Summary
- The Boys' Homelander is coming to Mortal Kombat 1 soon.
- Homelander's laser vision will be a central feature, and the game doesn't shy away from portraying the character's darker and disturbing side.
- NetherRealm aims to authentically depict Homelander's unhinged nature, including references to his more graphic and controversial moments from The Boys.
When it comes to the upcoming Kombat Pack DLC addition, The Boys gives Mortal Kombat 1 no shortage of absurd and outlandish Homelander source material to adapt. Season four of The Boys launches on Prime in June, right around when its psychotic lead antagonist is scheduled to arrive in Mortal Kombat 1, and it’s already been made plain that the new DLC character will be as eccentric as his live-action counterpart. NetherRealm recently revealed a brief snippet of Homelander gameplay, though instead of his actual moveset it chose to tease his cinematic outro, intro, and Fatalities.
Homelander’s intro and Fatalities—or possibly his Fatal Blow—guarantee that his laser vision will be a centerpiece of his abilities and likely what he relies on in many of his normal or meter-oriented attacks. Indeed, Homelander’s laser vision is the villain’s staple power. However, while no acts of heinous and gratuitous violence that Homelander has committed in The Boys is too much for a game as gory as Mortal Kombat 1 to handle, it’s a bit surprising and wholly fortuitous that NetherRealm has also decided to depict how pathetic and deranged Homelander is and that’s clear from his outro alone.
Homelander Drinking Milk is Already a Hot Topic in Mortal Kombat 1
Anyone unfamiliar with The Boys may have watched the opening seconds of Homelander’s Mortal Kombat 1 gameplay reveal teaser in horror as he lustfully drinks from a bottle of milk. This is evidently the iconic scene NetherRealm chose to homage in Homelander’s win outro with milk spilling down his chin and without any context it’s likely to come across as the strangest victory frame in all of Mortal Kombat 1.
The explanation for why Homelander is drinking Madelyn Stillwell’s breast milk doesn’t necessarily do the scene any favors, either, but adapting this scene from the show provides an abridged lens through which players might better understand the character.
Mortal Kombat 1’s Homelander Needs to Be Portrayed Authentically as Horrifically Unwell
Homelander is an unhinged maniac who’s desperate for attention, whether that’s via adoration or terror toward him, and he’s only become more untethered in subsequent seasons. Like Mortal Kombat 1’s Omni-Man only being able to deliver a truncated portrait of Invincible’s Viltrumite, it’s impossible for NetherRealm to perfectly encapsulate an antagonist as complicated as Homelander.
Thankfully, this adaptation of such a vulnerable and cringe-worthy scene demonstrates that Mortal Kombat 1 isn’t afraid to portray the ugly and vulgar sides of Homelander that truly make him a unique character. The incredible strength Homelander possesses is far more banal as a result and where comparisons to other superpowered characters might come into play, but it’s his capacity for malevolence and malice that allows him to wield his powers in wicked and egregious ways.
Madelyn’s milk will hopefully only be the tip of the iceberg in terms of what NetherRealm has in store for disturbing and hilarious references or Easter eggs to Homelander’s most absurd behaviors and mannerisms.
There’s a great chance NetherRealm adapts him looking around in wary apprehension before gradually and nervously smiling as his murderous actions are accepted by the public, for example. Homelander will undoubtedly have a lot of gruesome cinematics involved in his Fatalities, Brutalities, and Fatal Blow inspired by startling moments in The Boys, but if Mortal Kombat 1 can toss in any other animations or cinematics inspired by his more racy or troubled moments it will feature a more complete picture of the perpetually star-spangled and deeply narcissistic villain.
Mortal Kombat 1
- Released
- September 19, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you'll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you've never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- NetherRealm Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Brothers Games
- Franchise
- Mortal Kombat
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
- How Long To Beat
- 7 Hours
- Metascore
- 84
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
