Who Killed Jax in Mortal Kombat? A Detailed Look at His Many “Deaths”
The question of who killed Jax in Mortal Kombat is surprisingly complex, primarily because the character has faced multiple fatal scenarios across the franchise’s numerous games, films, and other media. The simple, if somewhat misleading, answer is: Jax has been killed multiple times by various characters, depending on the specific storyline. He is a testament to the brutal world of Mortal Kombat where death is often a temporary state. Let’s delve into the details of Jax’s demise throughout the Mortal Kombat universe.
Jax’s Fatal Encounters Across the Mortal Kombat Universe
Sindel’s Brutal Strike
One of Jax’s most significant and well-known deaths occurs in the storyline of Mortal Kombat 9 (2011), a reboot of the first three games. In this timeline, Sindel is responsible for his demise. She is depicted as an incredibly powerful and ruthless force, killing a number of Earthrealm’s champions. Jax’s death is particularly brutal; Sindel stabs him through the throat with her heel, simultaneously snapping his neck. This event is a major turning point in the story, highlighting the immense threat Sindel poses and the tragic loss of numerous heroes.
The Deadly Alliance and Onaga’s Enslavement
Another significant “death” for Jax, though more of a state of undeath, takes place within the Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance storyline. In this narrative, Jax, along with several other Earthrealm warriors, falls in the battle against the titular Deadly Alliance of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. However, his story doesn’t end there. Instead of remaining deceased, Jax is resurrected by the Dragon King Onaga to become one of his enslaved revenants. This twist sees Jax transformed into a tool of evil, a recurring theme for several Mortal Kombat characters who suffer similar fates.
Ermac’s Telekinetic Assault
In the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot, outside of the tournament itself, Ermac is responsible for destroying Jax’s arms in a violent confrontation. Although this isn’t a direct killing blow, it does render him unable to fight and forces him to return to Earth for medical attention. While he receives his iconic cybernetic arms, this event still represents a serious defeat for Jax. The fact that this leaves him vulnerable later, where he eventually dies, could be seen as contributing to his demise. It can be argued that Ermac put him on a path that ultimately ended with his death.
The Lin Kuei Attack and Sindel’s Final Blow
In the same storyline as his defeat by Ermac, Jax eventually faces a more permanent death alongside most of Raiden’s forces. This occurs following an attack by the Lin Kuei and Sindel. He perishes in this widespread slaughter, underscoring the brutality of the conflict and the immense power wielded by the villains. This is a second, distinct death caused directly by Sindel in the timeline.
Lord Havik in the New Timeline
The most recent example comes from a post-credits scene in Mortal Kombat 1, showcasing a possible timeline where Lord Havik kills Jax. This scene, though not the central focus of the game, adds another layer to Jax’s complicated and often tragic narrative.
The Complex Nature of Mortal Kombat Death
It’s important to note that the idea of death in Mortal Kombat is often not final. Characters are frequently resurrected or subjected to states of undeath, such as becoming revenants. Therefore, while Jax has been “killed” multiple times, he has also returned, often as a changed and sometimes corrupted individual. This makes pinpointing a single answer to “who killed Jax” quite difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Jax’s Fate
1. Did Goro Rip Off Jax’s Arms?
Yes, Goro ripped off Jax’s arms in the animated movie Mortal Kombat: Scorpion’s Revenge. This occurs during a tournament match where Goro gets frustrated with toying with Jax and, upon Shang Tsung’s command, brutally tears them off. Fortunately for Jax, Raiden intervened, and the wounds were cauterized, saving his life.
2. Is It True Sub-Zero Took Jax’s Arms?
This depends on the continuity. In the new movie-verse, Sub-Zero (Bi Han) is responsible for shattering Jax’s arms. However, in the animated movie-verse, it is Goro who takes them off. The events surrounding Jax’s arm loss vary depending on the medium.
3. Did Jax Survive in the Different Timelines?
Jax’s survival is not consistent across the different Mortal Kombat timelines. He has been killed, resurrected, enslaved, and severely injured, demonstrating a constant struggle for survival across the franchise.
4. How Did Jax Become Human After Being a Revenant?
After being enslaved by Quan Chi, Raiden and Sonya managed to resurrect Jax. This event occurred two years after his enslavement. The trauma of being a revenant motivated him to retire from Special Forces, marry Vera, and become a farmer.
5. Who Is Jax’s Wife and Mother of His Daughter?
Jax’s wife is Vera Briggs, who is also the mother of their daughter, Jacqui. They met after Jax’s experience as a revenant. Vera is friends with Sonya Blade and aware of Jax’s involvement in protecting Earthrealm.
6. What Led to Jax Getting Cybernetic Arms?
After Ermac destroyed his arms, Jax received cybernetic enhancements in order to continue protecting Earthrealm. The cybernetic arms are a key part of his design and combat style.
7. Is Jax a Hero or Villain in Mortal Kombat?
Jax is generally depicted as a hero, particularly in main story arcs, various related media, and the original games. His main motivation is to protect Earthrealm, though he occasionally struggles with revenge.
8. Why did Jax turn into a Revenant?
Jax was turned into a Revenant by Quan Chi after being killed alongside other Earthrealm warriors during the Deadly Alliance storyline. This meant he was under Quan Chi’s control, serving him in the Netherrealm.
9. What did Ermac do to Jax besides destroy his arms?
Aside from destroying Jax’s arms with his telekinetic powers, Ermac primarily serves as an antagonist in various story modes. However, his main interaction with Jax is based on that one encounter where he tears his limbs apart.
10. How did Jax get his powers?
Jax doesn’t have innate superhuman powers like some other Mortal Kombat characters. His strength and combat abilities mainly come from his Special Forces training, amplified by his cybernetic arms.
11. What is the significance of Jax’s arms glowing?
When Jax lands a punch, his Bionic Arms start to heat up, causing them to glow red hot. This is not just visual flair, but a gameplay mechanic that affects his fighting capabilities.
12. Was Sub-Zero always evil?
The original Sub-Zero (Bi Han) is more of an anti-hero, having committed both good and bad acts. The younger Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang), however, is depicted as generally good and an ally of Earthrealm.
13. Why did Sub-Zero kill Scorpion’s family?
It was revealed that Quan Chi impersonated the original Sub-Zero, and tricked the Lin Kuei clan to assault the Shirai Ryu. He was the one that killed Scorpion’s wife and son in order to manipulate Scorpion into becoming his champion.
14. Is it true Sub-Zero is against killing children?
Despite being depicted as Pure Evil by some, both his actor and director mentioned that Sub-Zero is against killing children and he only did it because of loyalty to the Lin Kuei.
15. Who is the 4-armed fighter in Mortal Kombat?
The 4-armed fighter in Mortal Kombat is Goro. He is a Shokan warrior and known for his enormous size and brutal strength.