Insight Editions Press Letter
The review copy of Diablo III: Book of Cain, provided to Blizzplanet, came with a press letter providing further information about the book. I’d like to share the contents of this letter with our visitors:
Diablo III: Book of Cain
New illustrated book explores the lore of Sanctuary and the war between angels and demons in Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo® Series.
Available:
December 13, 2011 – US / Canada
February 7, 2012 – International
Blizzard Entertainment and Insight Editions announce the December 13, 2011 launch of Diablo III®: Book of Cain, a lavishly illustrated tome that chronicles the origins and history of the demon-plagued world of Sanctuary as told by the scholar Deckard Cain, one of the key characters in Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo universe. Filled with breathtaking art commissioned exclusively for the book by some of the world’s most renowned fantasy artists, Book of Cain serves as Diablo player’s ultimate guide to the dark mythology and sinister mysteries surrounding Sanctuary and the Eternal Conflict.
Designed to look like an in-world artifact from the Diablo universe, Book of Cain conveys the games’ rich lore through an exciting first-person account. The story begins as Cain leaves his journal to his adopted daughter, Leah, passing along the tale of Sanctuary’s creation and the eternal war that rages between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. Book of Cain chronicles the rise of the Zakarum, the traditions of the Horadrim, the genesis and geography of Sanctuary, and the key moments in the world’s history — such as the destruction of Tristram — that set the stage for the events of Blizzard’s upcoming action-RPG Diablo III. Containing dozens of sketches, Cain’s footnotes, and a hand-drawn map of Sanctuary, this comprehensive tome promises to give readers a deeper understanding of the mysterious Diablo universe.
“We’re super geeked up about Book of Cain. What’s really cool is that after fifteen years of developing the Diablo franchise, we can finally share the definitive look at this world and its rich history with our players.” — Chris Metzen, Senior Vice-President, Story & Franchise Development, Blizzard Entertainment.
Back Jacket Copy:
Since the dawn of time, the Eternal Conflict has raged between the High Heavens, and the Burning Hells. If the Prophecy of the End Days holds true, mankind will soon find itself trapped in the middle of this never-ending war.
Here renowned scholar Deckard Cain has combined excerpts, illustrations, and firsthand knowledge to pen a history of the world of Sanctuary. His writings depict the insidious Prime Evils (Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal), shed light on Tyrael and the other archangels of the Angiris Council, and illuminate humanity’s hope and enduring heroism in the face of overwhelming terror. Revealed also are the untold mysteries, from the origins of mortals and the secrets of the nephalem to the gathering darkness of the End of Days. So take heed, dear reader, and bear witness to the truths that lie within.
International Publication:
On February 7, 2012 Diablo III: Book of Cain will be published and available in multiple languages and international markets including:
- French, Panini France
- German, Panini Germany
- Italian, Panini Italy
- Korean, Jeu Media
- Spanish, Panini Spain
For more information on foreign language publications or international press inquiries, please contact:
Charles Gerli, Rights & Marketing Manager — c.gerli@insighteditions.com (415) 526-1386
Artists Providing Exclusive Art for the Book of Cain Include:
- Brom
- Mark Gibbons
- Jim Gurney
- John Howe
- Alan Lee
- Iain McCaig
- Jean-Baptiste Monge
- Adrian Smith
About Insight Editions
Insight Editions is an award-winning independent illustrated book publisher focused on creating superlative books about pop culture, photography, art, and music. Insight books combine the highest production values with rich subject matter. Elegant, informative, and visually stunning, Inisght’s titles are exquisite examples of the bookmaker’s craft.
About Blizzard Entertainment
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft, and the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes thirteen #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net, is one of hte largest in the world, with millions of active players.
Diablo III: Book of Cain
Hardcover, 7.25″ x 10″
148 pages, $35.00
ISBN: 978-1-60887-063-0
Available wherever books are sold: December 13, 2011
Press Contact: Carlie Demelo / c.demelo@insighteditions.com / (415)526-1382
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Great review, thanks for your time.
You still have books to give away?
Welcome. I think I have about six books left for giveaways. I’ll give away two per week until they are depleted. Talking about that, I have to check out last week’s giveaway. I think the deadline was yesterday, which mean I gotta announce the next one.
Excellent overview on the lore and art MD! Definitely egger to get my paws on this now.
Just a quick request though as I wait for my copy: did ‘Book of Cain’ elaborate any new Angel individuals outside the Angiris Council and Inarius? (e.g. angelic counterpart to Hellforge and Hephasto) Or at least had done some fleshing out backstory for Hadriel, Yaerius, and the Overlords? Plus where any more Great Evil underlings (or demon lords) noted past Diablo’s favored one Astrogha?
There were no other angels mentioned outside of the Angiris Council, but Inarius is mentioned in the “Creation of Sanctuary” section, and in other sections. No luck on the angelic counterpart of Hellforge and Hephasto. Nothing about Hadriel, Yaerius and the Overlords — not sure why not. Astrogha ain’t mentioned either. I think all of this you have mentioned would have been nice to be added to the book, as well as some history of the previous novels such as Ureh, Zayl the necromancer, etc.
Thanks for the reply, though it indeed a bit rather disappointing they were not included. I thought at least the Butcher’s backstory and his kind he would’ve been research by Cain as the demon did play a horrific chapter in his life. In extension the D2 Adventurers speaking with Cain of the other overlord Hephasto, among fallen Izual and Hadriel. Maybe Cain or Leah have a follow up tome that cover these topics in-depth when Blizzard intend to takes us directly back into Hell once more. Inarius usurping Hell expansion?
BTW it may old news to you MD, but nonetheless I just notice Rakkis (founder of Westmarch, mentioned in ‘Moon of the Spider’) been mention in the Immortal King armor set lore.
I believe there was a reference to Diablo’s soulstone in one of the ending cut scenes in Diablo 2, in which it was smashed.