I think Jim Krueger's perfomance on Shaolin Monks is proof that just because they hire a professional writer, it doesn't really mean jack if the guy knows almost nothing about MK's canon. He even admitted he knew very little about MK2's established storyline.

However, in his defence, he was probably working within certain guidelines that was based on what the game-makers wanted.

"Okay, we're going to have Kitana in a boss fight, but she's a good guy. Make something up."

"Think of a reason for Scorpion to appear."

"Sub-Zero has a scar...throw that in."

Problem was, coupled with his lack of awareness of the MK storyline, he probably simply saw this as an easy pay-check and didn't bother to put his "A game" into the project.

Like I explained in Shaolin Monks post in my story analysis thread, there were ways to explain why you'd have to fight Kitana without including that ridiculous spell....but that would've required work.
When you have two central characters, you want their personalities to contrast each other....but rather than flesh out Kung Lao's "reluctant hero" persona....just turn him into the typical arrogant hot-head.
You want Liu Kang to have a personal motivation to fight the bad guys...but rather than develope his anger over the Shaolin Temples being attacked....let's turn Kitana in a damsel in distress.


The advantage MK vs. DC has though is it's probably going to be a little stand-alone story that takes place in the "present" as opposed to Shaolin Monks which was supposed to "what happened in Mortal Kombat II." So I can't see how the story can be too damaging to the established canon.

Like, just to use my favorite chaarcter as an example:
If Kitana is in, her bio will probably give a brief little referesher on who she is and what she's doing: "This is Princess Kitana...Shao Kahn conquered her realm....she's trying to undo that.......so this is what she's doing in this game."
I wouldn't count on there being an references to any idiotic spells or anything that could damage her backstory.

But I've been wrong before....

I'm far less worried about the plot being bad or damaging the canon than I am about what the dialogue in the cutscenes will sound like.

I read Countdown. All 52 goddamn issues. I bear the scars. I know what to expect.

If I hear Scorpion yell the phrase "I'll kill you to death!" or anyone puts the word "damn" in the middle of their name when they introduce themselves, I will find Palmiotti, I will stand in front of him in a crowded public place, and I will scream rape.

Hah!

Noob is def. the most iconic (hidden) fighter of all time.He is popular and he was the original Sub-Zero.

Definitely wat i've been tryin 2 say bout Noob, his presence was in all the games during Conquest mode...he was a big part of the storylines of BOTH Scropion and Subzero.....

Nd 2 those who don't think so,.......
how is he not Iconic...

if he wasn't assasinate/killed by Scropion wtf.... how could we have gotten the subzero we know now........

THINK Bout it...........

the MOST iconic Kharacters and why no order

scorpion - because he has been here since the beginning the yellow ninja is in

sub-zero - again here from the beginning the icicle has a huge fan base very iconic

raiden - the god of thunder is the ultimate weapon to kill the DC characters mentoring our main hero

lui kang - main hero for 4 games in a row very iconic

reptile - the first secret in MK the secret icon

shao khan - mr hammer man maybe the hardest boss to kill ever icon

shang tsune - the first boss in mk need i say more

sonya blade - first woman in mk a icon in woman hood

noob saibot - tobias boon

Jax - the first black man of mk the "token"

I don't think you're quite clear about what makes a character iconic...
Being associated with more recognisable characters and having a perfect attendance record don't quite cut it.

And if there was no Quan Chi, Sub-Zero wouldn't have killed Scorpion in the first place.

Think about that.


But seriously, I can kind see how Noob Saibot can be somewhat iconic in a way. But enough so to be one of the 10-11 in MK vs. DC? I'm not quite sure there.

Also consider, of the ninja characters that may be included, I'd expect...besides Scorpion & Sub-Zero...Reptile, Kitana, and Mileena would make it in before Noob Saibot. Now let's say, for the sake of argument, those three make it in; that's five ninja characters out of the 10-11. They'd probably be looking to other potential "icons" before they add a sixth ninja to the roster.

