Blizzard releases first free Overwatch comic featuring vigilante Jesse McCree

Blizzard Entertainment has published the first issue of Overwatch's digital comic series featuring vigilante Jesse McCree, one of several playable heroes in the multiplayer shooter. Released on 21 April, the digital comic series is Blizzard's latest medium used to flesh the backstories of its diverse and colourful roster of "heroes" in 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 realises his trip is going to be anything but 'low profile,'" Blizzard said in a blog post.

Written by Blizzard's Robert Brooks and illustrated by Bengal, the 10-page long short is now available online for fans to read for free.

Blizzard is well known for its rich story-based franchises, deep character lore and impressive storytelling capabilities that include Pixar-esque cinematic trailers and stunning character art. Since the game does not have a story-mode, the company plans to flesh out the Overwatch lore with a series of animated shorts, digital comics and a graphic novel, Overwatch: First Strike.

So far, the company has released two animated short films featuring the genetically-engineered gorilla Winston and deadly French assassin Windowmaker.

Overwatch is set to release on 24 May for PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One for $60 (£42.31). The open multiplayer beta will kick off from 5-9 May. Players who pre-order the title by 29 April will have early access to the beta from 3-4 May.