World of Tanks coming to the printed page

World of Tanks started it’s life as a massively multiplayer online game developed by Belarusian-Cypriot company Wargaming.  The game featured early to mid-20th century era fighting vehicles. It is built upon a freemium business model where the game is free-to-play, but participants also have the option of paying a fee for use of “premium” features. The focus is on player vs. player game play with each player controlling an armored vehicle.  The vehicle may be a light, medium, or heavy tank, tank destroyer, or self-propelled gun. 

The player takes control of a single armored vehicle of their choice and is placed into a battle on a random map. The player has control over the vehicle’s movement, firing, and can communicate with other players through typed or voice chat, and several preset actions that give tactical instructions visible to their team only. A match is won either by destroying all vehicles on the opposing team or capturing a base present in some game modes.

There is just something about tooling around in your very own heavily armored tank that appeals to players.  The game is so popular they decided to give it the comic book treatment.  The writing team (Garth Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra) should be able to develop a story-line within the confines of the game that interests any War Games enthusiast.

Official Press Release

World War II inspired story penned by legendary comic icon Garth Ennis advances to retailers

Wargaming and Dark Horse Comics announced that the highly anticipated first issue of the World of Tanks: Roll Out comic series will hit comic book stores and digital distribution on August 31st. The first ever comic book based on the “Wargaming Battle Universe” brings all of the thrills, tension and armored conflict World of Tanks players demand.  Inspired by Wargaming’s massively multiplayer online game World of Tanks, the hard-hitting story written by Garth Ennis (Preacher, War Stories, The Punisher), is a historically based war tale, skillfully illustrated by the renowned Carlos Ezquerra (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, War Stories Vol. 2). Each issue is wrapped in the epic cover art of Isaac Hannaford (HALO: Reach, The Punisher) and bursts with the explosive action found in the panels of World of Tanks: Roll Out.

The premier issue of armored combat debuts alongside the first in a series of in-game Premium Tank bundles based on the iconic, “hero” tanks of the comic book’s storyline. Now tankers can read the adventures of the valiant tanks in the comic book and continue the adventure by playing the ‘hero’ tanks in the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 4 versions ofWorld of Tanks.
Set during the epic tank battles of 1944, which proved to be pivotal on the outcome of the war, World of Tanks: Roll Out follows a crew of young British tankers as they push deeper into post D-Day Normandy toward a battalion of seasoned German armored units. Flanked and tracked by the Germans at almost every turn, the inexperienced British tankers traverse a battle scarred France while the danger around them escalates and the outcome of the war hangs in the balance.

“As we explored the idea of a World of Tanks comic book, the first priority was ensuring that we told an authentic and historically based tale of combat that was in line with Warming’s commitment to military authenticity,” stated Erik Whiteford, Wargaming’s Director of Marketing. “Having the leading writer in the war comic genre, Garth Ennis, and legendary illustrator, Carlos Ezquerra, as the creative team behind World of Tanks: Roll Out guaranteed the execution of a story in true Wargaming fashion; gritty and packed with realistic and pulse-pounding tank combat.”
As a part of the release of World of Tanks: Roll Out the World of Tanks premium shop for console will be offering limited time bundles featuring the British tanker’s Cromwell, known as “Snakebite.” Pulled directly from the pages of the comic, the signature Tier VI British Cromwell light tank offers tankers the Snakebite Crew Skill, which improves overall accuracy. Nimble and highly maneuverable, this tank darts across the map trading armor for speed while still packing a powerful punch. Three individual Snakebite themed bundles will be available on August 31.

WORLD OF TANKS #1

If you’re like me you like old Western movies.  Who doesn’t like stories with gunslingers, crooked sheriffs, and cattle drives.  I am also one of those people that enjoy a good fantasy story with mystical items, dragons, and warriors.

 Kingsway West is kinda like a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup in that way.  You get just enough of each to make the book a really good read.  Let me give you a little backstory for Kingsway West.

Kingsway West takes place in an alternate America.  In this version of America history took a major left turn in the mid-19th Century. The discovery of a mythical substance called Red Gold has completely changed the balance of power.

It has pitted the US government, Native American tribes, Mexico, and even China against one another in a never-ending battle over this resource. This results in a much different history than our own.  It blends fantasy and Wild West genres.

In this world dragons and meta-humans walk side by side with dusty, sharp-shooting cowboys.

The story of Kingsway West follows a Chinese gunslinger named Kingsway Law. After spending thirteen years in a war that made him a monster he just wants to live in peace with his wife, Sonia. But even in a fantastical Old West crackling with magic, a man of his skills can never quite disappear. So when a woman with a red-gold sword brings bloody chaos to his doorstep, Kingsway must fight for his life, his wife, and his very soul.

Kingsway West has been described as Once upon a Time in the West meets Princess Mononoke.

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