Warlord (comics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The Warlord redirects here; for other uses see Warlord (disambiguation)
| Warlord | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
The Warlord was a sword and sorcery comic book published by DC Comics from 1976 - 1989. It was created, written, and drawn by Mike Grell. The title The Warlord comes from the comic's main character, Travis Morgan, who obtains the name of The Warlord in the first few issues as he fights for the freedom of the people of Skartaris. DC attempted an unsuccessful update of Warlord in 2006 with Bruce Jones writing and Bart Sears providing the art. This series was canceled due to low sales after only ten issues.
| “ | In the savage world of Skartaris, life is a constant struggle for survival. Here, beneath an unblinking orb of eternal sunlight, one simple law prevails: If you let down your guard for an instant you will soon be very dead. |
” |
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Original Series
Vietnam veteran SR-71 pilot Travis Morgan passed through a hole in the earth's crust while flying over the north pole and landed in the underground world of Skartaris, a place strongly reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs's Pellucidar. There Travis, wielding his military-issue .44 caliber pistol, became the Warlord and fought villains such as the evil sorcerer Deimos as well as various kings. He was later joined by scantily-dressed female barbarian Tara and gained various sidekicks such Machiste, Shakira, and his magic-wielding daughter Jennifer Morgan. In one story arc Morgan even becomes the U.S. President in the far future (Issue 84).
Although The Warlord has a superficial resemblance to Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) (as pointed out in issue 28 of Green Arrow), he is in reality based more upon his creator, Mike Grell, a former member of the Air Force. Grell is caricatured in Warlord's first appearance, First Issue Special #8 (see also Warlord #35), and is clearly sporting the signature, shaggy goatee.
The book was DC's answer to Marvel Comics's popular Conan the Barbarian title. Arion was another DC Comics sword & sorcery title, but was not a spinoff of Warlord. It began as a six-page supplement in the back of Warlord during its regular run. The Barren Earth was another series (with a more science-fiction Dune bent) that ran as a Warlord supplement, and after a lengthy run was concluded in a four issue limited series.
[edit] Modern Series
The new series started in 2006 and was authored by Bruce (Ka-Zar, Hulk, Vigilante) Jones and Bart (Justice League Europe, Path, Blade, First, X-O Manowar) Sears did not take up where the old one left off but instead restarted the concept and started with Travis Morgan arriving in Skartaris. This reboot was not a success with comicbook readers and the series was cancelled after ten issues. The series left a number of story points unanswered as issue nine finished on a cliff-hanger, while issue ten had a stand-alone story set sometime in the future.
[edit] Chronology
[edit] The Warlord
First published in 1976 and ran until 1989 for a total of 133 issues and six annuals. Notable issues include:
- Issue 1: First appearance of Tara, Travis Morgan's mate in Skartaris and Queen of Shamballah. (Travis was married and widower before coming to Skartaris.) Also the appearance of Deimos, Travis Morgan's arch enemy for the first 50 issues.
- Issue 2: First appearance of Machiste, becomes lifelong friend of Travis and is also ruler of Kiro, a kingdom of Skartaris. Title was actually cancelled for a period of 6 months.
- Issue 6: First appearance of Mariah, Russian Archeologist who joins Travis in Skartaris and later becomes Machiste's mate.
- Issue 15: First appearance of Joshua Morgan (Tinder), Travis and Tara's son.
- Issue 32: First appearance of Shakira, a cat-woman who is Travis' traveling companion on many adventures.
- Issue 34: Travis acquires the sword, Hellfire, that must draw blood every time it is drawn even if it is Travis' own blood.
- Issue 38: First appearance of Jennifer Morgan, Travis' daughter
- Issue 51: Reprint of Issue 1
- Issue 93: Origin Retold
- Issue 114: Legends Cross-over Chapter 12
- Issue 115: Legends Cross-over Chapter 16
[edit] Supplemental Stories
Several stories found their way into the backs of Warlord comic books. The following is a brief list of supplement stories and which issues they appeared in.
- Issues 37-39, 42-47: OMAC
- Issues 48 - 49: Claw the Unconquered
- Issues 51 - 53: The Saga of Dragonsword
- Issues 56 - 62: Arion
- Issues 63 - 88: The Barren Earth
[edit] Mini-Series
- In 1992, DC published a six-part mini-series, entitled Ballad.
[edit] Other media
Warlord has appeared in an episode of Justice League Unlimited where Green Lantern, Supergirl, Stargirl, and S.T.R.I.P.E. stumbled onto Skartaris and teamed up with him to stop Deimos and his unlikely allies: Metallo and Silver Banshee of the Legion of Doom from stealing a huge piece of kryptonite rock. Machiste, Shakira, and Jennifer Morgan also appeared in this episode. He was voiced by Paul Guilfoyle.
