SPOILER ALERT:Mortal Kombat X DIGITAL COMIC DISCUSSION

[mattteo]

I've been giving the timeline a lot of thought, taking Sub-Zero's (very revealing) flashbacks into account, and I've come away with the conclusion that the timeline - even in the comic - is completely fuxxed. [MENTION=18507]Harpoon[/MENTION] pls halp

This is what I have so far.

MK9
+2 years - Shinnok is defeated by Johnny Cage. The earliest possible time Cassie Cage could have been conceived.
+unknown - Sonya and Johnny assault Quan Chi's fortress. Scorpion, Jax, and Kuai Liang are returned to life.
+unknown - Kenshi helps Scorpion become a functional member of society.
+"months later" from the assault - Kuai Liang wakes up in the Sky Temple.
+"a few days later" - Kuai Liang departs from the Sky Temple looking for Raiden's lost Kamidogu.
+unknown - Kuai Liang fights Kano for Raiden's lost Kamidogu. Kenshi and Scorpion kill Hsu Hao. Takeda is at least 6 years old. Kenshi says that Hanzo conquered Scorpion "years ago."

MK9+17 - the earliest possible time Cassie Cage could be 15 years old, which is the youngest possible age she could be in the main timeline.

-issue #11 eventually happens, in which Raiden tells Scorpion to go save Sub-Zero to save everyone. Scorpion finds Sub-Zero in a matter of days.

So this is messed up for a number of reasons, not just in terms of chronology but also in what that chronology implies.

Being as generous to Kittelsen's timeline as humanly possible, let's say that Kenshi found Scorpion a few days/weeks after Scorpion's resurrection, so we get the recovery out of the way as quickly as possible.

Being generous again, let's say that the "months later" in Kuai Liang's recovery means 11, the most months "months" can be before turning into "a year later."

For Kenshi's statement that "Scorpion conquered his demons years ago" to be true, at the bare minimum another 13 months must have passed. The only place those 13 months can come from is Kuai Liang's search for Raiden's lost Kamidogu. But... really? I mean... really? Over a year of his life Kuai Liang devoted entirely to the search for the Kamidogu Raiden lost? A year is a very long time. Later, Scorpion will track Kuai Liang down within days of being asked to do so.

And then, all because Raiden forgot to mention "don't get cut," Kuai Liang was enslaved by Havik?

And then, all because Raiden apparently couldn't care enough to send someone or go looking himself (this despite the fact that Scorpion finds Kuai Liang with a bare minimum of effort), Kuai Liang ends up serving Havik for FIVE TO TEN YEARS?

This is a really good timeline. Congratulations. I would be ok with all of those generosities that you mentioned there and even with Raiden keeping the truth of the kamidogu from Sub-Zero. Would it have helped him if Raiden had told him not to get cut by it? Kano would have done it anyway. I still think that the 2 scenes in the first comic are not happening at the same time and that Sub-Zero stealing the dagger from Daegon happened before. The Red Dragon members still think he's working for Quan Chi, so they should be really misinformed if he would only find the dagger 2 YEARS after his resurrection. It would be a real stretch.

But what really doesn't make sense is Sub-Zero keeping the dagger and hiding or going on a rampage for years (5 you said, but I think it's at least 10 years). Why not just deliver the dagger to Havik? I even tweeted Shawn Kittelsen about this and got a reply that "It works". So, I'll guess we'll just have to wait and see. Here's the tweet, you can ask him for more clarification if you want to.

https://twitter.com/kittelsen/status/590192138333257728

A while back, I also did a timeline of Mortal Kombat from the begginning until MKX. You can see it in most countries, except in the US and Germany because of youtube's policy about music, but if you hide your IP you can see it even there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ3...omment_id=z13fth3bdoi0e1q2n22qcdowytzpzpgju04

 

[Cryo]

I think one big inconsistency, not because of its importance (minor one ftr) but big because it's a really notorious thing, is Kotal's "blueness".

On the comic he's always blue even when he's a child/teen, I believe Shaun made him that way because he believed Kotal was naturally blue, if he was aware that he paints himself then he would have made him "white" in the flashbacks.

I may be wrong though, this is just speculative and subjective.

 

[Harpoon]

I think one big inconsistency, not because of its importance (minor one ftr) but big because it's a really notorious thing, is Kotal's "blueness".

On the comic he's always blue even when he's a child/teen, I believe Shaun made him that way because he believed Kotal was naturally blue, if he was aware that he paints himself then he would have made him "white" in the flashbacks.

I may be wrong though, this is just speculative and subjective.

I don't think Shawn was in control of that. That's more of an artist thing than a writer thing.

Also, NRS might have contributed to that line of thinking themselves; like I mentioned earlier, Kotal's with a bunch of other blue guys in Jacqui's ending, and one trailer showed Kotal's soldiers looking a lot more blue than they were in the final product.

