Dark Horse acquires 'Mass Effect' rights

Dark Horse Comics has acquired the rights to publish comic books based on BioWare's role-playing video game Mass Effect.

Mass Effect: Redemption will serve as a precursor to the RPG's upcoming sequel, bridging the gap between the two games.

The plot will focus on galactic hero Commander Shepard, who mysteriously goes missing and is left fighting for his life. The publisher also revealed that the series will expand the game's universe, exposing readers to new locations and alien races.

BioWare lead writer Mac Walters has penned the storyline, with scripting by John Jackson Miller and artwork from Omar Francia.

"Those familiar with Mass Effect are aware that it offers one of the deepest and most compelling universes in the history of space adventure," said Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson.

"We have a long history of successfully adapting properties such as Aliens, Star Wars and Serenity into comics, and we feel that Mass Effect has tremendous potential with regard to graphic storytelling."

The four-part miniseries debuts on January 6, 2010.