DC found huge success with the Injustice: Gods Among Us video game tie-in comic. Despite the game releasing in the spring of 2013 (and the comic starting even sooner), the Injustice digital-first series is still going strong today and shows no signs of slowing down.
It only makes sense then for DC to partner with Injustice developer NetherRealm on a comic for the video game property that is the studio's claim to fame -- Mortal Kombat. The latest game in the gory fighting franchise, Mortal Kombat X, is releasing in April, and the digital-first comic tie-in that serves as a prequel to the game is available starting now. So how does it stack up?
In many ways, it's about what you would expect from a tie-in comic: a series for those interested in the video game and not much else. Where as Injustice defied those expectations and to some became a substitute for the DC universe proper, Mortal Kombat X makes no attempt to convert those who are not already among the Mortal Kombat faithful.
The story begins with mystical swordmaster Kenshi and an unknown boy fleeing from members of the Red Dragon organization. Just as the pair is surrounded by an army of Red Dragon goons, Scorpion arrives to save the day by dispatching his enemies in fantastically gory fashion (while uttering the cheestastic line "Get out of here" for good measure.)
Turns out Scorpion is a man redeemed, having conquered that whole "demon from hell" thing he's had going for him and reverting back to his normal Hanzo self. He's even started a temple to help train a new generation of fighters. Once the trio is safely at Scorpion's temple, it is revealed that the boy traveling with Kenshi is actually Kenshi's son. His mother was murdered by the Red Dragon clan (but not before she stabs a henchmen in the crotch with a katana in a graphic flashback) and was eventually found by Kenshi. The remainder of the issue follows Sub-Zero as he hunts for an ancient artifact for reasons that aren't yet made clear.
All that can be said about the art and writing is that they get the job done. This is Mortal Kombat we are talking about; nobody looking forward to this comic is expecting anything remotely close to subtle storytelling or above average writing. Gory finishing moves and iconic characters are what fans want to see, and that is what this first chapter delivers.
If you were looking for more you might be disappointed. The book's main problem is that it assumes all readers have finished the storyline for the 2009 Mortal Kombat game, of which Mortal Kombat X is a direct sequel. Characters and the events they survived years ago are given no context or explanation, making it difficult for those who haven't kept up with the series to jump in. Who is the Red Dragon clan? What exactly happened in the NetherRealm war? Why are people chasing these magic artifacts? Answers are sure to come in future issues, but this first taste doesn't make it easy for newcomers or even casual fans. Even people who may have played Mortal Kombat in the past could be lost.
All in all this first issue is a perfectly serviceable tie-in comic that Mortal Kombat fans will enjoy. For those on the outside of the fandom looking in, you aren't missing much.
Story
★★★☆☆
Art
★★★½☆☆
Overall
★★★☆☆
