The Overwatch Story Thread: Lore, Animated Shorts & Comics!

[Val the Moofia Boss]

The thread for all things story related to Overwatch!
(Since we are unlikely to get a lore sub-forum for the game)

Soldiers. Scientists. Adventurers. Oddities.

In a time of global crisis, an international task force of heroes banded together to restore peace to a war-torn world:

OVERWATCH.

It ended the crisis and helped to maintain peace in the decades that followed, inspiring an era of exploration, innovation, and discovery. But after many years, Overwatch's influence waned, and it was eventually disbanded.

Overwatch may be gone…but the world still needs heroes.

Game news and lore for all the current playable heroes can be found on the official website: http://us.battle.net/overwatch/en/


Animated Shorts, Comics, and Short Stories

Spoiler: 

Announcing Shorts and Comics!

Spoiler: 

The fight for the future begins May 24, and soon players everywhere will be able to experience the world of Overwatch firsthand. As you team up with friends and fellow players, you'll also get to know our globe-spanning cast of soldiers, scientists, adventurers, and oddities—both inside the game and out.

Interested in the story behind Genji's and Hanzo's in-game banter? Wondering why Tracer and Widowmaker don't seem to get along? Curious about all those jars of peanut butter scattered around the lab in Watchpoint: Gibraltar? You'll have a chance to dig deeper into these characters' histories and explore their world beyond the battlefield through a collection of animated shorts, free digital comics, graphic novels, and more.

Here's a quick update on Overwatch's expanding universe and some new things we've been working on, too!

Animated Shorts
With Overwatch, we're continuing our long tradition of creating epic cinematic experiences, and we've been hard at work on the series of animated shorts we first showed you at BlizzCon 2015. Over the next two months, these shorts will illuminate the stories behind some of our most iconic heroes and reveal more about the future they're fighting for.

The first animated short releases this March—stay tuned for more information!



In addition to the animated shorts, we'll be releasing a series of free digital comics leading up to the launch of the game. Created in collaboration with a variety of writers and artists, our first six-issue series of "comic shorts" will focus on different heroes, such as the deranged criminal duo of Roadhog and Junkrat, as well as Overwatch's knight from a bygone era, Reinhardt.




Debuting in April, our first comic short tells a story about the vigilante gunslinger McCree. Check out the cover below!



Finally, we have the upcoming Overwatch graphic novel, First Strike, which takes place during the Omnic Crisis—the global robot uprising that unfolded decades before the events players experience in-game. Written by Micky Neilson and with art by Ludo Lullabi, First Strike explores the early days of Overwatch, the elite international strike team that was assembled to save humanity. You'll learn more about the origins of some of its founding members like Soldier: 76, Torbjörn, Reaper, and Reinhardt, years before the events of the game!

Take a look at a brand-new teaser for First Strike, coming later this year:



Of course, that's only the beginning—we can't wait for you to dive further into the world of Overwatch, and we’re looking forward to playing with everyone soon!

Animated Shorts

Spoiler: 

Short #1 "Recall", Featuring Winston & Reaper

Spoiler: 

Will Winston call back the agents of Overwatch when they're needed most? Watch "Recall" now to find out!



Imagination is the essence of discovery. . . .

Next Monday, delve deeper into the world of Overwatch with the premiere of our first animated short: Recall.

"Recall" tells the story of Winston—a genetically engineered gorilla and brilliant scientist who longs for the days of heroism to return. In this episode, we explore Winston's thoughts and memories as he wrestles with the decision to recall the agents of Overwatch, all while the forces of Talon stage an attack on his laboratory in the abandoned Watchpoint: Gibraltar.


After the events of Recall...

Short #2 "Alive", Featuring Widowmaker & Tracer

Spoiler: 

Widowmaker's web is spun...but who is her intended prey? Watch "Alive" now to find out!



One shot, one kill...

Did our first animated short, "Recall," leave you eager to explore more of the world of Overwatch? Well, get ready—three more are on the way! Next up: Alive.

