It's almost hard to believe, but in this Year of the Dragon, Mortal Kombat is celebrating twenty years of the tournament we know and love! It was way back in August, 1992 that arcade machines spread a unique brand of martial mayhem, the likes of which the world is still coming to terms with!
Pop Culture Shock Collectibles are just as excited for the milestone -- and are kicking off festivities by partnering with Mortal Kombat Online to give one lucky member the chance to claim a Limited Edition Life-Size Sub-Zero Bust!
In this full-scale, life-size product, Pop Culture Shock Collectibles have realized one of their most dramatic creations yet! With a scowl that sends a shiver up mortal spines, the life-size bust stands 22" tall. Available in three versions, the high quality Sub-Zero brings the latest design to life with chilling accuracy and unique limited edition features.
At only 200 units for order, Sideshow Collectibles offer an exclusive variant of the original bust, with revolutionary acrylic eyes that can be positioned to threaten enemies anywhere in the room! Standard busts can also be ordered via Sideshow Collectibles, with an icey blue fixed stare [full details].
If that's not cool enough, Pop Culture Shock Collectibles have an ultra rare Light-Up Eyes variant you can only procure through direct order -- and this Mortal Kombat Online contest!
Legacy director Kevin Tancharoen calls the standard Sub-Zero bust "badass" -- valued at $625, we call the light-up eyes variant the ultimate collector's item for any stone cold, die hard fan!
For a chance to win, all you have to do is ensure you are registered member of Mortal Kombat Online. Then, simply post a comment in the appropriate forum kontest thread, declaring your intention to enter the draw! Kontest entry will run throughout August, with the winner announced on-site and notified by e-mail.
Please Note:Due to the significant size of the prize, this contest will regretably only be open to users with a mailing address in the United States. Individuals may only enter once, users found entering multiple times will be disqualified. Prize must be claimed within thirty days.
Edit:Kongratulations ! Winner of a Limited Edition Life-Size Sub-Zero bust thanks to Pop Culture Shock Collectibles! Fret not, MKOmmunity! There are more MKOntests to come! Stay tuned!
Pop Culture Shock Collectibles have been a trusted name in limited edition, high-end gaming and media collectibles for years. Their catalogue currently includes Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter and Darkstalkers. More product information is available at the official website, and by liking Pop Culture Shock Collectibles on Facebook.
Stay tuned to Mortal Kombat Online throughout August as we continue anniversary celebrations with the MKOmmunity! Share your klassic memories in the Year of the Dragon, help us crown a Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion and much more! Get mobile updates by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook!
For the impaler who has everything, Syco Collectibles are expanding their Mortal Kombat lineup with a unique and unexpected twist on the license -- decapitated heads on a pike!?
Mini Heads cut the fat (and the rest of the body) to deliver collectible versions of just the iconic mugs found atop a fighters shoulders.
Not quite on a pike, an 11" stand allows for interchangeable display of characters, accomodating future releases for fans keen to skip straight to the head. All future Mini Heads will be made available with options to buy with or without display stand.
The series begins with merchandising staple and all around hellacious ninja, Scorpion, and his cold-blooded green-skin equivalent, Reptile.
This is the first time Reptile has appeared in a Syco product, hand painted and sculpted to match the most recent design featured in Mortal Kombat games. In his fourth product incarnation, Scorpion has the distinction of this time baring his spectral skull-face, exposed on the right side [thumbnail gallery below]. Scorpion too is based on recent designs, fully masked on his left.
Mortal Kombat Online will endeavour to update with purchase information for Syco Mini Heads as it becomes available, along with additional items. Follow and discuss these products and more in the Media & Merchandising forum. There, you have the chance to win the Ultimate Mortal Kombat Movie Experience! Keep up to date as the Year of the Dragon 20th Anniversary celebrations continue by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook.
The most watched series on YouTube is officially coming back! Mortal Kombat: Legacy will return for a second season with director Kevin Tancharoen, who announced the news the only way that would make sense -- in an online video! [via IGN]
Details of release remain scarce, but the announcement comes with confirmation that the second series will deal primarily with the events of the Mortal Kombat tournament itself!
Drawing on feedback from fans, Tancharoen notes the intent to present a greater amount of fighting, action and effects in the second season. Leaving little to chance, a cavalcade of characters have also already been confirmed to have some involvement in the tournament series!
Jax, Sonya Blade, Kano, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Quan Chi, Kitana, Mileena, Baraka, Stryker, Raiden, Johnny Cage and Shang Tsung will return from the first series. Promising new additions include: Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Ermac and Kenshi. No news on casting.
Taking to Twitter, Tancharoen has confirmed that the new Legacy series will have no impact on the feature film widely reported to be in early stages of pre-production. He clarifies that recently released excerpts from a script are from the feature film, not Legacy. Responding to questions, he also goes so far as to state Kabal will be in the film. There have been no further comments on plot rumors released in June [full story].
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Season 2 does not affect the movie.
In anticipation of just such an announcement, Mortal Kombat Online is giving fans the chance to win the Ultimate Mortal Kombat Movie Experience! The special July prize pack is the perfect way to prepare yourself for the new series, including a Blu-Ray copy of Mortal Kombat: Legacy and much more! Follow the link for entry details.
Relive the excitement of the original Mortal Kombat: Legacy with our extensive coverage kompendium, including cast details, teaser images and all the details from the first series. Follow and discuss new progress on the Media & Merchandise forum, and by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook!
Featured in yesterday's G4TV live interview with Creative Director Ed Boon [full story]; the latest trailer for Injustice: Gods Among Us hints at the circumstances of a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred!
Nightwing and Cyborg join the league of characters who'll combat the Gods Among Us in 2013 -- coming to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360andNintendo Wii U.
Presented in isolation [page top], the SDCC trailer doesn't neglect the characters already confirmed. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Harley Quinn and Solomon Grundy fill out the current roster of eight, part of the title launch.
We added a list of our own desired characters with the Mortal Kombat Online Top 10 Heroes and Villains we'd like to see. We can check Nightwing off the list. Add and discuss your most desired inclusions in the DC Universe Injustice forum. Get additional live updates by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook.
