Home › Comics › downthetubes Comics News › RuneScape comics in the works from Dark Horse Comics as MMO speeds to 20th anniversary next year

RuneScape comics in the works from Dark Horse Comics as MMO speeds to 20th anniversary next year

By John Freeman on July 13, 2020

Leading British video game developer and publisher Jagex – best known for RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, two of the world’s most community-centric and successful massively multiplayer online role-playing games – has dropped news that it’s working on new comics with US publisher Dark Horse Comics.

Stewart Stanbury, director of business development at the video game specialist, mentions the plans in a wide-ranging interview here on LicensingBiz, which also mentions a license agreement with Pyramid Posters for posters and gifting solutions for North America.

Details of the new comics will be released in the very near future.

2021 will mark the 20th anniversary for the franchise, and Stanbury sees this as a significant opportunity to develop commemorative merchandise and new product launches for our growing player base. “We will also have some new and exciting projects to announce through 2021,” he hints, “which will have their own unique licensing opportunities and are actively seeking the right partners to work with us on these.

“… Popular culture has embraced fantasy as a cornerstone of modern entertainment in a way that would have been hard to predict even ten years ago,” he feels. “Across film, TV series and video games, new audiences are looking to discover IP that has not only proven popular, but which is also widely available through new devices, mediums and products. As Jagex continues to grow RuneScape to new platforms, new titles and new license opportunities, we are in a great position to reach not only our dedicated players and collectors but also returning players and new audiences across the industry.”

The company has recently taken some flack from players for a glitch that almost destroyed RuneScape’s in-game economy, but is clearly bullish about its future.

More than 19 years in the making and acclaimed by PC Gamer as “one of the most endearing and unique MMOs available”, RuneScape is an ever-expanding, living game that’s bursting with activity and life. Set in a medieval fantasy land, players begin by creating a character and then embark on epic journeys through a vast sandbox world that’s full of gods, warring races, unexplored dungeons, and glittering riches.

Propelled by the game’s narrative, choose your own path through enthralling quests, and progress through 27 diverse skills to shape a single character in a classless world.

RuneScape Mobile Early Access is now available for RuneScape members on Android, featuring cross-platform play between mobile and desktop editions, enabling players to seamlessly jump between devices and take their adventure anywhere.

A new chapter in RuneScape’s epic Elder Gods series will soon challenge players to use the recently introduced Archaeology skill when “Desperate Measures” launches on Monday 27th July 2020.

“Desperate Measures” is a direct follow up to last year’s “Desperate Times” narrative and will continue the Elder Gods questline. “Desperate Measures” will see players gathering a team and using their Archaeology abilities to discover new mysteries in the dinosaur-infested island of Anachronia. Investigate the Kerapac threat and uncover more information about the Dragonkin, a race of powerful dragon-like creatures.

Bringing the game’s world of Gielinor to the edge of catastrophe, Desperate Measures will set things in motion that will inevitably lead to the rising of the Elder Gods, and the Elder God Wars. RuneScape members can prepare to wield their powerful Archaeology and Combat skills in readiness for Desperate Measures’ arrival on Monday 27th July.

Jagex employs more than 400 people at its Cambridge headquarters. Career information can be found at www.jagex.com

• Runescape is online at www.runescape.com

• LicensingBiz: RuneScape – The $1 billion video game franchise you’ve (probably) never heard of, and why it’s time to take notice

• For more information about Jagex licensing opportunities, contact melisa.bunce@jagex.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.