SHADOWALKER
The serial “Shadowalker” created by writer Gordon Derry and illustrator Tom Grummett was first published by Aircel Publishing in 1988. Only one issue appeared before Aircel was absorbed by Malibu Comics Entertainment and the title was dropped. In 1991, Ground Zero Graphics resurrected it, publishing a reprint of the Aircel publication and a second issue of its own. Then, Ground Zero Graphics itself ceased operations and “Shadowalker” disappeared.
“Shadrak Olcott Walker” was attending military boarding school when three days after his fourteenth birthday he received an amulet as a present from his mother and father who were an archeological/paleontological team working in Cambodia. Just after sending the amulet, they disappeared. The amulet gave “Shadrak” the ability to read a person’s aura. Through this ability he discovered that individuals who looked like ordinary human beings were actually evil, otherworld creatures. Thus, he became “Shadowalker” or as his business card reads “Shad O. Walker” and as a private detective, he hunts down these creatures.
The serial opens with “Shadrak” and his associate “Vov Culak” a rather ancient individual, rescuing teenagers from otherworld creatures called the “Drakuvich”. The house in which this rescue occurs is leased by one “Yovach Karnakin”. The scene switches to journalist “Morena Moraz” who it turns out has psychic powers. As she walks down the street, reading and outraged by the way her editor has sensationalized her article about the mysterious murder of her informant “Jack” whose head is missing, she is confronted by the “Drakuvich” she breaks away but is finally cornered. At this point “Vov” enters the scene to save her and advise her to go to “Shad O. Walker”. It turns out that “Vov” is more than he appears. First from his staff come forces that hold the “Drakuvich” a bay. Then he turns into a werewolf and destroys them.
“Morena” goes to “Shad’s” office and after much bickering and grimacing which this reader found tiresome, they join forces. During this encounter “Morena” has a physic moment triggered by “Shad’s” amulet and we find out that “Shad’s parents were murdered by the “Drakuvich”. “Shad” and “Morena” go to a warehouse owned by “Karnakin”. Here they encounter another cult ceremony where the occultists led by “Karnakin” are draining life energy from “Jack’s” severed head which is still alive. A battle in which “Vov” suddenly appears ensues. We find that “Karnakin” and “Vox” have been battling each other for centuries. The battle ends with the cult ceremony, its participants and the warehouse destroyed but with “Karnakin” escaping. The episode ends with the three protagonists planning to journey to a Mohawk burial site to confront the “Drakuvich” conspiracy again.
Obviously, this serial was intended to continue, but whatever the cause poor sales, corporate insolvency or creator fatigue no further episodes were published.
MEDIUM:
PERIODICAL GRAPHIC:
Content serial & Cover front:
Shadowalker 1, 1988. Writ., Gordon Derry. Illus., Tom Grummett. Aircel Publishing Ltd. Colour cover. Black & white content.
Content serial & Cover front & back:
| Shadowalker Chronicles …: Writ., Gordon Derry. Illus., Tom Grummett. Let., Tom Grummett unless noted otherwise. Ground Zero Graphics. Colour cover. Black & white content. | |
| 1-1, July 991. Cover, Tom Grummet. | 1-2, Sept.1991. Let., Roger Williamson. Cover Adrian Kleinbergen. |
SOURCE:
Article periodical:
Shadowalker 1, 1988: Introduction: Inside front cover.
GALLERY:
Shadowalker 1, 1988: Front cover. Illus., Tom Grummett.
Shadowalker 1, 1988: 5. Illus., Tom Grummett.
Shadowalker 1, 1988: 11. Illus., Tom Grummett.
Shadowalker Chronicles 1-2, September 1991: Front cover. Ills., Adrian Kleinbergen.
Shadowalker Chronicles 1-2, September 1991: 19. Illus., Tom Grummett.
Shadowalker Chronicles 1-2, September 1991: 20. Illus., Tom Grummett.
Shadowalker Chronicles 1-2, September 1991: 21. Illus., Tom Grummett.
Shadowalker Cards inside, Shadowalker Chronicles 1-2, September 1991. Illus., Nancy Niles & Adrian Kleinbergen