Buildings crumble and super powers collide in an exclusive new Injustice: Gods Among Us trailer featured by G4TV! The trailer comes packaged with an on-the-floor interview with the face of NetherRealm Studios, Creative Director Ed Boon.
Newly revealed [full story], Nightwing and Cyborg get their spotlight in the trailer, showing off the gameplay that is currently on display on the floor at San Diego Comic-Con (booth #1915)! Also featured are the other heroes and villains of Injustice, executing a range of attacks from basic Gadget interactions, to super attacks that bring in the iconic powers and weaponry familiar to the comics.
Interviewed by G4's Blair Herter; Creative Director Ed Boon discusses the vital differences between the playstyle of Batman and his most famous apprentice, the former-Robin known as Nightwing. Of particular note, Nightwing's iconic fighting kali sticks, which can fuse together to add electrifying range to the fast-paced combatants attacks. The locomotion of the character plays to his history as a famously orphaned circus acrobat, possessing all the agility and showmanship that would be expected.
Cyborg's cybernetics define a character who is a walking arsenal, able to transform limbs into devastating hi-tech projectile spewing weapons. With a Power class that allows him to man-handle the environment with devastating results, Cyborg is described by Boon as being one of the most combo-friendly characters the studio has ever made.
An ominous voiceover alludes to issues of betrayal and loyalty -- details that more than likely play into a storyline that throws the heroes and villains of DC Comics into a moral blender!
A recent press release from WBIE and DC Entertainment describes the world of Injustice as a place where "... the lines between good and evil are blurred, players will experience heroes and villains engaging in epic battles on a massive scale." Further setting the scene; a teaser trailer released for SDCC, laying out the manifesto of an as yet unidentified individual who seeks to establish a new regime of power in the DC Universe [full story].
DC Entertainment have also released six new HD images of the latest characters, freezing their attacks in time for vivid scrutiny [full story]. Keep up to date with all the Injustice action on the DC Universe Injustice forum!
San Diego Comic-Con is in full swing and the new DC Comics fighter from NetherRealm Studios is being well represented!
To go with the announcement of two new characters -- Nightwing and Cyborg -- Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment have released new screenshots from the game. The hi-res images showcase the two new Gods Among Us, entering the fray with full powers at the helm!
Nightwing wields a staff capable of breaking into the two more iconic fighting sticks the Bat-family hero wields, with electric charge capable of shocking foes directly, or through the ground. Cyborg can be seen wielding conventional weaponry, formed from the cybernetics that give the former-Teen Titan his name.
The game is currently being demoed on the convention floor at the DC Entertainment booth (#1915). Set for an unspecified 2013 release date, the game is now confirmed to be coming to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360and the Nintendo Wii U.
A press release elaborates ever so slightly on details from the new game, apparently intended to be part of a new fighting franchise. Elaborating on the implications of the launch trailer, the release notes the blurred lines between good and evil -- a factor that no doubt plays in the still fresh New Regime teaser trailer, which features a rallying speech from an unknown speaker.
Injustice: Gods Among Us debuts as a bold new fighting game franchise that introduces a deep, original story featuring a large cast of favorite DC Comics icons such as Batman, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, Nightwing, Solomon Grundy, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and many others. Set in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred, players will experience heroes and villains engaging in epic battles on a massive scale.
As the unofficial follow-up to Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe, Mortal Kombat Online is following the development of Injustice: Gods Among Us. Follow and discuss all the updates on our DC Universe Injustice forum. Keep up to date with additional details by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook.
Injustice: Gods Among Us is on the floor at San Diego Comic-Con and true to rumor, two new characters have been revealed in the latest demo -- Nightwing and Cyborg!
Nightwing & Cyborg join Cast in SDCC Demo. [Source: Tony Guerrero (ComicVine EIC)]
Creative Director Ed Boon tipped the hat to the grown-up Robin with his crowd obscured photo [above]. The Nightwing symbol can be clearly seen on the super-meter, where character logos appeared in the recent gameplay demo at Evo Championships 2012 [full story].
Cyborg [now pictured] is a classic member of the Teen Titans who was recently upgraded to Justice League status in the pages of the recently rebooted comic books. Nightwing is Dick Grayson -- the first Robin of comics fame who grew into his own crime fighting identity, itself connected to the history of the Teen Titans comics.
Michael McWhertor of The Verge has been quick to delve into the reveals. He describes the differing fighting styles that tap into the established physics and skills of the comic book heroes.
We had a chance to play with both characters, which have very different fighting styles. Nightwing is primarily weapons-based, wielding a staff that has a extended reach for sweeping and poking attacks. He's also noticeably nimbler than other fighters and can leap out of danger when backed into a corner.
Nightwing's staff can be split in two by pressing the special button — B on an Xbox 360 controller — increasing his speed and jump height, but decreasing his range. Nightwing's weapon stance change opens up a new set of attacks and special moves for the character
Cyborg's fighting style includes a series of powerful hand-to-hand attacks complemented with long-range attacks: lasers, fireballs and missile strikes. Using the game's mechanic of high, mid and low attacks, Cyborg can launch missiles straight into the air, shoot fireballs forward and emit energy blasts at an opponent's feet (then follow up with a pair of lobbed, shoulder-launched missiles).
Cyborg's special — again, with the Xbox 360 controller's B button — is a health regenerating move, ensuring that opponents must stay offensive when fighting him. His charged up super move consists of a hefty, oversized punch followed by a screen-filling energy blast a la Iron Man's super move from Marvel vs. Capcom 2.
SDCC Crowd Shot Obscures Nightwing. [Source: Ed Boon]
The two characters join a thus confirmed roster of: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Solomon Grundy and Harley Quinn. A teaser trailer released earlier teases a 'New Regime" in the game, with the proclamations of an unknown character [full story].
Millions died in one terrible moment... Friends, family, husbands... wives.
Some survivors have stepped forward to pick up the pieces. Others have succumbed to corruption and through it all, the perpetrators of that heinous crime are laughing. Now, nowhere is safe and no one is free. The criminals of this world, monsters that would gladly end your life in a heartbeat, have shown us that they do not fear punishment. They've shown us that incarceration will not deter them. They've shown us that no matter how long we fight they will never contribute anything to society beyond fear and agony.
