Even if you're only remotely familiar with early nineties anthem Techno Syndrome - chances are you've found yourself humming it aloud. What would the affectionately dubbed "Theme from Mortal Kombat" sound like in full a cappella, though? The Warp Zone have answered this question to the tune of 1 million views on YouTube and counting:
The oft referenced techno hit embedded itself in pop culture history in 1995, appearing in the Mortal Kombat feature film, and its subsequent landmark compilation soundtrack. The single began life two years prior as an EP by The Immortals, before featuring as the centrepiece of Mortal Kombat: The Album.
The Immortals were Oliver Adams and Maurice Engelen - members of Belgian collective Lords of Acid. Their crossover hit helped fuel the rise of techno in mainstream music during the early to mid nineties, exposing a generation of fans to the burgeoning sound.
Late Mortal Kombat: Legacy actor Darren Shahlavi shared his love of the influential soundtrack with Mortal Kombat Online, telling us, "I was very familiar with MK, mainly the movie and the soundtrack. I loved it. I trained to the music all the time. I didn't play the game much at all."
So... You may have heard that Mortal Kombat X has introduced the series' first confirmed homosexual character: Kung Jin [pictured right].
Quickly after launch, Mortal Kombat Online began receiving enthusiastic submissions from key interest websites [eg; @UKGaynews] - all eager to share and assert the breaking headline. While firsts of any kind are always interesting, we weren't so sure we wanted to dedicate coverage to this one.
There were a few factors behind the hesitation -- an intent to hold-off on detailed content spoilers, chief among them.
We also weren't entirely certain the claims were true, or even in need of special acknowledgment. Then news broke of Marvel Comics preparing to announce popular X-Men character - Iceman - will be gay after fifty-two years of publication. In this adjacent pop culture news, the real importance of Kung Jin became immediately crystallized.
First - clarification. We say Kung Jin is a "confirmed" homosexual character. Uncovering the intent behind the source of speculation was an important detail - one that needed more than interpretation.
It all stems from a dialogue sequence between Kung Jin and Raiden - a flashback during the Mortal Kombat X story mode. Jin is the black sheep to his family's mythic ancestor The Great Kung Lao and his contemporary heroic progeny (also Kung Lao). Raiden sees potential greatness in the now common thief, but Kung Jin lacks confidence in himself, and those charged with defending the light:
Raiden: "Go to the Wu Shi Academy. Join the Shaolin! Like Kung Lao before you."
Kung Jin: "I can't. They wont... accept--"
Raiden: "They care only about what is in your heart. Not whom your heart desires."
One of the first and few nods from an authoritative source came from Mortal Kombat X Cinematic Director Dominic Cianciolo. He made allusions to the subtext of story dialogue -- and the inferences being drawn by fans and industry commentators -- in a conversational Tweet to NetherRealm Sound Designer Brian Chard.
Without knowing for sure, the line doesn't immediately lend itself to interpreting Kung Jin's sexual preference. It could just as easily be a reference to the moral character of a prospective love interest, some other unspecified allegiance [see; Romeo & Juliet], or a platonic concern. It's incredibly ambiguous - and therein lies its true value.
Pop entertainment and video games are now deep in the throes of a rigorous cultural debate stemming from issues of social, racial and sexual characterization.
As video games and comic book licensing grow to inherit and dominate the forefront of popular entertainment - so too does the scrutiny of a steadily diversifying audience. The more eyes the mediums command, the more they become appropriated by new interests and imposed responsibilities. Boutique mediums traditionally dominated in the West by young, straight male demographics are now being challenged to attract and reflect existing, present, and increasingly available potential audiences. It's a necessary facet of growth - not without its pains.
The acceleration of, and assimilation into, a handheld, 24-hour digital mainstream has reshaped corporate industry, redefined social conscience, and participated in the free exchange of political discourse that blurs the picket lines between democracy and entertainment. The end result can be as cold and cynical as anything that came before it. Marvel Comics: an on-going case in point.
Comic books have become pretty notorious for their cynical manoeuvres. While cross-media properties like Avengers and X-Men may dominate the public consciousness through movies, television and mass produced wares - their home turf in four-color hasn't thrived.
The comics audience has evolved in conjunction with fifteen years of cultural conquest, but parity of gains and losses in comics readership has kept the audience small, and audible. The pulp guide to major industry has been at the forefront of the social debates that are going on now in gaming, spurring the print industry to seek new readership through loud, headline grabbing proclamations targeted at untapped demographics. Iceman is far from the first franchise character to undertake a sudden change of race, sex, or orientation in the service of headlines. He's just the latest. And as the list grows longer - often for a limited time - the clumsy, calculated insincerity of it all starts to overshadow the social benefit.
