As a comic book writer with the name Batman in his bibliography, Walker says he has every right to assert this belief. He says he found the game "lacking" because Batman's methods for dealing with the gun-toting henchmen in Arkham was to run up and punch them.
ETA: Mr. Walker has emailed clarifications on his article: it's the violence he found lacking, not the game; and he recognizes that the style of fighting was a choice his play companion made rather than one the game forced on the player. I apologize for misinterpreting his remarks.

There was practically zero sneaking. Almost no subtlety or grace. He would just run up and punch the bad guy, usually taking a few machine gun shots to the face, and then zip away to a magical gargoyle that would render him invisible while his Bat-health recharged. Then he would repeat the process until there was nothing left to punch.

It was effective, I will grant that much. But to me, it kinda missed the point of Batman.

In addition to his complaints about Batman's style of fighting, he also has a beef with violence in video games. Namely, there isn't enough of it — or at least not enough realism in it.

I want a game that recreates that insane rush of endorphins and adrenaline or whatever it is after hearing a simple bullet crack past your ear. That's what games should be. So real that I just have to put down the controller for a minute because some part of my lizard brain is shaking in disbelief over the scenario I somehow managed to survive.

I think Walker's arguments about the violence are more interesting than his assertions about Batman. But feel free to dissect the hell out of both in the comments here or head on over to Elder-Geek and let Walker know what you think yourself.

Video Game Violence: What Do Gamers Really Want? [Elder-Geek via GamePolitics]

At least one company realizes how much fans of the Darkstalkers series are aching for more. A new Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors three-issue limited series kicks off in the beginning of 2010, featuring the continuing tales of Morrigan, Pyron, Donovan, and Demitri as they battle for control of the world. Expect appearances by comic newcomers Q-Bee, Anakaris, Sasquatch, Huitzil, and more throughout the course of the three books.

The series feature three connecting covers from series artist Alvin Lee, which can be seen above, as well as variant covers for each issue from Emily Warren featuring the lovely ladies and female-things of Darkstalkers. The book proper is written by Ken Siu-Chong, with artwork from UDON's Joe Vriens and Eric Vedder.

Now if only Capcom would follow UDON's lead...

The book is co-written by BioWare's Mac Walters with John Jackson Miller. The art is by Omar Francia. The story covers events leading up to Mass Effect 2. Also due for release in January is a Dragon Age: Origins, by IDW Publishing. It will be written by science fiction writer Orson Scott Card, noted for Ender's Game in 1985, among many other published works.

Preview: Mass Effect Redemption #1 [Comic Book Resources via VG247]

This isn't your average video game comic book deal. The agreement between EA and publisher IDW actually creates a separate imprint, EA Comics, with EA handling all creative aspects and IDW in charge of printing and distribution to both retail and digital outlets.

"We've seen an increasing number of video game tie-ins with comics over the last few years. This marks another step in our strategy for extending EA's wholly-owned game properties to new media. It is exhilarating to be working with the comic book creators directly," said Mike Quigley, Group Vice President, Global Marketing, EA Games Label.

The first book is Army of Two, kicking off in January of next year with a story that follows Salem and Rios after the events of the first game, forming their own Private Military Corporation. The story is written by Peter Milligan of Hellblazer, X-men, and X-Statix fame, with interiors by Dexter Soy and covers by Chester Ocampo.

Details on the Dragon Age comic are still being ironed out, though they've got a cover artist in Humberto Ramos and a writer in the form of acclaimed (and in some cases reviled) science fiction author Orson Scott Card.

It looks like EA is taking the comics business extremely seriously, calling out the big guns and creating its very own imprint. It should be interesting to see how such big-name talent handles video game comics.

"Aiva's Story" tells the story of a young Asmodian warrior named Aiva, which seems completely appropriate given the name of the issue. Aiva has vowed vengeance against the Elyos who killed her family during a raid, and the comic tells the story of this quest for revenge through the artwork of Neil Googe and the words of David Noonan and Ricardo Sanchez.

