Shogun Warriors (comics)

Last updated
Shogun Warriors
ShogunWarriorsComicIssue2.jpg
Series publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Format Ongoing series
Genre
Publication date1979-1980
Number of issues20
Creative team
Writer(s) Doug Moench
Steven Grant
Penciller(s) Herb Trimpe
Mike Vosburg
Inker(s) Dan Green
Mike Esposito
Jack Abel
Steve Mitchell
Creator(s) Doug Moench
Herb Trimpe
Editor(s) Al Milgrom
Shogun Warriors
Group publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Shogun Warriors #1 (February 1979)
Created by Doug Moench
Herb Trimpe
In-story information
Base(s)Shogun Sanctuary
Leader(s)The Followers of the Light
Agent(s)Richard Carson
Genji Odashu
Ilongo Savage

The Shogun Warriors were a fictional team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The series was based on the Mattel toyline of the same name, itself licensed from Japanese toy company Popy. [1] The storyline followed a trio of young heroes recruited by the Followers of Light to pilot the eponymous mecha against Maur-Kon and the Followers of Dark.

Contents

Creation

Shogun Warriors was an early example of an American toy company importing Japanese toys for their domestic market, a pattern that would later be replicated by Transformers and Power Rangers , among others. Mattel licensed the toys from Popy, who were experiencing large success in Japan with diecast representations of characters and vehicles from television shows - particularly super robot anime and live-action Sentai. The Shogun Warriors toyline was made up of over a dozen figures drawn from various series, so in order to promote them Mattel approached Marvel to produce an all-new comic tie-in, impressed by the publisher's success with Godzilla, King of the Monsters . [2] Only three figures would be featured in the comic - Raydeen (originally from Brave Raideen ); Dangard Ace (from Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace ) and Combatra (from Chōdenji Robo Combattler V , the latter the most lavish toy in the line [3] ).

Stan Lee approached Doug Moench, who at the time was associated with Marvel's darker stories due to his work on Werewolf by Night and Deathlok . Partly influenced by his children's positive reaction to the sample toys he was given, Moench accepted as a change of pace. With no information about the characters' Japanese background, Moench set about crafting a mythos that he hoped would appeal to young readers while still being intelligent, penning a bible for the series. Moench attempted to ground the series by focusing more on the human characters than the robots. Herb Trimpe was assigned as artist; with no character references included he based his designs for the trio of Shogun Warriors on the toys, and designed the various enemies from scratch. The pair had worked together well on Godzilla, King of the Monsters, also based on a licence brokered by Mattel. Like that series, Shogun Warriors was set in the Marvel Universe; the comic would make occasional references to Godzilla character Red Ronin. [2] Moench would also produce some artwork used by Mattel on toy advertisements. [4]

Publication history

In order to quickly forefront the toy-based characters, Shogun Warriors #1 began in medias res, with the team's origin being covered in flashback. Shogun Warriors #6 (dated July 1979) was one of several Marvel comics at the time to print fan letters from Kurt Busiek, who would later embark on a highly successful professional career as a comic writer; he was broadly positive about the title. Doctor Demonicus crossed over as an antagonist from Godzilla, King of the Monsters from #7; however - despite Marvel having licensed both properties from Mattel and the titles running parallel for a period - Godzilla himself never appeared in the comic. Steven Grant contributed a fill-in issue for #15; the following issue saw Moench retool the series by wiping out the Followers of Light, the organisation that mentored the Shogun Warriors. Shogun Warriors #18 featured an antagonistic robot named Megatron; a few years later a character of the same name would appear in the Transformers franchise, a toyline that also featured a backstory created by Marvel. [2]

The following issues featured guest appearances from the Fantastic Four; however Shogun Warriors was cancelled after 20 issues, with the final edition dated September 1980. Moench recalled that sales were a factor, and he was given enough warning to wrap up the main storyline in the final issue. It has also been speculated that licensing issues were a concern, [5] while a notice in the letters' page of Shogun Warriors also suggested Moench's work on Moon Knight was a factor. [6] To tie up the potential lose end of a trio of hugely powerful robots of questionable ownership lurking in the Marvel Universe, Moench used a guest slot on Fantastic Four to have Raydeen, Dangard Ace and Combatra (all unnamed and obscured) destroyed and their human operators Richard Carson, Genji Odashu and Ilongo Savage returned to their mundane lives as a stuntman, test pilot and oceanographer, respectively. [2] As of 2024 the characters have yet to reappear in any other Marvel comics, while the licensing issues have meant Shogun Warriors has never been reprinted in trade paperback form. [7]