Kung Jin's sexuality in Mortal Kombat matters because it doesn't matter.
Straight Arrow: Kung Jin's sexuality is unimportant - and that's why it matters.
It would be naïve to think NetherRealm Studios and/or Warner Brothers aren't aware of the homosexual fanbase present within its die hard community. It may be reasonable to think this awareness was an influence in the decision to create a homosexual fighter. Whether the motive was pandering, or not - it's their handling of the fact that may make this one of the most sophisticated and progressive depictions of homosexuality [of this type] in quite some time.
It's difficult to say sexuality doesn't matter to Mortal Kombat. Scantily clad fighters have been an obvious trope of titillation projected toward the audience for a long time. Within the fictional context, however, one might argue there's been limited room for defining sexual orientation. Bone breaking, side-to-side battles haven't lent themselves naturally to romance. They've created a brutal form of gender equality through mutual aggression, but left most of the casts preferences unknown. By and large, it simply doesn't matter.
Kung Jin is a fully realized kombatant. Archery gives him the customary hook of a fighting game character, while his backstory and relationships inform compassionate motives, morality and a sense of identity. Aesthetically, he represents the legacy of the Eastern influences that spawned Mortal Kombat, expanding upon them, even as they become ever diminished. Being gay isn't irrelevant to the character, but it doesn't define him, either. It bucks the stereotypes that can trivialize gay characters, circumvents the creative jack-knife of arbitrary imposed quotas, and avoids the complete undermining cynicism of self-congratulatory press releases.
There's a slightly less glowing side to it. The ambiguity also eases the tension that might be felt by an immature, boof-headed segment of the still male dominated audience. For those who uncomfortably crack the code of plausible deniability, however, there may still be a valuable lesson to be learned: Kung Jin's sexual preference doesn't really matter. Which is actually a credit to NetherRealm Studios.
By the gods, reality is in peril! The next Invasion Boss has launched full scale war against online players in Mortal Kombat X!
This time Shinnok is unleashing his godly powers in the name of the Elder Gods! The fallen god represents the ultimate challenge - one you won't overcome on your own! This will be a team effort as the boss tier threat pushes you to do what damage you can, before succumbing to nigh inevitable defeat.
Players can choose to join the Special Forces, Black Dragon, Brotherhood of Shadow, White Lotus Society or Lin Kuei. Representing a clan earns points toward special unlockable items and achievements, with every action in the game contributing to your clan's total assault! Use clan recruitment posts on the forum to share valuable boss strategies to help spur your faction to victory!
The White Lotus were victors in Scorpion's Netherrealm Invasion. Choose your destiny and fight for them - or against them! Had a change of heart? For a small points penalty, you can switch clans at any time. Rising through the ranks of each clan will offer in-game benefits! Learn more about Clans & Invasions in the Mortal Kombat X: Next Trailer!
Whose side are you on? Register to discuss the invasion on the Mortal Kombat X forum, or share boss beating tips with your clan in the Fan Koliseum! Show your true colors by selecting a clan avatar from the Icon Library in your User Settings. Represent and recruit by liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook!
Get over here! The next Invasion Boss has launched full scale war against online players in Mortal Kombat X!
This time Scorpion is leading the charge in the name of the Netherrealm! The ninja spectre represents the ultimate challenge - one you won't overcome on your own! This will be a team effort as the boss tier threat pushes you to do what damage you can, before succumbing to nigh inevitable defeat.
The Lin Kuei were victors in the Outworld Invasion. Choose your destiny and fight for them - or against them! Had a change of heart? For a small points penalty, you can switch clans at any time. Rising through the ranks of each clan will offer unique rewards! Learn more about Clans & Invasions in the Mortal Kombat X: Next Trailer!
Whose side are you on? Register to discuss the invasion on the Mortal Kombat X forum, or share boss beating tips with your clan in the ! Show your true colors by selecting a clan avatar from the Icon Library in your User Settings. Represent and recruit by liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook!
Still coming to grips with the fundamentals of Mortal Kombat X? The boffins at NetherRealm Studios are here to help with the Kombat Klass! This week's subject: kori techniques and Lin Kuei tactics in Sub-Zero 101!
Sub-Zero's variations are Grandmaster, Cryomancer & Unbreakable. Each mode will give you different strengths to enhance your standard arsenal of special moves and basic attacks. Learn more about the philosophy of each variation with Know Your Enemy: Sub-Zero.
Watch the Kombat Klass to learn a few valuable tricks. Then dive into the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum to issue online challenges, share tutorials and strategies, or demonstrate high level videos and more! Not a member? Register now!
