| The look at the 1994 Mortal Kombat comic from Malibu Comics..... KONTINUES  |  |
| Published by: Malibu Comics October 1994 - April 1995 Bobby Rae - inker Charles Marshall - writer Dave Lanphear - letterer John Tobias, Mark Paniccia- editor Patrick Rolo - penciler Scott Christian Sava / Janice Wismar / Violent Hues -colourist |
ISSUE 3 - THE ART OF WAR
The show begins with Scorpion chucking his spiky-stone-on-a-rope at the helpless, tied to a wall Sub-Zero, who is whacked in the throat, and falls from his bonds. Scorpion repeats his earlier comments and vanishes. Whilst freeing the rest of the team, Sub-Zero and Hydro release that Scorpion intended to free them so no-one else could kill the Lin Kuei Ninjas. That, and to give Subby a good ol' whack to the throat and a threat or two.
The team descends into bickering and infighting until the Master of Threats, Goro arrives to...threaten away.
The show begins with Scorpion chucking his spiky-stone-on-a-rope at the helpless, tied to a wall Sub-Zero, who is whacked in the throat, and falls from his bonds. Scorpion repeats his earlier comments and vanishes. Whilst freeing the rest of the team, Sub-Zero and Hydro release that Scorpion intended to free them so no-one else could kill the Lin Kuei Ninjas. That, and to give Subby a good ol' whack to the throat and a threat or two.
The team descends into bickering and infighting until the Master of Threats, Goro arrives to...threaten away.
Meanwhile, the Sorcerer Shang Tsung has contacted Shao Kahn, who happily recaps the plot and also has a quick go at not-so-subtle threatening. You'd think that the Mortal Kombat tournament was all about posturing and violent uses of the English language at this point. Shang, possibly unwisely, breaks his magic telephone and tells any handy spies that may be listening his plans to take over Outworld from Shao Kahn, and the steps needed to complete this lofty goal.
Back in the dungeon (Hang on, we're ten pages into this issue, and there’s only been 2 locations. This is a Mortal Kombat comic, yes?) Goro has notched his threatening behavior up a level. By speaking in 3rd person. Kano remarks that if not for his second imminent beating by the Shokan Price, they may well have been friends. (remember, Kano may have concussion from the last issue).
Back in the dungeon (Hang on, we're ten pages into this issue, and there’s only been 2 locations. This is a Mortal Kombat comic, yes?) Goro has notched his threatening behavior up a level. By speaking in 3rd person. Kano remarks that if not for his second imminent beating by the Shokan Price, they may well have been friends. (remember, Kano may have concussion from the last issue).
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The Two Greatest Warriors Of The Order of Light©, The Twin Warriors Siang and Sang® transform themselves in The Ultimate Greatest Warrior of The Order of Light, And Possibly Ever™ SIANG!
There then follows a smack-down between SIANG! And Goro (General of the Armies of Outworld, and PRINCE! Of the Subterranean World of Shokan) the likes of which Vince McMahon could only dream of. The battle is only stopped when Raiden (God of Thunder and Lightning) hovers dramatically into view, shooting bolts at ....well, everybody.
There then follows a smack-down between SIANG! And Goro (General of the Armies of Outworld, and PRINCE! Of the Subterranean World of Shokan) the likes of which Vince McMahon could only dream of. The battle is only stopped when Raiden (God of Thunder and Lightning) hovers dramatically into view, shooting bolts at ....well, everybody.
Goro and Rayden start to grapple with yet more WWE-Level dialogue, and instead of helping, everyone else in the room has a daydream, or flashback of some design. This, somehow makes a unspoken unanimous decision between the Liu Kang and the Seven Kombateers to charge the Shokan Monster. Goro reacts with...threats, and then proceeds to whop the entire team. Big time.
Shang Tsung watches on with growing pleasure, until suddenly, Goro vanishes.
Shaken by this, Shang screams away at the Thunder God, who responds with a wanton act of vandalism by blowing a large hole in the Shang-Dungeon. The Kombateers fly away, leaving Shang throwing what appears to be oversized baby faces around the room.
Shang Tsung watches on with growing pleasure, until suddenly, Goro vanishes.
Shaken by this, Shang screams away at the Thunder God, who responds with a wanton act of vandalism by blowing a large hole in the Shang-Dungeon. The Kombateers fly away, leaving Shang throwing what appears to be oversized baby faces around the room.
MUSINGS ON THE ISSUE.
Well, apart from the art taking a slight step up (only one artist/inker/colorist this time out) and the plot of the series being laid on the line, sweet bugger all actually happens here. Three fights, all involving Goro and Shang merrily chatting away to the walls. Really, that is all that happens here. It's all set-up for the remainder of the series and the Goro: Prince of Pain miniseries. And it ends. Happily. Waving with a cheeky smile on it's face. All in all, that’s a poor planing for a issue. The change of pace is also quite jarring, as by this point you are used to the breakneck speed the series has been moving at, which somehow adds to it's charm. When it slows down in this issue, the cracks in the writing at art start to show dramatically. Also, there's nary a Pointy-Hatted-Ninja to be found in this one.
Well, we are halfway through the series now. Only three more to go. And as usual, here's a picture of Scorpion being awesome to tide you over till then.
Well, apart from the art taking a slight step up (only one artist/inker/colorist this time out) and the plot of the series being laid on the line, sweet bugger all actually happens here. Three fights, all involving Goro and Shang merrily chatting away to the walls. Really, that is all that happens here. It's all set-up for the remainder of the series and the Goro: Prince of Pain miniseries. And it ends. Happily. Waving with a cheeky smile on it's face. All in all, that’s a poor planing for a issue. The change of pace is also quite jarring, as by this point you are used to the breakneck speed the series has been moving at, which somehow adds to it's charm. When it slows down in this issue, the cracks in the writing at art start to show dramatically. Also, there's nary a Pointy-Hatted-Ninja to be found in this one.
Well, we are halfway through the series now. Only three more to go. And as usual, here's a picture of Scorpion being awesome to tide you over till then.
 | Adam "Gruffy" Nicol is the High Lord Protector of the Old Oilhouse, and has screamed at things not working right with it since the day it was born. His knowledge and love of 90's tat and pop culture borders on the worryingly psychotic.... |
