In 1989, the release of “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier,” directed by William Shatner, met with widespread disappointment, with many fans ranking it among the worst in the beloved Star Trek film franchise. In response to this setback, Shatner sought to create his own science-fiction universe, leading to the birth of “TekWar.”
Initially conceived during the production of “Final Frontier,” TekWar began as a book series co-created by Shatner and ghostwriter Ron Goulart. The storyline follows former police officer Jake Cardigan as he battles the illegal drug Tek in a dystopian Greater Los Angeles. While the novels laid the groundwork, TekWar unexpectedly expanded into a franchise that included a television series, comic books, and even a video game.
Despite this growth, enthusiasm for TekWar remains lackluster. Casual fans might have forgotten the franchise even existed, with the name Jake Cardigan being unfamiliar to most, highlighting the series’ low visibility among genre enthusiasts.
The title “TekWar” itself raises eyebrows, with its resemblance to Star Trek suggesting intent to attract fans of that series, while the inclusion of “War” seems designed to appeal to Star Wars aficionados. The franchise is often noted for its unoriginality, filled with clichés prevalent in the cyberpunk genre at the time, such as high-tech drugs and concepts akin to virtual worlds.
Critics have pointed out the series’ aesthetic similarities to classics like “Blade Runner,” coining the term “Dullbladerunner” to describe the uninspired nature of the show. Nonetheless, Shatner’s star power ensured that TekWar found a moderate audience. The comic book adaptation, “TekWorld,” published by Marvel, ran sporadically alongside the subsequent television show, which aired for two seasons from 1994 until 1996. In this series, Shatner took on a co-starring role as Walter Bascom, Cardigan’s employer.
In 2021, there was talk of an adult animated reboot of TekWar, though no developments have surfaced since the announcement, leaving fans wondering about the franchise’s future. While TekWar once held some level of recognition, it currently serves as a reminder of 90s pop culture that many seemingly feel is best left in the past. Yet, with new adaptations on the horizon, there remains a glimmer of hope for a revival that could introduce Shatner’s creation to a new generation.