Enter The Lost World ...

I decided that themed post from last time worked rather nicely, so I’m going to continue it with this batch of Retro-Reviews while we wait for my next shipment of “new” comics to arrive. And, if you’re at all familiar with today’s header, you know that today’s topic du jour will be The Warlord, specifically The Warlord # 103-107 (DC Comics, 1986).

Following the epic battle to reclaim Shamballah in #100, Travis Morgan returns from battle to find his daughter, Jennifer, rapidly aging and seemingly near death. In the next issue, new writer Michael Fleisher has Morgan set out in search of a powerful wizard who might be able to help Jennifer. Readers of this blog will recall that I was less than impressed with the first two issues by Fleisher. The tales just weren’t as engaging as previous issues had been. That changes in issue 103, due in part to Fleisher exploring possible origins for Shakira, Morgan’s shape-shifting ally.

Still on the trail seeking the wizard who may be able to help Jennifer, Morgan comes across a seemingly abandoned village and is attacked by a huge cat. Narrowly escaping death, Morgan learns that the tiger is a woman who transforms under the moonlight, and that this ability/curse is the deliberate work of one man who has experimented on several people in the past leaving them with similar abilities. Morgan also notices that the collar worn by the woman in both her forms is identical to the one worn by Shakira, and that the villain of the story gave all of his test subjects such collars. After escaping from the “mad scientist,” Morgan is met by Shakira herself. She has been following Morgan the last two issues, trying to catch him and travel with him during his quest for the wizard who can help Jennifer. Naturally, Morgan wonders if Shakira is the result of a similar experiment by the recently deceased madman.

This makes for an interesting theory of Shakira’s origins, and a much better story, but there are holes in this theory, as pointed out in a letter by “T.M. Maple” printed in issue 107. Among “Maple’s” points, Shakira can change at will from feline to human and back whereas the subjects in this tale cannot; Shakira is the size of a house cat while those in this tale are larger felines; and Shakira is aware of her actions and retains her intelllect in either form unlike the experiment subjects. But again, for a red herring, this was an entertaining tale. And an ongoing one.

Issue 104 picks up where 103 left off: Morgan explains his theory to Shakira, who, as always, is coy and avoids giving a straight answer about her abilities. But she seems amused by the idea. During this exchange, the two travelers are beset by brigands, and Shakira is kidnapped. Morgan is only able to help his friend with some assistance from a none-too-friendly allosaurus.

The pair next meet another group of strangers in issue 105. The mantra throughout Skartaris is to “expect the unexpected,” so Morgan and Shakira suspect the worst from the strangers, who later turn out to be not quite so bad. Each of these issues also include briefs snippets of Machiste and Mariah, two more of Morgan’s allies, returning to the kingdom of Kiro, where Machiste is king. Unbeknownst to the pair, however, in their absence, a coup has been launched in Kiro, and the conspirators attempt to prevent Mariah and Machiste from returning.

Warlord 106 introduces a new character, Daimon, a thief with the ability to change back and forth from a small cat to human. In his cat form, Daimon looks identical to Shakira, and the two obviously know each other. Daimon steals a black diamond, and at first, Morgan suspects Shakira of the cat-crime. When he learns the truth, Daimon is wounded, and Shakira convinces Morgan to help Daimon escape.

With Daimon now having joined Morgan’s quest, the trio arrive at a village where they are offered food and shelter for the night. Grudgingly accepting the invitation, Morgan awakes the next morning to find Shakira missing. He and Daimon must rescue Shakira, the intended bride of Yaug, before they can journey onward.

Each of these five issues, while not perfect, are closer in tone to the earlier Warlord tales. I will allow that it took Michael Fleisher a few issues to get his bearings in Skartaris and acclimate himself to the lost world. Once he was able to do that, he was churning out some pretty decent comics. Unlike the previous two issues or the 1986 annual, these books all get my recommendation.