DC Universe hands-on at Comic-Con

Regular Cut Scene readers know I wasn't at Comic-Con. But Variety film reporter Marc Graser, who has covered tech and videogames in the past and is a specialist in comic book-based films, did go and spent some time checking out Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming "DC Universe Online." Here's his report:

Sure, everyone knows how big “EverQuest” was for Sony Online Enertainment. But if you weren’t into fantasy games, you probably weren’t likely to invest hours playing it.

Now that "Everquest" has faded and Blizzard's "World of Warcraft" owns the massively multi-player online role playing game crown,

have the answer.

Together with DC Comics and Warner Bros. Interactive, company had its first public preview of "DC Universe Online" at Comic-Con, showing off the game with several playable stations on the confab’s show floor, a panel about the game, and party.

In the game, players create their own superhero that fight alongside Batman, Superman and other well-known DC heroes to fight off villains, or create their own super villain to fight on the side of Joker, Lex Luthor et al.

Characters were easy to control, with mocked up superhero newbies flying around the screen or grabbing objects like cars or buses to throw at villains. Creating the characters seemed just as simple: Cape? Check. Tacky blue spandex? Got it. Lightning fast running abilities? Done. Based on the characters showing up at Comic-Con, though, some Marvel fans may look to create mischief in the DC  Universe. Many of those on the demo screens looked like a member of the X-Men.

Graphics on a PlayStation 3, were crisp and colorful, with environments mimicking the look of a comicbook or Saturday morning cartoon.

That shouldn’t be too surprising. Game's visuals are being overseen by iconic comicbook illustrator Jim Lee, the creator of “WildC.A.T.S.” who has worked on “Batman,” “Fantastic Four” and “Superman” and serves as the game’s executive creative director. Characters are based on his artwork.

Most importantly for a subscription based game, "DC Universe Online" looks addictive. What makes it work so well is that it’s been designed as a hybrid between a traditional massively multi-player online game and a traditional console actioner. That was the plan by SOE and they appear to have pulled it off.