team Designed Retribution (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  23. ↑ Martinez, Phillip (September 15, 2020). "'Overwatch' Tracer Comic Challenge Event is Live! Here's How to Unlock Everything". Newsweek. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Train Hopper"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. April 21, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Dragon Slayer"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. April 28, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Going Legit"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. May 5, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "A Better World"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. May 13, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Mission Statement"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. May 20, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Destroyer"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. May 26, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  30. 1 2 "Destroyer (Overwatch Digital Comics #6)". Goodreads. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: Legacy". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. July 14, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  32. ↑ "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". Blizzard Entertainment. July 21, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017 – via Facebook.
  33. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Junkenstein"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. October 11, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Reflections"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. December 20, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Binary"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. March 8, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Uprising"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. April 5, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Masquerade"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. July 19, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Wasted Land"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. September 6, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Searching"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. September 27, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Overwatch Digital Comic: "Retribution"". overwatch.blizzard.com. Blizzard Entertainment. April 4, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
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