Fictional history

On prehistoric Earth, the alien Followers of Light defeated the Followers of Dark - also known as the Myandi - in the Great Chaos War. The Myandi were buried under a volcano in Asia, while the Followers of Light established the ankh-shaped Shogun Sanctuary in the Himalayas. Subsequent generations of the Followers of Light would monitor the volcano until it erupted, reviving Maur-Kon and the remaining Myandi, who unleash the monster Rok-Korr on Tokyo. Doctor Tambura and the other observers at the Shogun Sanctuary had accounted for this possibility, and have been observing a group of humans to aid them in their battle - American stuntman Richard Carson, Japanese test pilot Genji Odashu and Madagascan oceanographer Ilongo Savage. The trio are transported to the Shogun Sanctuary and - despite their initial skepticism - are persuaded to pilot the mighty Shogun Warrior robot Raydeen into battle, managing to divert the creature from the city. [8] After further training, Carson is assigned as Raydeen's pilot while Genji and Ilongo are given command of two further Shoguns, Combatra and Dangard Ace. [9] Together they are able to conclusively defeat Rok-Korr. [10] Angered by the failure, Maur-Kon prepares the Mech-Monster to destroy the Shogun Warriors, but tampering by his lieutenant Magar sees the machine imbued with dark sorcery; [11] while Raydeen and Dangard Ace battle the creature, Genji takes Combatra to investigate its point of origin - only to be ambushed by Maur-Kon's Dark Agents. After Carson and Savage defeat the Mech-Monster they follow, but come under attack from Combatra, under the control of Maur-Kon. Genji is able to escape and help destroy Maur-Kon's base, but the villain escapes. [12]

After their successful training, the Shogun Warrior pilots are given pendants and allowed to return to their civilian lives until the next crisis arises. Carson meets up with his partner and fellow stunt driver Deena at Los Angeles International Airport, who is annoyed at his extended, inexplicable absence; Savage and his fellow researcher and romantic interest Judith attempt to pick up on the delays caused to his colleagues' dolphin research; Odashu meanwhile finds herself at the centre of a diplomatic incident caused by her disappearance. However, they were disturbed when Doctor Demonicus dispatched creatures to attack them; on the West Coast of America, Carson is challenged by Cerberus, and summons Raydeen to battle the attacker, [13] eventually driving it off. [14] Ilongo and Dangard Ace come under attack from the alien Starchild, while Genji's court-martial in Japan is disrupted by the appearance of the fearsome Hand of Five [15] which she battles with Combatra. [16] The Followers of Light deduce that the attacks are linked; while Genji is able to defeat the Hand of Five she heads to Los Angeles, feeling she will never be able to clear her name. [17] Discovering a meteor heading towards Earth, Tambura summons Carson, Odashu and Savage to Shogun Sanctuary. The Shogun Warriors destroy the object and spot a hidden space station behind the Moon, setting off to investigate. The base belongs to Doctor Demonicus, who disables the robots and captures Dangard Ace [18] Combatra and Raydeen arrive, and the trio come under attack from Starchild, Cerberus and the Hand of Five. [19] However, their teamwork allows them to destroy their enemies, and they deliver Doctor Demonicus and his neutralised space station back to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Dum Dum Dugan on Earth. [20] The Shogun Warriors' success attracted the attention of the Yakuza, who attempted to use an imposter to steal Raydeen but were foiled. [21]

A mysterious figure known as the Primal One meanwhile targets Shogun Sanctuary, levelling the facility and killing the Followers of Light while the Shoguns were kept busy by his agents. [22] The trio instead created impromptu bases for the robots near their homes, though this led to Combatra briefly being accidentally discovered and piloted by the 11-year old Enrique Velez until Raydeen and Dangard Ace were able to bring it under control. [23] Off Madagascar, Dangard Ace then comes under attack from the huge Megatron; with the aid of the other two the machine is defeated, but not before announcing that the Primal One's next target is Reed Richards. [24] The trio head to the Baxter Building to warn him, arriving just before the huge Gigantauron arrives to attack. The Shogun Warriors and Fantastic Four pool their resources to defeat the invader. [25] They set off in Combatra to the Primal One's base, where the Invisible Woman discovers that the Primal One is Maur-Kon, ending his control over his minions. [26]

