NetherRealm Studios made waves at New York Comic Con this weekend with the reveal of Invincible’s Omni-Man as the first DLC character coming to Mortal Kombat 1. The inter-dimensional superhero will bring his signature gory style to the fighting game franchise later this November.
Omni-Man Joins the Kombat
Mortal Kombat has always pushed boundaries when it comes to video game violence and the addition of Omni-Man looks to continue that tradition. The anti-hero from Robert Kirkman’s ultra-violent comic series Invincible is known for his over-the-top bloody fights, which should make him right at home in the MK arena.
Actor J.K. Simmons will reprise his voice role from the Invincible animated series, once again bringing Omni-Man and his sinister personality to life. Fans can expect he won’t be pulling any punches when it comes to finishing off opponents in creative and gruesome fatalities.
The debut gameplay trailer gives a taste of what’s to come, with Omni-Man violently dismantling franchise icons Scorpion and Liu Kang. His move set utilizes strength, speed, and flight to unleash devastating combos, playing into his abilities as a Viltrumite warrior. Special attacks allow him to grab and slam opponents, shoot optic blasts, and even impale enemies on his own severed arm.
Omni-Man enters the arena when the DLC releases this November.
More Classic Fighters Return
In addition to Omni-Man, the NYCC trailer also provided the first look at returning fighter Tremor. This ninja with control over earth last appeared playable in Mortal Kombat X. His reveal hints that other classic characters may also make a comeback via DLC.
Tremor and Omni-Man represent just the start of NetherRealm’s planned content updates for Mortal Kombat 1. The upcoming Kombat Pack bundles together six new playable fighters along with five additional cameo characters.
Who Else is Joining the Roster?
Here’s a full rundown of the other characters included in the Kombat Pack:
- Quan Chi – The scheming sorcerer, first playable in Mortal Kombat 4, returns this winter.
- Peacemaker – John Cena’s violent vigilante from the HBO Max series crashes onto consoles this winter.
- Ermac – The mystical amalgam of souls becomes playable for the first time since MKX next spring.
- Homelander – Antony Starr’s unhinged Supe from The Boys brings some super-powered carnage next spring.
- Takeda Takahashi – Hanzo Hasashi’s whip-wielding protégé teleports back into action next summer.
Cameo Fighters:
- Tremor
- Ferra/Torr
- Janet Cage – Daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade
- Khameleon
- Mavado
That’s a stacked roster of new and returning brawlers. Some surprising picks like The Boys’ Homelander and Cena’s Peacemaker continue the recent trend of MK guest stars from comics, TV, and movies. Meanwhile, the comeback of fan favorites like Quan Chi and Ermac will surely be welcomed by longtime kombatants.
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Omni-Man Leads the Charge
However, Omni-Man clearly remains the heavyweight addition among the upcoming DLC. Fans have been clamoring for more guest characters from the world of comics, and they don’t get much deadlier than Invincible’s Viltrumite warrior.
Omni-Man’s savage fighting style and sinister personality should mesh perfectly with Mortal Kombat’s over-the-top gore and ruthless nature. His epic throwdowns with Invincible give just a small taste of the carnage that awaits when he steps into the arena.
Based on the DLC trailer, NetherRealm is definitely staying true to the character’s roots. They could have toned down the violence, but instead fully embraced Omni-Man’s brutal legacy. MK is already no stranger to shock value, and the addition of Invincible’s ultra-violent hero promises to turn the gore factor up to eleven.
Kombat Pack Details
The Kombat Pack including Omni-Man, all upcoming DLC fighters, and cameo characters is priced at $39.99. However, the best value comes from the Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition at $109.99. This includes the base game and the entire Kombat Pack bundled together.
For those who already own MK1, pre-ordering just the Kombat Pack will grant early access to Omni-Man when it launches in November. Otherwise, it can be purchased separately at a later date.
The Premium Edition or Kombat Pack represent the best way to get all the upcoming content at a discount. Based on previous NetherRealm games like Injustice 2, purchasing each new fighter individually could cost up to $5.99 each à la carte.
The Future of MK1
Mortal Kombat 1 has already proven itself as one of the premier fighting games since first releasing in 2019. It’s the best-selling title in the long-running franchise’s history, with over 12 million copies sold.
Omni-Man and the Kombat Pack fit right in line with that strategy. Maintaining a solid content roadmap with fan-requested characters and surprise crossover guest stars keeps players invested. It drives continued engagement and revenue for years beyond launch.
For esports players, the new fighters also bolster the thriving competitive scene. The meta continues to evolve, opening up new strategies and counterplay options. Even this late into its lifespan, MK1 managing to draw major viewership numbers for its tournament streams.
NetherRealm clearly recognizes Mortal Kombat 1 has plenty of gas left in the tank. While the studio also has others projects in the works, MK1 will likely remain the centerpiece for years to come.
The Omni-Man reveal generated massive buzz coming out of NYCC. It’s clear NetherRealm still knows how to excite fans by collaborating with hot properties like Invincible. If they continue tapping into trends and pop culture, MK1 can certainly maintain its reign well into the future.
Omni-Man is just the first of many new kombatants coming down the pipeline. There’s never been a better time to step back into the arena and test your might against a slew of new challengers.