"Alive" weaves a tale of Widowmaker, the peerless Talon assassin who stalks her prey with deadly efficiency. In this episode, we spend a fateful night in London's King's Row—where you'll discover how one death can change everything.

Short #3 "Dragons", Featuring Hanzo & Genji

Spoiler: 

When Hanzo returns to Hanamura to mourn his fallen brother, a mysterious warrior confronts him...



With every death comes honor. With honor, redemption.

Discover the story behind one of Overwatch’s biggest rivalries in our third animated short: Dragons.

"Dragons" explores the history of conflict between the scions of the Shimada clan: Hanzo and Genji. In this episode, we follow Hanzo as he returns to the siblings' family home in Hanamura once again to seek redemption . . . only this time, he finds himself confronted by the ghosts of the past.

Short #4 "Hero", Featuring Soldier 76

Spoiler: 

Soldier 76 stakes out gang activity in the alleys of Dorado.



"I didn't start this war. . .but I'm damn well gonna finish it."

Old habits die hard for one ex-Overwatch agent in our fourth and final animated short for this season: Hero.

"Hero" follows the masked vigilante Soldier: 76 on a personal mission to Dorado where he's set to investigate the illegal activities of the Los Muertos gang—but an unexpected complication threatens to compromise his objective.

Comics

Spoiler: 

Comic #1 "Train Hopper", Featuring McCree

Spoiler: 

Justice ain't gonna dispense itself.

It’s high noon as McCree takes center stage in Train Hopper—the first in a series of free digital comic shorts that further illuminate the characters and world of Overwatch.

In "Train Hopper," former Blackwatch operative-turned-vigilante Jesse McCree hitches a ride on a hypertrain to Houston in the hopes of skipping town and laying low for a while. But soon after the engine starts, he realizes his trip is going to be anything but "low profile."

Link to the comic here: https://comic.playoverwatch.com/en-u...e-train-hopper

Comic #2 "Dragonslayer", Featuring Reinhardt & Brigget

Spoiler: 

Justice will be done.

Dragon Slayer, the second in our series of free digital comic shorts, chronicles an adventure of Reinhardt—Overwatch's knight of a bygone age. An old soul who's spent most of his life on the battlefield, Reinhardt tirelessly continues his noble quest to fight for justice.

In "Dragon Slayer," the years have taken their toll on Reinhardt’s body and armor, but he hasn't given up his mission to make the world a better place. So when Reinhardt comes across a village that's being threatened by a vicious gang known as the Dragons, he picks up his massive hammer and does what any true knight would: protects those who cannot defend themselves.

Link to the comic here: https://comic.playoverwatch.com/en-u...-dragon-slayer

Comic #3 "Going Legit", Featuring Junkrat & Roadhog

Spoiler: 

It's a perfect day for some mayhem.

Going Legit, the third in our series of free digital comic shorts, highlights the antics of Junkrat and Roadhog—two notorious Junkers on a international crime spree that shows no sign of slowing down.

In "Going Legit," Junkrat and Roadhog are suddenly faced with the lucrative option of becoming legitimate businessmen when omnics take over a factory in Sydney. They intend to complete their assignment like real professionals... even if they have to blow up the city to do it.

Link to the comic here: https://comic.playoverwatch.com/en-u...og-going-legit

Comic #4 "A Better World", Featuring Symmetra

Spoiler: 

The true enemy of humanity is disorder.

A Better World, the fourth in our series of free digital comic shorts, follows Symmetra as she embarks on an unexpectedly dangerous endeavor in corporate espionage.

In "A Better World," when the Vishkar Corporation's proposal to remodel a Brazilian city center is blocked by the mayor, the company calls on Symmetra—the secret identity of Vishkar architech Satya Vaswani—to get the contract by any means necessary. But when events explode out of control, Symmetra finds herself in over her head… and winds up questioning her mission.