In order to further help this forum stay organized I have stickied this thread. It will now be the official place to discuss and debate which MK and DC characters are considered iconic.

The problem with the roster we are filling up is that it is the most familiar roster that there is. I will end up mostly doing that here too.

The other problem is that characters introduced after MK3 (save Quan Chi, Kenshi, and maybe Frost) just aren't memorable.

My list would be:

1. Sub-Zero
2. Raiden
3. Nightwolf
4. Liu Kang (living)
5. Sindel
6. Quan Chi
7. Shang Tsung
8.Kabal
9. Reptile
10. Kitana
11. Scorpion

Including DC characters limits the roster so much, very disappointing.

I chose those characters based on uniqueness, appearance, memorability, and playstyles in the past.

Honorable mention:
Sheeva (not as iconic as Goro, but problem with overused female characters in DA,Deception, and MKA)
Jax
Jade
Sektor
Drahmin (not iconic, but unique)

I'd bet on a list that looks like this from the MK side:

1. Sub-Zero
2. Scorpion
3. Raiden
4. Sonya
5. Kitana
6. Kung Lao // Liu Kang
7. Shang Tsung
8. Reptile // Baraka
9. Goro // Kintaro // Motaro
10. Shao Kahn // Onaga

If there are secret characters then:

Reptile // Noob Saibot // Ermac (everybody seems to like and recognize all of them, or at least one of them alot)

Jade // Mileena (duh)

Quan Chi // Smoke ("another sorcerer, or another ninja?")

Three max on the secret characters but choose amongst those to get the three.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

All in all, those are the ones i think are "most iconic" at the moment. Anyone else in would mean an argument. Like Fujin and Johnny Cage, being "based on whatever the character offers" stuff. To the story, or for their moves..or whatever.

New characters that I think are popular, but not really iconic yet are:

Kenshi
Taven
--
Sareena
Nitara
Frost
Li Mei
--
Havik

That's all I think...

MK:

1. Scorpion
2. Sub-Zero

3. Liu Kang
4. Johnny Cage
5. Sonya Blade
6. Reptile
7. Raiden
8. Shang Tsung
9. Quan Chi
10. Mileena

Those are the 10 most iconic characters IMO, although Kano, Baraka, Kitana, Kung Lao, and Jax all have chances of making it.

DC:

1. Superman
2. Batman

3. Wonder Woman
4. Green Lantern
5. The Flash
6. Martian Manhunter
7. Aquaman
8. Green Arrow
9. The Joker
10. Lex Luthor

Unforunately, these are the 10 most iconic DC characters. Aquaman might not be in it though (cause he's pretty gay). Black Canary, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Zatanna, Darkseid, Doomsday, Catwoman, and Deathstroke all have chances of making it though.

Mortal Kombat:

1: Sub-Zero
2: Scorpion
3: Liu Kang
4: Kitana
5: Sonya Blade
6: Kung Lao
8: Shang Tsung
9: Raiden
10: Goro/Kintaro
11: Quan Chi

DC:

1: Batman
2: Superman
3: Wonder Woman
4: Green Lantern
5: The Flash
6: The Joker
7: Lex Luthor
8: Black Adam
9: Darkseid
10: Lobo (just for kicks)
11: Catwoman

I feel like there probably will be more women than I have listed, it's just DC don't have as memorable characters as Marvel, probably because there are about a million Marvel movies and cartoons around compared to DC.

Ok, so Boon have stated that every MK character and every DC character will be iconic. So we've all been thinking who could possibly be on this list as far as the MK side. Now Iconic doesn't just have to mean classic, there could be some newer mk characters that are Iconic as well, so lt me start off with the cast from MK1:

LIU KANG:

Liu has to be in the game since he is extemely iconic. I know there are some haters out there but you have to admit, next to Sub and Scorpion, Liu is the most well known MK character. Liu has been the champion and main character in pretty much all the games and have been featured in most if not all of the MK media outside of the games such as leading the series to the box office with the first two mk films and entertaining children in the mortal kombat:defenders of the realm cartoon.

