SinceMortal Kombat’s debut, the series has been viewed as a brutal and over-the-top arcade fighter. However, those who have stuck with it over the years know thatMortal Kombatactually boasts deep and complex lorewith character backstories. This unique combination allows theMortal Kombatseries to present fans with characters that echo some of the harsh realities of the real world, adding a significant amount of representation to its roster. WithMortal Kombat 12just around the corner, one of the series' oldest characters, Jax, shouldn’t be missing from the roster, as he has been the series' strongest source of representation for nearly 30 years.
Mortal Kombat 12was finally officially addressed by Ed Boon at theMortal Kombat30th Anniversary Celebration, where developer NetherRealm Studios released a brief teaser for it. While it offered little context, the short video sent the fanbase into widespread speculation, with some believing that the Fire God Liu Kang ending ofMortal Kombat 11had reset the timeline or destroyed it in some way. A recent leak suggests that the game’s official title isMortal Kombat 1, adding credence to the theory.
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Jax Briggs is the Pinnacle of Representation In Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat’s Jax Briggsmade his debut in 1993’sMortal Kombat 2, in which the United States Special Forces major seeks to rescue his partner, Sonya Blade, from Outworld. He was the first black character in theMortal Kombatseries, setting him up as an important figure within the early title’s roster.
While his first iteration presented fans with a solid addition to the roster, 2011’sMortal Kombatrebooted his origin, dramatically deepening his backstory and changing the events that led to his bionic arms. Since then, Jax’s depth and points of intersection have only grown, resulting in a character that represents the series' best depictions of perseverance, recovery, mental health, and fatherhood.
Therefore,Jax has one ofMortal Kombat’s most human backstories. 2011’s reboot saw the character’s arms obliterated by Ermac in Outworld, leading to his becoming disabled and acquiring bionic arms. Jax perishes at the hands of Sindel, before being resurrected by and forced to serve Quan Chi, leaving the Special Forces veteran traumatized. Following the death of his wife, Vera, Jax’s trauma overruns him, leading to him becoming a recluse and growing apart from his daughter Jacqui.
InMortal Kombat 11, antagonist Kronika recruits Jax to help her reset the timeline, a concept that the deeply broken man believes will allow him to prevent Jacqui from joining the Special Forces and allow her to avoid the potential trauma he experienced as a result. Jax is later convinced by his past self and Jacqui to return to the side of good and begin to heal.
Jax is Essential to Mortal Kombat 12
WhileMortal Kombatcontinues to add exciting characterswith each entry, none have met the level of representation embodied by Jax. By displaying a human character who has overcome trauma, both physical and emotional, NetherRealm created a fighter that many fans can connect to for different reasons. Jax continues to be one of gaming’s most complex black characters. Additionally, he brings a dose of harsh reality to a series that is otherwise rampant with over-the-top campy violence and convoluted storytelling.
Jax’s potential inclusion inMortal Kombat 12is essential. Beyond being among the series' oldest and greatest characters, his redemption arc deserves more time, after years of reclusive behavior. However, there are no official roster confirmations at this time, as plot details such as the time period are strictly under wraps. WereMortal Kombat 12to reboot the series as leaks suggest, fans may see an entirely new iteration of Jax. If so, NetherRealm should be careful to maintain the character’s pivotal role to fans who benefit from his myriad points of representation.
