D.C. Comics announced today that it will develop a comic-book edition of the forthcoming game Prototype, due out this fall from Vivendi’s Sierra Entertainment.

Prototype is an open-world action game that, on its surface, appears to be a stylized blend of Assassin’s Creed and Resident Evil. In an open-environment New York City, central character Alex Mercer must use his shape-shifting abilities to simultaneously battle a widespread-infection outbreak and a militant containment group called The Blackwatch, all while learning more about his vague and shadowy past.

This involved storyline and plot is likely the main attraction to publisher D.C. Comics, who also holds licenses on recognizable heroes Superman and Batman. With a next-gen game that’s more than a terse shooter with only trite back-story, there is a greater opportunity to translate story off of the screen and onto the page.

“Prototype’s back-story, visuals and gameplay are stunning, and we have every intention of bringing those core pillars to our book,” said Hank Kanalz, VP & General Manager of WildStorm, the D.C. subsidiary imprint that will pen and ink the game.

Prototype is expected to hit shelves in late 2008 for PC and next-gen consoles.