Batman faces new villains in LEGO Batman: The Videogame. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. ™ & © DC Comics.

The game features an art style for the characters based on that of ultra-popular comics artist Jim Lee, who also provided designs for the environments. "There's lots of versatility in this action combat game," says SOE creative director Jens Anderson. "You can choose your powers, choose how you want to fight and select different body types. We're still adding features."

The game has not yet been rated, but Anderson advises that "there is only knock-out, not death." The game will be released in 2009, available for the PS3 and online play.

Dead Space Game and Animated Feature
Comics creator Jimmy Palmiotti told AWN that he and partner Justin Gray wrote the screenplay for Dead Space, an animated movie prequel to the highly anticipated science fiction survival horror game Dead Space from Electronic Arts (EA). EA and Starz Media joined forces to produce the Dead Space movie, and Film Roman is handling the animation.

"It's in 2D and 3D, and was animated in Korea. It's very pretty," Palmiotti says.

The script picks up the plot where the original comic book series ends, and leads up to the beginning of the Dead Space game. The story focuses on the events aboard a futuristic mining spaceship, the USG Ishimura, after it pulls a mysterious artifact from a remote dig site. The artifact triggers the sudden invasion of a long-dormant alien presence, and the Ishimura's crew members find themselves locked in a frantic struggle to survive.

The animated Dead Space feature is slated to premiere at the same time that the game is launched this Halloween.

Creative Director Matt Saia presented Freaky Creatures, a new property that combines a videogame feature, collectible figures, trading cards and a reusable flash drive. Courtesy of Janet Hetherington.

Sam & Max and Wallace & Gromit
Sam & Max, Freelance Police may have their roots in indie comics, but the crime-fighting duo, created by Steve Purcell, is right at home starring in a series of episodic games. At the Telltale Press Booth, attendees got a chance to see playable versions of its new Sam & Max game for the Wii, which is scheduled for a retail release this fall.

"This is the first time on console for this game," advised Telltale spokesperson Emily Morganti. The Sam & Max story-driven game play and episodic structure has often been compared to TV sitcoms. The new Wii version will present an easy-to-use interface with a low learning curve. For this game, the Wii gives the player more control, moves like a mouse, and provides a new audience a chance to play the whacked-out adventures.

Another Telltale game being previewed at the convention, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, has a Flash-cartoon style and will launch on WiiWare and PC in summer 2008.

Telltale also announced at Comic-Con that it is producing a new Wallace & Gromit videogame. Platforms are still being determined, but Morganti says that the game will run on Telltale's proprietary engine. While the animation will not be actual claymation, it will emulate Aardman's distinctive style. Telltale is working with Aardman's writers for new plotlines "to come up with the right stories." And although Telltale is based in California, Morganti assures that the cheese-loving duo will remain "very British."

Freaky Creatures
Freaky Creatures from Abandon Interactive Entertainment is a new property that combines a videogame feature, collectible figures, trading cards with codes and even a reusable flash drive. Set for a September/October release date, Freaky Creatures allows players to build custom virtual creatures and battle them against friends. Players begin with a starter pack that features two collectible action figures and a 1 GB reusable USB flash drive that brings the creatures to life in an imaginary online world.

"After purchasing the store starter pack, you can go online to set up your Freaky Creatures," says creative director Matt Saia. "You put in a code, which is added to your account and unlocks your ability to custom-create creatures. You can design for looks or for battle, and design the creature's home. You can also share with others on the website." The game offers 10 base creatures and collectors who buy them all receive an eleventh digital one.

Saia says that each of the creatures is uniquely animated and the game is run using Gamebryo technology, which has been modified for this use.

While not rated, Freaky Creatures is geared toward young players. In addition to customizing the creatures, the game encourages players to care for and feed their freaky "pets," which may transform into a "mean" form if they are not well-cared-for. The website will also serve as a social network and will offer team challenges as well as one-on-one battle play online.