Since assuming ownership of Midway's intellectual properties in July of 2010 [full story], Warner Brothers have shown clear intent to capitalize on the Mortal Kombat brand in all of it's potential licensing and merchandising mediums.

To accompany the release of the upcoming game in April, a series of licensing deals have already been formed by WB and it's subsidiaries, to produce: an Official Strategy Guide with Prima Games; a custom game stick by PDP [Performance Designed Products]; an as yet untitled digitally released live-action series; and a concept music album with Teenage Riot Records, Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors.

In Spring, their massive merchandising line-up will be joined by a series of new action figures released by Jazwares. The deal is a return of the MK license to the toy manufacturer, who created three series of action figures inspired by Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, from 2005 to 2007.

Jazwares Series 1 Mortal Kombat: Deception Action Figures (2005).

In an interview with aNb media earlier in the month; Jazwares Executive Vice-President of Sales, Laura Zebersky, confirmed the renewel of their Mortal Kombat licensing agreement in a vague reference to their Spring plans.

In addition to the all-important fourth quarter, Jazwares focuses on events surrounding our licenses such as game releases and TV events. We release new product to coincide with video game releases. At the time of the Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing game release this past spring, we launched a new line of vehicles, which were shown in the game. We have the same plan in place for the scheduled release of the new Mortal Kombat game this spring.

JazWares' previous releases included two versions of Scorpion and Sub-Zero, alongside 6' figures for Raiden, Baraka, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Kano, Johnny Cage, Noob Saibot, and Reptile, who are all expected to be present in the current game. Limited Goro and Kintaro figures were also designed.

How previous releases will effect selection for the new series of action figures remains to be seen. No certain details are available regarding the new toy line-up, but Italian gaming site, Multiplayer.com, has an order page featuring render images of Raiden, Johnny Cage, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero in their present form, not all widely available. The reliability of this information is presently unverified, but French site, Sikozu, is also featuring the same artwork resources, with a listed release date of March 25.

Update Feb. 14: Jazwares is expected to unveil their complete range of MK and Street Fighter action figures at the upcoming 108th Annual American International Toy Fair. In the Toy Fair line-up are the previously reported 6" figures based on current designs for Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Johnny Cage.

In conjunction with the 6" feature releases, there will be a series of 3.75" repaint figures based on the Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 palette swap ninja design. Available in yellow, blue, green, and grey they are Scorpion, "Classic" Sub-Zero, Reptile, and "Human" Smoke. Complimenting these is a three-pack Lin Kuei cyborg set, featuring; Smoke, Sektor, and Cyrax.

Toy Fair 2011 begins February 14, running for four days until Wednesday, February 18. Images of the Jazwares display plan have leaked on the internet, despite a clear no photography embargo. Mortal Kombat Online will continue to follow the story as it develops.

Update Feb. 22: Toy Fair 2011 produced only the afforementioned teaser display, with no glimpses of the Jazwares action figures themselves. Toy News International featured pictures of the display [pictured above], with many more shots from the show floor in their expanded gallery. MKO will continue to monitor the story.

Thanks to Inside Mortal Kombat for forwarding the Italian site lead. If you think you have a newslead, let MKO know about it. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter, @MK_Online!