 

[MitsuharuSan]

Goro's dialogue vs Kotal doesn't acknowledge their relationship from the comic at all,

I remember calling that possibility months ago and some members were saying that there was no way they would not mention the comics and that Goro wasn't just a bonus character... It goes to show.

 

[MKLegion]

I just thought about something, where the heck is Ermac in all of this, based on the game's timeline Ermac has been serving Kotal since he took over, but he hasn't even made a cameo in the comics.

 

[p.W]

I just thought about something, where the heck is Ermac in all of this, based on the game's timeline Ermac has been serving Kotal since he took over, but he hasn't even made a cameo in the comics.

Yup, the thought has crossed my mind. Very interesting. There's a chance that he'll "come back" now that the game is out and his presence would spoil absolutely nothing, from having been on some useless special mission, but there's no chance Kittelsen just accidentally overlooked this. Hopefully it's something funky.

 

[Tanyas Husband]

Forgot about Ermac. Maybe we'll finally see what happens with Shao Kahn + Ermac's souls in the comic.

 

[Imperatrix Sindel]

Another crack at the timeline:

MK
+ 2 years:
- Mileena gets dethroned and imprisoned. Kotal Kahn becomes emperor of Outworld.
- Shinnok is defeated and imprisoned.
- Quan Chi is defeated. Hanzo, Liang and Jax are freed.
- Cassie, Jacqui and Takeda are born months later.

+ 7 years:
- Mileena escapes imprisonment and starts a rebellion against Kotal Kahn.

+ 10 years:
- Takeda is left with Hanzo.
- Liang finds and gets possessed by a Kamidogu dagger.

+ 17 years:
- Main events of the comic.

+ 20 years:
- Takeda completes his training with Hanzo and leaves with Kenshi.
- Jin joins the Shaolin.
- Hanzo and Liang reconcile.

+ 25 years:
- Main events of MKX.

Isn't Mileena deposed "five years ago" in MKX story mode? In D'Vorah's chapter.

 

[Harpoon]

Isn't Mileena deposed "five years ago" in MKX story mode? In D'Vorah's chapter.

That scene being five years ago was very likely a mistake, given the dialogue about the Netherrealm War in that scene.

 

[Imperatrix Sindel]

That scene being five years ago was very likely a mistake, given the dialogue about the Netherrealm War in that scene.

Hmm, I dunno. They're not talking about the Netherrealm War on Earth, they're talking about the potential for the Netherrealm attacking Outworld.

Johnny Cage also makes the Outworld Civil War sound like a fairly recent development -- which would make sense if Mileena was deposed 5 years ago and freed by Tanya only 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[p.W]

Hmm, I dunno. They're not talking about the Netherrealm War on Earth, they're talking about the potential for the Netherrealm attacking Outworld.

Johnny Cage also makes the Outworld Civil War sound like a fairly recent development -- which would make sense if Mileena was deposed 5 years ago and freed by Tanya only 2 or 3 years ago.

Kotal Kahn in that scene:

"Well, the Netherrealm War has been over for 15 years; Shinnok, the biggest threat, was completely defeated and sealed away; his second-in-command Quan Chi was defeated and went into hiding, and for good reason, too, because half of his army is now Earthrealm's army and will try to break his ugly mug the moment he decides to rear it; furthermore, Quan Chi and Shinnok, even when they were in power, showed zero interest in Outworld... which Mileena, the rightful heir, has ruled over for 20 years without the planet descending into total chaos... but obviously Quan Chi could attack us at any moment and HOW DARE Mileena not ally with Earthrealm which I also will not do once I meet Cassie Cage and Kung Jin and will instead attempt to execute them?! TIME TO STEAL THE THRONE!"

If you're right and the scene really was earnestly meant to be set 5 years earlier... then that is some unforgivably awful writing. And it leaves us with absolutely no idea as to what kind of character Kotal is meant to be? Is he a paranoid tool or does he have a good head on his shoulders? Is he honorable or an opportunistic sleazebag? Who knows! You decide!

 

[ZombieVito]

Quan Chi and Shinnok, even when they were in power, showed zero interest in Outworld...

But they did... Shinnok says so in MK.

 

[Harpoon]

Hmm, I dunno. They're not talking about the Netherrealm War on Earth, they're talking about the potential for the Netherrealm attacking Outworld.

Johnny Cage also makes the Outworld Civil War sound like a fairly recent development -- which would make sense if Mileena was deposed 5 years ago and freed by Tanya only 2 or 3 years ago.

