Some might argue DC Comics' WildStorm imprint has seen better days. Home to a more mature brand of superhero seen in titles like "The Authority," "Planetary" and "The Boys," WildStorm fostered talents destined to later become superstars -- like Bryan Hitch, Mark Millar and John Cassaday. A lot of those creators bolted for various reasons, though, and the superhero component of the WildStorm brand isn't quite as strong as it once was.

What's taking the place of those books has been an ever-expanding slate of comics tying into high-profile AAA game releases. That strategy's been paying off dividends so far, as it's reported that the first issue of the "Gears of War" comic sold around 450,000 copies. That's a staggering number for modern-day comic sales. Hank Kanalz, vice president and general manager of WildStorm, answered our questions about the line's current game-centric focus.

Crispy Gamer: What videogame comics are you guys doing now?

This page from "Mirror's Edge" #2 -- with words by Rhianna Pratchett and art from Matthew Dow Smith -- lets readers and players peek into Faith's thoughts while she speeds along the rooftops.

Hank Kanalz: Currently, we have as ongoing series, "World of Warcraft" and "Gears of War." In May, we debut a new ongoing series based on Blizzard's StarCraft. We're in the middle of our "Resistance" miniseries. We just wrapped up the "Mirror's Edge" miniseries, and are about to launch a "Resident Evil" six-issue miniseries in March, as well as "Prototype," a six-issue miniseries in April. We have a few more surprises for later in the year, especially as we get closer to the next big wave of game releases.

Crispy Gamer: The first thing that strikes me that is that these titles come from every platform, and some are exclusives to their platform. Was the fact that these competing franchises would have comics published under the same imprint ever a sticking point?

Kanalz: We're very careful about the games we choose, and all of our partners are aware of what is in our line. So far, this hasn't been an issue at all.

Crispy Gamer: Tell us about your gaming habits. Have you finished all the games whose comics are coming out from WildStorm?

Cole and Baird get ready to end a couple of wretched existences. Think it'll be a smooth ride?

Kanalz: If I personally finished every game for which we did comics, I wouldn't have time to run WildStorm. Thankfully, we have a staff of talented editors working on these books, and they do focus on and play the games for the books they work on. We do believe in immersing ourselves in the product we work on. At least, that's what we tell our wives, when they ask why we're playing so much. I'm probably halfway through Gears of War 2, although Ben Abernathy, the editor of that series, has finished that one. I have several characters on World of Warcraft, and have been working through the Lich King expansion. I play with a few other people at work, as well as some friends in other parts of the country. Prototype I haven't had the chance to play, but look forward to playing it at the New York convention. I actually own all the consoles -- I would regardless of our doing these books, but that's a great rationalization for it, don't you think?

Crispy Gamer: How do these deals happen? Are these books part of a concerted effort on DC's part to court a gamer audience, or have the publishers
come to you?

Kanalz: Each deal is different, but yes, we are consciously and decidedly in this space. WildStorm is also working with Sony on the DC Universe Online MMO, and we recently finished concept artwork with Eidos on the new Batman: Arkham Asylum game. So, we're getting involved with different aspects of the gaming world, and will hopefully make some announcements in the near future about other ways we converge. It's a natural fit for our skill sets and sensibilities. [Editorial Director] Jim [Lee] is a huge gamer, as are most of the staff. In fact, he just organized a weekend gaming event for all of us. We live somewhat scattered across San Diego, so this is a fun and convenient way for us to get together and play outside of work.

Crispy Gamer: A lot of talent on these books seems to come from the development teams. Is it a case of them wanting to extend the fiction of these universes, or a case of Wildstorm/DC looking to capitalize on the opportunity these games present?

The grittier, ink-heavy art style marks a departure from the clean photorealism of Resistance 2.

Kanalz: One of the goals with these books is to extend the canon fiction of each of these universes. We aren't really interested in doing adaptations of the games themselves -- who wants to read the story they can actually play? But each of these games is a snapshot of a potentially rich world that we explore. Sometimes, the best guide to that world is the one who created it.

I think one of the keys to the success of the book is to make sure what we are doing is canon to the game fiction. It's important to us that what happens in the comic is acknowledged as really happening in the game world. The more integrated our stories are, the better. Many game developers are storytellers, but the story itself can be sacrificed for the sake of gameplay. In our comics, we don't have that limitation.

Crispy Gamer: Is it true that "Gears of War" #1 moved more than 450,000 units? How have the numbers been since the first issue?

Kanalz: I can neither confirm nor deny that we moved that, or more, but I can say that the book has been successful for us. It will be interesting to see how the first hardcover collection of the first six issues will do, as that will be available in places the comic book was not. The feedback we've received from fans who don't read comics regularly is that they don't want to wait monthly for the story to unfold. Comic specialty shops have reported back that the book has attracted new customers to their stores, which is always great.

I think we all assume there is a huge overlap between the game consumer and the comic consumer -- clearly, there is. But the buying patterns of each are significantly different. "Gears of War" is not what I consider an "appointment comic." Not as many people mark their calendar for the next issue release, like they would for something like "Green Lantern." But, patterns have shown that this book is a slow burn -- it sells well, and over time, which is great. Plus, Liam is doing his career's best work, in my opinion, and Josh Ortega is turning in a terrific story. That's a great example of what we were talking about earlier. Josh wrote the story for the latest game, so who better to figure out the story than him?

Crispy Gamer: What are the chances of DCU characters showing up in these books? Or other WildStorm Universe characters?

The comic, written by Rick Sanchez, serves as a prequel to the upcoming Resident Evil 5 multiplatform release

Kanalz: Hmm. Who have you been talking to? The chances are greater for some than for others, mostly because of the worlds in which each game has been contained. That said, we've toyed with the idea, and are brewing a few options for review.

Crispy Gamer: You used to be a writer, right? Do you feel like the artists need to match the art direction of the games, or are they free to open it up a little bit and add their stamp to these pre-existing worlds?

Kanalz: Yes, I broke in as a writer, back in 1988. Thanks for reminding me! I think each of our books answers the art question differently. If you look at "Mirror's Edge," I'd say that captures the palette and environments of the game, and the figure work is far more stylized -- at DICE'S request and guidance -- compared to what you see in the game. "World of Warcraft" is pretty detail-oriented, but Blizzard has been receptive to each artist's interpretation of its world. Insomniac responded to a very specific art style which is far different from the hyper-realistic graphics of "Resistance." So, I think we have been free to open it up, but within certain guidelines. Key characters need to be instantly recognizable, and there needs to be a certain level of clarity.

Crispy Gamer: More cynical interpretations paint these books and other tie-in products as just cheap ways to cash out on intellectual properties. How would you answer such views?

Kanalz: I scoff at such cynicism! Aside from the fact that comics are not cheap to produce, we actually do approach each of these projects as a creative endeavor. It's what we do; it's what we love. If we can't find our creative hook, we pass on the property. When it works, that's great for everyone!