Toasty! Scorpion brings the heat in this week's issue of Mortal Kombat, as the yellow ninja concludes the battle with his icy counterpart Sub-Zero.
It's fitting that the climactic clash of the two warriors arrives in comic form in the same week as the release of the Mortal Kombat X game. These two fighters have long represented the franchise, their long and bloody history binding together their fates.
Scorpion is showing no mercy here. He has given into his rage as the fiery spirit of vengeance we've come to know and love. Sub-Zero was possessed by the Kamidogu — much as Hanzo is now possessed by Scorpion. Each is now the sole surviving member of his old clan, but Hanzo doesn't see the similarity between the two. All he sees is an opportunity to rid the world of Sub-Zero once and for all.
And that's when Scorpion's mask comes off, revealing the flaming skull beneath. Artist Dexter Soy certainly draws a terrifying figure. It's no wonder Sub-Zero pleads for his life, attempting to return Scorpion to reason.
The aftermath of the battle makes it clear that this won't be the last we see of Sub-Zero, despite this battle's outcome. It's a satisfying conclusion to Scorpion's current story arc, thanks to writer Shawn Kittelson, who manages to bring recurring themes of revenge, forgiveness and redemption into play over the course of the fight. For once, the issue doesn't wink at readers with a joke or shouted catchphrase. Instead, Kittelson lets the drama play out as it should, which makes much more of an impact.
Hanzo and Takeda set out to return Sub-Zero's dagger to Raiden. But just as one fight ends, another begins. Kotal Khan's city is under siege by an army of angry Shokan warriors. Kotal attempts to parlay — but it doesn't look like Kintaro and company came to negotiate.
The stage is certainly set for an epic, Helms Deep-like siege, as Johnny Cage and his soldiers are mounted on the walls with sniper rifles alongside Kotal Khan's troops, wielding bows and arrows. Now that Mortal Kombat X (the game) is here, it will be interesting to see how all this connects to the game's storyline.
Story
★★★★☆
Art
★★★☆☆
Overall
★★★★☆
More Comic Book Reviews:
Mortal Kombat #14
Batman: Arkham Knight #8
Batman #39
Convergence #1
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