Mortal Podkast
By Ben Mekler
Mortal PodkastSep 19, 2022
Jess Lane vs. Jacqui Briggs
THE FINAL EPISODE OF MORTAL PODKAST ARRIVES. Writer/Comedian/Rock Star Jess Lane - the voice that yells "Mortal Podkast" in our iconic theme song - finally joins the show to hear the epic generational saga behind JACQUI BRIGGS! Thanks for listening, and as always... finish him.
Elyse & James Willems vs. Cetrion & Geras
The infamous Elyse and James Willems join the show for its penultimate (for now) episode, journeying back to the dawn of kreation with CETRION and GERAS!
Rax King vs. Kotal Kahn
Author Rax King (Tacky) takes on the rise of KOTAL KAHN!
Eric Appel vs. Cassie Cage
Writer/director Eric Appel (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story) joins the show to talk about the legacy of CASSIE CAGE!
Cody Ziglar vs. Takeda Takahashi
Zig joins the show this week to hear the face-ripping, chain-whipping saga of Takeda Takahashi!
David Sims vs. Kung Jin
Blank Check Podcast's David Sims joins the show for a journey back to the Shaolin Temple with Mortal Kombat's very own Artful Dodger, KUNG JIN!
Josh Gondelman vs. D'vorah
It's famously nice man vs. famously bug woman on today's Mortal Podkast as writer and comedian Josh Gondelman joins the show to hear the slimy, controversial story of D'VORAH!
Cargill vs. Erron Black
Hope you're ready for a rootin-tootin' centaur-shootin' good time, cause we're talking about interdimensional gunslinger Erron Black with none other than screenwriter C. Robert Cargill (Doctor Strange, The Black Phone) on today's MORTAL PODKAST!
JD Dillard vs. Kollector
Get ready for a journey into mystery, as special guest JD Dillard (writer/director of the upcoming DEVOTION) joins the show to hear about one of Mortal Kombat's least-explored kharacters, THE KOLLECTOR!
Merritt K/Eric Thurm vs. Ferra/Torr
We've got a double-header double-header today, as the wonderful Eric Thurm and Merritt K join the show to break down the symbiotic Outworld duo known as Ferra/Torr!
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight Writers vs. Kronika
PREPARE THYSELF, PODKASTHEADS - we've got a big one today. FIVE guests, simultaneously breaking down the treacherous tale of the titan of time herself, KRONIKA. Jasmine Chiong, Shane Lynch, Neyah Barbee, Ellie Guzman, and of course Ben's writing partner Chris Amick join the show this week in celebration of Dreamworks' upcoming KUNG FU PANDA: THE DRAGON KNIGHT! Support the show (Ben was head writer and co-EP!) by checking it out on Netflix July 14th!
Rachael "Steak" Finley vs. Skarlet
We're back, baby! The final (for now) season of Mortal Podkast begins with the delightful Rachael Finley aka Steak - breaking down the bloody history of phlebotomancer SKARLET!
Dave Schilling vs. Taven
We're wrapping Season 6 up with a big one as Dave Schilling joins the show for the apocalyptically inept adventures of TAVEN!
Blair Socci vs. Daegon
It's ARMAGEDDON TIME, baby! Blair Socci joins the show to hear the devastatingly inept tale of DAEGON, a demi-god who looks exactly like a guy named Daegon.
Arin Hanson vs. Shujinko
Game Grumps' own Arin Hanson joins the show for the epic and frankly pathetic saga of eternal sucker, SHUJINKO!
Scott Wampler vs. Onaga
The Kingcast's Scott Wampler joins the show to discuss a very different kind of king - ONAGA, THE DRAGON KING!
Hector Navarro & Keller Knoblock vs. Kobra & Kira
It's a double-double header this week as 500 Greatest Films podcast hosts Hector Navarro and Keller Knoblock join the show to discuss two of the least popular kombatants in MK history - Black Dragon rejects Kobra & Kira!
Erika Ishii vs. Ashrah
It's time to take a trip to the Netherrealm to meet demon slayer ASHRAH with none other than demon slayer Erika Ishii!