Some two months later, Carson, Odashu and Savage were targeted by a man named McLaughlin who had stumbled across the ruins of the Shogun Sanctuary and discovered a semi-complete fourth Shogun Warrior, the Samurai Destroyer. Drunk on power, he destroyed Combatra, Raydeen and Dangard Ace to neuter any opposition. The trio of pilots went to the Fantastic Four for help, and the gathering were able to defeat the Samurai Destroyer. McLaughlin activated the robot's self-destruct but the heroes got him to safety, and the resulting explosion levelled the remains of the Sanctuary. Carson and Savage returned to their careers [27] while Odashu would eventually clear her name and was later hired by the Maria Stark Foundation, joining the Avengers' support staff. [28]

Legacy

Screen Rant would include Shogun Warriors on its list of '10 Best Comic Books Based on Toys' due its "fun story and great action". [29] Comic Book Resources noted the appearances by the Fantastic Four on a list of the ten best Marvel Universe/licensed property crossovers, noting the novelty of the characters getting a bookend for their stories after the title's cancellation. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Shooter</span> American comic book writer (born 1951)

James Shooter is an American writer, editor and publisher for various comic books. He started professionally in the medium at the age of 14, and is known for his successful and controversial run as Marvel Comics' ninth editor-in-chief, and his work as editor in chief of Valiant Comics.

Shogun Warriors was a line of toys released by Mattel Inc. in North America from 1979 to 1980. The line consisted of several imported toys based on Japanese anime mecha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drax the Destroyer</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Drax the Destroyer is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Starlin, the character first appeared in The Invincible Iron Man #55.

Douglas Moench is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Moon Knight, Deathlok, Black Mask, Harvey Bullock, Electric Warrior, and Six from Sirius. He is also known for his critically acclaimed eight-year run on Master of Kung Fu.

An original English-language manga, also known as Amerimanga or OEL manga is a comic book or graphic novel drawn in the style of manga and originally published in English. The term "international manga", as used by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, encompasses all foreign comics which draw inspiration from the "form of presentation and expression" found in Japanese manga. This may also apply to manga-inspired comics made in other languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herb Trimpe</span> American comics creator (1939–2015)

Herbert William Trimpe was an American comics artist and occasional writer, best known as the seminal 1970s artist on The Incredible Hulk and as the first artist to draw for publication the character Wolverine, who later became a breakout star of the X-Men.

James H. Williams III, usually credited as J. H. Williams III, is an American comics artist and penciller. He is known for his work on titles such as Chase, Promethea, Desolation Jones,Batwoman, and The Sandman: Overture.

Jumbo Machinder is the name of a series of large-scale plastic robots sold by Bandai's character toy subsidiary, Popy in the 1970s. Although a trademarked brand name, in common usage Jumbo Machinder is often applied to any large-size robot toy roto molded out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a sturdy plastic also used for shampoo bottles. Jumbo Machinders are generally 24" in height. After Popy's success with the Jumbo Machinder series, several other Japanese companies, including Takatoku, Nakajima, and Clover began producing large-size plastic robot toys as well. Several of the Jumbo Machinders were retooled for sale in the USA and Europe in the late 1970s as Shogun Warriors.

Phantom Eagle is the name used by two fictional aviator heroes appearing in American comic books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omega the Unknown</span> Comics character

Omega the Unknown is an American comic book published by Marvel Comics from 1976 to 1977, featuring the eponymous fictional character. The series, written by Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes and illustrated by Jim Mooney, ran for 10 issues before cancellation for low sales. Despite its short run, it has endured as a cult classic due to its intriguing characters and unusual storytelling. A 10-issue series revamping the character was published from 2007 to 2008, written by novelist Jonathan Lethem and illustrated by Farel Dalrymple.

<i>Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace</i> Japanese anime television series

Planetary Robot Danguard Ace is a Japanese science fiction anime series created by Leiji Matsumoto with Dan Kobayashi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Ronin</span> Comics character

Red Ronin is a fictional gigantic humanoid robotic construct (mecha) appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, and went on to be a menace to other Marvel characters such as the Avengers and Wolverine.

<i>Weirdworld</i>

Weirdworld was a fantasy series created by Doug Moench and Mike Ploog for American company Marvel Comics, set in a dimension of magic. A comic book series titled Weirdworld debuted in 2015 as a tie-in to the Secret Wars storyline, followed by a six-issue series as a part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel branding.

<i>Tower of Shadows</i> Comic Book

Tower of Shadows is a horror/fantasy anthology comic book published by the American company Marvel Comics under this and a subsequent name from 1969 to 1975. It featured work by writer-artists Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Johnny Craig, and Wally Wood, writer-editor Stan Lee, and artists John Buscema, Gene Colan, Tom Sutton, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Bernie Wrightson.

