Sometimes the “same old thing” is just the ticket. NetherRealm Studios have tried something new with Raiden in Injustice 2, and whatever they’re doing, it’s not really clicking with anyone. That discontent was recently leveled at some newly revealed concept art from legendary comic artist Jim Lee.
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Check out this full-color concept illustration Lee shared on Instagram:
I’m about to say what pretty much every other person in that post is saying in the comments section: Lee is an incredible artist, and I respect his talent, but I have no idea who signed off on this design or why. There’s a lot going on here, and I’m not sure that it makes sense on any level.
If you take a step back, you can almost believe that they were trying to re-imagine Raiden as some kind of supervillain or superhero. He has that kind of over-the-top flare to him, accented by those monstrous clawed greaves, the long, tattered cape, and that mask. That freaking mask! We just can’t get over that shiny little face wrap.
Quite apart from the design itself, many fans were disappointed that we’re getting another Mortal Kombat character. We were really hoping to see Spawn revealed this time around, and while we’re still excited about Hellboy, we can’t help but feel like Raiden was a waste of a roster slot. Here are a few of the comments from the character art posting:
“This is a waste. Why do we need another mortal Kombat character. Should have been another dc character,” one comment reads. “If I wanted to play mortal Kombat I would. This is dc. And Jim you can do so much better.”
“In my humble opinion it looks awful, it looks like shit,” another comment says. “Sorry, Jim. Please for the next Injustice games give all design work to Kenneth Rockaforth (hope I spelled right), he IS THE Alpha-God of design.”
Obviously Lee himself is in the direct line of fire here, which makes us very sorry, but hopefully NetherRealm will hear its fans loud and clear and make it up in the next big reveal. If nothing else, they can show Raiden in some new gear. Who knows? Maybe starring in a sick gameplay reveal trailer wearing some new wraps will change our minds.