Yeah, and they also talk about Quan Chi going underground for years. Why would war with the Netherrealm suddenly loom for Outworld with Shinnok defeated and Quan Chi in no condition to wage battle? Why is this fear of a new war with the Netherrealm never elaborated upon or mentioned ever again? This is such a random plot point to bring up out of nowhere, and it makes no sense to happen at that point in the timeline when the Netherrealm is not seen as a threat anymore.

And I don't think it necessarily sounds like a recent development from that exchange. A bit too vague, and it could just be a worry because of the war just recently really ramping up.

 

[p.W]

But they did... Shinnok says so in MK.

He says it in MK9... to Quan Chi. Did Kotal Kahn play MK9? :laugh:

OK, for whatever reason Kotal Kahn is correctly able to guess that the second stage of Shinnok's plan involves taking Outworld. Is Quan Chi really going to be able to pull that off with his half dozen Revenants, when all the armies of the Netherrealm combined couldn't take Earthrealm? The citizens of which do not have blades on their arms?

It's just nonsensical for Kotal Kahn to feel SO threatened by this idea, 15 years after Quan Chi's defeat, that he decides to oust Mileena from the throne.

 

[Tarkatan Trash]

Obviously, Shinnok's ambitions did not go as planned, but why would Shinnok have manipulated Shao Kahn's destruction from behind closed doors if he wasn't planning on eventually conquering Outworld?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

 

[p.W]

Obviously, Shinnok's ambitions did not go as planned, but why would Shinnok have manipulated Shao Kahn's destruction from behind closed doors if he wasn't planning on eventually conquering Outworld?

Are you asking for my opinion or for Kotal's? Obviously we know that Shinnok intended to do something to Outworld as per his dialogue with Quan Chi, but Kotal didn't see that scene. Does he even know that Quan Chi betrayed Shao Kahn? Is that public knowledge? If he doesn't know this, then all he knows is that Quan Chi served Shao Kahn and then Shao Kahn went belly up. No need for any conspiracy theories.

But even if he somehow connects the dots all the way to Shinnok, maybe Shinnok just wanted Shao Kahn out of the way so that Earthrealm wouldn't be merged with Outworld by the time he broke out.

 

[Imperatrix Sindel]

Kotal Kahn in that scene:

"Well, the Netherrealm War has been over for 15 years; Shinnok, the biggest threat, was completely defeated and sealed away; his second-in-command Quan Chi was defeated and went into hiding, and for good reason, too, because half of his army is now Earthrealm's army and will try to break his ugly mug the moment he decides to rear it; furthermore, Quan Chi and Shinnok, even when they were in power, showed zero interest in Outworld... which Mileena, the rightful heir, has ruled over for 20 years without the planet descending into total chaos... but obviously Quan Chi could attack us at any moment and HOW DARE Mileena not ally with Earthrealm which I also will not do once I meet Cassie Cage and Kung Jin and will instead attempt to execute them?! TIME TO STEAL THE THRONE!"

If you're right and the scene really was earnestly meant to be set 5 years earlier... then that is some unforgivably awful writing. And it leaves us with absolutely no idea as to what kind of character Kotal is meant to be? Is he a paranoid tool or does he have a good head on his shoulders? Is he honorable or an opportunistic sleazebag? Who knows! You decide!

I think we can see later on that Kotal is something of a hypocrite. I think he saw an opportunity and he took it -- but I'm sure he believes it's all for the good of Outworld. He definitely thinks he's very honorable.

It's entirely possible he brings up the Netherrealm thing as a stab in the dark to add to his previous points. When the scene begins he and Reptile have already been discussing the coup and their dissatisfaction with Mileena as Kahnum with D'Vorah for some time.

Yeah, and they also talk about Quan Chi going underground for years. Why would war with the Netherrealm suddenly loom for Outworld with Shinnok defeated and Quan Chi in no condition to wage battle? Why is this fear of a new war with the Netherrealm never elaborated upon or mentioned ever again? This is such a random plot point to bring up out of nowhere, and it makes no sense to happen at that point in the timeline when the Netherrealm is not seen as a threat anymore.

And I don't think it necessarily sounds like a recent development from that exchange. A bit too vague, and it could just be a worry because of the war just recently really ramping up.

Cassie doesn't have any idea that there's a civil war at all. Either she's a really lousy interdimensional Special Forces agent, or it's a new development. Kotal's chapter and Li Mei's dialogue later on also imply that Mileena's organized rebellion is a new thing that hasn't been going on for very long. It's definitely ramping up, but one gets the sense it's ramping up quickly.

Obviously, Shinnok's ambitions did not go as planned, but why would Shinnok have manipulated Shao Kahn's destruction from behind closed doors if he wasn't planning on eventually conquering Outworld?

Whether or not Ko'atal knows that, Shinnok's stated goal was to destroy and rule over all of the realms, not just Earth.

Perhaps Kotal just invokes the Netherrealm as a bogeyman, the way U.S. presidential candidates bring up Russia or Iran or whatever. But it's not as if he'd be pulling it entirely out of his ass.

 

[BBBLP]

Are you asking for my opinion or for Kotal's? Obviously we know that Shinnok intended to do something to Outworld as per his dialogue with Quan Chi, but Kotal didn't see that scene. Does he even know that Quan Chi betrayed Shao Kahn? Is that public knowledge? If he doesn't know this, then all he knows is that Quan Chi served Shao Kahn and then Shao Kahn went belly up. No need for any conspiracy theories.

But even if he somehow connects the dots all the way to Shinnok, maybe Shinnok just wanted Shao Kahn out of the way so that Earthrealm wouldn't be merged with Outworld by the time he broke out.

Shinnok is the harbinger of death. He doesn't just want the lives of Earthrealm, he wants all of them. And as a former Elder God, I'd say he's pretty well known throughout all the realms. He'd go to Outworld eventually, but he probably focused on Earthrealm first for the sake of revenge.

 

[p.W]

I think we can see later on that Kotal is something of a hypocrite. I think he saw an opportunity and he took it -- but I'm sure he believes it's all for the good of Outworld. He definitely thinks he's very honorable.

My point is that we can't know any of these things, because his characterization is all over the place. Is he a hypocrite? Or is he just badly written? They tell us NOTHING about the situation in Outworld. Is Shinnok a bogeyman, still? Or is this a credible threat? Who knows! Is Mileena a bad rule who is endangering Outworld with her reckless behavior? Or is she a ruler who is willing to compromise and be a diplomat and allow Edenia to be free for the first time in millennia? Who knows!

If that scene has a timeline error, then NRS miswrote some stuff in the story but otherwise things are very straight-forward and consistent. If that is not a timeline error, then we have absolutely no f---ing clue what was going on in Outworld at all, who was right, who was wrong, what the character's defining traits are... just nothing at all.

I'd rather imagine that the former is true, until presented with evidence to the contrary.

Cassie doesn't have any idea that there's a civil war at all. Either she's a really lousy interdimensional Special Forces agent, or it's a new development.

Cassie isn't an interdimensional Special Forces agent at all, she's just a trainee. Taking on Sub-Zero was the team's "first mission," and even that turned out to be only a training exercise. Going into Outworld was their cherrypopping. It's not at all surprising that she wouldn't have access to classified information until then.

Shinnok is the harbinger of death. He doesn't just want the lives of Earthrealm, he wants all of them. And as a former Elder God, I'd say he's pretty well known throughout all the realms. He'd go to Outworld eventually, but he probably focused on Earthrealm first for the sake of revenge.

Even if that's true (I wonder - Outworld doesn't seem to have anyone as knowledgeable as Raiden around to tell them these things), Shinnok was defeated over 15 years ago. Worrying about his resurgence now makes less sense than worrying about it a year after he was defeated, or 2, or 3, and just as much sense as worrying about it 50 years before MK9. He can always come back, so Earthrealm and Outworld should just be in a constant state of alliance just in case!

 

[Yellow Ledbetter]

Are you asking for my opinion or for Kotal's? Obviously we know that Shinnok intended to do something to Outworld as per his dialogue with Quan Chi, but Kotal didn't see that scene. Does he even know that Quan Chi betrayed Shao Kahn? Is that public knowledge? If he doesn't know this, then all he knows is that Quan Chi served Shao Kahn and then Shao Kahn went belly up. No need for any conspiracy theories.

But even if he somehow connects the dots all the way to Shinnok, maybe Shinnok just wanted Shao Kahn out of the way so that Earthrealm wouldn't be merged with Outworld by the time he broke out.

I think Shinnok planned taking out Shao Kahn and Earthrealm defenders to invade both.

He would start his revenge, as [MENTION=4889]BBBLP[/MENTION] said, from Earthrealm.

On MK3, he couldn't do it, because:

1. Earthrealm defenders were intact;
2. Shao Kahn was alive;

With that, and the fact Edenia was a free and being rebuilt, he started his revenge by Edenia.

But, on MKX, his plans were a success because:

1. Shao Kahn was dead, so Outworld was free for him;
2. Earthrealm defenders were his servants.

He clearly mentions, on MK9 ending, that he would invade Outworld.

Also, on Kotal vs Shinnok battles, he mentions on the intros that he does not care and wants to merge Outworld (non canon the battle, but a what if that reveals a truth).

His goal is obvious on taking ALL the realms. He probably thought that he would take Earthrealm (revenge on Raiden), Outworld and so on. Well, at the least on his ending, he takes Earthrealm, and as his revenants mention, he goes to the Heavens and face the Elder Gods (as we have seen, waking up the One Being).