Sci-Fi Comic Prequel Bridges Heroic Conclusion of Mass Effect
and Mysterious Beginning of Mass Effect 2
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jul 21, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BioWare(TM), a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) and Dark Horse
Comics today announced a new comic book series based on Mass Effect(TM),
the blockbuster sci-fi action videogame that IGN.com rated the #1 Xbox
360(TM) game of all time.In Mass Effect: Redemption, the
story takes readers through the treacherous events leading up to Mass
Effect 2 which opens with galactic hero Commander Shepard having
mysteriously gone missing and left to fight for survival. What
unfolds next will expose readers to new locations, aliens and extended
storyline in the Mass Effect universe. Mass Effect: Redemption
is scheduled to launch in January 6, 2010.
The Mass Effect: Redemption story is written by Lead Writer Mac
Walters at BioWare. Walters is the script writer behind Mass Effect 2.
He brings unique insight to the Mass Effect comic and nuance of
the world within. The comic is scripted by John Jackson Miller (Star
Wars Knights of the Old Republic, The Invincible Iron Man)
and drawn by Omar Francia (Star Wars Legacy). This first
four-part series explores the exotic and dangerous future Milky Way of Mass
Effect, revealing previously unseen locations, aliens, and enemies
of this rich science fiction landscape.
Mac Walters and Omar Francia will be autographing a Comic-con exclusive Mass
Effect signing card at the Dark Horse booth (#2615) on July 24th at
4:00pm - 5:00pm at Comic-Con International 2009 in San Diego, CA.
"Fans of Mass Effect are going to be pleasantly shocked by
the events in these comics," says Mac Walters. "We worked very closely
with Dark Horse to make sure this story was built in to the Mass
Effect 2 arc, right from the ground up. Reading the series won't
just add to your experience of the universe, it will change the way you
look at Mass Effect 2... and beyond."
"Those familiar with Mass Effect are aware that it offers
one of the deepest and most compelling universes in the history of space
adventure," says Dark Horse President and Publisher Mike Richardson. "We
have a long history of successfully adapting properties such as Aliens,
Star Wars, and Serenity into comics, and we feel that Mass
Effect has tremendous potential with regard to graphic storytelling."
The narrative in Mass Effect: Redemption picks up just as
Commander Shepard disappears and is left without the support of the crew
on the Normandy in the lawless Terminus Systems. Shepard must
fight for survival, and will be assisted by close companion, Dr. Liara
T'Soni, to come home alive. This story is sure to be a must-read for
fans looking to fill the gap between the first and second game.
Mass Effect: Redemption issue 1 hits comic shop shelves on
January 6, 2010.
Mass Effect 2 is scheduled for release on Xbox 360 and PC in
early 2010. Follow us on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/masseffect2.
For more information about BioWare please visit www.bioware.com
About BioWare
BioWare develops computer, console, handheld, mobile and online video
games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995,
BioWare has created some of the world's best-selling titles, including
the award-winning Baldur's Gate(TM) and Neverwinter Nights(TM) series, Star
Wars(R): Knights of the Old Republic(TM) and Sonic(TM) Chronicles: The Dark
Brotherhood (for the Nintendo DS(TM)). Original BioWare-created
intellectual properties include Jade Empire(TM) and the 2007 Game of the
Year, Mass Effect(TM). With studios in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montréal
(Québec), and Austin (Texas), BioWare is hard at work on the epic
fantasy roleplaying game, Dragon Age(TM): Origins, Mass Effect 2(TM), the epic
sequel to Mass Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer game,
Star Wars(R): The Old Republic(TM), as well as several unannounced projects.
In 2008, BioWare was acquired by the world's leading electronic
entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more information on
BioWare, visit www.bioware.com
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is
a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in
1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive
software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless
devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under
four brand names: EA(TM), EA SPORTS(TM), EA Mobile (TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal
2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that
sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com.
More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can
be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how
integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium
and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The
company is known for the progressive and creator friendly atmosphere it
provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from
top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way and
comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful
characters as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, their highly
successful line of comics and products based on popular properties
includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens,
Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, and Serenity. Today Dark
Horse Comics is the third largest comic-book publisher in the U.S. and
is recognized as one of the world's leading publishers of licensed
comics material.
BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or
registered trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing)
Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and
POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in
the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the
Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
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SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.
BioWare/EAGL PR
Heather Rabatich, 780-430-0164 ext. 1457
heather@bioware.com
or
Dark Horse Comics
Jeremy Atkins, 503-905-2315
jeremya@darkhorse.com
or
Electronic Arts Inc.
Scott Gamel, 650-628-7286
Sr. PR Manager
sgamel@ea.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009