New Blizzard Trademark: Mists of Pandaria. New WoW Expansion? Or New WoW Comic?

[Jeremiah]

Just in case you haven't heard, Blizzard has filed a new trademark, "The Mists of Pandaria". Could the Pandaren race finally come to pass? Pandaren have consistently shown in polls to be the fan favorite race, but is Blizzard really going to dedicate an entire expansion to this island, and to the race for which it is named?

Perhaps, but perhaps not. I did some digging around and found a post that "Metzen" supposedly made on the Internet, off the record, of course. The "Q&A" style interface gave lurkers on an imageboard the opportunity to discuss their favorite parts of WoW's lore, as well as discuss the game mechanics with Metzen (or a really decent fake).

According to "Metzen's" post on this imageboard in response to a fan question:

Oh, don't get me wrong. I love me some Panderans and Ethereal. There's an upcoming comic series on the former which is looking totally badass. Ethereals are awesome in their own right too. Ethereals are smarmy, cunning, capable of great technological marvels ... kinda sounds like another big race on Azeroth? I wonder what would happen if those two races came into direct competition?

Could it be that "Mists of Pandaria" is really the new expansion, or perhaps a comic? Maybe Blizzard is filing trademarks just to throw players off. Only time will tell, and Blizzcon is just around the corner.

Stay tuned to this post for more updates as they become available.

[Razkaz]

That is not an expansion. / Closed (if i was moderator)

[Jeremiah]

With that kind of attitude, you certainly wouldn't be.

[JD]

Razkaz, then explain what it is to us.

[piehead]

...I've got no idea... I'm fairly sure, none of us know 100% for sure... Maybe till Blizzcon.. maybe before.. Don't know yet.. But still, good find! Thanks as always Aphel.
*EDIT*
Was referring to JD's Comment. "....then explain to us what it is." Figured I would say my thoughts.

[Maccer]

It's a new expansion, judging by quote below... But already? 8 months of Cata and they're already planning a new expansion.

Update - For the record, the international codes 009 and 041 only seems to appear on Blizzard's online games trademarks. This isn't a book or anything like that. It appears incredibly likely based on previous trademarks obtained by Blizzard that this is the next expansion.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

[Gawdlaw]

It's a crappy name for a new expansion don't you think?
Next to that the Pandarian race doesn't fit in that well with the others imo.