The limited-edition comic will be given away free to folks who purchase the game at GameStop later this month, with a limited number of copies also available to visitors to NCsoft's booth at PAX 09 this weekend.

I like the idea of delving more into the fiction of Aion via a comic, but a limited-edition one-shot? That will never do. Full series please.

Rather than worry about issuing a preview comic months in advance like some video game adaptations, the Free Realms comic series kicks off today, with issue one arriving on comic store shelves around the country as we speak. The book is penned by J.S. Lewis, writer of the Grey Griffon series of young adult fantasy books, with art by art by Jon Buran and Allen Martinez.

SOE has passed along the first several pages, and already I am seeing inconsistencies with the game. For example, all combat is instanced, so that poor guy would have been dead. And then he'd come back to life two or three times before the mission ended. Lewis did however nail the common response to a friend request.

Instead of just a single, lonely Kotaku editor roaming the halls, grazing the merch tables and listening attentively to panels, we're doubling our coverage. Expect reporting on anything and everything video game related at this year's Comic-Con thanks to a cross country traveling Mike Fahey. He'll be joining me at the show, ensuring that if you wanted a Comic-Con exclusive Transformer or Gleek action figure, your chances will decrease by one. Possibly two.

We'll be attending a long list of creator and producer panels covering everything from Halo to World of Warcraft to Bayonetta and beyond. We'll also be checking out the latest wares from EA, Capcom, Activision, Ubisoft, Konami, Sega, LucasArts and much, much more. We'll also be pestering game developers, comic book writers and whomever else we feel like pestering.

We'll find the time to socialize at sponsored parties in the evening, so expect the occasional rambling mess of a party wrap-up and someone singing drunken karaoke. If you'll be attending the show—passes are still available legitimately via eBay—let us know.

Excelsior!

Mass Effect: Redemption will be written by BioWare's own Mac Walters, responsible for the Mass Effect 2 script. Handling scripting duties on the comic book series, however, will be John Jackson Miller, responsible for storytelling on Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic and The Invincible Iron Man.

Omar Francia, Star Wars Legacy artist, will be handling the visuals. And, not by coincidence, both Francia and Walters will be autographing a Comic-Con 2009 exclusive Mass Effect signing card at the Dark Horse booth on July 24th at 4:00 PM.

Walters promises that Mass Effect aficionados will be "pleasantly shocked by the events in these comics" saying that Redemption will change the way you'll look at the upcoming Xbox 360 sequel.

The Dark Horse published series starts January 6, 2010.

DC Comics adds another video game license to their Wildstorm imprint with Dante's Inferno, the action-adventure game adopted loosely from Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy". The creative team of artist Diego Latorre and writer Christos Gage are handling the six-issue series, scheduled to launch in December of this year. The comic will touch on some of the more action-packed moments of the game, while adding a bit of depth to the game's back story by exploring Dante's lost-love Beatrice's plight as her soul travels through the nine circles of hell.

Latorre and Gage will be at the Sand Diego Comic-Con this week, signing the special #0 preview issue that's been prepared for the show, with Latorre also signing a Dante's Inferno lithograph he created, which is a show-exclusive limited to 750 copies.

The Dante's Inferno celebration kicks off on Thursday afternoon with a panel titled "Go to Hell With Dante's Inferno," where various members of the development, comic, and animated feature teams will talk about adapting the classic work of literature, along with a special screening of the first trailer for the animated feature.

On top of all that, the game will also be playable on the show floor for all attendees.

For those of you trying to schedule this week (like us), I went ahead and included all of the details about who is going to be where doing what, directly from the EA press release.

"Go to Hell With Dante's Inferno" Panel – EA, DC/WildStorm and Starz Media present a panel discussion about how each group has translated the various aspects of "The Divine Comedy" into a video game, a comic series, and an animated feature. Find out from the creative minds behind each adaptation, where they were faithful and where they invented and get a peek at EA's game in development, and be among the first to watch the world premier trailer for the animated feature "Dante's Inferno" co-produced by EA and Starz Media's Film Roman animation studio. The panel is at 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM on Thursday, July 23rd in Room 8.

