In the lead to 2008's divisive MK/DC crossover, Ed Boon assuredly informed fans -- with the help of a conveniently titled film poster -- 'there will be blood." We can only hope that same edict of ruthless aggression carries through this weekend, when NetherRealm Studios invade the field of the 2012 Midwest Game Developer Kickball Tournament.

Well may you say such a wanton bloodlust is cruel and unusual for an otherwise friendly game of kickball, but that would be your first mistake! Dear traveller, I write to inform this be no mere friendly encounter of baseball twixt soccer! Just having fun is not an option! There are children to consider, and charity dollars to be raised!

NetherRealm are locked in active mortal contest with their Midwest contemporaries, collecting for the Reading With Pictures Annual Fund.

Reading With Pictures is a non-profit organization dedicated to the fight for truth, justice and childhood literacy. Their unique mission is to promote literacy and learning with the wonderful world of scholastic comic books! By tailoring their graphic textbooks to educational needs, they add colourful new dimensions to the informative written word. Anyone who dived for the school library copy of Tintin or Asterix & Obelisk knows the alluring power of "comics-as-curriculum."

The twice Harvey Award nominated Reading With Pictures anthology goes down easy, featuring the work of some of comics' finest names, including; Fred Van Lente (Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Zombies), Jill Thompson (The Sandman), Ryan Dunlavey (Action Philosophers) and more!

For every $500 raised, Reading With Pictures will donate a classroom set of twenty-five copies of The Graphic Textbook to a Chicago-area school. That's NRS homeland, so you know they'll be deadly serious when boot meets ball in the name of education!

It all kicks off September 8th at Oz Park (2021 N. Burlington Avenue, Chicago), 1PM to 5PM! NetherRealm Studios look set to face Phosphor Games and "Indie Team" in the third division draw.

To support NetherRealm Studios and Reading With Pictures you can still give generously with some last minute donations on NetherRealm Studios' Fundraising Page.