With the release of Mortal Kombat’s 2021 movie, Warner Brothers introduced another generation to the gruesome world of Mortal Kombat. While Mortal Kombat has hit the silver screen before, its previous release hasn’t seen the same level of praise from fans. The more recent rendition of the video game franchise is truer to the source material, incorporating faithful costumes, characters, and choreography.
One of the characters to appear in the movie adaptation of Mortal Kombat is Kabal, a masked antagonist who fights for the almighty dollar. Like Kano, he fights for himself and the potential profits each fight may earn him. While several details about this character are shown in the movie, there are a handful of facts that even the most dedicated Mortal Kombat fans may not know. Here are several tidbits about Kabal you probably didn’t know.
10 Kabal First Appeared In Mortal Kombat 3
While Kabal is one of the first faces to grace the rebooted movie franchise, he was an entry that entered the game series later on. He was first introduced in 1995’s Mortal Kombat 3. His appearance has remained relatively consistent over the years, as he’s always had long hair, hook swords, and a respirator mask disturbing enough to creep out Darth Vader.
9 The Hookswords Were Baraka’s
Kabal’s hook swords may have always been a part of his character kit, but they weren’t intended for him. An early version of Baraja used the weapons, but the concept was scrapped during preproduction. Rather than throw the entire design away, the team at Midway opted to reuse the idea with Kabal. This also helped find a use for the generic hook swords often packaged with Mortal Kombat action figures. It’s very fitting that a ploy to gain money motivated the creation of a character like Kabal.
8 Kabal Was A Hero
Today, Kabal is a known antagonist, but originally, he was depicted as a hero. The masked fighter joined the other forces for good on their quest to protect Earthrealm.
This team-up would be short-lived; Kabal betrays his comrades and seeks out power. With the Black Dragon tempting him, he decides to do what any self-serving villain would do, sells out his friends.
7 He Has Super Speed
One ability you don’t expect a villain with a breathing problem to possess is super-speed. Yet Kabal shocks once again with this power. He can move fast enough to appear as a blur to those around him, and he even uses this several times in 2021’s Mortal Kombat movie to get the jump on his enemies. Those unaware of his skill set may be surprised to hear that he is the fastest person in all of Mortal Kombat. 2011’s reboot states that this power results from his time in Outworld, as this planet’s composition altered his body.
6 Kabal Needs His Mask To Survive
Like another mask-wearing villain, Kabal doesn’t get to remove his mask. After Shao Kahn’s extermination squads ambushed him, he barely escaped with his life. The fight left him horribly disfigured and permanently damaged his respiratory system. Now he’s forced to use a breathing apparatus, one that’s built into his mask.
While he could have chosen to forgo the face covering, his deformities are so gruesome that they’re nauseating. He hides his scars at all times, burying himself in a suit of armor.
5 Kano Gave Him The Mask
Kabal may have survived his run-in with Shao Kahn, but without Kano’s help, he may not have lived to fight another day. Lucky for him, Kano was willing to save his life. This cyborg mercenary helped heal Kabal and gave him the respiratory mask that he uses today. He didn’t do it for free, though, as Kano constantly brings this fact up when negotiating with his fellow kombatant.
4 Kabal Is A Member Of The Black Dragon
One of the reasons Kano saved Kabal was to try and convince him to rejoin the Black Dragon. Kabal was originally a member but had left to pursue his own ambitions. This organization is a clan of mercenaries that splintered off from the Red Dragon due to infighting.
The members work together when necessary, combining their skills and resources to secure riches throughout the realms.
3 Kabal Is Morally Grey
One thing that is certain about Kabal is that he’s an unreliable character. He’ll do what best serves his own interests, and that might mean teaming up with the protectors of Earthrealm from time to time. So long as he can benefit from an alliance or team up, he’ll consider all angles. One certain thing is that Kabal will stab others in the back once he’s done using them. He’s a wild card, and because of this, no one can’t trust him.
2 Sindel Kills Him
In 2011’s Mortal Kombat reboot, Kabal is an NYPD officer serving alongside Kurtis Stryker. When Shao Kahn’s forces come knocking, Kabal surprisingly joins the protectors of Earthrealm. Unfortunately, this fight wouldn’t end in Kabal’s favor, as a resurrected Sindel would take his life on the battlefield. Quan Chi would come to collect his soul soon after and turn him into a revenant. Quan Chi uses him as an undead weapon on his quest to free Shinnok. Even in the most recent entry, Mortal Kombat 11, he’s still a revenant, though his masters have changed. Maybe someone’ll finally free him one day, but Kabal’s got it rough for the time being.
1 He Returned In Mortal Kombat 11
Not all returns are joyous ones. This is especially true for Kabal, who remains a revenant puppet. Depending on who commands him, he’ll fight with all the skill and power he commanded in life at the beck and call of his master. In Mortal Kombat 11, he serves Liu Kang and Kitana, and is their attack dog against their enemies. Those who are turned into revenants cannot speak or disobey their master’s commands, and this fact remains true for the fearsome Kabal.