Liu Kang is undeniably an iconic character. I'm hoping Liu Kang is in since he has been kind of sitting to the side for the past few games. Yes, he's been playable, but he hasen't really been in the spotlight which was refreshing to have characters like Kung Lao, Mileena,Kitana and Baracka step in to the main hero and villain roles. But i'm ready to see Liu come back full force, returned to his original brutal glory in the days of MK1 and MK2.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:

90%



SONYA BLADE:

Sonya, the very first female kombatant, in that alone Sonya is iconic. Sonya is always present in the MK games with the exception of deception which really felt odd not having her. Sonya will most deffinatley be in, she has to be. And maybe this will be the game that gives Sonya's story more depth and allow it to manuever in to new avenues.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:

90%


JOHNNY CAGE:

Ahhh Johnny Cage, MK's first ever comic releif character. Johnny has died so many times its not even funny and that alone has made people kind of annoyed with him. Johnny really needs to try staying alive at least for two straight games before dying again.

Anyway, Johnny Cage is iconic....BUT....not like he used to be back in the day. It seems Johnny has lost alot of fans and really have dipped in popularity since his absence in deception. Johnny most likely will be in since he is iconic, but he's not like how he used to be.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
80%


RAIDEN:

Lord Raiden, the God of thunder and protectorof Earth. Yes, he is extremely iconic. Raiden has appeared in EVERY SINGLE media outside of the games including the movies, mortal kombat conquest and defenders of the realm. Raiden is possibly more recordnisable than Sub and Scorp. There is no way that Raiden will miss out on something this big when he's one of the biggest MK characters.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:

99%


KANO:

Wow, Kano, every ones favorite human villain. Kano has really missed alot of MK games. I think Kano's a very cool character and I think he made an excelent return in MKDA. I would actually like to see Kano back, because he's such a cool character and his story is always interesting. It was a mistake in not having him in MKD.

But as much as I would like Kano to be in MKVSDC, he has missed too many games and while he still remains a classic he is not iconic any more.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
65 %


REPTILE:

Reppy, the very first secret character and probably one of the most loved MK characters. Reptile is such a cool character and he really needs to get a story that would make him his own boss. Reptile's a great asset to the MK universe and you can't have a MK with out him, he's very iconic and a bit underrated, but I do think he has a high chance of returning.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:

85%


GORO:

Goro, the first ever sub boss, very iconic! Before MKD, Goro had rarely appeared in any MK games, but he made a grand return in MKD and has become a regular character that you can expect. I would say that Goro has a huge chance of being in but.....I don't know how this new engine will be able to create shokans and other creatures. Iremeber when the MK teams was making MKDA and they said with the engine they were using it wasn't possible to create a shokan but low and behold in MKA we ended up having three! So Goro can possibly be in.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:

50% And the only reason He gets a fifty is because we don't know what this new engine can do and create just yet.


SHANG TSUNG:

MK's first villan, Shang will most def be in, nuff said.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
99%

Now for the MK2 cast:

SHAO KAHN:

Kahn is the ultimate villain in the MK franchise. Kahn may be the "second" villain to be created but he's deffinatley the most well known. Shao Kahn is very iconic and is up there with Raiden and has appeared in every bit of media outside of the games.

