TekWar
| TekWar | |
|---|---|
| Created by | William Shatner |
| Original work | TekWar (1989) |
| Print publications | |
| Novel(s) | See text. |
| Comics | TekWorld |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) | See TekWar (TV series) |
| Television series | See above |
| Games | |
| Video game(s) | William Shatner's TekWar |
TekWar is a series of science fiction novels created by Canadian actor William Shatner and ghost-written by American writer Ron Goulart,[1] published by Putnam. The novels gave rise to a comic book series, video game, and later television movies and a series, both of the latter featuring Shatner.
Premise
The 22nd century universe is centered on "tek"—an illegal, addictive, mind-altering digital drug in the form of a microchip.[2][3] The drug has the effect of simulated reality (as shown in the films and series), and taps into "the matrix" hyperspace. The protagonist, Jake Cardigan, is a former police officer who is framed for dealing in the drug four years before the start of the story. Having been sentenced to 15 years' cryo-imprisonment, he is released early. After discovering that Walt Bascom, the powerful head of a private security firm, arranged for the early release, Jake goes to work for Bascom as an investigator dedicated to tracking down the real Tek lords.
Background
Shatner began to write notes that would become the novels on the set of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and has been quoted as saying that the original book was an attempt to blend elements from Star Trek and T. J. Hooker.[4][5][6]
Novels
- TekWar (1989) ISBN 0-399-13495-6
- TekLords (1991) ISBN 0-399-13616-9
- TekLab (1991) ISBN 0-399-13736-X
- Tek Vengeance (1993) ISBN 0-399-13788-2
- Tek Secret (1993) ISBN 0-399-13892-7
- Tek Power (1994) ISBN 0-399-13997-4
- Tek Money (1995) ISBN 0-399-14109-X
- Tek Kill (1996) ISBN 0-399-14202-9
- Tek Net (1997) ISBN 0-399-14339-4
Comic book series
In 1992, Tekwar was adapted in to a comic book series.
A new Tekwar comic book adaptation, entitled Tek War Chronicles, by Shatner and comic book writer Scott Davis was released by Bluewater Productions on June 24, 2009.[7] As of 2010, Tek War Chronicles is available digitally exclusively through Devil's Due Digital.
Trading cards
Trading cards with comic book artwork were published by Cardz in 1993.[8][9]
Television films and series
The Tekwar novels became a television franchise with TV movies in 1994 then a series.
| TV movies | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title[10] | USA Release | Running Time |
| TekWar | January 17, 1994 | 97 minutes |
| TekLords | 20 February 1994 | 96 minutes |
| TekWar: TekLab | 27 February 1994 | 105 minutes |
| TekWar: TekJustice | 14 May 1994 | 100 minutes |
The first three were adaptations of the books, while TekJustice was an original movie.[11]
| TekWar TV series | ||
|---|---|---|
| Episode | Episode Title | USA Release |
| 1 | Sellout | 22 December 1994 |
| 2 | Unknown Soldier | 29 December 1994 |
| 3 | Tek Posse | 5 January 1995 |
| 4 | Promises to Keep | 12 January 1995 |
| 5 | Stay of Execution | 19 January 1995 |
| 6 | Alter Ego | 2 March 1995 |
| 7 | Killer Instinct | 9 March 1995 |
| 8 | Chill Factor | 30 March 1995 |
| 9 | Deadline | 6 April 1995 |
| 10 | Carlotta's Room | 13 April 1995 |
| 11 | Deep Cover | 10 June 1995 |
| 12 | Cyberhunt | 17 June 1995 |
| 13 | Zero Tolerance | 24 June 1995 |
| 14 | Forget Me Not | 1 July 1995 |
| 15 | The Gate | 20 January 1996 |
| 16 | Skin Deep | 27 January 1996 |
| 17 | Redemption | 2 February 1996 |
| 18 | Betrayal | 19 February 1996 |
Video game
Tekwar was also made into a 1995 computer game by Capstone Software using the Build engine.
References
- ^ Shatner, William; Fisher, David. (2008). Up Till Now: The Autobiography. Thomas Dunne. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-312-37265-1.
- ^ "Chemicals, Drugs & Potions > Tek (TekWar)". Tv Acres. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ "Tek Headz". Net.saipan.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ [1] Archived June 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "www.retrovisionmag.com". www.retrovisionmag.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Tekheadz". Net.saipan.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ ""Tekwar Chronicles" Hits Stores This Week". Sliceofscifi.com. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ "LEE SULLIVAN ART comics". Leesullivanart.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ "William Shatner's Tek World Trading Cards". Shatner-store.stores.yahoo.net. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Benson, Jim (January 20, 1994). "'Action' packs wallop, gives markets a boost". Variety. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Garcia, Frank; Phillips, Mark (March 28, 2012). Science Fiction Television Series, 1990–2004: Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows. McFarland. p. 326. ISBN 9780786491834. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
External links
Tekheadz CentralTek War Chroniclesdigital comic books from Devil's Due Digital.