Being an awesome writer is purely incidental!

Obviously I don't agree with the stock of your "corrections," largely because you tend to argue comparable (if common) deductions, as fact, even though they do little to debunk opposing views, or build any independent conceptual strength.

I certainly don't intend to be arrogant, but think it's fair to say the benefit of hindsight makes it easy to flesh certain concepts out more than Tobias and Boon did over ten years ago.
I don't know if I've quite done that here, but I don't think those opinions, or the description of intent that accompanies them, have anything to do with "overhyping."

I can't imagine ever using the word improvement, but I'm certainly not just ticking off items on a makeshift MK FAQ, either.

Appreciate the conversation, too.
Just don't want to get stuck in an endless cycle about one tiny thing, bet it ice blasts, motion blurs, or the handsomeness of Ralph Fiennes.


I'm not sure when I said otherwise, but I can be less confident in my abilities if it makes everyone feel more secure in themselves.


... That was probably a little arrogant.

KANG #12 [#64]

KANG #13 [#65]

KANG #14 [#66]

KANG #15 [#67]

KANG #16 [#68]










Not to influence negativity, but I myself am not entirely with some of these more recent strips (to the tune of vague irony). Hope to bring it back 'round in newer instalments.

I like how Shao Kahn's goal, or one of them, is "the soul of a god". Makes it seem like by Raiden transforming himself into a mortal, he's playing right into their hands.

I also like the reference(s) to Shang Tsung's deal with Quan Chi, obviously referring to Sindel's soul being tainted with evil by Quan and Shinnok. I see what you mean about using hindsight in here.

Cheers! Definitely trying to use those advantages that weren't there in the original format to give a sense of flow (and motivation).
Shao Kahn's a character in particular who suffered from the patchwork story of his games, I think. The things you've noticed, I feel, help contribute contextually to giving him a lot of weight as an Emperor, than perhaps the moustache-stroking villain who keeps tacking-on new stages to his plans in the games. In that respect I'm definitely condensing ideas, if not the distinction between 'events.'

Without getting into a debate about the negative association of Mortal Kombat; I almost wonder if the series might have retained more fans, if not respect, post-MK3, if more people were aware of the [retroactive] story.
I don't think anyone could deny that MK4/MKM-beyond has been so much more successful at casting a full illusion through the materials contained within the games.

KANG #17 [#69]

Hands down, this's the best sprite comic ever! I love how you've included the finer details of the game that more casual fans may not have picked up on. Better yet, how you've managed to weave some of the more obscure plot elements into a more coherent kind of flow which enhances an already amazing storyline. (R.I.P. real-time story...v.v)

KANG #18 [#70]











Cheers! Plenty more to come!

KANG #19 [#71]

KANG #20 [#72]

KANG #21 [#73]










After Smokegate, I'm not so sure going near Kitana circa MKII is such a good idea...

KANG #22 [#74] (All Part of the Act)

KANG #23 [#75] (Princess Diaries)

KANG #24 [#76]










At this point I haven't had time to get to the next instalment, so there might be a slight delay. Might be a good time to get some feedback, comments, complaints.

KANG #25 [#77]









Recently added to Kombat Pavilion!

This is awesome Mick! good stuff.

Cheers! Vaguely similar to your thread about recreating and imagining famous scenes with the sprites, I thought.

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The kori debate from earlier in the thread (RE: Smoke) spilled over into the Shao Kahn/Raiden MKvsDC thread (before getting silly). While we wait for ]{0MBAT to upload the latest strips, it strikes me as a nice time just to make a final reference to that. In trying to meet the subject on others terms, I probably wasn't as concise as I could've been.

I would concede that the established facts of the series leave various subjects open to interpretation. From sources like MKDA/MKD we now know about the cryomancer [sub]-species, while also recognising from Konquest modes in Armageddon and Deception that other fighters use the art. (Lin Kuei warriors use basic kori attacks in MKA and Shujinko - embued with the ability to absorb fighting techniques learns kori).

"Kang" in its current incarnation is about embellishing what we know.
In the unlikely event that I were employed to tell the definitive MK saga, it's probably a blueprint for the kinds of things I would do, but I by no means claim a sprite strip to be canon. As with any professional creative work, choices need to be made, and I am interpreting the facts with a logic and committed choice.

It has been suggested that kori is a technique, which certainly continues the tradition of martial arts philosophy and mysticism that has been consistent throughout the entire series. We've seen examples of this and in the case of Smoke - who began life as a two-dimensional themed Scorpion palette swap - it seems reasonable to assume a warrior of his level could attain a similar mastery.

One could very easily contrive a logic that describes his smoke abilities as an off-shoot of kori manipulation. In the interest of furthering the story, details like this are only implied in "Kang," ie; through the rankings represented by costumes.
The grey Lin Kuei may simply be upper-level warriors with a penchant for intelligence work and stealth. The ice blast may be the extent of their mastery of the ice-specific aspects of kori, while the advantages of the smoke powers lean toward their function within the clan.

I really do not want to derail the thread again, or dwell on a fairly open-ended discussion, again. My argument, which was misinterpreted again by meeting the subject on someone else's terms, is simply that there is no hard and fast answer either way. We've seen examples of what I've described, but as yet, only learnt of Cryomancers as a people who discovered and have an inherent affinity for mastering the art.

I would disagree that there is any longterm loss in developin the Lin Kuei as an ice wielding clan of varying levels. It offers a vivid definition of the entire clan and is a legacy that can affect Sub-Zero on a personal level in many different ways. It fleshes out the world beyond the two-dimensional demands of a fighting game that communicates chunks of it's story through implication and visual representation within gameplay.

As with most aspects of Kang, it is simply a committed direction and embelishment. I think the objection is stubborn, narrow sighted, and interpretive, but at least derived from some reference.

I do not know if this lengthy diatribe will improve the sprite strip experience.

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More Kang (presumably) coming some time soon.
I have my doubts, particularly given the length of the 'first act,' but it might be interesting to get new opinions around the thirty-mark. The criticism definitely came early!

KANG #26 [#78]

KANG #27 [#79]









Midnight double feature brought to you by ]{0MBAT & Kombat Pavilion! Kombat Pavilion: Cures tired blood!

Lol, The "Finish Him" reminded me of in MK vs DC MK's story mode, Raiden beats Liu kang and Shang Tsung just goes "Fatality?"

KANG #28 [#80]










MK: Last refuge of the B-action movie!
The midnight matinee kontinues!

KANG #29 [#81]