Jordan Morris vs. The Orderrealm (Hotaru, Dairou, and Darrius)
Beloved podcast genius Jordan Morris joins the show to talk about THREE of the coppiest cops who ever copped it up in copsville. We're talking about the Orderrealm's own Hotaru, Hsu Hao, and Darrius on a very orderly episode of Mortal Podkast.
Michael Chakraverty vs. Havik
Season 6 begins with a long-awaited trip to the chaosrealm alongside VERY special guest Michael Chakraverty (Great British Bake Off, menkind)!
VyceVictus vs. Mortal Kombat (2021)
Ask and ye shall receive! After many requests for a Mortal Podkast review of the new Mortal Kombat movie, I sat down with film essayist VyceVictus to discuss the flick and its liberal use of arcana. Enjoy, Podkastheads!
Broti Gupta vs. Kenshi
Season 5 comes to a thrilling conclusion as comedy writer Broti Gupta joins the show for the legendary tale of blind swordsman KENSHI!
Akilah Hughes vs. Hsu Hao, Drahmin, Moloch, AND Mokap
Akilah Hughes joins the show to run through a gauntlet of obscure fighters - from cybernetic cult member Hsu Hao to demon buddies Drahmin and Moloch to Mokap, a karate teacher from Chicago.
Emily Gaudette vs. Frost
Some cryomancers are kind, some are cruel, and some are just colossal assholes. Writer Emily Gaudette joins the show to talk about the meanest ice-ssassin in the MK universe, FROST!
Dana Donnelly vs. Bo' Rai Cho
Buckle up Podkastheads, it's time for the match-up you've all been waiting for: writer/comedian Dana Donnelly vs. barf-hurling interdimensional martial arts master/drunk Bo' Rai Cho!
Maggie Mae Fish vs. Nitara
Hope you're ready to enter the vampireverse, cause we're exploring the weirdly detailed history of Mortal Kombat bloodsuckers with Maggie Mae Fish!
Sophia Benoit vs. Li Mei
Writer Sophia Benoit joins the show to hear the shockingly horny saga of Outworld's very own Li Mei.
Heather Anne Campbell vs. Mavado
The time has come to hear the tale of one of Mortal Kombat's least iconic warriors: bad-boy illuminati merc MOVADO! Join writer/comedian/bad video game podcaster Heather Anne Campbell (Rick & Morty, How Did This Get Played) for a whole lot of "huh, okay, good for him I guess" on today's Mortal Podkast.
Amelia Elizalde vs. Blaze
You've heard him mentioned in nearly every Mortal Podkast episode to date. We're kicking off season five with the legend of big ol' fire hunk Blaze, featuring special guest Amelia Elizalde!
Joan Ford vs. Tanya
Season 4 comes to a rousing conclusion as we break down the Traitor of Edenia, TANYA, with writer/comedian/Beetlejuice the Musical fan Joan Ford!
Peter Hastings vs. Kai & Meat & Tremor
Animation legend and Ben Mekler's boss Peter Hastings joins the show to talk about three underrepresented Mortal Kombat kombatants who are bound by a common theme.
Taylor Garron vs. Jarek
Writer, comedian, and Zoom alumnus Taylor Garron joins the show to give the Mortal Kombat universe's pettiest criminal his moment in the spotlight.
Rich Sommer vs. Reiko
Actor Rich Sommer (Mad Men, Glow) joins the show to talk about one of the biggest pieces of shit in the entire Mortal Kombat franchise. A man who is just fully garbage. We are talking, of course, about Reiko.
Karen Han vs. Sareena
The underrated demon with a heart of gold finally gets her due, with the help of writer Karen Han.
Kumail Nanjiani vs. Quan Chi
Writer/actor/almond milk enthusiast Kumail Nanjiani joins the show to hear the heart-stopping saga of Quan Chi, a dark sorceror addicted to being an asshole.
Joey Clift vs. Fujin
It's the God of Wind vs. writer/comedian/God of Garfield memes Joey Clift!
