DC Comics has today announced a six-issue mini-series of comic books based on the world of the upcoming Batman: Arkham City game that aim to provide further background information on this sprawling maximum security prison built within Gotham City.

The Batman: Arkham City comic series, (written by Batman: The Animated Series writer Paul Dini and drawn by Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City concept artist Carlos D’anda) will also bridge the story gap between Batman: Arkham Asylum and the next game from developer Rocksteady, and will become available starting this May, “day-and-date digitally worldwide” for $2.99 each.

Additionally, eight page “digital-first interludes” will be released in-between the release of each comic for $0.99 each, and will focus on “The Dark Knight’s many enemies as they vie for power in this new city within a city.”

DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee said of the Arkham City digital interludes:

“The digital first stories offer a unique incentive for fans to experience interesting and exciting stories beyond the pages in the printed comic. The additional pages will serve as interludes within the regular issues and won’t be necessary to follow the main story of the mini-series. Fans will also be able to read these interludes in print later, when we publish the collected edition.”

”Read the comic before you play the game,” reads a press release, “and keep an eye out for the issue #1 variant cover, utilising in-game graphics. Batman: Arkham City [the comic] will double-ship in its first month, with issues #1 & #2 landing in May.”

Take a look at the first cover in the six-part series of comics below: