Before the Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe video game, a mysterious character infected everyone with Kombat Rage in a prequel comic.
Before the release of the 2008 crossover video game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, DC Comics released a prequel comic titled Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe: Beginnings by John Vogel, John Tobias and Crystal Reid, which considerably expanded on the game’s backstory.
The story opens with a mysterious figure named Dark Kahn, who seems to be an amalgamation of Shao Kahn and Darkseid. Initially conflicted with both’s memories, Dark Kahn regains control and begins to merge the two universes together. Overwhelmed by his own rage, he sends the Kombat Rage rippling through both worlds, infecting all of the heroes of DC along with the fighters of Mortal Kombat. The force from Dark Kahn causes some of the characters from each universe to vanish from existence, like Robin and Johnny Cage, while others are transported to the other world. As they all begin to look for those who vanished and explore their new environments, the madness of the Kombat Rage grows in each of them, causing them to turn on each other.
As the story unfolds, more characters fall victim to Kombat Rage, which speeds up the merging between universes. Narrated by Dark Kahn, the heroes and fighters are distraught by their new surroundings and confused by their vanishing allies. While some characters are aware of Dark Kahn’s actions, like Raiden and Shazam, they too, are distracted by Kombat Rage, giving Dark Kahn the confidence that he cannot be stopped.
With the two universes becoming one, we see Shang Tsung readying his army against Wonder Woman and the Amazons, along with Superman finding Sub Zero in the Fortress of Solitude. Though Superman would normally be able to incapacitate Sub Zero easily, it seems as though Dark Kahn’s existence has weakened the Kryptonian. Even Gotham’s finest finds himself squaring up with Scorpion, each filled with endless rage.
In Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Kombat Rage continues to play a pivotal role in the storyline and gameplay. Once infected by it, all the combatant is able to see is their worst enemy. These hallucinations forced allies to turn on each other without hesitation. Throughout the story it would hop from one character to another, forcing the player to go through a gauntlet of battles. In the end, it takes Superman and Raiden to destroy Dark Kahn, restoring both of their universes back to their original form.
Aside from the storyline, Kombat Rage appears in the Arcade Mode of the video game as a way to dish out twice the amount of damage in their attacks. The effects of Kombat Rage even make an appearance in Injustice: Gods Among Us during Shazam’s ending in the Arcade Mode. All of his friends become violent and turn on each other, with their eyes glowing yellow as they did in the original game and comic.
About The Author
