Batman shows off those wonderful toys in this brand new trailer of the most anticipated game of the summer!

Playboy has always been a supporter of comics with a mature sensibility and visionary content, especially DC/Vertigo Comics. They’ve published articles in the past about Arkham Asylum, and Harvey Pekar’s The Quitter. This week on their Playboy.com site, they preview the first two graphic novels that will launch the Vertigo Crime imprint: Filthy Rich by Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos and Dark Entries, a Hellblazer story by Ian Rankin and Werther Dell’Edera. Art for both graphic novels will be in black, white, and gray with covers done by Lee Bermejo (Joker).
Check both of them out: here

And if that wasn’t cool enough (which it should be) Playboy is also showing a 6-page interpretation of a scene in Quentin Tarantino’s new film, Inglorious Basterds with art by the wonderful R.M. Guera who is also the artist for Vertigo’s Scalped series created by Jason Aaron. Let’s just say it’s bloody good. Read the comic: here

Big props for Playboy, who has always had good writing in their magazine, realizing a potential crossover in readership with Vertigo Comics. We only get a taste of what will surely be some of our favorite reads this year, but it’s enough to quell the hunger–for now.

News highlights include: Marvel vs Capcom 2 on PSN, RAGE gets a new trailer, Doom 2 comes to consoles, EA’s Army of Two gets new multiplayer mode, and Timbaland and Rockstar Games team up on PSP.

Fight the giant G-Type Salamander Akrid boss in online on Xbox Live!

Starting on August 19 (the first day of GamesCom in Cologne, Germany), Xbox 360 action fans will be able to download the co-op demo for Lost Planet 2 that Capcom has been showing at events such as E3, Comic-Con and GamesCom. Live Gold members will have first crack at the demo on August 19, while Silver level members will be able to take part on August 26.

News Highlights include: Disney/Pixar’s Up gets a release date with DVD/Blu-Ray details, Find out how YOU can get The Batcave in HOME, a Wolfenstein developer wants to give you the game for free, and Sega shows off a new Aliens versus Predator trailer in today’s THE GRIND.

It appears as though the economy has caused another casualty of war. GRIN has been forced to close their doors after 12 years of game development.

Co-founders Bo and Ulf Andersson confirmed on the website yesterday the reasoning for the closure.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce today that GRIN has been forced to close its doors. This as too many publishers have been delaying their payments, causing an unbearable cashflow situation.”

Most recently known for creating Bionic Commando, Bionic Commando Rearmed, Wanted: Weapons of Fate and more this is yet another sign that the videogame industry is not immune to these troubling economic times we’re in as was once believed.

A number of staff from GRIN have joined Outbreak Studios.

News Highlights include: GRIN closes its doors, Walking Dead goes Hollywood, Kick Ass courted by studios, Batman Asylum downloads, and more! Daily!

For all the gamers waiting to get their hands on Bioware’s spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate, the wait is almost over. As we reach the home stretch, EA and Bioware have announced the bonus items players will get for pre-ordering the game as well as the goodies included with the Collector’s Edition of the title.

The Collector’s Edition is a premium package available in limited quantities featuring exclusive Dragon Age: Origins collectibles including a unique steel case, a cloth map of the world of Dragon Age, a Making-of documentary DVD, a digital version of the Dragon Age: Origins soundtrack, game trailers, wallpapers, strategy tips and a concept art video, plus three exclusive downloadable items that will provide special advantages to the player.

With The Stone Prisoner download pack, players will have access to Shale, the mighty stone golem who can become one of the most powerful party members in the game, and comes with its own personal back-story and unique quests for the player to discover. The Stone Prisoner will also include new environments, items and hours of additional gameplay, further deepening the epic Dragon Age experience. The Stone Prisoner is available to original purchasers of new copies of Dragon Age: Origins at no additional cost. The Stone Prisoner can also be purchased separately for $15.

In addition, players who purchase a new copy of Dragon Age: Origins (original or Collector’s Edition) will receive a code to download the Blood Dragon Armor, an exclusive set of themed armor that will give the player additional protection in combat. This armor will be available for use in both Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360 and PC).

All gamers who pre-order Dragon Age: Origins will receive the Memory Band, an in-game item that can be equipped to add +1% to all gained Experience Points and which adds one bonus point that players can use to boost their character’s skill set.

Dragon Age: Origins will be released on November 3rd in North America and November 6th in Europe on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PC. The PLAYSTATION®3 version will follow later in November. The Collector’s Edition carries an MSRP of $74.99 (console) and $64.99 (PC) in North America.

If you’ve been waiting for EA to announce DLC, rather than patches for their latest boxing title, you can stop holding your breath. EA Sports has announced the first paid DLC for Fight Night Round 4. This downloadable boxer pack will include Oscar De La Hoya, Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, and alternate versions of George Foreman and James Toney.

The pack is expected to be released late in August on both the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network for 800 Microsoft points and $9.99 respectively. Whether or not 3 new boxers and an alternate skin of two existing boxers warrants paying an additional 17% of the original purchase price is up to you.

AMC has won a bidding war and has acquired the rights to Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comics for a potential series. Frank Darabont, nominated for three Oscars for writing and directing (The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption), will write, direct, and executive produce the series. Gale Anne Hurd of Valhalla Pictures and David Alpert of Circle of Confusion will also exec produce.

The series would join such high quality fare as Mad Men and Breaking Bad on AMC.