Dante's Inferno Comic Preview Issue Signings – Artist Diego Latorre and writer Christos Gage will be at the DC Comics booth signing free copies of the Dante's Inferno comic preview issue. The signings will take place at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Friday and Saturday and at Christos Gage will be signing them at the EA booth on Thursday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Dante's Inferno Limited Edition Lithograph Signing – Diego Latorre has created a special, limited edition lithograph exclusively for Comic-Con, with only 750 copies available. He will be signing these copies at the EA Booth. These signings will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play the Dante's Inferno Game – One of 2010's most highly anticipated action-adventure games will be playable for all show attendees at the EA booth during all exhibition hours!

UPDATE: DC sent us an exclusive shot of the limited-edition lithograph being sold at the convention. Click on the image for a large version.

The God of War mini-series will be written by comic book legend Marv Wolfman, notable for his work on Marvel's Blade and DC's Crisis On Infinite Earths, and illustrated by Kevin Sharpe and Andy Park, reports IGN. Wolfman considers himself a fan of both the God of War series and Greek mythology, the basis for DC's Teen Titans, a franchise he helmed in the 80s.

Wildstorm currently has comics based on the video games Prototype, Gears of War and World of Warcraft in production.

DC/Wildstorm's four-color treatment of Kratos' "dark past" isn't the only expansion of the Greek mythos Sony has planned, with a novelization and
movie in the works.

The God of War is Summoned [IGN]

The Bioterrorism Security Assignment Alliance is a great deal busier than the Resident Evil video game series would have us believe, at least going by the first issue of Wildstorm's Resident Evil comic book series. Written by game industry veteran Ricardo Sanchez with art by Kevin Sharpe, the first issue follows BSAA agents Holiday Sugarman and Mina Gere as they take of two different but eventually overlapping missions.

Mina Gere's story actually takes place five days before Sugarman's. A new agent, Gere is assigned with investigating a report on bio-weapon experimentation on the Join Nations Space Station, which of course leads to her crawling through cramped spaces and shooting at mutated creatures. Meanwhile, in the present, gruff veteran Holiday Sugarman leads a strike team into Grezbekistan in order to retrieve a downed satellite containing samples of a tweaked version of the T-Virus. While the two never meet during the first issue, it's easy to see how the characters' paths will cross.

I'm not sure exactly where this story is supposed to tie-in with Resident Evil canon, if at all. The Wildstorm website actually lists the series as a prequel to Resident Evil 5, making mention of Chris Redfield, who doesn't actually appear in this book. The official description reads like so:

Capcom's international video game sensation returns in March with Resident Evil 5 and WildStorm debuts the new prequel miniseries tying into the highly anticipated release! Find out what led Chris Redfield to Africa and learn the dark burden that haunts him! An absolute must-read for fans of the franchise and a starting point for new readers!

From reading that, I don't think that expecting an appearance by Redfield was too much for me to ask, but alas, it isn't so. What we do get is the appearance of enemies from previous games. A Licker makes the scene first, while Holiday's team takes on a horde of Tyrants.

Ricardo Sanchez's writing leaves a lot to be desired. The two main characters fail to make a lasting impression in this first issue, coming off as generic despite some laughable attempts at giving them personality quirks. Sugarman randomly quotes everyone from Euripides to Iron Heroes lead singer Maximus Kilgore, while Gere tells children's jokes to the pilot of her shuttle to help ease her nerves as she travels down a series of corridors that bothers her, despite looking the same as the other corridors she's gone down throughout the issue.

This leads directly to Kevin Sharpe's artwork. While certainly capable, it doesn't feel like there was very much communication between the writer and the artist on the book, as many of the drawings simply don;t feel write for the action they are portraying. Large panels featuring impressive-looking creatures highlight the artist's skill, but don't seem to have any real place in the storyline, and the final page of the book simply had me confused.

