Welcome back to Rotten Ink and to another From Horror Movie To Horror Comic. This update we will be talking about a cult classic film from the late 1980’s that spawned two sequels as well as a comic book mini series from BlueWater Productions not to even mention a video game, and the film is Warlock from 1989 that starred actor Julian Sand as the sinister title character. Warlock was one of those films that was a great mix of supernatural and a dash of slasher that haunted not only theaters but was a bigger hit once on home media as it was a popular rental and a film that frightened many. So if you are ready, let’s travel time and see if The Warlock find the pages of the ultimate back magic spell book as if he does that spells doom for mankind.
Let’s start first by taking a look at The Warlock and his ways of dealing death to those who dare stand in his way of worldly conquest. The Warlock is from the 17th Century and is a charming man with long blonde hair who wears all black, and his accent is soothing. But while he is charming, he is also very evil and does not care who he kills and that includes women and children. The Warlock has a pact with the devil that helps give him many different powers as he can time travel via a supernatural storm, can fly after boiling and drinking the fat of a unbaptized child and can fire energy blasts from his hands. One power that he has that makes him dangerous is he is able to make objects move of their own and that includes very sharp ones that he can use to impale a victim. He also has the power of hexing a person just by looking at them and this causes a person’s eyes to bleed and will kill them if the hex is not broken in time. He gets most of his power from the pages of The Grand Grimoire, a very powerful spell book that is indestructible and will give him the power to unmake creation by learning the name of God. But besides his supernatural powers, The Warlock is also a skilled killer as he is not above biting off a tongue, stealing some eyeballs or stabbing a person to death. Being around animals will freak them out and cause them to sweat, and even food will spoil all do to his evil presence. But while The Warlock is very powerful, he is still just a supernatural powered man and can be killed and hurt by modern weapons as well as old defenses against witchcraft like hammering nails into footprints he left behind. Being shot and stabbed also hurts him badly, but what holds him and bounds his magic are the thumb and big toe shackles that keeps him in a bent over position. The Warlock also has a big ego and this causes him to make mistakes that can lead to his defeat and destruction. He also has a weakness for holy ground as being around it will burn his skin. He also can be hurt by leather that has been soaked in salt as it as well burns his skin. But worse he cannot survive if you inject salt water into his veins as this causes him to bleed out as well as catch fire ending his reign of terror. While The Warlock can be defeated, he still is a very dangerous man who can deal death with the best of any supernatural killer.
Now that we have taken a look at The Warlock and his evil powers, we should now take a few moments to talk about the film he is from. And like before, I will be taking the film’s plot from our friends from IMDB and after that I will write about the film’s production and then my thoughts on the film. So if you are ready, let’s take a look at The Warlock and his search for the pages of The Grand Grimoire.
Warlock (1989)
“In Boston of 1691, a warlock is sentenced to death, but escapes magically into the future (our present), followed doggedly by the witch hunter. There he is searching for the three parts of the Devil’s Bible, trailed by the witch hunter and the woman whose house he landed in. They must stop him, as the book contains the true name of God, which he can use to un-create the world.”
