MUMBAI: Sony Online Entertainment (SOE), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) and the largest English language publisher of comic books worldwide DC Comics have announced plans to collaborate with comic book illustrator Jim Lee.

The parties will work on a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMO) based on the DC Comics universe. DC Comics is home to Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman among other characters.

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.

Lee says, “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. 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.”

DC Comics president and publisher Paul Levitz says, “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. 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.”

SOE president John Smedley says, “We couldn’t be happier to have an icon like Jim Lee involved with this project. 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.”

Lee adds, “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. 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.”