Hollywood will always remember him as a powerhouse player of the late eighties/early nineties action movie box office. In his heyday, Johnny Cage could sell tickets by name alone -- elevated from the cult status that established him in classics like; Every Dog Has Its Day and the hard-hitting Dragon Fist series. A string of formulaic appearances (Massive Strike, Cage Match) earned Cage the ire of almost every critic in town. As the pressure mounted, it seemed as if the infallible hero was about to crack.

As Cage entered his infamous unannounced sabbatical in 1992; the action star's reputation was ripe for assassination. With his star plummeting, many accused the actor of resorting to stunt doubles and movie magic to simulate the real-life feats he was (supposedly) no longer capable of. Gossip magazines reported rumors of massive weight gain, mental instability, substance abuse, and even open-heart surgery. Little did anyone know -- his time away from the spotlight would create a second act for the Venice icon, and a new height in his creative career.

Upon his return; Cage shocked and silenced critics with a reinvention courtesy of his own creation. Mortal Kombat was a different kind of action movie, filled with fantasy imagery and a modern take on classic Hong Kong cinema. Twenty years ago; the first in the series -- written and produced by Cage -- destroyed records for an opening weekend in the final week of Summer. Filmed in record time and with a low budget, it was the breakout hit of the year.

To this day -- the Mortal Kombat franchise is a household name, but in typical Johnny Cage style, over indulgence threatened to undermine his success. While many look to the original sequel - Mortal Kombat II - as the defining moment in the franchise; the rapid creation of a series led to eroding returns. MK3 received mixed reviews, described by many as a repetitive and uninspired sequel too far removed from 1 & 2. The introduction of early digital effects in MK4 only made matters worse as Hollywood action began to drastically transform. An infamous string of new cuts to MK3 built on the entrenchment of the home video market, but the series was destined for hiatus.

The 10th anniversary of MK would see the series undergo a radical reinvention. Daring to continue the story, it was a watershed moment, built largely on the partnership of Cage and new collaborator, Mokap. The Chicago personality brought new life to the project in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, but as the call for more sequels continued, the Cage/Mokap relationship began to break down. Eventually, the two entered bitter legal proceedings as Cage and his production neared bankruptcy, and Mokap claimed ownership of the ideas that reinvented the brand. The winner of this gruelling battle would determine supremacy over the franchise, but the true decision and continued success of either Cage or Mokap would rest in the court of public opinion. [Continued Next Issue]

When the menace of Shang Tsung's genetic experiments spills into the wild -- who better to smoke them out than a Lin Kuei assassin?! Smoke wafts into battle against the "fun character who assists Shinnok" - Meat! Pass the salt, shovel the oak! This battle promises to be slow, but delicious!