Paul Niemeyer’s artwork for the popular video game Mortal Kombat gained attention rapidly as soon as the game was released to the public in 1992.  

It started when Midway Games Inc. was in urgent need of an artist to complete the game’s logo, Niemeyer said.  

At the time, Niemeyer had made a name for himself on Michigan Avenue in Chicago as a freelance artist, earning himself the nickname “fastest in the west.”  

“You wanted it done fast, you wanted it done quick, you wanted it done right the first time: I’m your guy,” Niemeyer said. 

This drew Midway’s attention. With three weeks to complete the design, Niemeyer was the perfect candidate. 

“I could do it in my sleep, and they needed someone to do it in their sleep,” Niemeyer said.  

When Niemeyer was handed the project of completing the game’s logo, it was already halfway drawn by John Tobias, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series.  

Given the task of completing the logo, Niemeyer was determined.  

Management had expected that the game would flop, but they decided to finish the project anyway because they were already past the halfway point. 

To everybody’s surprise, the game became a global success, along with Niemeyer’s artwork. 

Niemeyer’s devotion to the arts started at an early age when his parents recognized his talents and would make time for him to draw.  

He grew up in a small town 40 miles away from Chicago named Grant Park, and quality art classes were limited in the area. 

Niemeyer’s mother taught him how to draw. 

“She had an art studio set up upstairs, and I learned art just by looking over her shoulder,” he said. 

From then, his passions developed, and he came to attend Eastern Illinois University to further pursue art as a career. He graduated in 1979 with a major in 3D Art. 

He then started his career as a freelancer on Michigan Avenue, mainly focusing on commercial art until he got hired by Midway under Paul Farris in 1982. This is where his story unfolded with Mortal Kombat, leading up to his termination in 1984. 

Starting in 1996, Niemeyer decided to shift his career into sculpting, primarily taking orders from galleries.  

From then on, he has dedicated himself to making sculptures for amusement parks, haunted attractions and festivals. 

Niemeyer is now working on a mural for his hometown but has decided to put his work on pause to return to Eastern Illinois University, his alma mater.  

He gave a presentation Saturday at the Comic Fest for all the young artists on campus, making it his 100th convention.  

“What a coincidence it is happening here,” he said. “It’s like returning to the scene of the crime.”  

Niemeyer hopes to inspire upcoming artists, ending his lecture with a quote for those already in his seminar today: “Make yourself unique [and] make yourself shine without making it look like you’re trying to shine.”

Andrea Jimenez can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].