Mortal Kombat invades DC Universe

Mortal Kombat is getting a major makeover. For the first original installment on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Midway is not only tinkering with some of the fundamental features of the long-running fighting franchise, it's going to feature a crossover cast of characters pulled from the pages of DC Comics.

That means Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe will feature Sub-Zero and Scorpion taking on the likes of Superman and Batman. Other characters from each universe have yet to be confirmed for the game, but Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon told GameSpot the developers were looking for counterparts between the two brands.

The new characters won't be the only changes to the Mortal Kombat formula. Comic fans would no doubt cry foul if Superman dismembered an opponent and then proceeded to beat him to death with his own limbs, so Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe won't carry the familiar M for Mature rating.

As for the storyline excuse for the crossover, some unspecified climactic event causes the Mortal Kombat and DC universes to begin merging. Each world sees itself as being attacked by the other, and their respective characters join the fight to repel the strange invaders. To help pen the tale, Midway has enlisted comic creators Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Grey. The two have worked together previously on a number of DC and Marvel comics including Jonah Hex and Shana the She-Devil.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is set for release this fall. For more details on the game and its new fighting system, check out GameSpot's first preview.