<i>Astonishing Tales</i> Comic book series published by Marvel Comics

Astonishing Tales is an American anthology comic book series originally published by Marvel Comics from 1970 to 1976. Its sister publication was Amazing Adventures.

Black Spectre has two meanings for fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first Black Spectre is the name of a fictional organization which first appeared in Daredevil #108 and was created by writer Steve Gerber and penciller Bob Brown. It was a league of costumed female commandos, entranced by the Mandrill into doing his bidding, and led by Nekra. The second Black Spectre is a fictional supervillain who first appeared in Moon Knight #25 and was created by writer Doug Moench and penciller Bill Sienkiewicz. The character is one of the greatest enemies of the vigilante Moon Knight.

Maur-Konn is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<i>Super-Villain Team-Up</i>

Super-Villain Team-Up is the name of two American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. Both series featured supervillains as the protagonists.

<i>The Rampaging Hulk</i>

The Rampaging Hulk is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The first volume was a black and white magazine published by Curtis Magazines from 1977–1978. With issue #10, it changed its format to color and its title to The Hulk!, and ran another 17 issues before it was canceled in 1981. It was a rare attempt by Marvel to mix their superhero characters with the "mature readers" black-and-white magazine format.

<i>Godzilla, King of the Monsters</i> (comic book) American comic book series

Godzilla, King of the Monsters is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. Running for 24 issues from 1977 to 1979, the series starred Godzilla, a Japanese monster film character licensed from Toho. The series is set in the publishers' shared Marvel Universe and was the first ongoing American comic book based on Godzilla.

References

  1. ↑ Sanderson, Peter (2008). "1970s". In Gilbert, Laura (ed.). Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 188. ISBN   978-0756641238.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Smith, Andy (May 2014). "Shogun Warriors - The Sky-High Rise and Abrupt Fall of Three Giant Robots in Comics". Back Issue! . No. 72. TwoMorrows Publishing.
  3. ↑ "Chōdenji Robo Combattler V".
  4. ↑ "Shogun Warriors (advertisement)"(various)(November 1979). Marvel Comics .
  5. 1 2 Stanford, Jerry (March 16, 2020). "10 Times Licensed Comics Canonically Crossed Over With The Marvel Universe". CBR.
  6. ↑ "Warrior Dispatch"Shogun Warriors,no. 20(September 1980). Marvel Comics .
  7. ↑ Singer, Matt (6 July 2022). "12 Marvel Heroes That Can Never Appear in the MCU". ScreenCrush.
  8. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Dan Green  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 1(February 1979). Marvel Comics .
  9. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Dan Green  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 2(March 1979). Marvel Comics .
  10. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Dan Green  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 3(April 1979). Marvel Comics .
  11. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Dan Green  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 4(May 1979). Marvel Comics .
  12. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 6(July 1979). Marvel Comics .
  13. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 7(August 1979). Marvel Comics .
  14. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 8(September 1979). Marvel Comics .
  15. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Jack Abel  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 9(October 1979). Marvel Comics .
  16. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ),Steve Mitchell ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 10(November 1979). Marvel Comics .
  17. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Jack Abel  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 11(December 1979). Marvel Comics .
  18. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 12(January 1980). Marvel Comics .
  19. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 13(February 1980). Marvel Comics .
  20. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 14(March 1980). Marvel Comics .
  21. ↑ Steven Grant  ( w ), Mike Vosburg  ( p ),Bruce Patterson ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 15(April 1980). Marvel Comics .
  22. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 16(May 1980). Marvel Comics .
  23. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 17(June 1980). Marvel Comics .
  24. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( p ), Mike Esposito  ( i ). Shogun Warriors,no. 18(July 1980). Marvel Comics .
  25. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( a ). Shogun Warriors,no. 19(August 1980). Marvel Comics .
  26. ↑ Doug Moench  ( w ), Herb Trimpe  ( a ). Shogun Warriors,no. 20(September 1980). Marvel Comics .
  27. ↑ Doug Moench ( w ), Bill Sienkiewicz  ( p ), Pablo Marcos ; Bruce Patterson ( i ). Fantastic Four ,vol. 1,no. 226(January 1981).
  28. ↑ Mark Gruenwald ; Peter Sanderson  ( w )."The Avengers Staff" The Avengers ,vol. 1,no. 300(February 1989).
  29. ↑ Harn, Darby (October 7, 2022). "10 Best Comic Books Based On Toys". ScreenRant.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.