Welcome to Week 2 of Garlador's "Kharacter of the Week"! Last week, we discussed the four armed sex-changed Goro, Sheeva, so if you haven't given her any love yet (and she'll take it from you by force), be sure to do so.

Moving on, we tackle the our next exciting entrant, the oh-so-politically correct NIGHTWOLF!

WHO IS NIGHTWOLF?
Gary Nightwolf (you didn't know his first name was "Gary"?) is a mystic Native American shaman that uses the powers of his spiritual ancestors to open up a can of Whoop-whoop-ass on anyone dumb enough to question the size of his tepee.



Nightwolf debuted in Mortal Kombat 3, back when the series was trying to diversify itself as more than just "the game with the ninjas" by instead becoming "the game with all the minorities... and robots".


(Or in some cases, both)

Nightwolf, of course, was called into action by Raiden as a chosen warrior. Of course, he had to leave his prior profession behind as a member of the Village People.

(obligatory Village People joke out of the way early... are you people happy now?)

Okay, so Nightwolf actually started off as a historian, due in no small part to his interest in his ancestral heritage, but he also was able to conjure mystic green weapons... just like a less-cool version of Green Lantern.

(Green Lantern is shooting Green Arrows at Green Arrow! Nightwolf could totally sue for that.)

So, he's a Native American shaman historian with green energy weapons. Basically, it charts out a tad like this:

(See, Indiana Jones is in there because he's part historian and part INDIAN...a Jones. Okay, I'll shut up now.)

Beyond that, he's actually one of the more powerful and potent members of the merry band of heroes, and one of the few that seems to know anything about anything, partially due to visions, partially because he's proactive like that.

(Nightwolf supports Proactive Solutions. Raiden doesn't. Who do YOU want as Earthrealm's protector?)

He's also got a thing for wolves, seeing as how it's in his name and the MK team is insanely subtle about how people are named and what that says about them.

(I think Nightwolf may like wolves a little TOO much in this scene...)

WHY IS NIGHTWOLF IN THE SERIES?
As mentioned above, MK3 was the "DIVERISTY!" installment of the franchise.

(Once Nightwolf shows up, they can summon Captain Fatality)

Another reason is because MK's direct competitors at the time had THEIR Native American heroes... and Midway didn't want to seem behind the times. Of course, the representation of the dying Native American spirit was represented by THUNDERhawk and Chief THUNDER, and Capcom and Rare's portrayal of a stereotyped, oppressed, mistreated group of people was behind the times as well...

(...behind the times like the prior damn century. Goddammit!)

Surely Midway would change all that. Surely they could show a Native American hero as something other than a buckskin boot-toting, war-paint wearing, feather-in-the-hair football mascot.


(...Or maybe not.)

Well, at least his name isn't "THUNDERwolf". Baby steps, people. Baby steps.


(No! Your baby steps are going in the wrong direction!)


(No! Bad Netherrealm Studios! Bad! Bad!.... Do you think Nightwolf ever walks in to the local Wal-mart dressed like THIS!?)

While his design may be a tad bit... er.... "culturally incorrect", it could have been much worse.


(Much...)


(Much...)


(MUCH worse...)

Okay, so truth be told, Nightwolf was actually one of the more progressive Native American heroes to debut at the time (which isn't saying much), and unlike most characters in the series, Nightwolf has always been portrayed with the utmost respect and dignity.

(Well, except for that ONE time....)

As a Native American myself, I would just like to see Native Americans portrayed as something other than the bow-and-arrow, mystical warriors. You can't just have a Native American hero; oh no, he has to have mystic powers and use bow and arrow. It gets old after awhile.

(Domasi "Tommy" Tawodi from PREY and Turok from TUROK get passes because one kills aliens with a pipe-wrench and the other is stabbing a velociraptor in the face... which automatically gives you at least three more balls than Duke Nukem ever had)

Still, Nightwolf embraces that cheesy shaman side like a fat man embraces an all-you-can-eat buffet. Made of chocolate. And boobs. And chocolate boobs.

(two great tastes that taste great together)

NIGHTWOLF'S STORY-
Nightwolf got retconned into being in the very first MK tournament. He shows up acting all wise and mysterious, and he's built up as this great mystical shaman that's so zen that he gives Scorpion a nice verbal smackdown before their fight.

("I'm sorry. I wasn't listening to you bitch about your fictional, make-believe ninja tribe being wiped out. I was too busy suppressing my sorrow and rage at my REAL LIFE tribe being slaughtered and run off their homelands.")

Sadly, he gets his butt kicked. Which was kinda disappointing. I mean, why build him up as this powerful, capable warrior, only for him to get eliminated so easily? I mean, why would you do that?


But then Nightwolf shows up later, again acting all mystic and wise, and starts recruiting heroes that Raiden can't be bothered to recruit himself.

(when he's not killing them, that is)

Nightwolf then gives Quan Chi and Noob Saibot a beatdown and saves the souls of Earthrealm from falling into Kahn's hands. Because winning one fight apparently is qualifying traits for leadership, Raiden makes him the "leader" and departs to have a hissy fit with his godly brethren. Nightwolf then leads the heroes into a stirring victory against Kahn, proving his impeccable leadership and talents and saving the day.

("Okay, my battle strategy is flawless. We shall attack her one at a time. First, Jax, you defend us with your jugular... what? What's that look for? Jax, trust me! I'm a mystic Indian shaman! Everything's gonna be FINE!")

Sadly, his perfect plan falls apart and Nightwolf is left to fight a PMSing Sindel mano-y-mano. Despite the fact that I beat her with a double-flawless victory, apparently that doesn't count, so Nightwolf blows himself up to stop her.

(Even when you win, you're still a loser)

So, poor Nightwolf came flying in, made some noise, but didn't quite have the bite to match his bark.

(he should have fought Bo Rai'Cho instead...)

NIGHTWOLF'S FUTURE:
Nightwolf used to be one of the most hated characters in the series, second only to Stryker.

(Which was like saying the Ewoks weren't as hated as Jar-Jar)

But he really has come a long way, both in Deception and in this game, as a viable, serious character that manages to surpass his stereotypical "magic Indian" cliches and become one of the most versatile, interesting, competent, and likable characters in the franchise. Sure, he's got some dated elements to him...


(very dated...)

...But he played very well in the recent games, had a definite presence, and he's been very important in stories (particularly in Deception where it's implied HE saved them all from Onaga... suck on THAT Shujinko). Personally, he's one of my favorites, being noble, strong, wise, and yet necessarily brutal and efficient when the task calls for it. He's one of the most down-to-earth heroes, yet also is unique enough to stand out in a game full of demon-spawned ninjas, robots, dragons, monsters, and Hollywood celebrities. He carved out his fanbase, did well by them, and made his gameplay appealing, so I think Nightwolf has nowhere to go but up.

(or down. Way down. Into hell. As Quan Chi's slave. Just like the others.)

Eh... well, at least he's had it better than most Native Americans in video games.

(We've come so far...)

So that about wraps it up for Nightwolf. Now let's get some discussion on him. How do you feel about him in general? Do you think he plays well? Do you like his stories? Do you find him to be a respectful portrayal of Native Americans, or a walking cliche of tired Indian tropes? How 'bout his fate in the story or the merits of his leadership abilities? Would you miss him if he didn't return? Would you never notice he was gone?

Let your voice be heard! Sound off on the wolfish hero! Or let me know who I should cover next!

Alrighty people. Garlador out.