It sure does seem like Raiden hurts more than he helps the heroes of Mortal Kombat. The guy is supposed to be a god and a defender of Earth, but all he really does it muck things up.
From the start of this series, Raiden's inability to inform others and his complete failure to safeguard the Komidogu daggers has caused disaster after disaster.
His failures come to a head this issue when he becomes possessed by the Kamidogu and proceeds to dish our some serious pain to all of his friends and comrades.
Sucks to be Raiden (or his friends). His friends have it especially rough, as they become the unwilling sacrifices in a ritual to elevate Reiko to god status. Mileena, Kotal Kahn, Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade are each hooked up IVs and have their blood pumped into a fountain.
It all seems a little silly. If Reiko needs the "blood of champions" to become a god, why not just kill Johnny, Sonya and the others and get their blood that way? Why strap them into beds and stick needles in their arms?
But hey, whatever works. Reiko drinks their blood before being stabbed by all seven Kamidogu daggers, transforming into a powerful diety that is certain to spell doom for his living blood banks.
Despite Raiden's dramatic arrival and Reiko's master plan finally coming to fruition, this issue lacks the same punch we've seen prior in this series. Most of the characters outside of Reiko and Havik don't get the chance to speak, as they are gagged and strapped to a bed. The banter between "frenimies" Mileena and Kotal Kahn or the strained relationship between Johnny and Sonya have served the last couple issues of Mortal Kombat X well, but without that all readers are left with is the ramblings of Havik. Without any fatalities or blissfully gory splash pages to make up for the lack of entertaining dialogue, this issue falls a little flat.
Story
★★☆☆☆
Art
★★★☆☆
Overall
★★☆☆☆
More Comic Book Reviews:
Mortal Kombat #27
Batman: Arkham Knight #21
Batman #42
Mad Max: Fury Road: Max #1
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