As the first issue of a six-issue limited series, Resident Evil #1 doesn't offer much that would make me want to continue reading. There are no obvious hooks to Resident Evil 5, no truly compelling characters, and the storyline as it stands completely failed to grab my interest. It could very well pick up as the series continues, but I'm not sure I'll be there to witness it.

Sitting on the edge of our seats we eagerly awaited next weekend, when Sony Online Entertainment would reveal the comic book talent joining Jim Lee and Geoff Johns, already working on the massively-multiplayer online superhero game. Then the guys at Big Download tapped us on the shoulder and handed us the latest copy of the comic book magazine Wizard, which pretty much ruined everything for us.

Marv Wolfman is a comic writer that has worked on many books both at DC and competitor Marvel over the years, but is perhaps best known for his runs on the former's Teen Titans and the latter's Tomb of Dracula, in which he introduced the vampire-hunter Blade to the world.

While the surprise is ruined, there's still plenty of stuff for DC universe Online fans to do at the New York Comic Con, with a panel featuring Wolfman, Johns, and Lee discussing the game, along with a brand-new playable demo to get their hands on. Just not sure what we're going to do with all the free time we'd originally scheduled for eager anticipation.

Writer Marv Wolfman joins DC Universe Online team [Big Download]

A big issue for me in City of Heroes, which was also developed by Cryptic, was the fact that I had a superhero with a cool-ass visor shooting beams from his hands. Every comic book fan knows cool-ass visor equals eyebeams. Champions Online looks to fix this flaw by allowing players to place their beams wherever they'd like.

The current plan is for players to be able to choose emanation points, hues, and alternate effects for some powers. For example, if a player chooses a force beam, they can elect to have it originate from their character’s eyes or as a chest beam instead of coming from the hands. The color, or more specifically the hue, of the force beam can also be set by the player. For powers that don’t have such obvious effects, such as Martial Arts, the sweep of color that trails behind the move is what would change.

For the non comic-book savvy this might seem like a piddling thing to worry about, but trust me - it's a huge difference. You cannot have The Green Glove shooting plasma out of his nipples. I mean, you could, but that would be just a bit disgusting...yet intriguing at the same time.

Ask Cryptic - January 6, 2009 [Champions Online via Massively]

Kicking off in January, SFL: Chun-Li will explore our favorite female fighter's earliest assignments with the Hong King police department, where she is partnered with a young woman named Po-Lin who has her own reasons for hating Shadaloo. The series will also offer some insight into the life of Chun-Li's father, Dorai, as well as Dan's dad, Go Hibiki. The press release also suggests that some Shadaloo bosses might make an appearance, and judging by the preview page filled with images of M. Bison, they could be right.

Hit the jump for more details, along with a gallery that shows the horrible, horrible things Chun-Li's mighty, meaty thighs do to a police uniform.

UDON ENTERTAINMENT PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

SHE’S THE STRONGEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD... OF COMICS!

Street Fighter® Legends: Chun-Li Spin-off Series Arrives in January

Toronto, ON – Dec 2, 2008 – Having appeared in dozens of video games, and landing her own live action feature film next year, Chun-Li is undeniably among the most recognizable and popular girls of gaming. Beginning in January 2009 UDON will explore the roots of this high-kicking martial artist in Street Fighter® Legends: Chun-Li, a 4-issue miniseries by the Street Fighter Legends: Sakura team of Ken Siu-Chong and Omar Dogan.

The series focuses on a younger Chun-Li and one of her earliest assignments for the Hong Kong police. Along for the ride will be her partner Po-lin, a young woman who has a very personal score to settle with the terrorist Shadaloo organization. Expect this pair of lovely ladies to get into car chases, shoot outs, and plenty of fisticuffs as they fight their way to the truth about Shadaloo’s latest scheme.