Link to the comic here: http://comic.playoverwatch.com/en-us...a-better-world

In-Universe News Segments:

Spoiler: 

Strike Commander Jack Morrison's backstory and the fall of Overwatch:
http://us.battle.net/overwatch/en/bl...rison-7-6-2015

Spoiler: 

I remember the day Jack Morrison died. It was the day the world lost a hero.

Like other members of the so-called "Overwatch Generation," I spent my childhood looking up to Morrison. He taught me that heroes were real. He made me believe that even I could be one. When he died under mysterious circumstances six years ago, I felt as if a part of my childhood died with him.

The details about his death have always remained few and far between, a strange fact, given that he was such a public figure. Maybe that's why after all this time, I find myself looking back at Morrison's life and asking the big question: what really happened to the man who defined my generation?



Traveling through rural Indiana, I find it easy to forget that a monumental figure like Jack Morrison came from such a tranquil, time-lost place. A sea of green and gold cornstalks stretches from horizon to horizon. There is no wind, no sound save the buzz of a few lonely insects. On the rare occasions when I cross paths with other living souls, they describe young Morrison in different ways. He was a rambunctious youth. A humble, salt-of-the-earth farmer's son. But these people all agree on one thing: Morrison was never destined to live out his days in the land of rolling plains and deep blue skies.

At eighteen, Morrison packed his bags and joined the military. He had planned to serve a brief stint in the armed forces and then return home to the family farm, but his work ethic and courage caught the eye of the military brass. Before long, he earned a coveted position in the government's controversial and still-classified (but widely acknowledged) "soldier enhancement program." Military scientists shaped Morrison and other inductees into the perfect soldiers, blessed with superhuman speed, strength, and agility.

Morrison and his fellow augmented soldiers would soon put their abilities to use with the advent of the Omnic Crisis. Across the globe, the omniums went rogue and churned out legions of militarized robots. The world reeled at the appearance of this new enemy. The omniums and their robot populations had originally been built to bolster manufacturing and create economic equality worldwide. Now, these marvels of modern science sought to overthrow the human race, posing one of the greatest threats to the survival of our species since the Cold War of the 20th century.

"EVEN I HAD MY DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER OVERWATCH WOULD SUCCEED, BUT MORRISON NEVER GAVE UP HOPE. HE DIDN'T JUST MEET OUR EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT OVERWATCH AND ITS AGENTS COULD ACHIEVE; HE SHATTERED THEM."

As governments tried and failed to neutralize the machines, the United Nations was busy forming an international task force called Overwatch. This small, experimental group would bring together the best and brightest from around the world to wage asymmetrical warfare against the robots. Overwatch's short list of prospective agents included two members of the soldier enhancement program: Morrison and Gabriel Reyes, a senior officer. Reyes, a hardened and highly respected veteran, grew up about as far from rustic Indiana as you could get—the sprawling urban melting pot of Los Angeles. Despite their differences, the two soldiers became friends. Their decision to join Overwatch together would change the world, for good and for bad.

Leadership of Overwatch fell to Reyes, but Morrison would have a greater impact on the group in the long term. He brought out the best in the people around him and helped mold Overwatch's diverse (and sometimes conflicting) agents into a cohesive fighting force. In unity, they found the strength to defeat the robots and end the Omnic Crisis.



"Even I had my doubts about whether Overwatch would succeed," UN Under-Secretary-General Gabrielle Adawe, one of Overwatch's key architects, said shortly after the end of the Omnic Crisis. "But Morrison never gave up hope. He didn't just meet our expectations for what Overwatch and its agents could achieve; he shattered them."

The UN rewarded Morrison for his contributions by making him Overwatch's first official commander. Reyes was passed over in the process, and it created a rift between the two men that would lead to tragic consequences.

After the Omnic Crisis, Overwatch experienced a meteoric rise in prominence. New funding and resources gave the now-public organization far-reaching global influence. The world celebrated Overwatch's agents as heroes, but none more so than Morrison. He became the face of Overwatch, a symbol of hope and promise, from the cobblestone streets of King's Row to the sweltering night markets of Bangkok.

