 | It's time to finish this off. The last instalment of the Mortal Kombat: Blood and Thunder story.. Its issue 7..of 6...  |
Published by: Malibu Comics
October 1994 - April 1995
Richard Emond - inker
Charles Marshall - writer
Tomoka Saito - letterer
John Tobias, Mark Paniccia- editor
Patrick Rolo - penciler
Scott Christian Sava / Janice Wismar / Violent Hues -colourist
October 1994 - April 1995
Richard Emond - inker
Charles Marshall - writer
Tomoka Saito - letterer
John Tobias, Mark Paniccia- editor
Patrick Rolo - penciler
Scott Christian Sava / Janice Wismar / Violent Hues -colourist
MORTAL KOMBAT BLOOD AND THUNDER 7 - TOURNAMENT EDITION
The issue kicks off with Johnny Cage attempting to work out why he's been left upside amongst broken pottery. Whilst he is a Hollywood star, this is no Hollywood party, as he recollects that he is fighting for his life in Moral Kombat. By the power of monologue, Cage gets the reader caught up to speed, before launching himself back into the fray.
The issue kicks off with Johnny Cage attempting to work out why he's been left upside amongst broken pottery. Whilst he is a Hollywood star, this is no Hollywood party, as he recollects that he is fighting for his life in Moral Kombat. By the power of monologue, Cage gets the reader caught up to speed, before launching himself back into the fray.
Meanwhile, Sub Zero, and his opponent (the barely seen in this series so far Jax) kick seven bells out of each other, with Jax proving himself the victor by being "the biggest meanest dog", which makes me think that Jax is somehow related to Leroy Brown
On the other side of the room, Sonya Blade hunts Kano, but is in turn hunted by Mileena, daughter of Shao Kahn. Mileena, whilst beating down Sonya, thinks her own back story to herself, as this issue is meant to be Mortal Kombat 2, and these characters have had no time yet to tell others about their tales.
Shang Tsung watches on with amusement, and though he spares a thought for the missing Goro, his attention is on the plot device for the series, The Tao Ze Zhan. In one confusing panel, Tsung awaits Baraka to be horribly electrocuted before attacking Rayden (still?) and gaining control of the book at long last.
Shang Tsung watches on with amusement, and though he spares a thought for the missing Goro, his attention is on the plot device for the series, The Tao Ze Zhan. In one confusing panel, Tsung awaits Baraka to be horribly electrocuted before attacking Rayden (still?) and gaining control of the book at long last.
Meanwhile, Scorpion takes on a weakened Sub Zero, planning to finish of the Blue Ninja once and for all, before he is in turn attacked by Kitana, Shao Kahn's OTHER daughter. Kitana manages to dispatch the ghoul, whilst much like her sister, pummelling him with her back story. Johnny Cage and Baraka tussle, which brings them into contact with Shang Tsung (remember, this entire issue takes place in a single room). Shang insults the pair, and is promptly thrown from his fancy balcony.
Kano grabs the book, before being challenged by Liu Kang, who appears to take having a knife placed in his back personally. Kano points out the on his best day, Liu would have difficulty fighting Kano, and this is most certainly not his best day. Liu is mercilessly pummelled, until Kung Lao steps in, and kicks Kano in the throat. Kano, via the ancient art of cheating, gains the upper hand swiftly before mocking the fallen Order Of Light Warrior. This angers Kung enough to throw Kano through the nearest wall. Liu, however, comes to and grabs hold of the Tao Ze Zhan. After spending some time wandering through his memories, he decides he does not need the book, but only needs to be true to himself. Reptile then grabs the flung tome, and snakes back to his current master.
Shang is given the book, until Rayden swoops in to attack. Shang and Rayden duke it out, as only two very old people can, and the book is blown from Shang's grasp.....
....into the waiting hands of Goro. The Four-Armed Monster solves the final riddle without breaking a sweat, and is instantly given the powers of the god themselves.
Shang paps his britches almost as instantly.
Shang suggests teaming his powers with Rayden to removes the Tao Ze Zhan from Goro, as with that power, Goro could never be trusted. Everybody piles in, and the united energies manage to removes the power from a squealing begging Goro.
....into the waiting hands of Goro. The Four-Armed Monster solves the final riddle without breaking a sweat, and is instantly given the powers of the god themselves.
Shang paps his britches almost as instantly.
Shang suggests teaming his powers with Rayden to removes the Tao Ze Zhan from Goro, as with that power, Goro could never be trusted. Everybody piles in, and the united energies manage to removes the power from a squealing begging Goro.
With the Tao Ze Zhan relocked, and the powers restored, the Tournament comes to a end, and the Kombateers leave the island. Goro sulks at Shang, whilst the ancient Sorcerer plans for the return of Mortal Kombat
MUSINGS ON THE ISSUE
God damn, I missed Goro and his overblown way of speaking. Which, in this comic is really saying something. Goro having the power taken away is actually very well done, his pleading and begging comes across as very heartfelt. However, this final issue only really serves the purpose of introducing the MKII characters into the fray, which is it's biggest downfall. The over-arching story of the series has only been one of getting characters to fight which, granted, may seem an odd complaint given the source material. However, at the same time as this, Manga UK was also reprinting the Street Fighter 2 Manga (rarer than hen's teeth these days) which took those characters and fleshed out an incredible back story and world. The Mortal Kombat series comes tantalisingly close so many times to achieving these, but constantly reverts back to some of the worst tropes of the media in the 90s. That being said, I truly love the pencils of Patrick Rolo, and no matter what else, his work elevates this series way above what the writing would have it be.
There we go, seven days of Mortal Kombat: Blood and Thunder. Komix X-treme will go to being a weekly / bi-weekly post from this point out, as I take a look at other comics the decade put out. And don't worry, It won't be long until we return to Mortal Kombat, as we still don't know the story of where Goro went........
Until next time, I remain,
God damn, I missed Goro and his overblown way of speaking. Which, in this comic is really saying something. Goro having the power taken away is actually very well done, his pleading and begging comes across as very heartfelt. However, this final issue only really serves the purpose of introducing the MKII characters into the fray, which is it's biggest downfall. The over-arching story of the series has only been one of getting characters to fight which, granted, may seem an odd complaint given the source material. However, at the same time as this, Manga UK was also reprinting the Street Fighter 2 Manga (rarer than hen's teeth these days) which took those characters and fleshed out an incredible back story and world. The Mortal Kombat series comes tantalisingly close so many times to achieving these, but constantly reverts back to some of the worst tropes of the media in the 90s. That being said, I truly love the pencils of Patrick Rolo, and no matter what else, his work elevates this series way above what the writing would have it be.
There we go, seven days of Mortal Kombat: Blood and Thunder. Komix X-treme will go to being a weekly / bi-weekly post from this point out, as I take a look at other comics the decade put out. And don't worry, It won't be long until we return to Mortal Kombat, as we still don't know the story of where Goro went........
Until next time, I remain,
 | 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.... |
