The scene is 1982. At no time will there be more fantastic anthology comics being published. You have the last of the Warren magazines: Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella as well as new ones like 1984 and The Rook. You have 1977’s explosive European darling, Metal Hurlant and its American cousin, Heavy Metal. Imitating HM is Marvel’s Epic Illustrated and Bizarre Adventures (along with old standbys like The Savage Sword of Conan), the French Cimoc, and gaming magazines White Dwarf and The Dragon. And other British mags like Spike and 2000 AD. It is a crowded roster.
Enter Warrior. Quality Communications launches its own comics anthology, a fun mix of SF, fantasy and politics. It is from this magazine that Alan Moore publishes his V For Vendetta (destined to be cult fav movie in 2005) as well as popular strips like “Axel Pressbutton” and “Marvelman”. But the bulk is Sword & Sorcery. And well it should be.
Warrior got its start as a fanzine called Warrior: Heroic Tales of Swords & Sorcery. For six issues it served up reprints and new strips from Steve Parkhouse, Michael Moorcock, Frank Bellamy, Don Lawrence, and Barry Windsor-Smith. (Strips like “Wrath of the Gods”.) From such material sprang a new collection of heroic fantasy material. Creators of future comics got their start here, including John Bolton. The comic ran for 26 issues (March 1982-January 1985).
“Father Shandor, Demon Stalker” (March 1982-December 1984) It was written by Steve Moore and drawn by John Bolton, David Jackson and John Stokes. The strip was a cross between an occult detective and Sword & Sorcery. A popular mix today with The Witcher.
“The Legend of Prestor John” (March 1982/July-August 1983) was written Steve Moore with art by Steve Parkhouse and John Stokes. This ambitious strip about the legendary adventurer in the East never caught on.
“The Spiral Path” (March 1982-August 1983) was written and drawn by Steve Parkhouse with inks by John Ridgeway, David Jackson and John Bolton.
“Zirk: All-Girl Amazon Attack Battalion”(Warrior #13 September 1983) Later pages appeared in Revista Cimoc #142 (December 1992). It was written by Steve Moore (as Pedro Henry) with art by Garry Leach. Not strictly S&S, it is a strange jumble of genres but includes Amazons.
“Ektryn” (October 1983/December 1984) was written by Steve Moore (as Pedro Henry). It was drawn by Cam Kennedy.
“Jaramsheela” (March 1984) was written by Steve Moore (as Pedro Henry) and drawn by David Jackson. This Father Shandor adventure feels closer to the material Vampirella used.
“The Black Current” (February 1985) was written and drawn by Carl Critchlow. Thrud the Barbarian was a parody piece that caught the eye of the publishers of White Dwarf where Thrud found a permanent home. Of all the Sword & Sorcery characters from Warrior, Thrud had the most promising future including his own comic book.
Winner of many Eagle Awards, Warrior was never a financial bonanza. Creator difficulties and poor sales ended it in early 1985. Despite the lack of success, it did give some wonderful black & white S&S material, and is a worthy entry to stand beside UK works like Slaine and Nemesis the Warlock.
Very cool, never knew of this. Thanks Gary!