the Warlord #12 - DC

If you're reading this book, but haven't picked up this particular issue yet . . spoiler alert! Don't continue on with this post. Go out . . get the book and read it, and then come back. This is a great issue with some startling developments that you'll definitely want to read for yourself. If you don't follow it . . then you don't really care, so . . please continue. The only problem with this issue . . and this story, is that any long-time readers or followers . . such as myself, are probably going to be pissed or aggravated. I'm just glad that Mike Grell wrote and drew it because if anyone else had . . they'd have been accused of trying to destroy the character. Anyways, over the course of the last few issues we've seen that Kate has brought Deimos back to life. Basically, she wants to kill Travis Morgan and take over Skartaris. To that end, they immediately draw him out of Shamballah and go there themselves to take over and destroy the city. Kate had seen the code-books for the Atlantean arsenal that had been hidden within the city's structure. Once in control of that, it was pretty easy to take care of everything else. The important thing to note here is that thousands of the city's residents are killed here. Except for Travis' supporting cast. None of them seem to have been affected. Although Kate and Deimos do have Alysha and Tara prisoner. Anyways, through all of this we find out that Tinder is actually Travis' son, Joshua. Travis thought that he had killed him when Deimos magically aged him. But we find out this issue that it was actually a clone. The real Joshua had been taken away from Deimos, and by the time he discovered it . . it was to late to find him. So Travis and Tinder are in this heated battle because Tinder is mad that Travis took off and didn't stay to protect the city. I think Tinder sees it as a way to get out his frustration and anger over all the loss he's had to face, while Travis approaches it as a way to teach Tinder a lesson . . a lesson about fighting and channeling anger. However, Alysha interrupts them to tell Tinder what she's learned. In the shock, I think . . they both let their guard down. Tinder follows through with a thrust of his sword, and Travis doesn't block because of the realization that's just flashed across his brain. The deed is done, and Tinder accidentally impales his own father. And yes, before you ask . . Travis Morgan is indeed dead. However, the Warlord does show up and fights Deimos, banishing him back into the crystal. It's just not Travis Morgan, the Warlord. It's Joshua, the Warlord. He's put on his father's battle gear and has assumed his mantle. 'The king is dead . . Long live the king.' Now . . while I think this is an interesting development . . I do have my reservations. Mainly that I love this character. I think Travis Morgan is great. Tinder/Joshua may rise to the occasion, but . . it's going to be different. Which isn't always bad. But . . on this book, I have to see the proof first . . before I'll believe it. I think this was an awful daring move by Mike Grell. I really hope it pays off for him, because I'd like to see this book continue. But . . we'll have to wait and see. And remember . . he still does have an out. If the Atlantean technology is around that brought Deimos back, it's conceivable that it could also later be used to bring back Travis. Right? I mean . . I don't like to see the easy way taken out of a situation, but . . it is possible. Theoretically. Anyways, the future of this book is all up in the air now. And I love it! The next issue is titled . . 'Son-rise!'