Dark Horse Comics and Blizzard Entertainment announced a new World of Warcraft book series which focuses on the history and mythology of the multi-platform property’s fantasy universe. World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 will release to comic shops on November 4, with bookstore release to follow on November 17th.

The first hardcover volume will focus on ancient Warcraft history including the birth of the cosmos, the rise of ancient empires, and forces that shaped the world of Azeroth.  The book will include over 20 full-page illustrations by WoW artist Peter Lee.  MSRP is $39.99.

Dark Horse has had big success with its videogame books, selling over 400,000 copies of its The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia art book by mid-year last year (see "Dark Horse Videogame Books"), and this new deal with Blizzard brings the largest revenue-producing online game into Dark Horse’s video game publishing portfolio.

"We often get questions from players who want to know more about the origins of the Warcraft universe, and the rise and fall of their favorite characters" said Blizzard Entertainment COO Paul Sams.  "This new series digs deeply into all of that."

The popular multiplayer online role-playing game has spawned comic books, novels, and tabletop games as well as plans for a screen version, which is now scheduled for March 11, 2016 release (see "'WoW' Movie Gets Release Date").