When you're creating an MMORPG based on one of the most beloved comic book universes in the world, it pays to have someone highly familiar with its canon working on the title. That's why Sony Online Entertainment has confirmed that legendary writer Marv Wolfman has been added to the DC Universe Online team to write story arcs, quests and in-game events. He joins artist Jim Lee and writer Geoff Johns on the project, forming a trio that any comic fan should instantly recognize.

Wolfman has been a staple at both Marvel and DC Comics since the late 1960s. He created Nova and Blade for Marvel in the '70s, as well as co-created the Black Cat. In the '80s, Wolfman returned to DC, which is where his career initially began, and penned the famous Crisis on Infinite Earths mini-series. He also launched the New Teen Titans and co-created Raven, Starfire and Cyborg with artist George Perez, as well as wrote for the recent Teen Titans animated series that lasted five seasons. Wolfman even created Tim Drake, the third Robin.

"As a gamer, this is a dream project in many ways," Wolfman said in a press release. "I get to create new stories in the DC Universe that will make this video game world a truly unique, unforgettable experience." Members of the Allakhazam team are currently at the New York Comic Con, and we'll be talking with Wolfman to hear more about his thoughts regarding DCUO. Stay tuned for the interview in the near future.

Keep reading after the jump for the full press release.

As we all know, artist Jim Lee and writer Geoff Johns have been hard at work transferring their knowledge and talent from the pages of DC Comics to the world of DC Universe Online. Well, Sony Online Entertainment has announced in a press release that they will be unveiling the team's third comic book legend at the New York Comic Con on Feb. 7! This third person will help "ensure accurate DC Comics history and story continuity" in the game.

As if that announcement isn't enough to get any comic fan excited, those in attendance at the convention will get the chance to play as villains in DCUO for the first time.

So does anyone have any guesses as to who the third comic icon may be? Also, members of the Allakhazam team (including yours truly) will be in attendance at the NY Comic Con, so we'll be sure to let you know who he/she is after the official announcement.

Some of you may remember a recent editorial that was published here at Allakhazam about my concerns with Station Cash. Obviously, there were people at Sony Online Entertainment who disagreed with me. During my time at CES last week I had the opportunity to sit down with John Smedley to let him know why I decided to write the piece and our conversation quickly turned into an interview opportunity. Mr. Smedley was both rational and receptive during our off the record talks and clearly understood my opinions, regardless of his own. He even went out on a limb to let me know that he'd like to take some of the concerns that I had back to the EverQuest II development team. You don't have to have a very big imagination to know that those remarks put a smile on my face.

During the interview, which is nearly ten minutes in length, we talked about Station Cash, Free Realms, EverQuest's ten year anniversary, and the EverQuest movie which has been rumored for years.  I have to admit, some of the Station Cash products that Sony Online Entertainment is going to be rolling out are exciting. I even found myself saying 'I'd buy that' during the interview. As far as my opinions of Station Cash are concerned, as long as the experience potions available for purchase are where they draw the line, I'm willing to co-exist.

'Imagine being able to open up a book with every member of your guild, and have that physically mailed to you as a part of station cash. Our goal is to be able to buy both in game items, and those kinds of items, but be able to do that among all of our games in the future.'

Please check out our interview with John Smedley which we've transcribed for those of you who don't want to see John Smedley and me stare into each other's eyes for ten minutes. Also, please tell us what you think about the interview, Station Cash, the EverQuest movie and anything else that comes to mind, in the comment box below.

The following editorial contains views that are the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of Allakhazam.com

Generally speaking, most of the online gamers that I meet have some sort of a comic-book background. Love them or otherwise, there’s just something about watching a Heroes (or Villains) story unfold. That’s why it came as no surprise when I found myself anxious to know more when DC Universe Online was first announced, in early 2006. Seeing the game at Comic-con in 2008 brought a smile to my face but, after our demonstration at CES on Thursday, there are quite a few new reasons to be intoxicated with anticipation.

Sitting down on the couch with the Creative Director, Jens Andersen and Senior Producer, Wes Yanagi was something that I was admittedly nervous about because I felt that they really needed to raise the bar from what we had been shown previously. Fortunately, they did just that; which is to say the game is looking great!

DC Universe Online is a game that we’ve been paying a lot of attention to lately for a number of reasons. The biggest that comes to mind is Jim Lee, whom we did an interview with in December. When the Allakhazam team saw DC Universe last, there were mixed opinions as to whether or not the game would amount to anything. After our meeting with Sony Online Entertainment on Thursday, we’re singing a different tune all together.