But the cast isn’t made up exclusively of sexy female law officers! Fans will also get their first real looks at the lives of rarely-explored characters like Dorai, (Chun-Li’s father and fellow police officer) and Go Hibiki (the surprisingly competent father of everyone’s favorite walking joke, Dan). And, as always when dealing with Shadaloo, some well known boss characters will likely turn up to cause trouble!

Street Fighter Legends Chun #1 goes on sale January 2009, featuring covers by Omar Dogan and Kevin Lau. For more updates stay tuned to capcomcomics.com.

Sean is an Eisner Award-winning writer who has worked in both the indie press as well as in the big leagues for titles such as Sentinel, Inhumans, Mystique, Marvel Adventures Spider-Man, Gravity and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. He's currently moved to the dark side, working exclusively for DC Comics on the Teen Titans. So while I am crushed that I let Doodle Hex slip through my fingers, I am relieved to know the sequel is in good hands.

I've Been Doodle Hexed [Sean McKeever's Official Site]

“We’re ecstatic that Resident Evil is returning to WildStorm, where we have already established deep roots into the mythos of this world,” said Hank Kanalz, Vice President/General Manager for WildStorm. “We can’t wait to continue, and bring a freshness and excitement to the property to match the amazing things they are doing with the game.”

Details on creative teams, launch months, and storylines are still forthcoming. This needs to stop. As a recovering weekly comic book addict, combining comics and video games makes it far too easy for me to justify those weekly comic shop visits. Have mercy!

DC COMICS AND CAPCOM® ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR RESIDENT EVIL®, AND DEVIL MAY CRY® COMIC BOOK SERIES

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Jul 25, 2008 — DC Comics, the largest English-language publisher of comic books in the world, and Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced plans to join forces to create a comic book series based on Capcom’s popular gaming properties Resident Evil® and Devil May Cry®.

“Capcom is thrilled to be partnering with DC,” said Germaine Gioia, Senior Vice President of Licensing for Capcom Entertainment, Inc. “Comics are a critical component in Capcom’s merchandising strategy for our most cherished franchises, as they target the same discerning, loyal fans that care most about these established brands. DC’s undisputed development and distribution strength within the comic industry make them an ideal partner to further expand two of our most successful and sophisticated gaming properties.”

Details on the new series, including creative team and launch month, will be announced at a later date. Both titles will be published by DC Comics’ WildStorm imprint.

“We’re ecstatic that Resident Evil is returning to WildStorm, where we have already established deep roots into the mythos of this world,” said Hank Kanalz, Vice President/General Manager for WildStorm. “We can’t wait to continue, and bring a freshness and excitement to the property to match the amazing things they are doing with the game.”

The Resident Evil series of video games has sold over 34 million units since the original game was released in 1996, as well as spawned a multi-million dollar trilogy of films from Sony Pictures. Resident Evil® 5 will revolutionize the Resident Evil series, just as Resident Evil® 4 did. To coincide with the Resident Evil comic book is the latest installment in the Resident Evil series, Resident Evil 5, which unveils a world where the biohazard threat has not ended: Just when it seemed the menace of Resident Evil was destroyed, a new terror appears in Resident Evil 5. Resident Evil’s returning hero, Chris Redfield, has followed the path of the evil around the globe, and after joining a new organization, heads to Africa, where the latest threat is transforming people and animals into mindless, bloodthirsty creatures. Joined by a new partner, Sheva Alomar, the duo must work together to unravel the truth behind the evil menace.

The latest in the Devil May Cry series, Devil May Cry® 4 is already a bonafide hit in the console world, having shipped over 2 million units worldwide since its release in North America in February. Devil May Cry 4 immerses gamers in a gothic supernatural world, where a new protagonist clashes with a familiar hero. As the new leading man, Nero, players will unleash incredible attacks and non-stop combos using a unique new gameplay mechanic: the powerful “Devil Bringer” on his right arm.

“Dante, Nero and the world of DEVIL MAY CRY is a perfect fit for the sensibilities of our studio,” Kanalz said. “We have such terrific inspiration from the anime and games and we intend on meeting the exceptionally high standard of quality that has been set for this.”