The movie Warlock was created by writer David Twohy and director Steve Miner as they wanted to get a horror film into production that was based around the witch hunting of the 17th century and the film was shot in Massachusetts with some shot being done in Utah as well as in California. When casting the film, Julian Sands would play Warlock and other names in the cast included Richard E. Grant, Lori Singer, Mary Woronov and Rob Paulsen. And it is said that Lori Singer was vey difficult on the set and would cause drama as well as changes to some of the special effects make-up that she would have to wear at different parts of the film. The film was shot in Massachusetts, California and in the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah with the graveyard finally being filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles. Once the film was done, Jerry Goldsmith would come in to score it and while New World Pictures would release the film in 1989 internationally, they had some major financial issues that caused the film to be shelved for two years that was until Trimark Pictures would step up and get it into American theaters on January 11, 1991 and would do poorly as it only did $9,054,451.00 on a budget of $15 million, but did well for Trimark as it was their highest grossing film at the time. When released it was meet with mixed reviews from critics and was really liked by viewers who found it to be a spooky entertaining good time. The film would also find a bigger fan base once released on home media as it was a top rental at all the big video chains, and even when hitting paid cable it would gain even more fandom. The film would also spawn two sequels “Warlock: The Armageddon” in 1993 and “Warlock III: The End Of Innocence” in 1999 and also got a video game as well as a comic series from Bluewater Productions. The film in 1991 when released in theaters cam out along with such other films as The Silence Of The Lambs, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Howling VI: The Freaks, Evil Toons, Child’s Play 3, Basketcase 3, Ernest Sacared Stupid, Subspecies and The Addams Family, to name a few. The film was # 101 of 200 films released in 1991, showing sadly how bad it did at the domestic box office. This is a very cool 90’s horror film and is a must see for fans of horror films that deal with supernatural black magic.
Julian Sands who played The Warlock was a fantastic actor who not only played The Warlock character twice but also starred in other great Horror Films like “After Darkness (1985)”, “The Doctor And The Devils (1985)”, “Gothic (1986)”, “Arachnophobia (1990)”, “Tale Of A Vampire (1992)”, “Boxing Helena (1993)”, “The Phantom Of The Opera (1998)” and “Rose Red (2001)” sadly went missing while hiking in the mountains in California on January 13, 2023 and due to very poor weather that was heavy snow, a search party was put off to find him, and sadly after months of being missing Julian Sands was found passed away on June 24, 2023 on the mountain. It’s a shame that this happed as really Sands was a very underrated actor in the world of horror and should get way more respect for the roles he played that brought frights to many fans through the 80s and 90s. The film Warlock was a film that I can remember seeing the first time it aired on HBO along with my family and I was glued to it as I found The Warlock to be very creepy and for the next few days using my G.I. Joe and Star Wars figures I would play Warlock as my brother’s Luke Skywalker Jedi Knight figure from Return Of The Jedi was The Warlock and he would curse the other figures. And once I got a little older and started building my horror movie collection on VHS The Warlock was one of the earliest modern films that I got, and is one I can also remember watching with friends over the years during some of our classic late night horror movie marathons! Julian Sands is just fantastic in the role of The Warlock as he has such a sinister charm and level of snarky to him that makes you truly believe that he is enjoying dealing death to those foolish enough to cross his path to find the pages of the Grimoire. And I think that the hatred between the characters The Warlock and witch hunter Giles Redferne is really well done as you can feel the anger in Redferne toward The Warlock who in the past killed his true love. The film is not overly bloody and much of the horror comes from the supernatural elements of The Warlock and his evil spells and magic. The soundtrack score by Jerry Goldsmith is great, and I feel is underrated when it comes to the sounds of horror cinema, in fact I think Warlock and at least its first sequel “Warlock: The Armageddon” are also very underrated and are to often overlooked when people talk about horror films of the 1980’s. But I do also have to say that I remember talking to my friends at school as well as my cousins about this film when it was released as back then it really was a bigger deal for fans of the genre. So if you have not seen Warlock do yourself a favor and track down the VHS, DVD or Blu-Ray release and give it a watch one dark and stormy night.
The Warlock really is a great film and one that I enjoy watching even still to this day, and I have to say I really do feel that Lionsgate has dropped the ball by not making more sequels in this franchise, but who knows with horror films being very popular again both for home viewing and in theaters this series just might get dusted off for a new entry. I would like to thank Mavericks Cards And Comics for having these comics in stock and making this update possible. And I would also like to remind you that I grade these comics on a star scale of 1 to 4 and am looking for how well the comics stay to the source material, its entertainment value and its art and story. I also want to dedicate this update to Julian Sands as he was such a great actor and a very nice person. I am looking forward to reading these comics again as it has been since 2009 that I did when they were first released and I had Mavericks pull them for my file. So with that, let’s see what terrors The Warlock and Bluewater Productions has in store for us on these spooky comic pages.
