Marvel vs. EA project named?

Almost one year ago, Electronic Arts announced that it was codeveloping a new fighting franchise with Marvel Enterprises. Like the Marvel vs. Capcom series, the game will pit classic Marvel comic book characters against a stable of original characters from a game publisher. However, since it doesn't have an established roster of fighting-game personalities like Capcom--save for the cast of Def Jam: Fight for NY--EA announced it was going to create a stable of all-new characters.

"It's a unique opportunity, partnering with Marvel, to bring their renowned superheroes into original video game environments, as well as providing us an opportunity to create new heroes that will live in games, comic books, and other licensing or media opportunities that Marvel presents," said John Riccitiello, then-president and COO of Electronic Arts.

While Marvel and EA executives were willing to talk about how happy they were about their new collaboration, they said little about the game itself, not divulging its developer or even its title.

But the information drought couldn't last forever, and information regarding the Marvel-vs.-EA project recently surfaced in the comic book press. In an interview with Newsarama.com, the comic-book information division of film director Kevin Smith's ViewAskew suite of Web sites, writer and filmmaker Greg Pak discussed his latest projects. One was a new comic called Marvel Nemesis: The Imperfects, "a cool crossover miniseries which throws a team of classic Marvel characters against a team of brand-new superheroes created by the brilliant folks at EA."

Although Pak did not mention any of the new EA characters by name, he does "think folks are going to be blown away by their design and powers." He also outlined the plot of The Imperfects in some detail. "The series will be published as a lead-up to an EA video game release this fall and involves an alien scientist who clashes with a series of Marvel heroes when he comes to Earth to create a team of technologically transformed superwarriors," said Pak. "So for the past few months, I've been working with Marvel editor Mark Paniccia and the EA creative team to develop a story which will be an exciting, compelling epic in its own right while introducing the characters and setting up the conflicts which will be explored in the game."

Pak also went on to describe the more tactile narrative elements in the comic book series that will feature the EA characters. "What's got me really excited is that we've found the emotional hook. We're exploring that hidden core of doubt which may plague even the greatest heroes as the Marvel characters and the new EA heroes struggle with the temptation of 'perfection' offered by the alien scientist's transformative technology," he said. "It's going to be a fun ride, with some real emotional consequences for new and classic characters alike."

While the details about Marvel Nemesis: The Imperfects were tantalizing, it remains impossible to determine how many of the comic's elements will be present in the forthcoming game--or if the game will even have the same title. That's because EA is remaining mum on the subject altogether. "That article focuses on the comic book," an EA spokesperson told GameSpot. "We haven't been mentioning the game much. Stay tuned for further updates on the Marvel-EA game soon."