SCHOLASTIC AND BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE WORLD
OF WARCRAFT®: TRAVELER,
A NEW BOOK SERIES FOR CHILDREN BASED ON THE GLOBAL
BESTSELLING GAME FRANCHISE
NEW YORK, NY — March 29, 2016 —
Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books,
and internationally acclaimed game developer and publisher Blizzard
Entertainment today announced a collaboration on a new book series for kids
ages 8-12 based on Blizzard’s popular World of Warcraft® game
franchise. World of
Warcraft: Traveler will launch simultaneously in the U.S., the
U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, with the first hardcover book
scheduled for release in November 2016, followed by the second title in
November 2017. Set in the breathtaking land of Azeroth, this epic
action-adventure series features a young cast of Warcraft characters
discovering the mysteries and majesty of the world around them. Written by
celebrated comic book author and animation writer Greg Weisman, the first book
will include full-page sketches created by Blizzard artist Samwise Didier, and
a full-color cover illustration by Blizzard artist Stephane Belin. (Watch
the announcement on
Youtube).
“World of Warcraft is a
captivating fantasy universe that lends itself to many imaginative and
innovative storytelling possibilities. When Blizzard initially approached us
about creating an original series for kids, we were not only intrigued but
immediately mesmerized,” said Debra Dorfman, Vice President and
Publisher, Global Licensing, and Media Consumer Products, Scholastic. “This
has truly been a fantastic collaboration and we look forward to sharing this
thrilling adventure with boys and girls everywhere.”
“We’re excited to be collaborating
with Scholastic on a series that will bring Azeroth to life for a whole new
audience,” said Chris Metzen, Senior Vice President of Story and Franchise
Development at Blizzard Entertainment. “And Greg Weisman is an accomplished
writer who’s really gotten to the heart and soul of Warcraft with the
characters he’s developed here—we’re thrilled with the work he’s done on World
of Warcraft: Traveler.”
About World of Warcraft:
Traveler
It’s been years since
twelve-year-old Aramar Thorne, a clever boy who is never without his precious
sketch book, has seen his father. So when Captain Greydon Thorne comes ashore
and asks his son to join him at sea, it feels as if someone has redrawn Aram’s
entire world. Before he knows it, Aram is aboard the Wavestrider with
Lakeshire fading to a distant dot on the horizon. But the thrill of adventure
quickly fades, as Greydon relentlessly schools Aram on how to handle his
cutlass and how to relate with the strange and diverse creatures of Azeroth. In
addition, Aram struggles to get along with the Wavestrider’s
crew—especially second mate Makasa, a tough teenaged girl who has
been reluctantly placed in charge of him. Just as Aram starts to get his
head above water, a band of vicious pirates attack the Wavestrider,
turning his world upside down once again. As Aram tries to find his way home
with his father’s compass in hand, he’ll travel across Azeroth’s beautiful and
hostile terrain, encountering creatures both terrible and wondrous. He’ll seek
to understand Azeroth’s denizens as he draws them in his sketchbook, forming
unlikely friendships along the way. But the journey is hindered by Greydon’s
compass, which never points north. If the compass isn't leading Aram and Makasa
home--to safety--to what destiny is it leading them?
About Greg
Weisman
Greg Weisman
has been a storyteller all his life. He’s best known as the creator of Disney’s
Gargoyles and as a writer-producer on multiple animated series, including
Young Justice, Star Wars Rebels, and W.I.T.C.H., and
Marvel’s The Spectacular Spider-Man. He’s written multiple comic book
series and two young adult novels, Rain of the Ghosts and Spirits of
Ash and Foam. Greg lives in Los Angeles, California.
This is fantastic! Thanks!
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