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For other uses see Warlord (disambiguation)

Warlord
Warlord #67, Art by Mike Grell
Publisher DC Comics First appearance 1st Issue Special #8, (Nov. (1975) Created by Mike Grell (writer & artist)
Characteristics Alter ego Travis Morgan Homeworld Skartaris Abilities fencer and expert marksman.

The Warlord is a sword and sorcery comic book published by DC Comics. The series and titular character debuted in 1st Issue Special #8 (Nov. 1975), and was created by Mike Grell.

Contents 1 Publication history 2 Fictional character biography 2.1 Original Series 2.2 Modern series 3 Bibliography 3.1 The Warlord 3.2 Supplemental Stories 3.3 Mini-Series 4 Other media 5 External links

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.

”

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 .44 AutoMag pistol and joined by scantily-dressed female barbarian Tara, became the Warlord and fought villains such as the evil sorcerer Deimos as well as various kings. He gained various sidekicks such as Machiste, Shakira, a Russian scientist named Mariah 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, 1st Issue Special #8 (see also Warlord #35), and is clearly sporting the signature shaggy goatee.

Arion, another DC Comics sword & sorcery title, began as a six-page backup feature in Warlord. The Barren Earth was another backup feature, and after a lengthy run was concluded in a four-issue limited series.

The new series started in 2006 and was authored by Bruce Jones and Bart 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 canceled after 10 issues. The series left a number of story points unanswered as issue nine finished on a cliff-hanger, while issue #10 had a standalone story set sometime in the future.

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 canceled for a period of 6 months.
• Issue 6: First appearance of Mariah, Russian Archaeologist 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

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

• In 1992, DC published a six-part mini-series, entitled Ballad.

• Warlord has appeared in an episode of Justice League Unlimited (titled "Chaos at the Earth's Core") 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. Warlord was voiced by Paul Guilfoyle.
• In 1982, several of the characters from the "Warlord" series received action figures in a line called "Lost World of the Warlord" from Remco. Travis Morgan was one of the figures (along with Deimos, Machiste, Mikola Rostov, and Hercules).
• In April of 2007, Warlord received an action figure (based on the modern update) in Series 4 of DC Direct's "First Appearance" figures.

• Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Warlord
• Fanzing #0: Welcome to the Lost World, a summary of the series.
• Fanzing #0: Warlord Reading Guide
• Comic Book Urban Legends #54: "Was Warlord cancelled after issue #2?"
• DCU Guide: Warlord
• DCU Guide: Tara
• DCU Guide: Jennifer Morgan
• DCU Guide: Joshua Morgan (Tinder)