Dark Horse Previews Mass Effect: Evolution at Comic-Con

Following the incredible success of Dark Horse Comics’ Mass Effect: Redemption, the publisher will join forces again with BioWare, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc., for an all-new comic book series based on the blockbuster sci-fi action videogame Mass Effect 2 that sold two million copies in its first week and earned a 96% score on the industry-watched review aggregator Metacritic. Scheduled to launch on January 19, 2011, Mass Effect: Evolution will take fans to a new corner of the Mass Effect universe, shedding light for the first time on the origin of the Illusive Man and the founding of his black-ops outfit, Cerberus.

Mass Effect: Evolution reunites the creative team of Redemption with Mac Walters, Lead Writer of Mass Effect 2 and the upcoming Mass Effect 3, writing the story and bringing his unmatched understanding of Mass Effect’s characters to the comics. Walters is joined by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, The Invincible Iron Man), who scripts the series, and Omar Francia (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2), who returns as artist. The team will be joined by Massimo Carnevale (Y: The Last Man, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), who provides stunning painted covers.

“It’s exciting to be working once again with Dark Horse and the creative team from Redemption,” Walters said. “I really enjoyed taking this series in a darker, grittier direction—a fact that’s reflected in Massimo’s outstanding covers. I’m sure fans of the universe and comics alike will enjoy this new glimpse in to the Mass Effect universe!”

“Our first Mass Effect series exceeded all expectations,” Dark Horse Publisher Mike Richardson said. “We’re very excited about continuing the adventures of these great characters and working with the great folks at EA.”

The four-issue series offers the most revealing glimpse to date of humans’ first steps into the wider universe of Mass Effect. Opening in a time of war, Evolution introduces a younger and very different Illusive Man, fighting to maintain human autonomy from alien interference, a cause that takes him behind enemy lines and into conflict with some of Mass Effect’s most dangerous figures. His journey from dissident to power broker presents new insights into the Mass Effect saga for existing fans, while the focus on the earliest days of Cerberus provides a riveting story of action and intrigue for sci-fi readers of all stripes.

Dark Horse will be revealing more about the series and cover art from issue #1 at San Diego Comic-Con International. Comic-Con attendees should head to the “Video Game Comics—The Next Big Thing” panel on Thursday, July 22 at 1 p.m. in Room 5AB or the “Dark Horse Comics: Make Contact in 2010” panel on Friday, July 23 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 3 for more!