The first Injustice: Gods Among Us was a game-changing look at how a mainstream audience could see DC Comics characters. It took a fighting game developed by the makers of Mortal Kombat to do something even DC movies haven’t been able to do: get the bigger audience to buy into dark versions of the characters comic book fans have loved for decades. From the moment Superman punched out the Joker’s heart in the game’s opening, fans knew they were in for a ride like no other. Now NetherRealm Studios’ Ed Boon and the cast of Injustice 2 make a triumphant return to San Diego Comic-Con in order to let everyone know that Injustice 2 is going to shake everything up once again.
Comic-Con had some massive news about Injustice 2. For the first time in…well… ever, Blue Beetle will be in the game. Judging by his look, we’ll see the scarab armored Jaime Reyes version of the character. Boon told us, “what’s cool about Injustice is that we’ve covered the most known of the DC fighters, now we’re getting into the lesser known, but sometimes even cooler characters [coughDoctorFatecough]we really get to dive into some really deep characters this time around.” Of course, we already know about the big change coming to the game will be a new gear system which lets players customize their favorite characters into unique versions. No two Supermen would be alike in NetherRealm’s dream scenario. Your Superman might look like an Elseworld’s character mine might look like Red Son. Boon is excited for what people will do with the new mechanic, “it’s going to resonate with players into this constant hunt to get the coolest gear to make their custom version of these iconic characters.”
Along with the return of Wonder Woman to the game, SDCC also brought the announcement of writer Tom Taylor’s return to a new Injustice digital comic book series which will bridge the gap between the first and second games.
Of course, those aren’t the only returns as we also caught up with George Newbern who will be back to voice Superman in the game. When asked about how his experience differed, this time, around, “there’s a lot more action and sort of alternate gameplay judging on the amount of reactions I have.” George, who had the enviable task of voicing a Superman who is the opposite of what comics fans know had this to say about his character’s motivations, “he’s a Superman going with his less noble impulse. If Superman had a second thought, this is the guy indulging in that second thought.” Something fans may not know is when George first came to LA, he got to be in a movie with Christopher Reeves in the actor’s post-Superman days. Newbern had asked Reeve if it bothered him having people always think of him as Superman. The response Reeves gave him is something he’ll never forget, “at first it did but then I realized you know what…at the end of the day, I get to say that I was Superman.”
Also making his return to yet another beloved DC character is the incomparable Phil LaMarr. He’s done it all from MAD TV to Justice League, now he returns to voice Aquaman in Injustice 2. LaMarr who is no slouch in his knowledge of DC Comics lore really gets what Arthur Curry has gone through to just now be seen as a badass by the majority of comic fans. “What really makes him different from the rest of DC is being a hero and a king, not only does he have to do the save the day hero stuff, but he’s got a kingdom to rule over. You could see a lot of that in the first game. Plus he gets people eaten by a shark, who else can touch that?” Said LaMarr. We also talked about what he’s looking forward to the most when it comes to Injustice 2, “finally knowing what the story is.” It appears Boone and the group are set on trolling us all till the game launches in 2017.
It’s most definitely worth mentioning that joining this returning group of talent is Laura Bailey voicing Supergirl, whom also makes her first appearance in the Injustice games. Laura most recently voiced Uncharted 4’s Nadine, she could be a major voice in back-to-back game of the year contenders.
Because I had a fantastic time with the cast and Ed Boon talking Injustice 2, we’ve got a very special treat for you. Phil Lamarr was kind enough to do my all time favorite character of his and if you’re the first one to correctly tweet it at me, I’ll send you a fabulous Injustice 2 T-shirt.