They attack us, manipulate us, murder us. Again and again and without remorse.
The time has come to put an end to their reign of terror... permanently.
Some who oppose me you've known as heroes.
They wish to hold the moral high ground at the expense of peace. I do not.
They think the near destruction of our world is just another crisis for them to fix, an isolated incident. I do not.
They believe that a man who has brought us to the edge of ruin simply needs rehabilitation.
I do not.
Instead I believe that criminals should face consequences tantamount to their transgressions. I believe in fighting to guarantee that the millions of innocents who have already perished did not die in vain. If you believe as I do, then I ask that you join me in this fight.
Follow me into a new world.
A world where order thrives and criminals suffer.
Where the virtuous rule and peace is absolute.
Building this future will not be easy.
We'll all have to make sacrifices, but our sacrifice will give us courage. Our courage will unite us, and together... we will finally and definitively save the world.
So, is this the empassioned plea of an opportunistic Lex Luthor, or the last stand of a Superman pushed beyond his limits? What exactly is the nature of the flag we've seen since the announcement of the game? Let the speculation begin!
New characters from the 2013 fighter are set to be announced at this weeks San Diego Comic Con, which is already in its first preview day for private viewers. Breaking news from the world of Injustice: Gods Among Us will apparently be a feature of the official Facebook account.
This is the latest project from NetherRealm Studios, who were represented at Evo Championships last weekend by Creative Director, Ed Boon, who showed off gameplay from the game [full story]. Featuring the greatest heroes and villains from DC Comics, Gods Among Us reinvents the fighting formula with a bold new story.
Mortal Kombat Online named ten of the best Heroes and Villains we hope to see in the finished game. A roster of twenty-something characters is expected, with downloadable content assured. Discuss and speculate all things DC in the DC Universe Injustice forum.
Sub-Zero is getting the life-size bust treatment, arriving in three versions! The basic sculpt captures the Lin Kuei warriors most recent design in full scale, with a piercing blue-eyed gaze and cold shoulder-to-chest representation.
Sideshow Collectibes have a groundbreaking exclusive variant that allows acrylic eyes to be positioned as desired, limited to two hundred [pre-order begins July 10]. Even more scarce, PCSC will offer a highly collectible glowing eyes variant limited to just fifty busts worldwide! Variant ordering details are to be revealed via the Pop Culture Shock Facebook.
Update:Sideshow Collectibles are now taking pre-orders for their 200 limited positionable eyes variant.
NORTHRIDGE, CA (July 9 2012): Pop Culture Shock Collectibles are pleased to announce an agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to bring life size busts of characters from the most brutal fighting game of all time, the legendary Mortal Kombat, to die-hard collectors’ homes this year.
Pop Culture Shock Collectibles' first life size bust for their Mortal Kombat line will be SUB ZERO, a collectible so realistic, you can almost hear him say, "THIS FIGHT WILL BE YOUR LAST!" SUB ZERO makes his debut wearing his costume from the latest Mortal Kombat video game, developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment,.
The Sideshow Collectibles Exclusive Version will include an industry first for lifesize busts, positionable acrylic eyes. Many hours of development went into this piece to give collectors the most realistic representation of SUB ZERO ever! You really have to see it to believe it. This Sideshow Exclusive, which is limited to just 200 pieces worldwide will be available for pre-order at Sideshowtoy.com on Tuesday , July 10th !
In addition, there will also be a Pop Culture Shock Collectibles Exclusive. This version will come with glowing white eyes and be strictly limited to 50 pieces worldwide. This version will only be available through Pop Culture Shock Collectibles. Stay tuned to the PCSC FaceBook for ordering information. http://www.facebook.com/PopCultureShockCollectibles.
Sub Zero will make his first appearance in the Sideshow Collectibles Booth (#1929) at San Diego Comic-Con this July 11-15 and will be available for pre-order at Sideshowtoy.com on Tuesday , July 10th !
Pop Culture Shock Collectibes are the US license holders for high quality Mortal Kombat collectible merchandise. The statue maker also creates items based on the Street Fighter and Darkstalkers fighting franchises.
In April, Mortal Kombat Online featured the popular PCSC 1/4 Scale Scorpion statue in a contest giveaway [full story]. Discuss these items and more in the Media & Merchandise forums. Get more updates on contests and content by following @MK_Online and following Facebook.
More than 65,000 online viewers tuned in to witness the conclusion of a second big year of Mortal Kombat at the Las Vegas Evo Championships. For those who did it in 2011, scenes of deja vu must have set in as Perfect Legend Carl White secured a successful defense of the Evo World Championship he won in 2011, defeating CD Jr in a confident 3-1 Grand Final victory!
Perfect Legend was absent from the 2012 Evo Series tournaments that CD Jr dominated early in the year. The pair recently met in the rival Pro Circuit series, finalists at June's MLG Spring Championship -- where CD Jr suffered one of his few major defeats of the year. The Evo 2012 rematch earned Perfect Legend a majority share of the $23,000 prize purse for the MK field. He was the only 2011 finalist to return to the top eight.
CD Jr didn't walk away empty handed, and is reported to be featured in a documentary filmed at the event by Mortal Kombat parent company, Warner Brothers. Tournament winner, Perfect Legend, spoke to Gamespot shortly after the event, in his own interview spotlight:
A diverse range of characters were represented by an equally interesting gallery of tournament rogues. A US dominated field was broken by A f0xy Grampa of the UK, who finished equal 13th. Also present in the final sixteen, the other brothers of the well known Dominican trio, Crazy Dominican (13th) and Maxter (9th).
VSM REO was a shock exit early in the tournament, failing to make the final sixteen. REO played second to CD Jr throughout the Road to Evo, before charging ahead to finish top seed with 185pts. REO earned title victories at Final Round XV, Toryuken 2012, CEO 2012 and was Runner-Up at Winter Brawl VI.
