A Look Behind the Comic Development of DC Universe Online
DC Universe Online combines the excitement of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) with the spectacular stories and characters only found in the DC Comics world. Developed by DC Comics and Sony, the MMORPG allows players to create their own unique character and play alongside DC’s own heroes and villains. Since the game is based on countless comic book series, DC Universe Online incorporates cinematic motion comics to tell its gripping story. The cut-scenes feature the voices of the game’s many superheroes and villains as they tell events from their own point of view, immersing the player into DC’s world even further. DC Comics enlisted Powerhouse Animation Studios to create these cinematic motion comics for the game. Based out of Austin, TX and a new office in Burbank, CA, Powerhouse created over 45 cinematic comics for the cut-scenes, bringing to life the iconic characters of the DC universe so they can tell their stories. The production studio used tools such as ZBrush and After Effects to create the artistic scenes. Powerhouse Animation is no stranger to motion comic animation, as they have previously worked on projects such as Avengers Initiative and Darksiders. The animation studio has also collaborated with comic minds in the past, like DC Universe’s executive creative director Jim Lee. Characters’ voices for the game include fan favorites such as Kevin Conroy for Batman and Mark Hamill for The Joker, both reprising their respective roles from Batman: The Animated Series. Many other voiceover artists well-known to gamers also lend their voices to the video game, such as Adam Baldwin and Will Wheaton. DC Universe Online is available for free on PlayStations 3 and 4, as well as Windows. While the game is free to play, users can opt to pay for more features and content.