For a nice while Kahn hasen't been the main villain but he has been slowly gaining back the spotlight in MKD and MKA. Kahn needs to be in MKVSDC and I think he will. I'll be shocked if he didn't make it in.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
99%


KITANA:

The second female and the only princess in the MK series, Kitana became iconic in MK2 with her insane combos abd awesome story. She was a bad girl with a good side. Kitana has appeared in every bit of media outside of the games as well and is even more well known than Sonya I think.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
95%


MILEENA:
Mileena, the evil clone of the princess of Edenia, Mileena's story may be a bit stale with the whole "Kitana must die" stuff, but Mileena is pretty well known. Now is she iconic? I can tell you her inclusion in MKG,MKD and MKA has really elevated her in terms of popularity. She was even the main star of Deception along with Baraka. It was nice to have Mileena in a game without Kitana, very nice. I think Mileena should become her own boss, because if she continues being a henchmen she's going to really get boring.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
70%, Mileena is on the borderline of being iconic, hopefully this game will help her achieve it.


KUNG LAO:

Kung Lao has always been Liu Kang's sidekick. Lao is a really interesting character and I hate how he hasn't appeared in any media outside of the games (It was the great Kung Lao in MKC). But it seemed Lao was about to finally get the attention he deserved when he appeared in MKDA, it seemed Lao was going to become the next great hero. But because the MK team wanted to bring back nostalgic characters in MKD, alot of DA characters were kicked to the curb which really hurt deception in my eyes. Kung Lao was cheated out of his new found fame.

But then MKSM came along and that put Lao back on the map. But the question you may be asking is, is Lao iconic? He's very much like Mileena, he's on the borderline.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
75%


BARAKA:

Baraka first appeared in MK2 to so-so reactions among fans, not too many fans really cared that much for him. Due to that, Baraka hasn't appeared in many MK games. But that all changed in MKD when Baraka made a grand return and appeared to be an important character in the game. Baraka has gained fans world wide and went from being obscure and unknown to iconic.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
80%


KINTARO:
Wow, I love Kintaro, I really do. I mean he's half human, half dragon and half tiger, whats not to love? He's very underrated and i've heard rumors that Ed doesn't like him which is why he has only appeared in three games. I think thats true because why was it Kahn and Goro in MKD? It should have been Kahn and Kintaro. Any way, sadly, Kintaro is not iconic even though he should be.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
20%

JAX:
The first African-American kombatant makes him iconic and before people attack, that doesn't make him the best, but like it or not it makes him iconic. I love Jax and he's iconic.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
85%


JADE:
The second African-American and fourth female character Jade is excelent, but is she iconic? Hmmm, I would love to have Sonya, Kitana, Mileena and Jade in the game. But I don't know, Jade is not really iconic, but she's indeed getting there.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:

65%

NOOB SAIBOT:

Well since he was really in MK1, I should have added him to the MK1 list but w/e. Noob has gained alot of noteriety since MKTE and I guess you can say has become a MK celeb, but is he really an iconic character? Fact of the matter is, no, he's not. Maybe he'll be with a few more titles added to his name.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
65%

SMOKE:

Ok, getting tired of writing,lol. Smoke isn't iconic.

CHANCES OF BEING IN MKVSDC:
30%

That's my bet too. Everyone from MK1, including Reptile. Then I'd put money on Shao Kahn as well. As long as we got Shang Tsung, I can't gripe too much. He is the icon of Mortal Kombat evil.

MKI.
I'm thinking Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, Kano while iconic and classic, will NOT be in this game because MK vs. DC (even if it's NOT canon) it's still taking place after MK:A. And at this point in the MK story, I'm pretty sure everyone's over Liu, Blade, Kano, and probably even Cage. If not over, willing to do without.

CHANCE: 100%*
#1. Raiden -> No brainer? ... Duh!
#2. Scorpion
#3. Sub-Zero

CHANCE: 75%
#4. Shang Tsung -> Classic, twisted, could shapeshift into at least Superman and Green Lantern (the two I know have died). I think he'll be in.

CHANCE: 15%
NO: Goro -> So visually iconic and representative of an MK sub-boss monsters. People love him. I think he'll be somewhere. But I doubt quite a bit he'll make the roster.


MKII.
That's just MKI and we've got 4 characters. That to me is fair chunk of the pie for one game seeing as there are only 10-12 characters. I mean, MKII is even MORE stacked with classics who could feasibly make it, and I'd say a few for sure's.