Xblades (5th) made waves in the early stages, bumping CD Jr into the losers bracket in a shock result, before losing out in a relegation rematch. Pig of the Hut (3rd) put Xblades in the losers bracket in an impressive performance, delivering a zoning Kenshi able to quash a threat scare, before dominating game 2 to a fatality. Pig was shunted into a CD Jr losers bracket rempage by an exciting three-match tie with Perfect Legend. Hut demolished Legend's Kung Lao with a surprisingly deft Mileena, but the Champion was able to get a read in the final rubber, responding on the Rooftop stage with skill.
Winners Bracket Semi Final: Pig of the Hut (Kenshi) d. EGP XBlades (Liu Kang) 2-0 2-0 2-0 EMP|KN Perfect Legend (Kung Lao) d. CoCo Forever King (Sonya, Kung Lao) 2-0 2-0 2-0
Top 8 Losers Bracket Rounds 1-3: vVv|NOS CD Jr (Kabal) d. CoCo m2dave (Freddy) 2-0 2-1 2-1 IGL MIT (Johnny Cage) d. EGP Tyrant (Jax) 2-0 2-0 2-0 vVv|NOS CD Jr (Jax, Kabal) d. EGP XBlades (Liu Kang) 2-1 2-0 1-2 2-0 IGL MIT (Johnny Cage, Reptile) d. CoCo Forever King (Sonya, Kenshi) 2-1 2-0 0-2 2-0 vVv|NOS CD Jr (Kabal) d. IGL MIT (Scorpion, Stryker) 2-0 2-0 2-0
Winners & Losers Bracket Final: EMP|KN Perfect Legend (Kung Lao) d. Pig of the Hut (Mileena) 2-1 0-2 2-0 2-0 vVv|NOS CD Jr (Kabal) d. Pig of the Hut (Mileena, Kenshi) 2-1 2-0 1-2 2-1
2012 Evo Championship Grand Final: EMP|KN Perfect Legend (Kung Lao) d. vVv|NOS CD Jr (Rain, Kabal) 3-1 2-0 2-0 1-2 2-0
vVv|NOS CD Jr battles EMP|KN Perfect Legend in the Evo Championship Grand Final!
CD Jr surprised many by avoiding the perfect match of his Jax against PL's tried and true Kung Lao. Rain proved ineffective in the Living Forest, dazed and confused by fast-paced teleports that continued throughout the match.
Fighting to the finish in the appropriate arena of Kahn's Koliseum, Kabal delivers CD Jr to a promising third match win. Hard style corner pressure was able to minimize the impact of a Kung Lao that had his way with the screen. Alas; in the fourth game, the same could not be said. Perfect Legend rises to become one for the record books -- a back-to-back champion of Mortal Kombat, 2011 and 2012!
2012 Evo Championship Final Top Sixteen: 1. EPM|KN Perfect Legend (Kung Lao)
2. vVv|NOS CD Jr. (Kabal, Jax, Rain)
3. Pig of the Hut (Kenshi, Mileena)
4. IGL MIT (Johnny Cage, Reptile, Scorpion, Stryker)
5. EGP XBlades (Liu Kang)
5. CoCo FOREVER KING (Kung Lao, Sonya, Kenshi)
7. EGP Tyrant (Jax)
7. CoCo m2dave (Freddy Krueger)
9. EGP KrayzieBone (Cyrax)
9. CURBOLICOUS (Johnny Cage)
9. VSM Maxter (Cyrax, Johnny Cage)
9. KN DetroitBalln'313 (Kabal, Smoke)
13. A F0xy Grampa (Johnny Cage, Kung Lao, Rain)
13. GGA Osu16bit (Kitana)
13. KN Crazy Dominican (Skarlet)
13. EGP PBoardPlayer (Kung Lao)
This concludes the 2012 Evo Championship Series! The Mortal Kombat tournament action continues in August, as New York City plays host to the MLG Summer Fighter Arena event! Perfect Legend, CD Jr, Pig of the Hut and many more are expected to feature in the Pro Circuit Summer Season event, vying for a $3,400 prize purse.
The Major League Gaming Summer Season concludes August 24-26 in Raleigh, North Carolina with the seasonal MLG Summer Championships. Back in March, we talked to Perfect Legend about his future at Evo and the arrival of MK in the MLG eSports line-up - relive the interview! Hone your skills and discuss all the Road to Evo events in the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
NetherRealm Studios Creative Director Ed Boon was in Las Vegas over the weekend, in attendance at Evo Championships 2012 to demonstrate the upcoming game, Injustice: Gods Among Us.
Scheduled for a 2013 release, the DC Comics superhero fighter has been pegged for its potential to join the competitive scene. This year, Mortal Kombat enjoyed its second year of inclusion at the Evo Championships, following the milestone of the US developers 2011 breakthrough.
Featured during the demonstration [video via IGN] are the six launch characters: Superman, Flash, Batman, Solomon Grundy, Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn. New lighting effects compliment original designs inspired by the comics.
As previously established, the cast are divided into two states of play -- Power and Gadget characters. Each class provides a playstyle that reflects the established strengths of the various characters, most noticed through interactions within the vast arenas that Injustice touts as one of its primary features. Characters like Superman and Solomon Grundy can manhandle aspects of the environment, while characters like Flash and Batman will manipulate elements in more subtle ways.
Arenas are shown to feature a variety of interactive elements, as well as several planes of combat. The Batcave demo shows off some of the types of interactions, with conventional weapons and blunt objects being manipulated, as well as environmental hazards and interactive scenery. The Batmobile plays a role in one example, firing missiles on command.
Injustice: Gods Among Us is currently expected to arrive on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013. In anticipation of what's coming, we named our Top 10 Heroes and Villains we'd like to see. Join the discussion and follow updates in the DC Universe Injustice forum.
This is it! The biggest event of the competitive season has arrived! Evo Championships 2012 kicks off two big days of Mortal Kombat tournament action in Las Vegas!
A massive field of hopefuls compete for cash prizes and the title of World Champion across nineteen pools of the world's best players! Standard Evo rules give players the double-chance courtesy of Losers brackets. Follow all the action live online via the official Evo stream, and respond to every zone, trap, combo and finisher on the Mortal Kombat Online forums! Edit (July 8): Finals action continues on the main stream!