Warlock # 1 **1/2
Released in 2009 Cover Price $3.99 Bluewater Comics # 1 of 4
Richard is running for his life clutching on to something as The Warlock is chasing him down the city streets, but Richard finds safety in a church for a moment but the Priest inside ends up calling the police as Richard is bloody and refuses to leave the church. As the police arrive The Warlock springs into his evil actions by putting a spell on one of the cops that has him dying from puking up bugs and he mind controls the other in order to send him inside after Richard who is holding a spell book, the cop comes in and shoots the Priest and Richard is able to hide as the possessed officer keeps shooting at him. Officers Rachael and Pete arrive on the scene as well and The Warlock attacks them but Rachael is able to get into the church and has to shoot her fellow officer. As Richard is dying he gives Rachael the book and tells her that she must keep it safe and give it to Jason and Tom who are on their way as the book is what binds The Warlock’s coven of evil witches from returning and causing chaos and death to the living. The two get Rachael and the book out of the church by shooting salt water at The Warlock that causes him pain and slows him down…but he gives chase and finds them just as they are switching cars.
This first issue starts you off right into the action as The Warlock is tracking down a man who has a book that he needs to free his coven once more onto the Earth, but its protectors as well as a female cop who gets mixed up in this are the only ones that can keep it safe and try to stop The Warlock for good. Our hero thus far is Rachael, a female cop who stumbles onto a big crime when she is called in for backup, but while she is confused by all the stuff going on around her she is still very much brave and protects the innocent people. But on a side note it is also very funny how fast she believes that a Warlock is real and trying to kill her and those who are the keepers of the book. Richard, Jason and Tom are three guys who are The Protectors Of The Book as their main goal in life is to not allow The Warlock to get his evil hands on the book and destroy it to free even more evil Warlocks…and while Richard dies, he does so a hero as he stands his ground and above all truly protects the book. Meanwhile The Warlock, who is our villain, is pure evil as he kills many people mostly officers in his quest to get the book into his hands. He also shows that he can mind control people as well as move super fast, making him a big threat. The comic’s plot thus far has me drawn in as I like that it starts off with action and we are heading into a cat and mouse chase as this book is the key for both sides to win this battle between good and evil. It is not clear if this Warlock is one for the movies or if he is a new one but in my mind he is the one from the first film back to once more mess with mankind. The issue does have blood being spilt and the Horror is truly coming from The Warlock and his evil magic. The cover for this issue is pretty cool and showcases The Warlock looking smug and annoyed with the issues interior art being done by Jacob Bear and its pretty cool stuff if you like the indie style that was big in the 2000’s. Over all a good start and makes me look forward to reading the next issue to see what happens.
Warlock # 2 **1/2
Released in 2009 Cover Price $3.99 Bluewater Comics # 2 of 4
Rachel along with Jason and Tom are speeding through the city trying to get the book far away from The Warlock, and as they drive they speak to each other briefly about their pasts they are being followed by The Warlock! And as a short time passes The Warlock uses the other cars on the road to try and trap our heroes by fling cars around and causing ones to explode…finally the getaway car crashes and Jason is injured badly as Rachael and Tom are dazed The Warlock appears and kills Jason and freezes the other two were they stand. The Warlock searches the car and both Tom and Rachel for the book and finds it finally on the corpse of Jason and just like that he burns up the book and this opens a portal and out comes The Coven Of Warlocks!
