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Tracer returns in Overwatch comic series 'London Calling'

By Argie Aguja Published Oct 07, 2020 8:00 pm

Heads up Overwatch gamers and fans!

Overwatch and Dark Horse Comics have recently announced the launch of Overwatch: Tracer–London Calling, a digital comic series based on fan favorite damage hero, Tracer.

Overwatch: Tracer–London Calling is a five-part comic series that features the adventures of a young Lena Oxton, a.k.a Tracer and the tensions between humans and Omniacs. She will discover the Underworlds, where London Omniacs live, and will befriend Iggy, an Omniac music fan.

Overwatch worked with talented and well-known women in the comics space to bring Overwatch: Tracer–London Calling to life. For the illustrations, New York Times best-selling illustrator and Eisner-nominated comic book artist Babs Tarr took charge, while the story was written by Eisner Award winner Mariko Tamaki and co-creator Jillian Tamaki.

In an interview with Geeky, the Overwatch team discusses the key points of the new series and tells us why fans should read Overwatch: Tracer–London Calling.

Overwatch: Tracer–London Calling #1 of 5.

Creative development lead editor Chloe Fraboni talks about the plot of the new comic series. “The London Calling series follows Tracer in the years after Overwatch has been disbanded, when the world finds itself beset by injustice and vulnerable to self-interested powers. Sentient, intelligent robots called Omnics still struggle in the decades since the Omnic Crisis, demanding equality and an end to discrimination against their kind. My favorite thing about this story in particular is how it explores what makes a hero. After all, the Overwatch universe is packed with heroes – creative minds, ingenious scientists, super-powered fighters – but it’s also full of heroes who have a more quiet kind of bravery, who rise in the face of overwhelming odds. This story taps into that idea in a really powerful way,” shares Fraboni.

For his part, Overwatch character art director Arnold Tsang revealed why Tracer was chosen as lead character for this series. “Tracer has been an iconic character for the development team and the Overwatch universe since the beginning of the project. She was the first character we ever created for the game. For us, it was important to tell a bit more about her story after Overwatch had disbanded but leading up to the events of Overwatch 2. Seeing her perspective was a good way to shed light to the events in the universe,” Tsang said.

If you’re just interested in a fascinating read with incredible art, 'London Calling' is a great piece that leaves you thinking.

Apart from Tracer, Overwatch has also made comics series for other characters. Overwatch creative director Jeff Chamberlain explains, “We’ve done other comics for Overwatch in the past that shed light on the individual character back-stories for a total of 16 comics that are available now to read. London Calling is the new comic series solely capturing Tracer’s perspective in a five-part comic book series. If you’re interested in learning more about the world of Overwatch, this comic expands the lore and tells an important story. Or, if you’re just interested in a fascinating read with incredible art, London Calling is a great piece that leaves you thinking. The art and writing in this series really came together nicely, and we hope both Overwatch fans and comic fans alike will enjoy and feel inspired by its message,” Chamberlain adds.

The first issue of Overwatch: Tracer–London Calling makes its digital debut exclusively via Dark Horse Digital and on PlayOverwatch. It is available in over 13 languages so more Overwatch players and fans worldwide can read it.

After the first chapter, succeeding issues will be released monthly. Every issue in the series will also be available in print, with issue #1 arriving on comics store shelves by Dec. 2, 2020.

 Check out Chapter 1 of Overwatch: Tracer–London Calling for free, here or here.