Evo Championships 2012 Mortal Kombat Tournament First Round Bracket Mortal Kombat Pool H17 [8:00AM]
[#1] Giuseppe Grosso (vVv REO) versus Khaled Chehbeddine (Darthadon)
Joshua Berhane (Hamster everything!) versus Ryan Champ (Icecoldedge)
Curtis Poppenhouse (Tmp_squirtmcgirt) versus Darante Mack (Rante inferno)
Daniel Bickar (Dragoomba) versus Eric Zamora (Ezw00t)
[#43] Andrew Bunta (Flipinflava) versus Joe Palkowitsch (Rotanadan)
Jonathan Kenyon versus Nicholas Borsari (Redofhyrule)
[#39] Richard Tuok (Snafoo) versus Steven Cowan (Tenebrae)
Pete Hahn (GGA Han) versus Marquis Parker
Mortal Kombat Pool H18 [8:00AM]
[#20] Russel Ordona (TTT_NeoRussel) versus Bobby Garcia (Liloco562)
Brian Tiu (Sure yaa) versus James Silva (Brownie)
Nicolas Longoria (Fire-lord) versus Teresa Godinez Isaac Torres (Delriach) versus Omar Salinas (The Pied Sniper)
[#19] Tom Nieter (GGA Wafflez) versus Christopher Zach (Paramiser)
Nic Peterson (St. Jewpac) versus Josh Green (GNF Jkun Unleashed)
Anthony Villanueva (MCZ|DMG OnlineTony) versus Garrett Devin (Israel)
John McNulty (McNasty) versus Luiz Gargaglione (Lamg)
Mortal Kombat Pool H19 [8:00AM]
[#16] Jeremy Florence (EMP Black Manta) versus Joshua Joseph (Josh99)
Steven Sogard (So-guard) versus Mohammad Mansour (GGA_moe30w)
Kelly Campbell (Konqrr) versus Mark Camps (MortySeinfeld)
Amedeo Vidaic (Vida) versus Josh Ballard (Josh the Funkdoc)
[#23] Michael Landers (WNBA MK Peanuts) versus Dan Rootz (Stibw xi kill sh0t xx)
Joseph Smith (Robotekk) versus Carl White (Perfect Legend)
Andy Donovan versus Kenneth Pope (Hugo101)
Jerry Tran (Shords) versus Mike Skiba
Mortal Kombat Pool H20 [8:00AM]
Andy Le (AsianCupCake) versus Elijah Williamson (EGP Tyrant)
Jerry Watkins (Son ov Timett) versus [#8] Aaron Davis (GGA Dizzy)
Jorge Alberto Carreon Ramirez (Exjko4) versus Michael Kozloski (Lopen)
Seth Faber (Hola Bird) versus Lewis Simpson (Loowii G)
[#31] Arturo Sanchez (TS Sabin) versus Arturo Munoz Manuel Castellano (Manuel C) versus Orlando Leon (BigoLeon)
Jose Sanchez (ArcadesMuch) versus Gerard Mainardi (Skkra)
David Diaz versus Abraham Najjarine (LL seven ll)
Mortal Kombat Pool H21 [8:00AM]
Gordon Mills (T.Hawkalypse) versus Jeremiah Fahlenkamp (Meezy303)
Talandon Hill (Recon) versus Josh Ashmore (Saint Connor)
Shaun Crumb (Cextion) versus Pablo Umana (Empireantxix)
Zach Boyce (Welfare) versus Lyle Carating (Cannon Spook)
[#30] Daniel Medina (GGA Medina) versus John Doan (Grazzhoppa79)
Lou Vasilev (RaidenWins) versus Mack Clarke Glend Galdamez (EGPkrayzie) versus Emmanuel Marcale (Okamisoul)
James Fink (JamessMK) versus Bye
Mortal Kombat Pool I17 [10:00AM]
Jason Crossley (Scrub Zero) versus Paul Enriquez (EGP dj-ac130)
David Estrada (Spud-zero) versus David Aguilar Zamora (Monster BUtton Mash)
[#4] Nathan Gibson (PBoardPlayer) versus Richard Carrillo Jr (RichardCJR)
Carlos Montes (Piramides) versus Ernest Johnson [#35] Robert Conley versus Jay Dickson (UsedForGlue)
Pjay Redhouse (Necroson) versus Charlie Beverland [#42] Alex Rayis (DetroitBallin) versus Nathaniel Gibbons (BigNate)
Elliot Martin (EdgeShot) versus Aberham Salinas (xPunisherx3000)
Mortal Kombat Pool I18 [10:00AM]
Evan Taggart (Citizen Kano) versus Jeffrey Smith (Robbie Rage)
Andrew Alvarez versus Alejandro Turla Derek Quezada (Kazada) versus Ryan Magnani (XBL Mind Gamez)
Diego Martinez (Mr Dam) versus Cameron Parkey (NoremacX8)
Kurtis Orduno (Tombstone805) versus Jim O'Leary (Jim)
Tyler Bendicksen (VSM_rev0lver) versus Grek Iribe (GrimyGreg)
Mario Sako (m2dave) versus Christian Arrieta (Digit Chris)
Nathan Pitts versus Bye
Mortal Kombat Pool I19 [10:00AM]
[#13] Steve Brownback (GGA ) versus Dustin Graham (St.)
