Mass Effect art compiled in hardcover book from Dark Horse

Comic publisher Dark Horse has commissioned a new Mass Effect book that even James Vega can peruse without worrying over Drew Karpyshyn's reams of dense space prose. "The Art of the Mass Effect Universe" is a hardcover encapsulation of the entire franchise's visual work thus far, presented with (text) commentary from the folks at BioWare.

The $40 book's due in February 2012 and will contain art from Mass Effect 3, placing it in vague spoiler territory in front of the game's March debut. We can't say whether it will give you that long-awaited glimpse at Tali's face, but it'll definitely serve as a coffee-table tour of the opulent cities you've explored and the aliens you've engaged and/or punched. No word on iPad or Omni-tool versions yet.