When you think of characters that could be described as badass, I’m sure for most of you Alice in Wonderland would be lower on your list than Barney the Dinosaur. But in 2000, American McGee teamed up with EA to create a warped and disturbed version of the classic Wonderland. And last week it was announced by EA that American will be pulling fans back into the twisted and dark world with Alice: Madness Returns. The Alice of American’s adaptation is so demented and intense that she deserved recognition as a Badass of the Week. Go past the break for more, including the brand new teaser trailer for the sequel game coming out in 2011.

Back in 2000, PC gamers were introduced to a different Alice from the one they’d grown to love since they were kids. After a terrible fire killed her parents and left her burned and mentally scarred, you could say that American McGee’s Alice was a few fries short of a happy meal. She was taken to Rutledge Asylum to “recuperate”, but as her mind withered, so did Wonderland. The actual gameplay is all about Alice’s return to the uncontrolled Wonderland and her battle with the evil Queen of Hearts and her minions, who have taken control of the once magical place (and her mind). Confused? I don’t blame you. But the game is awesome.

This Alice isn’t the one you know from a storybook as a child. This Alice fights through different levels of executioner-esque Card Guards, demented asylum children, belligerent robotic ladybugs (sounds funny, but is actually very creepy), and a number of familiar but warped characters. The once-beloved Mad Hatter is now a raging psychopath who creates machinery with living bodies. The Duchess is now displaying cannibalistic tendencies. Alice’s main companion throughout the game is the Cheshire Cat, who is hardly more than a skeleton and an evil grin. Various toy-like weapons and the trusty Vorpal Blade are all Alice carries through the twisted Wonderland. (I found out recently that you can actually BUY a replica of the Vorpal Blade here. You want to buy it for me? Oh, you’re too kind.)

As of July 20th, it is officially official that American McGee will be teaming up with EA again to further Alice’s horrific story. Here’s the first of three teaser trailers. (Fair warning, it’s a bit gruesome. I don’t recommend watching it if you’re squeamish. Or if you’re currently eating dinner.)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrjXLlsoPlI[/youtube]

Alice slices and dices through her imagination nightmare to claim back both Wonderland and her mind, and does so like a true badass. Thus, she absolutely and wholly deserves the title of Badass of the Week. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the next two teaser trailers of Alice: Madness Returns!