Well in this one our heroes really drop the ball as they are defeated by The Warlock, who is able to get his evil hands on the book and destroy it to bring back his coven and now the world is in very big trouble! We also learn in this issue that Rachael has been a cop for around five years and seems to be torn about her job as she is not sold on the good she has done. But like in the last issue, she still does her best to try and protect not only the book but also her new friends. Meanwhile we learn that Jason became a protector of the book after his wife was killed by The Warlock, and sadly he as well is now dead at the hands of her killer. Meanwhile we learn that Tom is very protective of his past, but is also kind of hitting on Rachael while they are speeding around town in their great escape. The Warlock once more shows that he does not care about life as he uses cars as tools to throw around and then even kills Jason all in his quest to get the book. And now with the book destroyed, The Coven has arrived in these modern times and its clear that everyone is in big trouble. And it is crazy just how fast The Warlock is able to get the book and destroy it as our heroes are defeated pretty easy and one even loses his life. The issue does have its share of death and blood split and of course the horror all comes from The Warlock and his evil magic. One of the oddest things about this issue is that the plot is very thin as most of the issue is just our heroes driving around dodging explosions and other cars being thrown around by The Warlock, and this makes this issue not for everyone as it is exciting in nature but is also kind of bland as they book is destroyed way to quick and The Coven returns to fast. The cover for this issue showcases our heroes’ car and is not really that eye-catching besides the fact it also has The Warlock’s shadow. The interior artwork for this issue is as well done by Jacob Bear and is just like the first issue good stuff if you like that 2000’s look. Over all a good issue but not as good as the first issue…but does leave me as a reader to want to see what is next so it really did do its job. So let’s see what The Warlock and his Coven has planned now that they are all back together.
Warlock # 3 **1/2
Released in 2009 Cover Price $3.99 Bluewater Comics # 3 of 4
The Warlock welcomes The Coven back as they have been stuck in limbo for over 100 years and now they are go off to see this new world and find a way to take it over. As the evildoers are gone a man named Hugh who is related to one of the old Priests that fought the Coven in the past comes across Rachael and Tom and uses a spell to unfreeze them and takes them back to his home in order to look for papers or a spell that can help them against these Warlocks. Meanwhile around the city The Warlock and The Coven are running wild killing people, fighting the police, blowing things up and just causing so much death and destruction! Tom leaves Hugh’s home as he sees what is going on via the news and heads to the site of the chaos and ends up taking down one of The Warlocks when he blasts him in the mouth with his salt water gun.
The Warlock and The Coven are loose on the streets and are massacring many people and just causing fear and panic with their magic powers, all the while our heroes are searching for something that can help them in this big battle as the fate of the world is now truly in their hands. Rachael in this issue is the one that is trying to keep her friends calm and on track as it is clear that the odds are against them and that they might have truly doomed the world by not truly protecting the book. While in this issue Tom steps up as the hero as he cannot stand by and watch as people die at the hands of The Warlocks so he heads out to try and fight with them only armed with his salt water gun, it’s clear he knows that he more than likely will die in this battle but he will at least know that he died trying to protect people. As for Hugh the newest member of our heroes he seems a little scattered and not fully aware of what he is doing as his only reason to help was that his ancestor was one of the Priests who defeated The Coven in the past…in other words besides saving Rachael and Tom from being frozen in spot he is causing lots of delays and that is causing lots of people to be killed. The Warlock and The Coven are truly showing just how powerful and evil they are as they use their magic to kill people as well as cause mass destruction, one of them even gets joy out of mutilating a Priest that The Warlock tricks into leaving the safety of the church. Plus it is shown that they are so powerful that they are able to take on a bunch of police officers and slaughter them all! This issue is truly to build up how evil The Warlock and The Coven are and to show just how much the odds are against our heroes in a final showdown that you know is coming. The issue like the others has its fair share of death and blood being spilt with the Horror being the evil that The Warlock and The Coven are doing. The cover for this issue once more has The Warlock this time with a knife behind his back and once more the comic’s interior art is done by Jacob Bear and is good stuff. Well with that we are at the final issue so let’s see if Rachael and the others are able to stop The Warlock and his crew or will evil win this time.
