Though the announcement comes a little later than expected, Bioware and EA shocked no one by confirming a limited Collector’s Edition for Mass Effect 2. The Collectors’ Edition of Mass Effect 2 comes in a premium, tin case and includes the full version of the game, a 48-page hardcover “Art of Mass Effect 2” book, Issue 1 of the Mass Effect Redemption comic book, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos. In addition, the Mass Effect 2 Collectors’ Edition will include unique in-game weapons and armor that can only be obtained by purchasing this version.

Did you somehow miss out on Joss Whedon’s Firefly series, and are now subsequently left wondering why everyone seems to have huge crushes on that dude on that Castle show? Well now you too can fall in love with Nathan Fillion and the rest of the Firefly crew (including Sarah Connor’s Summer Glau and V’s Morena Baccarin): Best Buy has Firefly: The Complete Series on DVD for only $12.99! That’s 4 discs, regularly priced at about $50!

Not that Demon Souls was easy to begin with, Atlus sends word that things will be getting even harder for Halloween. Atlus states that The Old One “…will seek to descend the land in pure blackness on All Hallow’s Eve. His minions will be more powerful, but the rewards for those who seek to challenge them will be greater as well.”

Simply put, it seems that for gamers playing the title online, the entire world will be put into a dark tendency for an undetermined period of time. Though things will be harder, a dark tendency will mean there are pathways that will be opened that weren’t accessible before as well as better loot drops.

It just may be a little too tempting to resist for those already playing.

From time to time, we’ll be showcasing some of the more kick ass collectibles in the world of comic and toy culture. If you’re already into the collectible scene, you’ve probably already heard of Jin Saotome’s custom-crafted figures, but recently a batch of new online custom craftsmen have made toy shopping online a buyer’s paradise. Most notable among them is Lone Wolf Arts.

I’ve been out of it – clearly – for the past week, so I’m definitely late to the party. This came across the email chain, and admittedly, the old 2D yearnings deep in my loins started to feel a little flame building. So Dungeon Fighter Online is a Korean developed online brawler being handled by Nexon America, Inc. It launched here in the states this month, but has built up quite a following with a manga and impending anime around the corner to keep up with the fan love.

The magic words, folks, is that all this coolness comes with a ZERO dollar investment price. Meaning, if you want to try it, it’s totally free. It’s an online game, and the beta is still apparently going on. I haven’t played it myself yet, so I’m not offering any opinion – yet, but the art style looks quite appealing. “Free” is always my magic starting point, so let’s see if I can get this brewing on my Mac. I’ll play around with it and try to figure out their class-based system (you can choose from Gunner, Fighter, Mage, Priest, and Slayer). I missed the whole World of Warcraft craze, so I’ll keep you posted this weekend as to whether this sucker gets its claws into me…

Bioware and Electronic Arts have announced the ship date for Mass Effect 2. Previously expected to be an early 2010 release, fans may not have known exactly HOW early in 2010 the game was going to hit retail. Today’s announcement points the ship date at January 26, 2010 on both Xbox 360 and PC.

Bizarre Creations and Activision have released the latest trailer for Blur. Marking a startling retreat from what gamers have come to expect of the studio’s racing pedigree (Metropolis Street Racer, Project Gotham Racer 1-3), it remains to be seen how this combat heavy, glitzy action title is recieved.

SCEA has announced the availability of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves in North America. The original title, released in 2007 is hailed as one of the greatest PS3 titles released thus far. The extra two years Naughty Dog has spent on refining both their technology and their way of cinematic story telling through gameplay could make this a real winner.

For RPG fans that have been weaned on Bioware classics such as Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights, the wait for the possible successor is almost over. As an all new IP following in the footsteps of some of the earlier franchises the company is known for, expectations are high with this return to form.

The Web #1

IMDB listing for Angela Robinson

Wikipedia entry on Red Circle comics

TV writer Angela Robinson makes her comics debut with this DC/Red Circle book this week.

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Also this week:

Zero Killer #5 (of 6)

Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance #5 (of 6). Art by Chriscross.

Push TP. Co-written by Bernardin.

Gold Digger Halloween Special 2009. By Perry and others.

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Also notable:

Wednesday Comics #12 (of 12). Final issue.

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So my 24-hour comic is completed, and if you wanna see it before I post it online, come to the Small Press Expo this weekend in Bethesda, MD. I won’t have a table, so I’m gonna try and figure out a way around that. If not, though, then you’ll have to look for me.

My latest review at GBCB is of Sentences.

Nigeria comes out against District 9.