KOTAL KAHN - Mezco Mortal Kombat X action figure

It's Mortal Kombat season in my world. With Storm Collectibles debut offering of Scorpion due to be delivered tomorrow, and all of the early reviews I've seen proclaiming the figure to be stellar, my anticipation is high. I thought it a good opportunity to take a look at an MK figure I've had for a while, but never really took the time to examine closely...

"Kotal Kahn is a warrior from the realm of Osh-Tekk. After Shao Kahn was killed in the war with Earthrealm, Kotal served his heir, Mileena. However, her instability eventually led him to overthrow her and assume the emperorship."

Kotal Kahn was released in 2015 by Mezco Toyz as part of the second wave of their short-lived Mortal Kombat X line (which only lasted for 2 waves). The package shape replicates earlier Jazwares card-backs, and is done in a plain black and white, with a notable stress on this figure being appropriate only for adult collectors aged 17+. The card-stock is thick enough to resist bends and creases fairly well, especially considering the shape, but the bubble has a sculpted, raised Mortal Kombat logo atop it. As a result, it's pretty difficult to make out the details of the figure underneath, despite it's being visible. All of this combines to make this figure less eye catching on the wall than it might be on the shelf. Packaging verdict: B+...open it.

Kotal Kahn is an impressive looking figure in every sense of the word. His size is imposing (within the line itself), and the sculpt and paintwork are exceptional. The head is gorgeous, from the intricate bird-themed helmet to the bundle of softer rubbery feathers extending out back. The visible face is stern, has eyes painted to look like they are glowing with s blue fire, and sports a tiny, painted bone piercing its nose. The shoulder and chest armor are equally impressive, with shapes and paintwork to match the helmet. The skeletal loincloth is incredible. The skull is painted with tiny eyes in the sockets and there are three sets of lower jawbones descending down the length of the cloth. Overall, it's absolutely A+ quality sculptwork, and the paint compliments it perfectly. Kahn has sculpted tatoo details raised over his torso, arms and legs. Even the choice of blue frosted plastic for the body works really well, making this one of the most eye-catching figures on any shelf I have.

The figure includes one set of alternate hands, a jagged stone knife and an enormous spiked paddle, dubbed a "macauhuitl." The second pair of hands look like gripping hands, but I've not seen the need for them since Kotal Kahn holds both weapons just fine in his curled right hand, straight out of the package. The knife is wicked looking, and the macauhuitl is fantastic. The black spikes are glossy and look like obsidian. There's a wonderful two-headed snake sculpted on the flat surfaces, with the paint allowed to bleed through the matte red enough to give a sense of shading. Overall, it's big, heavy and really unique. Accessories: A-...functional and well-made.

The trade-off for this guy's amazing sculpt, paintwork, and reasonably low retail price (just about $20) is his limited articulation. He's got enough to enable him to get several good looks, but they won't work to give him deep stances or dynamic looks. There's no biceps swivel, and other joints like the hips and head don't get the range of motion they really need. That said, there's enough here to make Kotal Kahn look great. Articulation: B.

Overall, Kotal Kahn is an awesome-looking addition to the Mortal Kombat figure universe. It's probably my favorite figure of the second wave, and really serves to show just how incredible Mezco can make their figures look. I don't know MKX at all, and I have no attachment to the character at all, but I'm happy to have KK at home on my Mortal Kombat shelf.