Cryptic Studios, busy at work on the upcoming MMO Marvel Universe Online for the Xbox 360 and PC, is bringing in a person many would consider a big gun in the comics world to help them further flesh out the title. Enter design writer John Layman, a twelve year veteran of the comic book industry and game writer.

Layman has a quite a track record for himself, having worked on several prominent Marvel Comics series, Including Gambit, House of M: Fantastic Four, and Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness. He’s also created some of his own titles for clients, including Puffed for Image Comics and Armageddon & Son for Oni Press. Layman has even tried his hand in video games already, contributing to Metroid: Hunters for the Nintendo DS and the Marvel Trading Card Game for the PSP.

In a recent interview with TenTonHammer, Layman had this to say of Cryptic’s strategy for Marvel Universe Online and working with Marvel:

“If you stay respect the property, the fans, and stay true to the characters, you’ll have a much easier time getting through the approval process.”

Cryptic Studios is best known for developing City of Heroes and City of Villains. It seems to be quite serious about making Marvel Universe Online just as exciting as those two titles.