CHANCE: 100%
#5.Jax -> He's in ... He's liked. He'd not only be the only Black dude, but he'd also be the only American. And who don't like those arms?
#6. Kitana -> One of the female ninjas is certainly in cause they're so popular AND intrenched in the Mythos. Kitana's story, Fans, and Hotness make her an easy choice between the three.
NO: Mileena -> Sorry.

CHANCE: 75%
#7. Kung Lao -> The hat. The moves. The way he's so much cooler than Liu. Also keeping a Shaolin Monk in the game would also keep it grounded I feel.

CHANCE: 25%
NO: Shao Kahn('s clone). He's classic. He's bad ass. He's in this game somewhere, like Goro. But he's secret if he's playable, which I doubt.

CHANCE: 10%
NO: Baraka -> His blades would cause Boon's team to explode once they dare attempt to balance his Klose Kombat moves.


MK III.
... Hmm. A few classics here, too. The cyborgs are cool, but I doubt they will be involved in the MK universe (for a while at least). Striker always #1 underdog (who keeps losing). Nightwolf is so generic I'd sooner forget him. Jade very well could be in it. But she don't get my vote. The one character I think will make it...

CHANCE: 51%
#8. Kabal -> Biased choice. But I think of all the originals in MKIII, Kabal was the most original. His moves are classic. His look is pure MK. I'm betting on him. I also think he's top pick to rep. the Clan history of MK for the future.
#9. Sindel -> Fairly popular, I'd say. One of the few iconic looking MK females. Stand out moves. She can fly. I'd say she's in.


MKIV.
I'd like to see Raiko. But that ain't happening, Fujin ... Nah. There's only one possible rep. for MK4 in my mind...

CHANCE: 99%
#9. Quan Chi -> Solid villain. Powerful. Integral to the plot on a lot of levels. He's in.


MKV.
I truly hope I've seen the last of Bo Rai Cho! I'm damn sure he won't be in this. I highly doubt Movado. Two characters make my cut.

CHANCE: 90%
#10. Kenshi -> I'd say out of last gen's MK's Kenshi comes out on top of the heap as far as new and iconic. I'm not sure how well he's been received, but I think he's worthy.

CHANCE: 51%
#11. Frost -> Going with a longer shot here. But I think it's a possibility seeing the known contents of MK8. She'd fit right in. And she'll well received as far as I can tell.


MKVI (a.k.a. the last true MK)
I liked the mesh of characters in this game. I enjoyed playing as Dairou, Kira, Havik and Ashrah. F Shujinko! But seeing as I think all real MK's will be rep'd...

CHANCE: 33%
#12: Ashrah -> I like her story, style and her design. She's my longest shot by far. But as far as reps for MK:D go, I really think it's either her or Havik who have the story to back up the reasoning for inclusion. Li Mei could easily take her place. But then MK:D goes unrep'd.


SECRET CHARACTERS:
There's never been an MK without 'em!

CHANCE 85%:
#13: Reptile -> He'd be a sweet unlockable. And I'd personally like to see him back with Scorp and Sub's move list, but in a reptilian style. Green Ninja! YAY!
#14: Noob -> The other classic unlockable. But this one's pivotal to the story. Original Sub-Zero rules = Noon Rules!
NO: Smoke, Ermac, Jade ... or mokap.


That's probably crazy-talk to a lot of you. I just think they still intend this to be canonical, even if it's just a one-off. And that they want to pull a few of the newer characters in as well.

____________________

FINAL LIST
#1. Raiden
#2. Scorpion
#3. Sub-Zero
#4. Shang Tsung
#5. Jax
#6. Kitana
#7. Kung Lao
#8. Kabal
#9. Sindel
#10. Quan Chi
#11. Kenshi
#12. Ashrah
____________________


( * all percentages pulled from ass )

Well I'm breaking it into Heroes and villains for each.

