The saga of the Mortal Kombat Encyclopedia has been a long and winding one. Mortal Kombat Online first reported on mounting fan interest for a printed tome in the middle of last year [full story]. In the time since, the project has evolved and escalated under the guidance of dedicated fan Ninja_Arts aka; Myke Snow.

Earlier in the year, Snow provided MK Online with early drafts of the mock-ups that provide proof of concept for the book. The designs provide a hypothetical blueprint for DK Publishing, potential consumers, and the ultimate hold-out: Ed Boon and NetherRealm Studios. Click to enlarge examples below:

Since the dawn of Mortal Kombat there has been a single unifying truth: the will to fight! It is imprinted in all living things - an ancient battle cry echoing in the genetic survival of man and god alike! Victory is a temporary state. There can be no champions without constant challengers! No victory without amassing defeats! For this reason Mortal Kombat has always been - and must always be!

Once a year we extend a traditional invitation to all realms so that one warrior may rise above the rest! In 2015, we greeted a new generation of warriors who joined the fight against Netherrealm invasion in Mortal Kombat X! After months of debate and many tens of thousands of votes, fans chose the fantasy of an unsung hero they hoped to summon: Fujin.

In March, MKX got super-sized and welcomed even more fighters through the komplete edition package of Mortal Kombat XL. Alas; last year's Supreme Champion winner was still beyond mortal reach! With renewed objectivity we must therefore ask the eternal question: Who is the Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion?

The ultimate fan voting tournament has become an annual celebrated tradition on Mortal Kombat Online - summoning the entire fanbase to agree on a single champion from sixty-four fighters! Mortal Kombat XL will inform the bracket for this year, introducing first-time competitors while omitting some old favorites! Read on to learn more about what it all means and how you can join in! Visit the Fan Koliseum to share your votes and discuss battles more in depth!

In Mortal Kombat X, finishing moves were brought into the final round with a brilliant reinventing of the Brutality! No longer just a furious flurry of fast flung fists - the moves are the ultimate coup de grace, transitioning directly from fight to fatality with devastating efficiency.

Brutalities challenge players to meet a variety of stipulations, ranging from the trivial - to the teeth grindingly specific. Some brutalities are arena based, character based, and some are completely hidden from players. Know how to finish your matches in style with a guide to all known brutalities.

A new wave of changes and fixes are coming to Mortal Kombat X. The initial update patch is available for PlayStation 4, with downloads coming to Xbox One soon, followed by PC some time later. The patch includes the free Klassic Reptile Skin:

From the Palace Gates of Shang Tsung's Island, to the battle ravaged streets of Earthrealm 25 years later: The only constant shared by two generations is the need to fight! The tournament called Mortal Kombat has made legends of champions, and warriors of mortals. With a new generation of challengers emerging - it all begins again!

April 14th saw the long awaited release of Mortal Kombat X! Ending a four year cycle, the new game has changed the way we view the series and its fighters, challenging us to ask: Who's Next?

It is a question we've asked annually for years - each time finding a different answer! In 2014, the unknown of a looming sequel fuelled a whole new perspective. After months of debate and many thousands of votes, we crowned fan-favourite Ermac the ultimate victor! With Mortal Kombat X here, everything has changed! True champions must defend their title, and we must ask the eternal question with evolving truth: Who is the Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion?

The ultimate fan voting tournament has become an annual celebrated tradition on Mortal Kombat Online - summoning the entire fanbase to agree on a single champion from sixty-four fighters! In 2015: the battle will be tougher than ever! Mortal Kombat X will inform the entire bracket, introducing first-time competitors and omitting old favorites! Read on to learn more about what it all means and how you can join in! Visit the Fan Koliseum to share your votes and discuss battles more in depth!

Despite its robust story mode; Mortal Kombat X leaves many stones unturned across its 25 year saga of war and redemption! Fortunately, DC Comics continues to fill in the gaps with its top selling digital and print serials. 13th Dimension has an illuminating preview for Mortal Kombat X #6 - where Sub-Zero is dealing with one of his secrets.

Art & concept house AtomHawk Design has continued its relationship with NetherRealm Studios, lending their world class talents to the design stage of Mortal Kombat X!

The UK based studio has been a visual representative for the series since Mortal Kombat (2011), creating memorable and iconic images similar to those released in a recent update of their online portfolio. Included in the update are design images of Shinnok, Raiden, Reptile, Erron Black & Johnny Cage.

Fans looking for an opportunity to unlock the Keep It Secret achievement have their first shot with the latest Premier Tower! The Mortal Kombat inspired Tower delivers a klasically inspired stack of fighters with the most classic secret opponent of them all: Reptile!

For fans struggling with the challenge: Kotaku has provided a guide that's all together simpler than the original method to face the hidden warrior!

Simply select the Premier Living Tower. Ensure you win your sixth match with a Flawless Victory, and finish your opponent with either a Fatality or Brutality. If done correctly - this should reveal the secret fighter!

Those hoping to be completely immersed in the nostalgia of the original may want to set their expectations to low. Reptile appears exactly as he does in Mortal Kombat X, much like all the fighters found in the MK1 Premier Tower. With free UMK3 Klassic Sub-Zero just released, and more klassic skins coming in The Kombat Pack - the attention to detail may change in future Premier Towers! Sources claim more klassic themed towers will come, featuring MKII, MK3 & MK4 themes.

The characters of Mortal Kombat have always been major attractions for the fighting series. In the build-up to the latest game, we were intrigued as fighters new and old were introduced in fully rendered detail. With Mortal Kombat X officially out now - you can now see the komplete kast as they appear in the game's loading screens!