For once, an issue of Mortal Kombat X isn't soaked in blood and gore. Even more surprising, this issue works surprisingly well, despite its near total lack of violence.
Instead, writer Shawn Kittelson delivers a strong issue with some on-point writing, promises of major battles to come and a behind-the-curtain look at who exactly has been possessing these various characters through the cursed daggers.
Shocking, I know. A Mortal Kombat comic without even one fatality? But stick with me. This issue picks up right where issue #12 left off, as Erron Black pleads for forgiveness from emperor Kotal Khan for losing Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs to Shang Tsung's men. Kotal fears war with Earthrealm as a result of Black's actions, and Johnny and Sonya aren't making any promises if their daughter isn't rescued.
A core theme runs throughout issue #13 - family. From Kotal Khan mourning the loss of his father, to Goro's father comforting his son after his brutal defeat several issues ago, this is a surprisingly emotional issue of Mortal Kombat that manages to ground some of these over-the-top characters and give them something worth fighting for.
Johnny and Sonya are no different. Kotal knows Sonya and Johnny will do anything to rescue their family, just as he would have done, so he grants them his finest ship and a group of his most skilled warriors to assault Shang Tsung's island fortress. But in order to do so, they all will have to survive a Shokan invasion - no simple task.
All the while a confrontation that fans never grow tired of brews. That's right, another duel between Sub-Zero and Scorpion. Sub-Zero is possessed by the dagger and seems to have his ice powers amplified as Scorpion explores a frozen city in Japan. It's going to take everything Scorpion and his apprentice Takeda have to bring him down, but of course, we'll have to wait next issue to see the battle truly begin.
The final reveal at the end of this issue starts to link together the various plot threads we've seen throughout this series. All these characters and storylines are about to collide, and it's going to make for one bloody good time.
Story
★★★★☆
Art
★★★☆☆
Overall
★★★★☆
More Comic Book Reviews:
Mortal Kombat #12
Batman: Arkham Knight #6
Batman #39
Gotham Academy #6
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