Strike Commander Morrison envisioned a bright new future for humanity. Under his leadership, Overwatch served as a global peacekeeping force and an engine for innovation, making advances in scientific fields as varied as space exploration and medical research. But even as Overwatch grew in power, Morrison stayed dedicated to the people around him. He trained new agents, instilling in them Overwatch's noble goals and ideals. At Morrison's memorial service, Reinhardt Wilhelm, one of the group's original members, said, "He devoted everything he was to Overwatch. He was our moral compass. Our inspiration. Our friend."



Morrison and his peers ushered in an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity, but it was not to last. Two decades after Overwatch ended the Omnic Crisis and saved humanity, it was brought to its knees by a series of shocking allegations: negligence resulting in high-profile mission failures; corruption and mismanagement; weapons proliferation; human rights abuses; and more.

A special UN committee launched a lengthy and highly secretive investigation into the claims. This inquiry would lead to the dismantling of Overwatch, and its once-beloved agents would become objects of derision and suspicion in the media. But before all of that could happen, another tragedy would rock Overwatch and serve as the troubled organization's death rattle.

As the UN investigation proceeded, Overwatch's Swiss headquarters was destroyed in an apparent accident. Among the casualties were Morrison and Reyes. The UN has steadfastly maintained that there was no foul play behind this event. However, an anonymous source has given me access to classified UN debriefings and other data that paint a different picture of Overwatch's final days.

"AFTER MORRISON'S PROMOTION TO STRIKE COMMANDER, HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH REYES CHANGED. THE TENSION BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED AS TIME WENT ON. I TRIED TO MEND THINGS. WE ALL DID. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CLOSEST BONDS BREAK, ALL YOU CAN DO IS PRAY YOU STAY OUT OF THE CROSS FIRE."

These records indicate that a rebellion tore the group apart from within. On one side was Morrison, determined to hold together what remained of Overwatch. On the other side was Reyes, whose agenda remains unknown to this day. A battle raged between these men deep within Overwatch's base. At some point, their fighting triggered an explosion that destroyed the facility and sent the dreams of an entire generation up in flames.

According to Overwatch's former agents, this outcome was inevitable. "After Morrison's promotion to strike commander, his relationship with Reyes changed," Dr. Angela Ziegler, medical director of Overwatch, stated during a UN committee hearing. "The tension became more pronounced as time went on. I tried to mend things. We all did. Sometimes when the closest bonds break, all you can do is pray you stay out of the cross fire."

The UN data goes on to disclose something even more disturbing: Morrison's body was never recovered.

This revelation could explain a recent string of high-profile robberies and attacks that have dominated the news. A masked vigilante whom authorities have named "Soldier: 76" is considered the prime suspect in these incidents. In addition to bombing corporate offices and financial institutions in the United States, this individual has breached a number of former Overwatch bases. Soldier: 76 has stolen valuable technologies from these sites, including experimental weaponry, causing untold damages in the process.



I've heard my share of theories that Soldier: 76 is Jack Morrison—theories I once would have discounted as fiction. But based on everything I've seen, I now believe these claims are true.

UN officials have declined to comment on Soldier: 76's identity. However, security personnel who were present at the former Overwatch base break-ins described the attacker as someone well versed in covert ops tactics. Surveillance footage of Soldier: 76 shows him performing superhuman feats of strength and endurance. At my request, noted forensic expert Amir Nejad, PhD, analyzed this footage. He determined that Soldier: 76 is precisely the same height and build that Morrison was in his last public appearance.

If Soldier: 76 is indeed Morrison, what is he doing, and why?

The veracity of the allegations leveled against Overwatch years ago remains a point of contention. Some historians and political pundits have questioned the motivations of those who first made the corruption charges against the group. Is Soldier: 76 on a mission to avenge the fall of Overwatch and restore its name? Is he trying to uncover a vast conspiracy that discredited and destroyed Overwatch? Or is he simply a bitter old soldier, clinging to lost glory and fighting a phantom war that he believes is still raging?