Shea Serrano vs. Shinnok
Season 4 kicks off with a big one - with the help of New York Times best-selling author Shea Serrano, we're diving right into the big bad of Mortal Kombat 4: SHINNOK!
Griffin Newman vs. Rain
One part Hercules, one part Aladdin, ten parts douchebag and what do you get? One of the least popular and most powerful kharacters in the Mortal Kombat universe. Griffin Newman (The Tick, Blank Check podcast) joins the show (twice!) to bring Season 3 of Mortal Podkast to a klose with the saga of the water-wielding demi-god himself, Rain!
Whitney Moore vs. Sindel
It's undead banshee queen time, baby! Actor, writer, host, and lil' stinker Whitney Moore joins the show to hear the epic and often upsetting saga of Mortal Kombat's hottest mom, SINDEL!
Anthony Carboni vs. Cyrax
In the world of Mortal Kombat, some cyborg ninjas are heroes. Some are villains. And others...are Cyrax. Mortal Podkast returns from the depths of kuarantine for a patent pending remote-i-sode with Anthony Carboni (We Have Concerns, The Star Wars Show) and everyone's favorite well-meaning, self-destructing punching bag: CYRAX.
BONUS-SODE: MK vs. DC Universe
Another Patreon jewel unleashed upon the masses as the kuarantine marches on! As you may have heard, there's one more major MK game out there that is arguably kanon. It brings Batman, Superman, and Joker into the kontinuity. It's...really fucking weird. Hear the full saga of MK vs. DC Universe on a bonus episode of Mortal Podkast!
BONUS-SODE: Kirby Mekler vs. Freddy Krueger
The lockdown drags on, so it's time to drag some Patreon kontent out for the masses. Here's a bonus episode with Kirby Mekler (Leisure Fan Club) tracking MK9 guest fighter Freddy Krueger's journey out of the dreamrealm! You might be thinking that Freddy doesn't fit into MK kanon. Well, you're wrong. Maybe. Tune in to find out why!
BONUS-SODE: Mortal Podkast Q&A
Thanks to the koronavirus, Season 3 is getting delayed a bit. So, to keep you busy, host Ben Mekler is answering questions from the Mortal Podkast Patreon subscribers for your edutainment!
Shout out to our sponsor Acre Gold. To learn more, check them out at getacre.com/mortal
Shannon Woodward vs. Motaro
This one's for the horse girls: Shannon Woodward (The Last of Us Part II, Westworld) gallops on over to hear about the many foibles of Mortal Kombat's resident centaur, Motaro.
Adam Murray vs. Stryker
Half-man, other half-man, all cop. Filmmaker Adam Murray joins the show to talk about one of the Mortal Kombat franchise's most-maligned characters: regular ol' SWAT guy Kurtis Stryker.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Acre Gold! Check 'em out at getacregold.com/mortal
April Wolfe vs. Sheeva
We've gabbed about Goro, kicked it with Kintaro...which means we've got one Shokan left. Screenwriter April Wolfe (Black Christmas) joins the show to hear the surprisingly triumphant story of SHEEVA on today's Mortal Podkast.
Niccole Thurman vs. Ermac
It's time to hear the tragic tale of everybody's favorite blessed union of souls, Ermac! With special guest Niccole Thurman (Shrill, A Black Lady Sketch Show).
John Tobias vs. Mortal Podkast
Can it be? Yes it could! Mortal Kombat ko-kreator John Tobias joins the show this week to talk about the very inception of the Mortal Kombat story, the alternate paths the franchise could have taken, and to share all sorts of cool secret knowledge. It's an honor, a blessing, and it's all yours.
Kris Tapley vs. Kabal
Writer Kris Tapley (The Call Sheet) is granted his greatest wish: to hear the gruesome tale of everybody's favorite mutant mercenary speedster, Kabal.
Carlos Cisco vs. Sektor
It's cyborg time, baby! Writer Carlos Cisco (East Los High, Star Trek Discovery) joins the show to explore the saga of desperate, hopeless daddy's boy Sektor.