After a disappointing second issue that featured little action and left plot threads from the first issue dangling, Mortal Kombat X had yet to live up to its namesake.
Thankfully at least one of those concerns are addressed with issue three. While the plot is still as silly and disjointed as ever, Mortal Kombat X # 3 makes up for it by giving fans what they've wanted all along -- over-the-top action.
In that department issue three delivers. Hanzo wakes up to find himself chained and hanging upside down from the ceiling by a demon-possessed Fox. Kenshi's son, Takeda, is there against his will as well, watching in horror. Fox urges Takeda to strike Hanzo down for being such a cruel master. He refuses, which then leads Fox to reveal the demon's true purpose, drawing out the dormant Scorpion persona lying within Hanzo. By butchering Hanzo's new clan, he forces Hanzo to relive painful memories from his past and go into a rage.
Fox is successful in his task. The spirit of Scorpion once again consumes Hanzo's body, leading to a fiery battle and a bloody fatality as Scorpion and Takeda team up to take down the demon. Hanzo then sets out with Takeda to find Raiden, who we get a glimpse of at the end of this issue as he uses the magic dagger in an attempt to find the demon roaming Earth, in the process teasing events to come in future issues.
This is what a Mortal Kombat comic should be all about: severed limbs, brutal fatalities and more blood than a butcher shop. That formula makes for an entertaining third issue with some strong artwork from Dexter Soy, even if the overarching story leaves much to be desired. While it was somewhat unclear in previous issues, it appears that there are multiple magic daggers floating around. Raiden uses one, Scorpion possesses another and we saw a hint at the end of the first issue that Kano may own a third. Or maybe Kano obtained the dagger for Raiden? But Raiden also gave a dagger to Scorpion?
Who knows at this point. What is this building towards? What do the daggers have to do with anything other than being "evil", and why are there so many of them? None of this is even remotely explained. A simple tournament plot featuring the game's cast of characters beating the tar out of each would be much preferred to this.
Issue three is definitely an improvement over past issues. Fans of Mortal Kombat who can't wait to dive into the storyline of the new game will find some enjoyment here, as will fans of gory fights. Everybody else should acknowledge the series for what it is -- a 99-cent tie-in comic that isn't going convert those who aren't already a fan.
Story
★★★½☆☆
Art
★★★½☆☆
Overall
★★★½☆☆
