Antiheroes, sorcerers and the disciple of Scorpion himself. Mortal Kombat 1 will continue the tradition of offering new fighters and star guests after its launch, and despite the fact that the selection does not take us by surprise (Amazon already made the hare jump) it must be recognized that together they make a sensational group. Which does not mean that many Mortal Kombat fans wonder who the hell is Omni-Manand that more than one fan of comics does not know the name of Takeda Takahashi.
Despite Mortal Kombat 1 It still has a good assortment of launch characters and kameos to announce, and just like it did with the latest batches of Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11 content, Netherrealm Studios has shown off the six fighters that will be joining this new installment starting in September. Another thing is that he has made the proper presentations of each one. In that aspect, in iGamesNews we will update you.
Our starting point, as it could not be less, is the video that was used to announce them during the Warner panel and Mortal Kombat for the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con.
Three veterans of the Fatality saga along with three guests from different superhero franchises. And yes, the one who wears the metal helmet that looks like a urinal is the very same John Cena. Although this time he will not represent WWE, but rather one of the few heroes already formed for the DC Comics cinematographic renaissance: The peacemaker. A great starting point, in fact, for our review of these personalities.
Peacemaker – by DC Studios
- Debut: Fightin’ 5, from Charlton Comics. Number 40 corresponding to November 1966.
- Origen: The Suicide Squad (2021 film)
Created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette for Charlton Comics, and later rescued for DC comics, The peacemaker is the superheroic identity of Christopher Smitha reckless defender of peace who, in most cases, tends to act through excessive violence.
The version of the Peacemaker that arrives at Mortal Kombat 1 is inspired by the incarnation of John Cena (professional wrestler turned Hollywood star) who debuted in James Gane’s The Suicide Squad and, as a result, established himself for good with his own television series.
Omni-Man – Invincible
- Debut: Invincibleby Image Comics. Number 1 corresponding to January 2003.
- Origen: Invincible (series of 2021)
Created by Robert Kirkman (the author of The Walking Dead) and Cory Walker, Omni-Man is the father of the young superhero Invincible and, at the same time, offers the reader a cruel and perverse reflection of Superman: from the Viltrum, Omni-Man arrived on Earth where he gained recognition as Earth’s greatest defender while raising his own family as Nolan Grayson. The problem? More than a hero to humanity, he is a threat.
Interpreted by J. K. Simmons In the Amazon Prime Video animated series, Omni-Man possesses super strength, super speed, near infinite stamina, the ability to fly, and a spectacular mustache. As a fun fact, technically his true debut (as Omniman) was at number 53 of Supreme in 1997, picking up the baton Kirkman and reinterpreting it at his convenience to make him the father of his own hero: Invincible.
Homelander (the Patriot) – The Boys
- Debut: The Boys, from WildStorm and Dynamite Entertainment. Number 3 corresponding to November 2006.
- Origen: The Boys (series of 2019)
In 2006, authors Garth Ennis Darick Robertson turned superhero comics upside down with their work. The Boys, being Patriota the embodiment of good, justice and the American way of life facing the gallery. The reality is that he is cruel, narcissistic and sadistic”Super“with an absolutely devastating level of strength and superpowers very similar to those of the Man of Steel.
The version of Patriota that we will see in Mortal Kombat 1 is a photorealistic replica of the character shown in the Amazon Prime Video television series, with the image of Anthony Starr characterized as the character. In the absence of seeing who would win between him and Superman, the battles with Omni-Man will help us glimpse the limits of each caped anti-hero.
Ermac
- Debut: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
- Origen: Mortal Kombat (2011)
Ermac is not a fighter, but heto incarnation of countless souls in pain that Shao Kahn transmuted into one of his most powerful warriors. That explains the origin of his spells and powers that defy logic, plus the fact that when he refers to himself he does so in the plural.
Although Ermac debuted as one of the many color variants of the Mortal Kombat ninjas, the rumors of his appearance stem from the original Mortal Kombat, since Ed Boon (co-creator of the saga) established a code typified as ERMAC to help you catch programming errors. Thus, for years the appearance of those letters led to the rumor that there was a secret character.
Quan-Chi
The Archmage of the Netherrealm He is one of the greatest antagonists in the shadow of the entire saga Mortal Kombat. Or it was until, after the events of Mortal Kombat X, Raiden decided to nip the evil at the root. And the one who says wrong, says Quan-Chi’s neck. Of course, given the complex nature of him, the remains of him were tortured until the rewriting of the history of the God of Fire Liu Kang.
Although Quan Chi’s debut in the fighting saga is through Mortal Kombat 4his positioning as a great shadow villain will come with Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, being responsible for the cruel fate of Scorpion and Sub-Zero, as well as a key piece for the colossal background of the Fatality saga.
Takeda Takahashi
- Debut: Mortal Kombat X
- Origen: Mortal Kombat X
The biological son of Kenshi Takahashi and star disciple of Scorpion, Takeda he consolidates the legacy of the Shirai Ryu ninjas, providing a dynamic style based on the use of an extendable whip and the teachings of his teacher, to whom he has unquestionable loyalty. Skills that will guarantee him a place in Cassie Cage’s Special Forces team during the events of Mortal Kombat X.
The appearance that Takeda appears in the Kombat Pack is inspired by the Shirai Ryu uniform that he wears in Mortal Kombat X. However, it should be borne in mind that history was rewritten in Mortal Kombat 1, Scorpion’s ninja clan never existed and that Kenshi is part of the Japanese Yakuza. It will be interesting to find out what the context and personality is like in this installment.
An interesting selection in the playable and the plot
Netherrealm has a lot of academic freedom when it comes to adding guest fighters. Or, at least, you have the luxury of adding characters without having to give too many explanations fans about what happened or how they ended up there. However, we can see some very significant elements with the character selection: Patriot and Omni-Man are not only equivalent to Superman in many ways, but will give a very special game in the rethought air combat. And even though the Peacemaker doesn’t fly, we assume we’ll see Eagly the eagle.
In the case of the three veterans of the saga, there is an additional factor to take into account: none was present at Mortal Kombat 11 for many reasons. And not only that: the presence of at least two of them makes no sense after the changes made by Liu Kang when building his own era of peace.
Unlike the characters that come from other franchises, we know that Ed Boon places the characters from his own saga so that they have a purpose in the story. Proof of this is the reinstatement of Baraka, Li Mei and Tanya. And it smacks us that the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung, who will appear in Mortal Kombat 1 as a backup character, has a lot to do with the reinstatement of his former associates.
All these doubts and the answer to who would win when facing Omni-Man and Patriota will begin to be resolved from the September 6date on which Mortal Kombat 1 It’s coming to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Of course, we count on the contents of the Kombat Pack to arrive between the end of summer and next year.
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