Wizards (Robert Kirkman)

Wizards is an American Science Fantasy comic book series created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, who was the artist on the first twenty issues and cover artist for the first twenty four with the art for the remainder of the series being Charlie Adlard.

Publication history
Robert Kirkman first came up with the idea for Wizards after reading Shotaro Ishinomori's manga Cyborg 009 and in an interview revealed what of instead of cyborgs they were turned into wizards and magical beings.

Wizards was first published on June 2000, published by Image Comics, with art by Tony Moore for the first twenty issues and Cliff Rathburn shading the art after issue #5. Charlie Adlard took over as artist on issue #21, after he was approached by Kirkman. Moore also created the cover art for the first 24 issues and the first four trade paperbacks. The remainder were done by Adlard.

Plot
The series features 10 individuals from around the world who are kidnapped by the mysterious New Salem organization, a shadowy society consisting of wizards, witches, sorcerers and magical beings lead by the mysterious Morgon the Great who seek to restore magic to the world by wiping out most of Earth's population. Each of the kidnapped individuals were given the Elixir of Earth which turns them into either wizards or magical creatures depending on their personalities. The group later escape with the help of New Salem's most reputable Alchemist Dr. Merlin Pendragon.

The Fellowship
A group of 10 individuals from around the world who were kidnapped by Earth's Order and were given the Elixir of Earth which turned them into wizards or magical creatures depending on their personalities.


 * James Rowling - A 20 year old Irish American Wizard who is the leader of the Fellowship and the main protagonist of the comic book. He was found by the New Salem after being left for dead by muggers, whilst being in their custody he was given the Elixir of Earth and was turned into a Wizard. After escaping with the rest of the Fellowship
 * Françoise Dubois - A beautiful 19 year old French Elf who is the twin sister of Pierre and James' love interest. She and Pierre were both arrested for their involvement in an environmental protest until they were both bailed out by agents of New Salen, whilst being held by New Salem they were both given the Elixir of Earth and were both turned into Elves.
 * Jean-Paul Dubois - A 19 year old French Elf and the twin brother of Françoise. One day after being arrested for participating in an environmental protest they were bailed out by agents of New Salem and were then drugged and taken to one of their facilities, whilst being held by New Salem they were given the Elixir of Earth and as a result both he and Françoise were transformed into Elves.
 * Herman Grubb - A 21 year old German Satyr and former college student. He was once a party and music loving student from the University of Berlin until he was captured by agents of New Salem whilst extremely drunk, due to his party and music loving nature he was turned into a Satyr by the Elixir of Earth. Out of the fellowship he is the most bitter about his transformation believing himself to be a monster
 * Chang Chung - A 42 year old Chinese Halfling.
 * Gilbert Smith - A 40 year old Changeling and former Shakespearean actor from Great Britain.
 * Rains Wind - A 26 year old Native American and Centaur from New Mexico.

Humans

 * Dr. Merlin Pendragon - One of Earth Order leading Alchemists and mentor to the fellowship. Whilst dutiful to New Salem, he was reluctant to accept their intentions to wipe out most of the world's population.

Earth Order
A mysterious secret society of Eco-Terrorists


 * Morgon the Great - A very powerful sorcerer who is the main antagonist of the comic book. As the leader of Earth Order and an environmental terrorist he has made it his mission to restore magic to the world. Despite his intentions he is not truly evil, his devotion to New Salem's cause steamed from when he was a child when his parents
 * General Grimskull - An Orc who is one of Earth's Orders leading military commanders and Morgon's trusted right-hand man.
 * Morgana - One of Earth's Orders most senior witches
 * Earth's Order - A mysterious Eco-Terrorist organization serving as the main antagonist of the series.
 * Banshees- Robots based upon the Banshee of Irish folklore, it emanates a loud deafening screech that can render the victim unconscious
 * Redcaps - A group of murderous Dwarves