Jon Buran is the artist who took over the artwork for the World of Warcraft comic book at issue #8. With #9 now available, we're thankful that it seems Jon's going to be around for a while.

This isn't Jon's first book, obviously. (I say obviously, because he is being trusted with Blizzard's baby, so it's safe to bet he's got the chops for it.) My favorite of his previous books includes Midnight #13 through #15, and a short stint on the City of Heroes comic book. (Hey, the CoH story might have been a little weak, but I loved the art.)

We were fortunate that Jon was willing to do an interview with your intrepid reporter at WoW Insider. Check out what he had to say behind the cut.

Walt Simonson's World of Warcraft comics will be published as a graphic novel by Titan Books who has obtained the rights from DC comics. The rights include publication in the UK and Ireland and is set for release on September 26. The book will be a collectible priced at £16.99 (about $33.82 USD). This volume of the book will include the first seven comics, which was drawn by Ludo Lullabi. The story follows a human who washes up on the shores of Kalimdor with no memory and is subsequently enslaved by Orc shaman Rehgar Earthfury.

The book form of the comic will become available for purchase by North America's readers on July 30 for $19.99 USD. World of Warcraft Issue #9 of the comic will go on sale for $2.99 USD on July 16. The comics are written by Walter Simonson; Art by Jon Buran and Jerome K. Moore; Covers by Samwise Didier and Ludo Lullabi.

A sneak peak of World of Warcraft #8 (the comic book) is available from Blizzard. And it's a doozy. Whether you're a comic book fan, or just a lore fan, it definitely looks like it's going to be worth the $2.99.

Remember that pesky Missing Diplomat quest? Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind, was on a mission to visit Jaina Proudmoore when he went mysteriously missing. Turns out, he got kidnapped. Then, he got free. Then, he was getting his Arena on, kicking ass, taking names, and getting entangled with unsavory sorts. (Presumably, Season 3.) He'd had a case of amnesia, but got better. And now he's realizing he's the King, baby.

WoW #8 opens with an obvious imposter prancing his merry way along the gates of Stormwind and being kind of a jerk to Anduinn. But, off at the dock, a dwarf sees three mysterious "thugs" step off the boat. Through some beautiful art, the book foreshadows exactly how bad-ass Varian has become. This is Elric or Conan quality bad-ass. This should definitely have some impact on Stormwind's royalty when WotLK arrives. It'd be nice continuity to have Varian clean up the mess in the comic, and then see a few less dragons standing around Bolvar. Here's hoping.