On 6-30-2020 I put the finishing details on my second LV inspired Mortal Kombat Smoke mask. This piece is part of a series I’m exploring where I revisit some of my favorite video game characters.
Smoke first appeared in Mortal Kombat II (1993) as a hidden unplayable opponent and grey ninja palette swap of Scorpion who would make random onscreen appearances during gameplay. He made his official playable debut in 1995's Mortal Kombat 3 as an unlockable character, this time as an indigo-colored swap of the game's cybernetic ninjas, Sektor and Cyrax.
His role in the series has predominantly been that of a friend and confidant to the younger Sub-Zero; both are part of the Lin Kuei clan of assassins who boldly choose to defect after learning of the clan's plan to convert its members into cyborgs. Smoke was ultimately captured and transformed, and given orders to hunt down Sub-Zero, but unlike his robotic counterparts he had retained his human soul. In the three-dimensional games, he is connected with Noob Saibot, under whose command he serves. Smoke's background is expanded the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot, it was said that he came from the Czech city of Prague, while his and Sub-Zero's fortunes are reversed in the retelling of their MK3 storyline.
Despite having mostly served in a supporting role in the games, he has proven to be one of the more popular characters in the Mortal Kombat series, gaining mostly positive fan and critical reception. Response to his Fatality finishing moves has been mostly mixed. Smoke has also featured in alternate Mortal Kombat media such as the Malibu comic book series, the 1996 cartoon Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, and the 1997 film Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, in addition to appearing on some official merchandise.
