Rockstar Games today announced that along with starring in a new game set for release later this year, noir detective Max Payne will also be featured in a 3-part comic series that will be unveiled in a couple weeks. Written by Rockstar's Dan Houser and original Max Payne developer Remedy's Sam Lake, this Max Payne comic series will explore Payne's story up to and through the first two games.

While Lake will be contributing to the comics, it's important to note he is not involved with the console title. What's even weirder is that the in-game comics that were featured in the first Max Payne actually used Lake's likeness as Payne's. 

Even gamers that feel they have a firm grasp on Payne's back-story will be happy to know that the comic also explores his early years -- beyond just moments from the first two games. What exactly we might see is unclear, but if it better informs Payne's story in MP3 it should be worth checking out.

In addition to writing from Lake and Houser, the Max Payne 3 comic series will feature cover art by Greg Horn and penciling/inking by Fernando Blanco. The Payne games have always been known for a very stark visual aesthetic — something that we hope carries over into these comic books.

Since it's been quite some time since Max Payne has been featured in the limelight, it makes sense for Rockstar to release some sort of story refresher, and a comic book is the perfect fit. While still grounded in the noir genre, the first two Max Paynes also had a comic book feel to them, highlighted most specifically by the interstitial cut scenes.

The first issue of the Max Payne 3 comic is titled 'After the Fall', and is scheduled to release in a few weeks. Even more exciting than that is the announcement that the comic will be available for free on Rockstar's Newswire, at the official Max Payne 3 site, and on additional digital comic outlets.

For more information about this Max Payne 3 comic, and to delver deeper into the world of Rockstar's new game, make sure to stick tuned to Game Rant.

Are you excited to see Sam Lake return to the Max Payne story even if it is for a comic? What elements of Payne's history are you interested to know more about?

Max Payne 3 releases May 15, 2012 for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Source: Rockstar Games