TekWar is a series of science fiction novels created by William Shatner and ghost-written by science-fiction author Ron Goulart, published by Putnam. The novels gave rise to a comic book series, video game and later TV movies and a series, both of the latter featuring Shatner.
Premise
The 23rd century universe is centered around "tek"รข€"an illegal, addictive, mind-altering digital drug in the form of a microchip. 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 is quoted to say that the original book was an attempt to blend elements from Star Trek and T. J. Hooker. There are strong similarities between the story of the initial Tek novel (and TV pilot) and Ron Goulart's 1985 novel, Brainz Inc., which involves a murder mystery involving an heiress who is presumed dead and her android duplicate, who shares her memories and personality. Unlike the Tek story the earlier novel's plot is played for humor.
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. 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.
Television films and series
The Tekwar novels became a film and television franchise in 1994.
Video game
Tekwar was also made into a 1995 computer game by Capstone Software using the Build engine.
References
External links
- Tekheadz Central
- Tek War Chronicles digital comic books from Devil's Due Digital.
