Sonya Blade

Origin

Lieutenant Sonya Blade had been going after an international criminal organization lead by Kano called "Black Dragon." After her partner was killed by Kano, Sonya developed a vendetta against the crime lord.

Having learned of his participation in a tournament, she defied her superiors and went after him. The two enemies were captured by Shao Kahn's forces and held as prisoners in Shao Kahn's courtyard. Sonya was able to send a signal to her department and her good friend Major Jackson "Jax" Briggs came to rescue her. He succeeded and they returned to the Earthrealm to warn their superiors of the extra-dimensional danger, but they didn't believe them and were unable to prevent Shao Kahn's invasion.

Sonya and Jax however were prepared and fought back with the other Earth warriors, leading to a confrontation between Sonya and Kano, whom had become one of Shao Kahn's generals. She threw him off a roof leading to his apparent death, but he grabbed a clump of her hair on the way down.

After the invasion, not only were Sonya and Jax put in charge of the government's new "Outworld Investigation Agency," but they had begun rounding up and capturing all of the Black Dragon members. They were about to capture the last one, Jarek, when Raiden asked them for their aid against Shinnok, with a reluctant Jarek agreeing to help hoping to escape imprisonment.

After the threat of Shinnok was over, Jarek tried to escape and Sonya chased after, presumably killing Jarek in self-defense. After this Jax and Sonya discovered the inactive body of Cyrax out in the desert. They salvaged him and managed to restore his soul. Grateful, he then joined the Outworld Investigation Agency.

While on assignment, Sonya found out that the OIA building had been blown up by a member of the Red Dragon posing as a member of the agency named Hsu Hao. Not soon after, Raiden appeared to Sonya and Jax and informed them of the Deadly Alliance and they went with him. This would lead to their deaths at the hands of the Deadly Alliance's Tarkatan army, only to be revived by Onaga to be his servants. They were eventually freed from his control by Liu Kang and Ermac.

Creation

The character Sonya Blade was created to be a part of the video game franchise Mortal Kombat. Her character and the game created by John Tobias and Ed Boon. She was a late addition to the first game released in 1992, and her appearance in the game is somewhat of a token gesture to include a female fighter.

She made her debut into comics with the 1994 comic series Mortal Kombat Blood & Thunder, appearing in the first issue. Her debut in comics written by Charles Marshall and drawn by Patrick Rolo.

Character Evolution

Originally developed and exclusive to the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, the character of Sonya Blade has experienced little character development in her comic book appearances, and most of it reflects the characters development in her native video game appearances.

Mortal Kombat first female fighter, she was deemed too unpopular for the games immediate sequel however she would return in future games. In the cancelled Mortal Kombat game Mortal Kombat 8, Sonya was going to have her background and costume change to being the daughter of a texas ranger, she would eventually be revamped in a different way for the 2011 Mortal Kombat 9 video game.

Major Story Arcs

Mortal Kombat I

Sonya is gathered by Raiden with fellow Earth Realm warriors to defend Earth.

Mortal Kombat II

Sonya travels to Outworld to defeat Shao Kahn.

Powers and Abilities

A proficient fighter, Sonya Blade is trained in Kenpo, Tae Kwon Do, Military hand to hand Combat as well as the weapons Wind Blade, Kali Sticks, and Garrote Wire. Considered one of the finest fighters not just in Earth realm but all the realms she was chosen for her fighting ability to represent and defend Earth.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 5'9" (1.75 cm)
• Weight: 140 lbs
• Eyes: Blue
• Hair: Blonde

Other Media

Video Games

Mortal Kombat (1992)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat

Sonya Blade's first appearance comes in the sequel to the successful Mortal Kombat game Mortal Kombat II.

Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat 3

Sonya Blade appears in a cameo context in the third installment of the popular fighting game franchise.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)

For Further Information: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Sonya Blade appears in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is an updated and improved version of Mortal Kombat 3.

Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat Trilogy

Mortal Kombat Trilogy complies the first three Mortal Kombat games as well as offers additional extras.

Mortal Kombat 4 (1997)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat 4

Mortal Kombat Gold (1999)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat Gold

MK: Deadly Alliance (2002)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

MK: Shaolin Monks (2005)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

MK: Armageddon (2006)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

Sonya appears in the seventh installment of the hit fighting game franchise.

MK vs DC Universe (2008)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, In her game ending it is stated Sonya took possession of a Green Lantern Corps ring, and briefly became one of the Green Lantern Corps.

Mortal Kombat (2011)

For Further Information: Mortal Kombat

Sonya appears in the 2011 version of Mortal Kombat, which is the series attempt to refine and reestablish itself with a new cleaner continuity.

Movies

Mortal Kombat (1995)

Sonya is portrayed by actress Bridgette Wilson in the 1995 film Mortal Kombat. She has an intense rivalry with Kano because of the death of her former partner at his hands. She along with Liu Kang and Johnny Cage are chosen by Raiden to represent Earthrealm in the Mortal Kombat Tournament. During the tournament, she faces and defeats Kano by breaking his neck, finally avenging her partner.

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)

In the second film, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Sonya is portrayed by actress Sandra Hess. At the beginning of the film, Sonya is taken hostage by Shao Khan. Johnny Cage gives his life to rescue her. During the course of their adventures, Sonya encounters her friend Jax and stops an attempt on his life by the cyborg Cyrax. She also engages and defeats Mileena in combat.

Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins (1995)

In the 1995 animated direct-to-video film "Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins", Sonya is voiced by Jennifer Hale. The film served as a prequel to the first live-action Mortal Kombat movie.

Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996)

Sonya is voiced by Olivia d'Abo in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, an animated series based on the Mortal Kombat franchise, which lasted from September to December of 1996, running back to back with episodes of the Street Fighter cartoon on at the same time.

Much like all her other incarnations, she is the archenemy of Kano. Their rivalry was explained in two different episodes in which it was revealed that Kano had killed her partner, an agent named Wexler.

Mortal Kombat: Rebirth (2010)

Mortal Kombat: Rebirth is a short film directed by Kevin Tancharoen. In the film. Sonya Blade is portrayed by actress Jeri Ryan. She informs assassin Hanzo Hasashi about Sub-Zero in Shang Tsung's underground tournament.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011)

In this web series, Jeri Ryan reprises her role as Sonya Blade. In "Jax, Sonya and Kano" she is seen spying on a Black Dragon warehouse. Sonya attempts to transmit a report to Jax but Kano found her and delayed its transmission for two days, enough time for the Black Dragon's "Cyber Initiative" shipment to take place.

When Jax, Stryker and the rest of the Special Forces ambush the warehouse, a grenade misfired from a grenade launcher during Jax and Kano's fight dislodged her chains, being below the ceiling, allowing Sonya to break free. She then flees to find Jax, taking out a henchman, but not before he launches a grenade at Jax. Jax then runs to Sonya, protecting her from the blast with his arms. Both survive but are hospitalized, and Jax's arms were blown off, though Stryker "has a plan for him", referring to the installment of Jax's cybernetic arms.