DC Comics, the largest English language publisher of comic books worldwide and the home of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman; Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry; and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE), a premier developer and licensor of entertainment content in the interactive space, have announced plans to collaborate with legendary comic book illustrator Jim Lee to work on a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMO) based on the DC Comics universe.
SOE will be developing and publishing a game based on the DC Comics universe for next generation gaming platforms and the PC. It is expected that Lee will serve as Executive Creative Director on the game, bringing his artistic flair and talents to the world of online gaming for the first time.
“My position at DC has afforded me the amazing opportunity to dive into projects I am most passionate about. The DC MMO is no exception and joins my current commitments to All-Star Batman and Robin with writer Frank Miller and the upcoming WildCats series with visionary Grant Morrison as dream projects,” said Jim Lee. “The truth is that I love gaming as much as I love drawing and telling stories and look forward to bringing the DC Universe to life for players and comic book fans all around the world.”
“As a passionate online gamer and one of the most creative talents ever to work with the DC heroes, Jim is the perfect person to help build an online DC universe that our fans can become part of on a daily basis,” said DC Comics President and Publisher Paul Levitz. “The SOE team, working with Jim’s creative guidance, are building a new way for gamers and comic fans to unite and enjoy our legendary characters and their complex universe.”
“We couldn’t be happier to have an icon like Jim Lee involved with this project,” said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. “SOE, WBIE and DC will be working together closely on this project and Jim’s contributions will be key to bringing the amazing world of DC Comics to life online.”
“Utilizing his outstanding and widely revered talent, Jim Lee’s ground-breaking work on the DC MMO will help lend authenticity and strength to the game’s design,” said Jason Hall, Senior Vice President of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “His iconic art style and creative direction will enhance the look and feel of the game overall.”
“What intrigues me most about the DC MMO is how we can continue to tell the great stories DC is known for in this new medium and look forward in particular to the challenge of perhaps one day, simultaneously bringing stories to life in both print and pixel form,” said Lee. “True to their moniker, MMOs are massive undertakings and I look forward to working on the game and continuing to draw comics for many, many years to come at DC.”
Lee, the artist on 2005’s best-selling comic book in the U.S., “All Star Batman” and “Robin, the Boy Wonder,” is one of the most recognizable and talented artists in the medium, and a true fan favorite. His recent work on the blockbuster series “Batman: Hush” and “Superman: For Tomorrow” brought critical acclaim, as well as a new look and feel to two of DC Comics’ iconic characters.
Source: Sony Online Entertainment
