Subtle Kombat: Kun Jin's Komplicated Koming Out
Loading...
Links to Files
Permanent Link
Collections
Author/Creator
Author/Creator ORCID
Date
2015-04-24
Type of Work
Department
Program
Citation of Original Publication
Harper, T. (April 2015). Subtle Kombat: Kung Jin's Komplicated Koming Out. Paste Magazine, 1-6.
Rights
Abstract
Last week, WB Games and NetherRealm Studios brought out the latest game in the long-running Mortal Kombat franchise. Clever fans noticed a scene in its story mode that heavily implies series newcomer Kung Jin, the cousin of razor hat-tossing series regular Kung Lao, is gay… an implication that the game’s cinematics director then more or less confirmed on Twitter. The thorny issue of queer representation is rarely uncomplicated; even the best, most pleasing versions often have some sort of dissonant note that gives people pause. This is fine; nothing is ever perfect, and frankly, I think I’d be happy to reach a point where queer representation is common enough that we can openly critique it rather than have to be wildly jubilant that it exists at all.