The game looks like a lot of fun; which is something that a few of us wouldn’t have said when we saw it in 2008 at the San Diego Comic-con. The most exciting new aspect of the game that was shown was the Cases/Capers system. ‘Cases are essentially missions that you work on that are a lot like quests. Heroes have Cases and Villains have Capers.’

As you’ll see in the demonstration we were given, the game still needs work. I’m still not completely happy with the controls and camera angles, but the good news is -- neither is the development team. SOE is taking a new approach with DC Universe, and I believe that they understand this is a game can’t be anything less than 100% ready when they launch.

Please make sure to check out our look at DC Universe Online after the jump.

Christmas may be over, but here's the 2nd part of our interview with Jim Lee. In case you missed it, check out the first part here.

Tamat : How will in-game socialization work? Obviously creating a superhero league or guild will be fun, but what other ways will be available for players to interact with one another as enemies or allies?

Jim Lee : Well I can't speak of that as directly as I would like, but you'll definitely have all the tools you need to form those kinds of leagues and societies. Ultimately, we want to reduce the grind time as much as possible and really allow players to find other people to group with immediately so they can get to it. We want to reduce the amount of time spent looking for group, looking for a league and something to do. We really want this to be a game where you can log in and immediately start doing stuff.

Tamat : Is there more of a focus on solo play, group play, or both?

Sony Online Entertainment's, DC Universe Online (DCUO) is one of the most anticipated MMOs in development, due to both the intellectual property and the big names behind the title. Jim Lee is one of those names that has comic book fans quivering with anticipation. Recently, Togikagi and I had the opportunity to chat with Jim in person about DCUO. Special thanks go out to Jim for chatting with us when he was a tad under the weather. Check out the first part of our two part interview below and look out for the conclusion to the interview on Friday.

Tamat : Hey Jim, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate you taking the time to talk with us about DC Universe Online; not to mention the fact that you’ve taken the time to do so while you have the flu!

Jim Lee : Hey no problem, it’s my pleasure!

Togikagi : I just want to say that I’m a huge fan. My father owned a comic book store when I was growing up so this is a sincere honor.

Jim Lee : Awesome! I appreciate that.

Togikagi : You've worked on numerous comic books throughout the years, from your run at Marvel, to co-founding Image, to your current home with DC. Out of all the various comic worlds, what is it specifically about the DC Universe that lends itself so well to an MMORPG and, to sum it up, why are you so excited to show gamers the DC Universe?

Studio Creative Director Chris Cao has posted a new blog entry on the DC Universe Online Myspace page, and this one focuses on movement powers. Who needs a mount when you've got flight, super speed or acrobatics?

According to Cao, flight's going to be more than just a way of getting from point A to point B. It will also give you access to excluse combat powers, like to ability to intercept your enemy or create a sonic boom.

Super speed will allow you to fight and move everywhere, but there's a catch. "Lose control and you can end up in all sorts of interesting places.  Let’s just say that the ceiling ain’t the best place to stop and take a shot. Trust me."

And with acrobatics, prepare to utilize some mid-air control with double-jumps and dashes and use the terrain to your advantage.

You can read Cao's full post here or after the jump.

Studio Art Director Michael Daubert has posted a video tour of the SOE Austin studio on the DC Universe Online MySpace page. Daubert also posted a blog entry to coincide with the tour:

As you can see in the video, it's really cool to work in a studio that has wall-to-wall artwork from Jim Lee and his team at DC Comic's WildStorm Productions studio. As of right now, I believe we have more 1,200 concepts from Jim with more art coming in! We are going to have to move to a new studio soon just to get more wall space!

You can read the full blog entry below. Daubert further discusses the game's artwork and also gives some fun facts about the studio. For example, the design team wears Green Lantern shirts on Friday. Sure beats a suit and tie.

Studio Creative Director Chris Cao has posted a Myspace blog discussing PvP in DC Universe Online.

Cao said PvP will focus on heroes versus villains, which is important to remember since it changes why players are fighting. For example, a hero may be fighting to protect a police officer, while a villain will be fighting to remove (knock out) the officer.

• PvP will always be consensual. You'll either choose to play on a PvP server, opt-in to a PvP zone, or take egregious actions that will flag you for PvP.
• PvP will always be super-powered. You'll be turning enemies into physics objects and hurling them through the skies. You'll be racing along walls and ceilings as you shoot it out. You'll be fighting to rule or save the world.
• PvP will always require skill. Due to the action environment, PvP in DCUO is a battle of wits and ability, not just dice. Your loot and your level will help, but ultimately it'll come down to more than mere numbers.

The full blog post can be found here or after the jump.