Saiden Espinoza (Lurker) versus Derrick Tagulao (Kamen Rider Tag)
Paul Matheu (Bolo Yeung) versus Yosuke Asada (FRB bull410)
Marvick Moyrong (Madmarv77) versus Chris Blackwell (Alias805)
[#26] Ozzie Delisle (Noobe) versus Giancarlo Moreno (Reno_Brown)
Ryan Gonzalez (WoundCowboy) versus Daniel Babin (DanCock [])
Kacob Begay versus Oswaldo Hernandez (Debaser)
Matt Sorvig (Foxstepceo) versus Brandon Hildebrandt (Lord Mordolus)
Mortal Kombat Pool I20 [10:00AM]
[#5] Christopher Gonzalez (FC NYChris G) versus Bryan Ponce (Ponce)
Brandon Thompson (Ecko) versus Rob Jennings Emilio Cadenas versus Nick Chiavoni (Zeppeli)
Gregg Ferris (Ciggs) versus Glen Romero (RandomIsTheName)
[#34] Duncan Tonningsen versus Isaak Romero Scott Naylor (_TYM) versus Doug Johnson (Chaosphere)
Aaron Diggins (Fetuss) versus Christopher Sandoval (DJ Beast)
Jeremy Robbins (Peckapowa) versus Vernon Hampton (Gunstariq)
Mortal Kombat Pool I21 [10:00AM]
[#12] Malik Terry (IGL MIT) versus Asa Sporbert (Aysamo)
Thomas Stephens versus Alex Jebailey (CEO Jebailey)
Jason Richey (801 Jay Rich) versus Walter Padilla Christian Quiles versus Eric Rigg (Mosp)
[#27] Jim Esmersoy (DevilJim) versus Raul Garcia Dorian Cudmore (Scrub-a-dub) versus Christin McCullough (Zallitin)
Jonathan Hovis (TMP_StreetSweep) versus Alex Von Bulow (Alex)
Troy Lightfoot (WNBA Claude Vonstroke) versus Bye
Mortal Kombat Pool J17 [12:00PM]
[#40] Jordan Diehl (STB JimmyPotato) versus Adam Smith (Calimaestro)
Hector Fulgencio versus Vincent Cipolla (East Gold)
[#2] Emmanuel Brito (CD Jr) versus Miguel Martinez (Tapatioman)
[#37] Jerrod Barrois III (G.O.L. Eklectic) versus Bye Janeam Hawkins (Flawedzilla) versus Sebastien Beele (Chose)
Denom Jones (A f0xy Grampa) versus Dustin Kane (Kanechump)
Javier Rodriguez (J-rod) versus Nick Nguyen
Mortal Kombat Pool J18 [12:00PM]
[#18] Bill Menoutis (Tom Brady) versus Andrew Espinoza (Omaly 04)
Scott Osterman versus William Rosas Steven Mendoza (MCZ|DMG Insaynne) versus Omar Mohammed (Something-unique)
Andre Le versus Aden Zurita (Rockboi)
[#21] Azhar Qureshi (Ba w1nter Warz) versus Edmundo Carreon Ramirez (Exfalcon)
Jeff McKay versus Steven Bjornaas (N0rdicNinja)
Frank Becerra versus Andrew Schaefer (IrukandjiPhantom)
Brandon Mielcarek (Seatoss) versus Bye
Mortal Kombat Pool J19 [12:00PM]
[#15] Robin Figuereo (KN Crazy Dominican) versus Ricardo Espinoza (Rix)
Adrian Hodges (Eddy Pistons) versus Sean Sanders Juan Francisco Navarro Mariscal (Bildslash) versus Joseph Pirro (Diabolic13)
Jeremy Camps (Sao) versus Louie Vega (Macewind)
[#24] Jeremiah Smith (GGA Jeremiah) versus Norman Forrest (NormanJr991)
Sascha Rieger versus Bye Leon Orduno (X-3sharky) versus Daniel Caperon (The Tiddler)
Michael Saska (CGM NaniwaTiger) versus Lion Orduno (Luchador_Lion)
Mortal Kombat Pool J20 [12:00PM]
[#7] Maximo Figuereo (VSM Maxter) versus George Burkett Roberto Rios (BE Rivers) versus Nicholas Ledezma (T.Roll)
Vince Hui (TTT_RXS) versus Alejandro Camacho (Forever Goon)
Vongviay Vongnalath (xx_Von_XX) versus Ryan Higgins (TheHiggMeister)
[#32] Alexander Smith versus Chris Frentzen (Ninj)
Chris Le versus Joseph Macaranas (Jayhawk)
Chris Watkins (Satsuiyeshadou) versus Kipp Stern (RunwayMafia)
Eric Albino (DMG) versus Jake Neal (Mustard)
Mortal Kombat Pool J21 [12:00PM]
[#10] Jamie Washingtong (Mak Blackula) versus Brian Bayot (Kogashiwakai)
Justin Escobar (EGP xblades) versus Eric Martinez (EGP Maverick)
Serion Mitchell (Epicenterx) versus Evan Hashimoto (Wonder_Chef)
Terry Isaac versus Orlando Frasier (L2P)
[#29] Kevin Seven (Kevin7) versus NickSweet (Majinsweet)
Zach Carapellucci (Jaarus) versus Travis Aungie (Niteshift)
Cory Slater (Goomba) versus Josh Michel Javier Falcon (Dunmord) versus Bye
Mortal Kombat Pool K17 [2:00PM]
[#3] Brantley McCaskill (Pig of the Hut []) versus Neal Nikaido (The|Absolute)
Bye versus Reepal Parbhoo (Rip)
Chris Hullinger (Hully) versus Phillip Diaz (GGA Fill Pops)
Brandon Carlson (Temp [) versus Johnathen Blevins (MasterScrub)
[#38] Leo Lemieux (Tf|lolingoctopus) versus Alex Glascock (Mindchamber001)
Charles Maidman (ChicagoRoyal) versus Rodolfo Camarena (Rotendo)
[#41] Faith Fassel (Whatshername) versus Danny Gonzalez (Eeemo)
Tony Suarez (Big Daze) versus [#36] Justin Wong (EG Justin Wong)
Mortal Kombat Pool K19 [2:00PM]
[#5] Denzell Terry (IGL DJT) versus Toi Bridges (G.O.L Toi504)
Max Wasserman (CurlyW) versus Gerry Dileo (RXT Gerry)
Nick Temme (Nick T.) versus Steven King Moses Moore (M Type) versus Bye Angel Najera (Red Reaper) versus [#33] Farhan Husain (KOTN Hussler)
Sean Begay versus Mitch Souza da Costa (Frenxi)
Werk Miguel Yee Soto (DC Werkyee) versus Jason Cole (Afrocole)
Dominic Curbelo versus Steven Linakis (Pro7otype)
Mortal Kombat Pool K20 [2:00PM]
[#11] Anibal Torres (Cat) versus [#28] Tim Regan (K-frog)
Ronaldo Vargas (Odlanorz) versus James Beck (Cptxecution)
Nick Navas (-_-) versus Josh Kravik (Knobbonk)
Joshua Ledford versus Ryan Neal (Ketchup)
[#42] Dalibor Sako (Master D.) versus Ugur Akin Mario Vazquez (Spuky Poodle) versus Santiago Salcedo (EGP Shoryuken)
Felix Salgado (Lord Genross) versus Ted Polak (Thoth)
Colin Fitzgeorge (Matrixkidmario) versus Bye
The boffins at NetherRealm Studios are back at work, applying their trade to a universe of superhuman skills and deadly fighting techniques -- but it isn't Mortal Kombat! In 2013, the heroes and villains of DC Comics will get the fighting game treatment once again, arriving in Injustice: Gods Among Us!