Even I, a child of the Overwatch Generation, know that the more altruistic of these scenarios are the stuff of fantasy. Soldier: 76's reckless activities, his willingness to put the lives of innocents at risk, prove that he is not driven by noble intentions. He is just a man acting in his own interests, another villain in league with the despots and international crime lords who terrorize our communities on a daily basis.

Standing before Jack Morrison's grave in Arlington National Cemetery, I'm reminded of rural Indiana's quiet serenity. Like the sea of cornstalks, neat rows of ivory tombstones seem to go on forever in all directions.

In this place of reflection and bittersweet remembrance, I realize all the more that Soldier: 76 is not the Jack Morrison I knew from my childhood. The Morrison I knew wouldn't hide behind a mask. He wouldn't plant bombs and steal weapons while the world suffered through another year of war and heartache.

That Morrison was buried here six years ago. All that's left is the shadow of the hero we once knew.

A Moment in Crime Report: "The Junkers"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5kTATxt7bE

Spoiler: 

Their spree of mayhem and chaos has caused untold millions in property damage around the world. But who are these two deranged Junkers, and what is behind their destructive rampage? Find out in this special episode of A Moment in Crime!

IMPORTANT: To cover up your spoilers, use without the quotations ["spoiler"]spoilerly material here["/spoiler"]. Will look like this.

[Fortydragon]

Holy Moly! Overwatch actually has some good lore! I'm impressed this is interesting stuff to say the least.

[t1saif]

Mark your calendars: RECALL premieres exclusively on @Xbox March 21 at 12pm PT! | http://blizz.ly/1RlW8qt

[Mormolyce]

Can't wait to see the new stories/comics! The Soldier 76 bio is a nice start.

Holy Moly! Overwatch actually has some good lore! I'm impressed this is interesting stuff to say the least.

Yeah people really sold it short on the lore front. I really like the idea of the original Overwatch generation being aging heroes (and villains) and the name of Overwatch being discredited. Good story backdrop.

[Tenris]

I really like the way they are telling the story and its so easy to get lost in and the world feels believeable.
It said about in-game banter between Genji and Hanzo, I havent noticed anything has anyone else?

[Val the Moofia Boss]

I really like the way they are telling the story and its so easy to get lost in and the world feels believeable.
It said about in-game banter between Genji and Hanzo, I havent noticed anything has anyone else?

Reinhardt has different conversations than the standard greeting for comrades from his generation should they be on the same side pre-game.

Also saw this in the Unannounced Heroes thread:

Is number 5... Pharah's mother? Doesn't Reinhardt have some special dialogue about her to Pharah?

So does Soldier 76 I believe.
I think one says her mother would be proud of her, and the other says her mother always wished she would join Overwatch.

To Reinhardt she says something like thank you if I remember correctly, while Soldier 76 she says "You didn't know my mother" or something.

That quote together with the similarities between that woman's armour to Reinhardt's... assuming that's Pharah's mother... inc fan theory.

From the official site:

As a child, Fareeha dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps and joining the global peacekeeping force, Overwatch. She enlisted in the Egyptian army, and her dogged persistence and tactical prowess caused her to rise up through the officer ranks. She was a courageous leader and earned the loyalty of all who served under her. With her exemplary record, Fareeha was well placed to join the ranks of Overwatch, but before she had that opportunity, Overwatch was disbanded.

Maybe we'll get a short that shows us what happened to her! (Badass mom)

[t1saif]

[Fortydragon]

That was awesome!!

[Orby]

My god that animated short, I must say I didn't expect it to be that long, I expected something like a 3 minute animated short lol. Wow was that good. great storytelling, great animation, Blizzards cinematic team delivering the goods as always

[Deleted]

So good I'm crapping my pants.

