The San Diego Comic Con hasn’t quite begun yet, but that doesn’t stop the onslaught of tidbits and news flying out of California. To promote the upcoming BioShock 2, 2K Games has partnered up with renowned artists in order to devise some promotional material entitled the BioShock 2 Artists Series.

The first of the series, “The Sisters” has been released up on the Cult of Rapture website by artist Jhonen Vasquez (Invader Zim, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac). Says Jhonen: “I was excited when I was asked to do a piece of art for BioShock 2, because I got to do something a little different from what I’m more known for doing, something a bit moodier, and the fact that I was such a big fan of the first game made it that much more attractive”.

This should be an interesting series to be sure; the BioShock franchise has such amazing artistic style that it’ll be great to see other artists’ take on the property. And hey, if you’re lucky enough to be at CC this year, stop by booth #5033 and visit Vazquez for an autograph session on Saturday July 25th between 2-4PM. Click after the jump for the PR material.

2K Games Partners Up With Famed Artists For BioShock®2 Artists Series

Jhonen Vasquez to be at San Diego Comic Con (Booth #5033) to sign limited number of first run prints of “The Sisters”

July 17, 2009 – 2K Games is proud to announce that it is partnering with several of today’s most renowned artists for the formation of the BioShock® 2 Artists Series. Featuring several artists from a wide range of backgrounds, each of the works are celebrations of Rapture from creative individuals who each bring their own inspired and interpretive styles to their work. Each artist has created a visual work that represents their Rapture, expressed through their own inspired and interpretive styles. The art pieces highlight the subjective impact that the BioShock universe has had on people, and how Rapture spoke to everyone individually.

The first entry in this series debuts today on the Cult of Rapture (www.cultofrapture.com ), the official community site for all things BioShock, with a piece called “The Sisters,” created by famed artist Jhonen Vasquez.

“I was excited when I was asked to do a piece of art for BioShock 2, because I got to do something a little different from what I’m more known for doing, something a bit moodier, and the fact that I was such a big fan of the first game made it that much more attractive,” said Vasquez, creator of Invader Zim and Johnny the Homicidal Maniac.

To celebrate the launch of “The Sisters,” Vasquez will be on-hand at 2K Games’ booth (#5033) at the San Diego Comic Con being held at the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday, July 25 from 2-4 p.m. for a special autograph session. During this time, 2K Games will be handing out special first run prints of “The Sisters” to the first 500 attendees who visit the booth. The Cult of Rapture is also hosting a “Making Of” feature, where Vasquez walks readers through the creation of “The Sisters” from inception to completion. 2K Games and the Cult of Rapture will debut more entries from the BioShock 2 Artists Series over the coming months that provide more insight into the world of BioShock.

BioShock 2 will provide players with the perfect blend of explosive first-person shooter combat, compelling storytelling and intense multiplayer to form one of 2010’s most highly anticipated titles. Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture will once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture. Gamers will step into the boots of the very first Big Daddy as they travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and their own survival.

(via Cult of Rapture)

With this year’s big geek-a-thon right around the corner, video game news is starting to hit the web, and Adult Swim is hoping none will hit harder or rock more deathfully than the newly announced Metalocalypse: Dethgame downloadable title, scheduled to hit XBLA and PSN this fall. Based on the Adult Swim cartoon, Metalocalypse is being developed by Konami, in association with series creator Brandon Small (of Home Movies fame). As Small puts it in the press release: “We have gone above and beyond and found the biggest nerds in the industry to help develop and deliver what will without a doubt be the most successful downloadable cartoon death metal game in recorded history.” The game will, of course, feature Dethklok songs, including three all-new tracks from a forthcoming album. No pricing or release date yet, but if you want to know more about the game, check out the decidedly un-Metal press release after the break.

KONAMI AND ADULT SWIM ANNOUNCE
METALOCALYPSE: DETHGAME FOR XBOX LIVE® ARCADE AND PLAYSTATION®NETWORK

Konami and Cartoon Network Enterprises Partner to Bring the Brutal Adventures of
Dethklok to Next Generation Consoles This Fall

EL SEGUNDO, CA – JULY 22, 2009 – Konami announced today that a video game based on the hit Adult Swim series Metalocalypse is currently in development for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®Network. Created by series co-creator Brendon Small and based on the top-rated Adult Swim animated series, the upcoming Metalocalypse: Dethgame will immerse players into the world of Dethklok, the world’s most brutal Norwegian heavy metal band.

“Konami is excited to partner with Cartoon Network Enterprises on Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse,” said Careen Yapp, Vice President of Licensing and Business Development for Konami. “Our position as industry leader in creating unique gaming experiences through licensed material coupled with Adult Swim’s pedigree as leader in creating ground-breaking programming is what is going to make Metalocalypse such a great project for us to publish.”

“Since its debut on Adult Swim, Metalocalypse has built a solid fan base and become synonymous with two things – animated destruction and metal,” said Christina Miller, vice president, Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of Adult Swim. “Working closely with Konami and the show’s creators, we have found a way to incorporate both of those qualities into our first video game for the brand and provide a truly authentic gaming experience.”

“We have gone above and beyond and found the biggest nerds in the industry to help develop and deliver what will without a doubt be the most successful downloadable cartoon death metal game in recorded history,” said Small. “I defy anyone to find another death metal cartoon that can claim the same. But I think the most important thing to remember beyond the record setting CD sales and astounding ratings and growing rabid fans around the world is that this game is going to be a blast to play. I am very excited to be a part of making video games metal.”

In Metalocalypse: Dethgame, players will be immersed in the world of Dethklok. As a Klokateer, one of the band’s loyal roadies, players will be unleashed on a heinous rampage against rabid mutant fans in brutal combat. Fight mutants, explore the rooms and dungeons of Mordhaus and protect the METAL faithful. All of this action set to the music of Dethklok, including tracks from the best-selling Dethklok: The Dethalbum. Additionally, the game will feature three all-new songs from Williams Street Records’ Dethklok 2 which will be available later this fall. Complete with mini-games, Metalocalypse provides an optimal gaming experience rarely seen in a downloadable game.