The LA Times has unleashed the first look at tomorrow's digital release of Mortal Kombat X Part 1! [Note: On sale digitally via DC Entertainment]

The preview comes with a fresh Q&A with writer Shawn Kittelsen, who's promising all the right things for his prequel tie-in to the upcoming video game. What does that all amount to? The surprise feature of hotly speculated blind swordsman Kenshi, and the Deadly Alliance era Red Dragon villain: Hsu Hao! Check out the preview images via Hero Complex:

The preview flips the script on Hsu Hao's infamous 2002 introduction as a Red Dragon double-agent embedded within the Outerworld Investigation Agency (Special Forces). It will remain to be seen if Kenshi is the one working deep under cover -- a fair assumption based on the preview. Kenshi was briefly an agent of the OIA in Deadly Alliance.

Does this guarantee playable appearances for all characters concerned? Kittelsen says no, and it's little surprise. The tie-in comics will aim higher than loosely inspired adaptations, taking advantage of a revamped Mortal Kombat X cast to play with feature characters, and discarded fallen stars.

HC: Will the comic primarily focus on new characters? And do you have a favorite among those new faces?

SK: The new characters will play a big part in the comic, but it’s definitely an ensemble piece. You’ll see a mix of old and new. You’ll even see characters appear in the comic that won’t appear in the game at all. We’ve got to keep readers guessing about what’s coming next.

Of the characters that have been revealed, Kotal Kahn and Cassie Cage are my favorites. Kotal because he’s insanely cool looking, brand new, and the Tony Soprano of Outworld. Cassie because she’s the daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade and she’s trying to figure out what that means. She wants to forge her own identity, but that’s not easy when one of your parents is a hammy C-list actor and the other is a strict military officer. That story of her self-definition is relatable to anyone who’s been a teenager. And then there are the characters we can’t talk about yet…

Dexter Soy pencils the series, with cover art by superstar artist Ivan Reis (Blackest Night). Check out January solicitations for more.

Mortal Kombat Online will be following the digital release with interest. Fans can get the jump on MK's return to comic books by registering to post in the Media & Merchandise forum! Mortal Kombat X is the DC Comics tie-in to the game, coming to home consoles April 14!