The press release, via the official Capcom blog, hints that additional and unannounced Capcom books will be revealed at the San Diego Comic Con this July. It does not, however, indicate if we'll get backstory that explains why Bionic Commando has sausage-filled limbs. My own theory is that he was bitten by a radioactive hot dog while on a field trip, giving him the proportionate strength and speed of a frank that plumps when you cook it. That's totally speculative, though.

Press release follows.

DEVIL’S DUE PARTNERING WITH CAPCOM® ENTERTAINMENT ON NEW COMICS

New titles to include Bionic Commando® and Lost Planet™

Chicago, IL. (May 13, 2008) – This year, one of the biggest names in cutting-edge action comics will team with one of the most respected publishers and developers of video games, as Devil’s Due announces a new publishing deal with Capcom®. As part of an expansive package, Devil’s Due will launch four new titles based on Capcom game properties, including Bionic Commando® and Lost Planet™.

“DDP is very excited to be joining forces with Capcom,” said DDP President Josh Blaylock. “Not only are these awesome games, but they have great stories behind them ripe for comics, including a vintage classic with Bionic Commando that’s been revived along with the new sequel.”

Already a leader in comic books featuring prominent pop culture icons, Devil’s Due heads into Summer 2008 with a rapidly swelling library of new adapted and original titles.

“Devil’s Due is a very passionate and creative comic publisher,” said Germaine Gioia, senior vice president, licensing, Capcom Entertainment. “We are thrilled to be working with DDP to begin evolving some of our highest profile videogame properties in other media.”

More details about Devil’s Due’s plans for Bionic Commando, Lost Planet, and other new Capcom books will be announced at July’s San Diego Comic-Con.

"We are thrilled to be working with DC Comics to further bring to life the Gears of War universe. A lot of our developers are huge comic fans, and have loved the personas and chronicles unique to DC Comics since childhood," said Dr. Michael Capps, president of Epic Games. "The Gears of War storyline and characters that millions of gamers have come to cherish will be a perfect fit under the WildStorm imprint."

DC Comics And Epic Games Announce Plans For Comic Book Series Based On Hit 'Gears Of War' Video Game Franchise

New York, NY - April 18, 2008 - DC Comics, the largest English-language comic book publisher in the world, in partnership with Epic Games, Inc., announced plans today to publish a comic book series based on the hugely popular action video game franchise Gears of War. The series is slated to debut from DC's WildStorm publishing imprint in October. More details about the series, including the creative team, will be released at a later date.

The winner of over 30 Game of the Year awards, Gears of War for Xbox 360 and PC features amazing tactical action and multiplayer excitement. The plot thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. Gears of War 2, which continues the story of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad in an epic saga of survival, loss and retribution, is the sequel to the blockbuster game that sold over 4.5 million copies and redefined the third-person tactical action game genre. Gears of War 2 is being developed exclusively for Xbox 360 and will launch this November.

"We are thrilled to be working with DC Comics to further bring to life the Gears of War universe. A lot of our developers are huge comic fans, and have loved the personas and chronicles unique to DC Comics since childhood," said Dr. Michael Capps, president of Epic Games. "The Gears of War storyline and characters that millions of gamers have come to cherish will be a perfect fit under the WildStorm imprint."

"Big guns and monsters — what a perfect comic book for WildStorm! We have an opportunity to work closely with Epic to add to the canon of the Gears of War mythos, so you can imagine how excited we all are, said Hank Kanalz, VP - General Manager, WildStorm. "Epic sets the bar very high, in graphics, story, and gameplay — and expect no less from our series, starting with our lead-in arc that fills in the gaps between the first game and the upcoming sequel."

I wouldn't say yes. I'd literally scream it. I'd just ask them to be authentic and make it work while being as respectful to the comic story and visuals. So no sudden space vampires as big as a truck, etc...or any uber-boss like that. EA certainly would have the chops to make a beautiful game version of it. They do gore and blood damn well.