With more than seventy years of four-color history to draw inspiration from, it's a wide and wonderful world of possibilities that awaits! So far, a confirmed playable character list is split between six heroes and villains who possess Power and Gadget abilities: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Harley Quinn and Solomon Grundy. Emphasis on adaptable, character-specific skills promises to make Injustice a very different experience to the hugely successful Mortal Kombat games the studio is best known for. Interactive fighting environments will add a special superhero twist to the side-to-side of battle, making characters and location as much a factor as preparation time and training.
Two weeks ago, we lept upon the wild stallion of speculation to pick an eclectic mix of Ten Heroes We Want Among Us. With so many characters available in the DC canon, we simply couldn't resist assembling the Mortal Kombat Online staff to catalogue our Top Ten Villains, as well!
For the sake of keeping it fresh, we're putting aside the iconic characters who were last brought to life by NetherRealm Studios, in 2008's Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe, as well as those already featured in Injustice. That means you can assume the likes of Darkseid, Lex Luthor, Joker, Deathstroke, Green Lantern, Catwoman and Captain Marvel are already pretty high on our list.
Fans with superhuman vision have also spotted what appears to be Doomsday lurking in the background of preview footage, so we're going to put the hulk that once killed Superman to one side, as well. With only ten villains, we're bound to miss plenty of other great characters, though. So be sure to share your thoughts with us in the forum comments!
#1 Scarecrow Real Name: Dr. Jonathan Crane First Appearance: World's Finest Comics #3 (1941)
With feature appearances in the hugely successful Batman Begins and The Dark Knight films -- the villainous doctor of fear, Scarecrow, is a pretty hot commodity, these days!
His video game acumen was popularly proven in 2009's breakthrough award winning title, Arkham Asylum, where the hallucinogenic properties of the Scarecrow's fear toxin took the plot in bizarre and creepy directions! Scarecrow's value to the reportedly expanded story mode of Injustice is a given, but simulating the fevered response of fear and paranoia in the fighting game domain isn't without its charms.
The constraints of a shared screen might mean options are a little bit limited, taking away, say, the potential to flood your opponents screen with nightmare creatures and contorted visions -- a fun idea for screen-to-screen multiplayer! That said, there are plenty of conventional methods for messing with your opponents head, which would work just fine: forcing characters into a control scrambled panic, freezing them with trembling terror, or just stripping them of their powers with stage fright.
#2 Ra's al Ghul Real Name: Ra's al Ghul First Appearance: Batman #232 (1971)
It's important to remember that there's a whole lot more to the DC Universe than just the characters you've seen in Batman. Still, riding on the crest of a Liam Neeson fake-out appearance in Batman Begins -- which may or may not have a role to play in the July 20-bound sequel -- the man called Ra's al Ghul is a fair choice!
Deathstroke showed how swordplay can factor in to a villain's moveset, even in a game without specific switch-out weapon styles (MKvsDC). The trademark scimitar of the master-villain could be an interesting twist, but for a character who is otherwise best represented with deft hand-to-hand fighting skills, you can't go past the gimmick of environments. Several hundred years old, "The Demon Head" enjoys near-eternal life thanks to the unnatural healing powers of the mysterious natural phenomena called a Lazarus Pit!
Bubbling in the background of any number of applicable backgrounds, a Lazarus Pit available for a quick dip, supplying a health recovery boost, would no doubt make Ra's an intriguing opponent on home soil. The pits can famously even resurrect the dead, albeit in a maddened state. With shades of Gill from the Street Fighter series, Ra's could become a compelling boss, or mode-specific challenge, if nothing else.
#3 Sinestro Real Name: Thaal Sinestro First Appearance: Green Lantern #7 (1961)
Once the greatest of the Green Lanterns, Sinestro was exposed as a tyrant and surpassed by the human recruit he trained, Hal Jordan. Stripped of his green ring of willpower, Sinestro would later come into possession of a yellow ring created by the Weaponers of Qward! Fuelled by the fear he inspires, Sinestro leads his own army of yellow lanterns, known as the Sinestro Corps!
Under the direction of Geoff Johns, the Green Lantern comics have enjoyed a long lived reneissance, which propelled Sinestro back to the top tier of villainy in the DC Universe. This significance saw Sinestro, along with his Corps, briefly featured in an ending in Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe, making his arrival in Injustice longcoming and welcome!
On a basic level, Sinestro runs the risk of being a return to palette swaps -- yellow for green -- but with the energy constructs of a power ring character, there's a lot of opportunity for differences in application and visual representation. A more aggressive, fear-inspiring figure; Sinestro's use of the ring should differ from any Green Lantern inevitably joining the Injustice line-up. Exhibiting the harder edge of an amoral Lantern, Sinestro can veer into more overtly violent designs, with a more aggressive playstyle designed to punish opponents.
#4 Black Adam Real Name: Teth-Adam First Appearance: The Marvel Family #1 (1945)
Like Sinestro, Black Adam represents an alternate vision of the powers possessed by a heroic counterpart -- in this case, Captain Marvel. In a game where the heroes may very well have gone rogue, this could either make for the perfectly matched counter-response to a corrupt Marvel, or simply provide an easy-bake compliment to titilate fans who will no doubt be eagre to see their favourites.
Another of the characters refurbished and reinvigorated not too long ago by Geoff Johns, the character has actually loitered in the grey area of morality, not always the polarized villain his name suggests, even if his willingness to extinguish a life is ever-present. An ancient hero, powered by an Egyptian-inspired pantheon that make up his particular SHAZAM acronym; Black Adam once again offers the basic opportunity to create a more deliberate, violent incarnation of the Captain Marvel character. That said, with downloadable content a known factor for the future of Injustice, characters like this might be best accepted in an add-on capacity, tittilating fans who are eagre to see their favourite characters move across the screen, without the burden of a completely unique skillset expected of an initial playable roster.