Mortal Kombat Heroes:

01. Liu Kang
02. Sub-Zero
03. Kitana
04. Jax
05. Raiden


Mortal Kombat villains:

01. Shang Tsung
02. Scorpion
03. Mileena
04. Kano
05. Goro


DC Heroes

01. Superman
02. Batman
03. Wonder Woman
04. Flash
05. Green Lantern

If ANY of you believe these 5 heroes won't be in, you obviously don't know anything about DC. They build their entire universe around this "Big 5"...so all of you picking Nightwing or Green Arrow, or other heroes...sorry...you're wrong.

DC Villains

01. Braniac
02. Bane
03. Solomon Grundy
04. Doomsday
05. Sinestro


And lastly the Bosses!:

01. Shao Kahn
02. Darkseid

1. Sub Zero
2. Scorpion
3. Reptile
4. Noob Saibot
5. Sonya
6. Kitana
7. Shang Tsung
8. Raiden
9. Jax
10. Ermac

who knows

Sorry to respond so late. I did not notice this thread until now.


Because Superman is such a massive icon, I think he would fade into oblivion if after years of no promotion. I think it would take decades for him to be generally forgotten and lose prominence. I think he'd have the lasting effect of I Love Lucy and Marilyn Munroe, but Johnny and Kano I think are a much different story.


I personally don't think that those cover photos did much for them. After years of being secondary characters, I don't believe those pictures (which only showed half of their faces, btw) brought them back to the front of the line.

Sindel and Tanya have also been on MK covers and it didn't do anything for them.

Also if those covers actually did help Johhny and Kano remain on the front, remember that Mileena wasn't just a star in both of the past games but she also had a cover photo for the MKD premium editions and it showed more than just half her face like them.


But it didn't get more attention than hers.

I guess I take back mentioning Mileena's bio because the stories aren't what make characters iconic. I was just trying to say that her MKA bio helped make her more popular but that is only among MK fans I guess.


I think Mileena was more prominent than Johnny in MKA. They both had selectable cars in Motor Kombat and received bios, but only Mileena had a role in konquest. Yeah, Johnny and Kano made it to covers but so did Sindel and that didn't make her iconic or bring back her MK3 fame.

Johnny and Kano did have their faces on covers, but so did Mileena in the previous game plus an excess of in-game promotion that niether of them have ever received, and keep in mind that the in-game features are what make the characters stars like the images and special moves (Scorpion, for example).


That's true, but I just don't think her impact on MK fame and popularity has been the same as Quan Chi's. Like Liu I see him as just a "story star" character rather than as a "face of MK" star.


Then it's not going to be Johnny and Kano either. It would only be Scorpion and Sub-Zero. They're the only "mascots" of MK, so to speak. And I think a slutty lady in pink with a veil and sais is a million times more distinct and recognizable than a shirtless hunk with sunglasses since he could practically come from countless different games or products.


Liu Kang isn't popular like many other characters. I think he is only a star because of his story importance. He's like Professer Xavier in that they aren't the popular ones but are recognizable due to being obligated characters in each or most new products of the series because of their essential story roles.

Hmm.. if we're talking about Iconic Characters, then in my opinion it should be the characters that have not only made a statement in the MK storyline itself, but characters that people can recognize with Mortal Kombat in general. Same goes with DC, People that can recognize DC juss by saying Batman, or Superman. However, it will still all be based on personal opinion, because people will view the meaning of Iconic differently, then everyone else.

My personal Picks: (no particular order)

MK:

1. Liu Kang
2. Shang Tsung
3. Goro
4. Johnny Cage
5. Kitana
6. Kano
7. Raiden
8. Baraka
9. Shinnok
10. Sonya Blade

DC:

1. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
2. Aquaman
3. Sinestro
4. Darkseid
5. Wonder Woman
6. The Flash
7. Brainiac
8. The Joker
9. Ras Al Ghul
10. Captain Marvel

To sexy QueenSindel(TheBitch):

I hope to get in touch with you soon! I too have some other buddies I need to PM (Sub7th, Leo, Keith...) soon! I promise.