[Raetary]

that animated short.... holy mother moon, im already in love with that game <3

[Orby]

For a count I found a picture of every single one of those character Winston brought up on the screen towards the end.



To be released characters or concept art that wont make it to the game, still fun to speculate I guess

[Demoncrash]

Looks like the guys/gals in the silver and blue shoulder pads are generic filler heroes and won't be playable.

[Mormolyce]

Gah, now I have to wait until I get home to watch it.

[Val the Moofia Boss]

What I gleaned from the first episode:

According to the news cast, there's a second Omnic crisis currently happening, and Russia is a battlefield.

Looks like Overwatch is unaware that their old pal Gabriel Reyes is Reaper, as Winston apparently did not recognize or attempt to dissuade him.

Though the website lore says Reaper is a mercenary, it seems like Reaper is actually apart of Talon (or otherwise wants to work with them). Makes sense, considering who he really is.

ATHENA is the AI that services Overwatch.

The original OW team included: Gabriel Reyes (Reaper), Strike Commander Jack Morrison (Soldier 76), Torbjorn Lindholm, Dr. Angela Ziegler (Mercy), Lena Oxton (Tracer), Winston, Reinhardt Wilhelm, Genji Shimada, Jesse McCree, and an as of yet unnamed redshirt.

Looking at the pictures, it seems Torbjorn and Angela (Mercy) were having a great Halloween out together. Shipping hints anyone? Also, WTB those Viking Torbjorn and Witch Mercy skins!

[tanksin the enhance shamy]

i think id rather they made a movie from this than wow, im surprised pixar hasnt tried buying rights to the movie

[Very Tired]

i think id rather they made a movie from this than wow, im surprised pixar hasnt tried buying rights to the movie

People always say game companies should make movies, but in reality it would never turn out as well as you think. These shorts are a few months of work squeezed into something a few minutes long. A movie gives them the same amount of time for some 1-2 hours long. All sorts of departments they would need to expand on to even consider it.

[Kathranis]

i think id rather they made a movie from this than wow, im surprised pixar hasnt tried buying rights to the movie

Activision Blizzard opened a new television and film production studio called Activision Blizzard Studios last year. So far they're only working on Activision properties, but they'll be premiering a computer animated Skylanders TV series later this year.

It looks like they've got an eye on doing stuff for Blizzard's properties in the future, maybe after gauging the success of the Warcraft film and some of the other upcoming tie-in media for Overwatch.

[tanksin the enhance shamy]

People always say game companies should make movies, but in reality it would never turn out as well as you think. These shorts are a few months of work squeezed into something a few minutes long. A movie gives them the same amount of time for some 1-2 hours long. All sorts of departments they would need to expand on to even consider it.

hence why id like to see pixar do it =P

[Tenris]

What I gleaned from the first episode:

According to the news cast, there's a second Omnic crisis currently happening, and Russia is a battlefield.

Looks like Overwatch is unaware that their old pal Gabriel Reyes is Reaper, as Winston apparently did not recognize or attempt to dissuade him.

Though the website lore says Reaper is a mercenary, it seems like Reaper is actually apart of Talon (or otherwise wants to work with them). Makes sense, considering who he really is.

ATHENA is the AI that services Overwatch.

The original OW team included: Gabriel Reyes (Reaper), Strike Commander Jack Morrison (Soldier 76), Torbjorn Lindholm, Dr. Angela Ziegler (Mercy), Lena Oxton (Tracer), Winston, Reinhardt Wilhelm, Genji Shimada, Jesse McCree, and an as of yet unnamed redshirt.

Looking at the pictures, it seems Torbjorn and Angela (Mercy) were having a great Halloween out together. Shipping hints anyone? Also, WTB those Viking Torbjorn and Witch Mercy skins!

In the bio about Soldier 76 it was revealed that everyone thinks Morrisons and Reyes are dead so they wouldnt recognize them as what they are now which is why Winston never made the connection I think. But everyone has realized Morrison is 76 but cant confirm it.