#5 Gorilla Grodd Real Name: Grodd First Appearance: Flash #106 (1959)
Batman villains may have all the press, but when it comes to the world of the comic books, the Flash Rogues will give any crooked gallery a run for their money! Although not technically a member of the elite brotherhood known as The Rogues, Gorilla Grodd has had more than his fair share of tangles with the men who've been The Flash!
When you boil it all down, there're really only a couple of things you need to know about Gorilla Grodd: He's a super-intelligent gorilla and he has mind control powers. If you really need more explanation than that, I can't help but think you're not doing your part for humanity. Fighting games have had their trists with fighting animals, but none have had the emotive potential of Gorilla Grodd, whose physical strength would be aptly complimented by ape-like dexterity and the potential to take possession of the opposing character! We know the idea here is to distance the game from MK, but controlling opponents was used to good effect with Quan Chi in the last game, and is ripe for expansion.
#6 Amazo Real Name: N/A First Appearance: The Brave and the Bold #30 (1960)
Offering a unique twist on the fighting game tradition of a character with stolen moves -- Amazo is a super-powered android created by the mad Professor Ivo. Able to scan and mimick the super-human abilities of the entire Justice League, Amazo can just about have any in-game ability you can conceive of.
As a story mode obstacle, Amazo has the potential to be a serious heavy-hitter, powered up with any and all powers programmed amongst the playable cast. As a balanced character with a unique hook, the option is there to simply mirror the abilities of an immediate opponent, or add any combination of others in any conceivable fashion. Choosing from the list might be a bit timeconsuming, so a secondary or complete list of randomized special abilities might be an interesting idea. Assuming the Power character functions of Injustice couldn't just boil it all down to presentation.
#7 Poison Ivy Real Name: Pamela Isley First Appearance: Batman #181 (1966)
In the immortal words of the often covered song, "You can look, but you better not touch!" Poison Ivy isn't exactly the most physically involved when it comes to combat in the DC Universe, usually favouring the manipulation of male brutes, but over the past few years, she remains a curiously popular character within a certain element of the fanbase. Many noticed the absence of Swamp Thing in our heroes list, but in a world always in need of a little gender diversity, Poison Ivy takes the powers of "The Green" and goes completely wild with it!
Able to call upon the most destructive forces of the plant world; Ivy's penchant for summoning vines, flytraps and other rapidly growing botanic brutalizers has the potential to take background interaction to new levels! Perhaps more than any other character, Ivy could go so far as to influence the environment, in a mechanic that allows her floral growth to remain a constant, or alter the surrounding terrain.
#8 Rag Doll Real Name: Peter Merkel Jr First Appearance: Villains United #1 (2005)
In our Top 10 Heroes we threw a few curve balls, and I think it's safe to say this is another one. Contorted for an available pitcher, Rag Doll could probably quite literally be thrown as a curveball, which alludes to why he's such an intriguing possibility.
Introduced in 2005 under writer Gail Simone, the character earned a pretty dedicated cult following almost instantly as a member of DC's Secret Six. Legacy character to the golden age Flash villain of the same name -- this particular Rag Doll has the distinction of an unnatural, medical means of super-contortion -- deformed with a rash of surgical scars beneath his lanky harlequin exterior.
With a twisted, sunny disposition to go with his twisted body, this almost has the potential to become a basic exercise in animation ragdoll physics. Inviting the hyper-kinetic style of the Capcom Versus games, Rag Doll is his own weapon, primed to hurl and bounce across the screen like a flying mess of limbs. Unfamiliarity may make this seem an odd choice, but with the right degree of mania, Rag Doll would be an instant hit, even if his spastic fighting style meant that wasn't true of every in-game attack. In a game aiming for the Evo Championships, that's the kind of unpredictability you can't buy -- and a great way to introduce the meta tier!
#9 Prometheus Real Name: Unknown First Appearance: New Year's Evil: Prometheus #1 (1998)
Witness to his parents death when they were gunned down by law enforcement at the end of a murderous crime spree; Prometheus vowed to use the ill gotten fortune of his parents to dedicate his adult life to the eradication of justice. Travelling the world, he amasses a wealth of skills, knowledge and technology, refining himself into the ultimate human weapon!
Conceived as the anti-Batman, Prometheus is everything you would expect: a master tactician at the peak of physical human ability, superbly trained in hand-to-hand and special weapons combat. With a helmet that can download specialist skills direct to his brain, capturing the essence of Prometheus in a fighting game poses some obstacles, but we have faith that it's possible.
Customarily armed with a techno-tonfa and Ghost Key, which allows him instant teleportation -- the big difficulty is simply avoiding reducing Prometheus to the bland status of a common character. It was this type of approach that resulted in the introduction of an impostor (in comics), patsy to explain away the fumbling of a villain who once single-handedly took down the might of the Justice League! With that in mind, who better to take fire from the gods among us than Prometheus?
#10 Mirror Master Real Name: Evan McCulloch First Appearance: Animal Man #8 (1989)
Mirror Master is another of the Flash's legendary rogues we'd love to see in Injustice. Originally Sam Scudder, the most recent man to take the name is Scottish mercenary, Evan McCulloch, and we assume he might be the logical choice. In any event, it's the unique abilities of the Mirror Master that makes him an attractive choice, not just to us! It seems the MKOmmunity has taken a long hard look at themselves and seen the potential of Mirror Master, too!
Able to enter a mirror universe through any reflective surface, Mirror Master's potential interactions with his environments could get pretty far-out, given the right amount of ingenuity and in-game tech. Able to attack from all sides, given the opportunity, Mirror Master could simply fight with protruding limbs, or go so far as create mirror duplicates of himself. This is a mirror match quite unlike what you're used to!
There's still an entire universe of villainy that we haven't touched upon. Share your wishlist for heroes and villains in the DC Universe Injustice forums. Keep up to date with DC coverage by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook.