Because Superman is such a massive icon, I think he would fade into oblivion if after years of no promotion. I think it would take decades for him to be generally forgotten and lose prominence. I think he'd have the lasting effect of I Love Lucy and Marilyn Munroe, but Johnny and Kano I think are a much different story.

Cage and Kano are obviously less iconic then Superman, but that’s an unfair comparison because I'm feeling MK is overall less known then the tired concept of the super strong man of the red cape, that constantly used concept of superheroes is known worldwide, and its practically stronger then the most iconic MK characters, not necessarily because “its better”, but because its “more known” and it’s a general+typical concept that’s been used forever, and its very unlikely it will go away (superheroes).

And the point remains pretty solid. Neither Cage or Kano need much promotion to be that known in terms of MK, like Superman wouldn’t need it one bit to be known in its own terms of DC. Each character is pretty iconic in and outside “their realm”.

I personally don't think that those cover photos did much for them. After years of being secondary characters, I don't believe those pictures (which only showed half of their faces, btw) brought them back to the front of the line.

You missed the point. It’s not about getting characters “back to life” or “BE in the front line”, its pretty simple actually. Its just getting iconic characters displayed, favorites that are well known that are remembered, classics. If one loves them or hates them, that’s a different story.

And the picture showing half of the faces means absolutely nothing. If anything, that was an “artistic” way of presenting rivalries, nothing more, nothing less. You didn’t really need their entire bodies to recognize them, because they are iconic enough to be recognized (the glasses, the red eye, etc). And if you think about it, it is pretty obvious why they chose Goro to be in the background: Its not his face the most impressive or remembered thing about the four armed beast.

Sindel and Tanya have also been on MK covers and it didn't do anything for them.

That’s also an unfair comparison for those characters, because both of them *were* never fan favorites nor part of a constant and huge merchandize like the others, and both fell victims of two badly criticized MK games.

But even so, I would dare to say Sindel is pretty recognizable, obviously not as much as some others, but it isn’t rare to hear people talk about the screaming or hair of the witch, which is very nice. She is one of the few that has a look that sets her appart from the rest.

Also if those covers actually did help Johhny and Kano remain on the front, remember that Mileena wasn't just a star in both of the past games but she also had a cover photo for the MKD premium editions and it showed more than just half her face like them.

Like I said, showing half of their faces instead of the entire bodies means absolutely nothing. It was an artistic vision and it had a reason. It could had been done in many ways, they chose that one.

But it didn't get more attention than hers.

I completely disagree with you in this part, and that was an entirely subjective opinion.

I'm a HUGE fan of Mileena, and I rather see her in the game instead of Kano or plenty of others because I think she disserves it...but I'm sorry, its impossible, by all means, that her bio got more attention then Johnny Cage’s.

You are talking about the joke character and his story that everyone complained about suddenly having visions (fake or not), fighting a doppelganger of Shinnok, playing the role of hero and leader, guiding the warriors to war, growing up and changing priorities, etc etc etc. And you are talking about the clone who almost had her dreams come true but once again played alliance to Shao Kahn.

Probably you liked Mileena’s bio more, but no matter how you see it, from any perspective, its just abysmal to suggest her bio got more attention then Cage’s. It will take ages for the fans to forget the overall community reaction when his bio was revealed. Now *that* was a real shocker.

I love Mileena, but her MKA bio is very weak when compared to Cage’s. Now, in all fairness and with no comparison to destroy her, her bio rocked.

I think Mileena was more prominent than Johnny in MKA. They both had selectable cars in Motor Kombat and received bios, but only Mileena had a role in konquest. Yeah, Johnny and Kano made it to covers but so did Sindel and that didn't make her iconic or bring back her MK3 fame.

To this, I reply the same thing I said above.

