Wayward Hawk: Behind the Scenes

Wayward Hawk is not actually the first story about Demon Hunters I have wrote. When I was a child writing was my favorite hobby, over reading and even video games. I loved being assigned to write a short story by my English teacher. I was heavily influenced by old TSR (Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Dark Sun, ect) books. They blew my mind and opened the flood gates to discovering fantasy for me.

But it was watching Japanimation (anime) in the early 90’s that really inspired me to write the Demon Hunter stories. One in particular called “Demon City: Shinjuku”.

From there I created a modern sci fi akin to that film and the Highlander about Justin a new demon hunter selected by the Jade Hawk to stop the invading lord Manix! I was, perhaps, Twelve when I created that story, and more would follow.

Next version of the Demon Hunter story came as a tv show idea I had. You see, I had fantasies of owning a tv station where I imagined almost a hundred shows for the network: JBCTV (Joe Blast Comics Television) originally based off the comic books I used to draw. JBCTV ran its course from 1997-2008 where the last tv show I created in my head ended the entire run. Yes, I was still imagining complex stories with my many characters into my late 20’s. Even in the army…even during basic training!

Legend of the Demon Hunter was long running story I acted out in my head whenever I was alone. I acted out the fight scenes and dialogue. It told the tale of Matthias, celtic warrior, born with the Jade Hawk that fought the demons throughout history and eventually, reluctantly taking in a new apprentice who was hawk-borne in the enslaved time of 3010. From there Matthias died passing on his knowledge and Dane had to step up, train Matthias’s son and rid the universe of the demon menace. This story ran from 1999 to 2006, with Dane making a cameo in my final story.

It was perhaps the greatest story I ever came up with, and I don’t I could ever top it.

However, here we are in 2020, and once again I have a new demon hunter story. This one has been adapted into a high fantasy story and part of the Dragon Realms Saga, instead of the modern fantasy.

It is about Aelathane, a soldier the the city of the Last Aerie, a forgotten vanguard of the old Night Wars. A mysterious demon hunter from the ancient' city’s past finds her and changes her life and perhaps loyalties to her king.

With this story I’m using Matthias and Dane, but not the same characters, just their names and connections to the hawk. No, this is a completely new city. Sort of in the style of Attack on Titan with it being a city in a hopeless situation defending against dangerous monsters.

Perhaps I will go back and write Legend of the Demon Hunter someday, either through a comic book or novel, I don’t know. But I do know it should be told.

And that’s the story of the Demon Hunter.