Warlock # 4 **1/2
Released in 2009 Cover Price $3.99 Bluewater Comics # 4 of 4
Tom is able to take out one more of The Coven members with his salt water gun before The Warlock captures him and allows The Coven member to torture him, they also are able to use magic to easily defeat army soldiers that show up. Meanwhile Hugh finds a way that they can defeat The Warlock and The Coven and that is by using a spell that tricks them into entering holy ground and they decide that Rachael will be the bait as she will have them chase her to this location that will hopefully bring all the evil ones down for good. As Hugh puts the spell on a cemetery Rachael is able to get to Tom and rescue him and they make a run for the cemetery and the spell works as The Coven follows them inside and are burned up by stepping on the land killing them all. The Warlock however did not fall for the spell and stays outside the cemetery and is able to throw his dagger in and kill Rachael who dies in the arms of Tom, and its Hugh that once more uses a spell and sends The Warlock far away. In the end Tom and Hugh know that they must get ready to battle The Warlock again in the future as we see that it appears he has been sent to the jungles somewhere.
Well The Warlock and The Coven have been defeated with the Coven all being killed and The Warlock being sent away via a magic spell that is casted by Hugh who ends up being more useful than it first appeared as both of his spells are what takes down the evil ones. Rachael in this one ends up losing her life but does put herself in dangers way in order to try and save everyone from the fate that is coming for them, and worse she is killed by a thrown dagger that kills her instantly so she does not get to fully celebrate the defeat of The Coven. We also see that Tom is kind of a badass as he is able to use salt water to kill two of the Coven members on his own, he takes a beating by them and then stands his ground at the end against The Warlock. And when he says that he will get revenge for the death of Rachel, I believe him! And again who would have thought that Hugh would be the one who uses magic in order to bring down all the evil and stop the chaos and death from happing, and it appears by the end of the comic he is going to take his battle against evil a little more serious. The Coven are very evil but also way too cocky and this is what leads them into a trap that leaves them into becoming a melted gooey mess on the ground, while others are blasted with salt water and are burned up by that. It crazy as they are very powerful but big egos is what brings them down. The Warlock is the worst of the bunch as he truly does not value human life and is smarter than his fellow evil warlocks as he does not fall for the illusion and even gets one last kill with his trusty dagger that he is skilled with. The story is very basic but is also lots of fun if you like The Warlock films as for the most part I do feel that this comic series does the film justice, and in my opinion was better than Bluewater’s Leprechaun comic series that was released around the same time. The comic has some blood spilt and while the series is not a blood bath those who do like the red stuff on their panels should be happy with what they get. The Horror really does come from The Warlock and The Coven as they are truly evil killers and enjoy the death and fear they deal out. And I for one am glad that Bluewater and Lionsgate teamed up to make this comic series as that company has lots of great Horror Films that would make for great Horror Comics…I mean Wishmaster anyone? The cover is pretty cool and features a tombstone marked with the Warlock’s shadow in blood with a hand near the grave…eye catching if you like Horror Comics. The whole mini series interior art is done by Jacob Bear and like I said it is good stuff, but is very much kind of dated as it looks like most of the indie comics released in the 2000’s. And I do have to say that I wish that The Warlock would have looked like actor Julian Sands and that they would have just said that the one in the comic is the same from the movie…but I have always heard that the creators behind this comic series wanted this to be a new one. To sum it up if you enjoy The Warlock films you should read this series as while its nothing super special it does deliver a spooky good read and feels like a direct to video sequel that we never got. Checkout the art below to see the style that Bear used in this comic series.
The Warlock made for a good comic series and it’s a shame that it only lasted four issues as I think that it could have lasted a few more and if the right creators were on the book it could have been an ongoing series even. And once more I have to say that it is super sad that actor Julian Sands passed away in 2023 as he was one heck of a great actor and it would have been great to even have seen him return to the role of The Warlock once last time. I also want to say that I met Julian Sands once at a horror convention, and he was a very nice and respectful person. But it looks like our time with The Warlock has came to an end, but don’t worry our next update keeps us in the world of horror and leads us to the Honey Island Swamp as we talk about the legend of Victor Crowley and the film series he is from called Hatchet. So until next time, read a horror comic or three, watch a horror film or two and as always support your local Horror Host. See you next update as it looks like we might have found a late night haunted swap tour boat that will take us to the Crowley part of the swamp!