And again, Mileena wasn’t as prominent as those two, but don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t make her any less.

And Kano did have a role in Konquest, and as much as I enjoyed and loved Mileena in Konquest (so psychoticly-sexy and seductive), Kano’s role had more interesting information.

Johnny and Kano did have their faces on covers, but so did Mileena in the previous game plus an excess of in-game promotion that niether of them have ever received,

They did in the classics days. And also remember, back then, it wasn’t that necessary to give specific characters that “excess of in-game promotion” because they were few, and things change, the way of “promoting” things, I mean. And now that I remember, even so, he got his big share in MK4 as well. Mileena, Cyrax, Kitana and Sektor only got it in MKG because that game needed to sell its "improvements" over MK4, and the new characters were one of the reasons, that wasnt special, just in case.

and keep in mind that the in-game features are what make the characters stars like the images and special moves (Scorpion, for example).

You said it, that’s why Kano and Cage are recognizable.

That's true, but I just don't think her impact on MK fame and popularity has been the same as Quan Chi's. Like Liu I see him as just a "story star" character rather than as a "face of MK" star.

I guess this is debatable. You could be right though.

Then it's not going to be Johnny and Kano either. It would only be Scorpion and Sub-Zero. They're the only "mascots" of MK, so to speak. And I think a slutty lady in pink with a veil and sais is a million times more distinct and recognizable than a shirtless hunk with sunglasses since he could practically come from countless different games or products.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I do agree Mileena is recognizable, but I don’t see her being more then Kano or Cage. I do see what you mean though, so I’ll just agree to disagree.

Liu Kang isn't popular like many other characters. I think he is only a star because of his story importance. He's like Professer Xavier in that they aren't the popular ones but are recognizable due to being obligated characters in each or most new products of the series because of their essential story roles.

You said it yourself.

You mentioned that stories don’t make characters iconic, well, sometimes it does. People might not know the entire story, but just a bit of it could be enough like in the case of these two characters. That makes them iconic.

To Xia:

Now see, go to a comic or DC message board and try saying that. I guarantee you the majority of fans there will say the MK fans need to screw themselves and accept Green Lantern is one of DC's "Big 7" and Robin is only a sidekick.

I know and I agree.

Fuck the "general public," there are two major target audiences with this game: MK fans and DC fans. I know no DC fan would accept a secondary character over one of the "Big Guns" just because that character is a "name." Why should the Mortal Kombat side of the spectrum not share that feeling?

I agree. I wouldn’t go as far as saying “fuck the general public” because everything has a reason (specially when $ is involved), but I know what you mean.

I, for one, would prefer to have someone more interesting in the game instead of wasting a spot with Wonderwoman, who smells like Superman imo. But that’s highly unlikely isn’t it?

You know it's funny, we're all debating and speculating what characters the DC fans are more likely to recognize or remember......chances are, most probably don't really give a shit. If Kano gets in and not Mileena or vice versa...it'll probably be Mortal Kombat fans who get the most pissed about it.

LOL, that’s true.

But even though I wouldn’t be “pissed” to see Wonderwoman in the game wasting the spot, say, someone like Poison Ivy could so gracefully use, I would be disappointed and kind of annoyed. The later has more potential imo, *specially* in a game like this.

Only shows how little you know about Wonder Woman.

I would like to ask, does anyone think that Jax or Quan Chi are more iconic than the big, bad Shao Kahn?

I have cruised a few forums and found that most people include Quan Chi and Jax in their "Iconic Characters" lists, and fail to include Shao Kahn.

Does anyone support this theory? I think Shao Kahn is the most iconic evil aligned character we have in the roster, next to Shang Tsung, of course.

I think for a lot of people (I'm assuming), it's not so much Shao Kahn is less iconic, it's more a question of whether or not he should be playable.

I think many people feel that if Kahn is involved in MK vs. DC, it will/should be in a non-playable boss role as opposed to being part of the regular roster.