Art Print: Terry Brooks’ Walker Boh from the Shannara Series

Twenty three years ago I was asked to illustrate Walker Boh, a druidic character from Terry Brooks’ Shannara series. This was to be the cover for Dragon Magazine’s August 2001, #286 issue. 

Because I had not read this series, I wanted to get a more in-depth vibe on what this characters mood and essence was like. Luckily, I was able to obtain the assistance of Terry’s official webmaster, Shawn Speakman. Shawn was exceptionally helpful and was the one that suggested it’d be cool (for the fans) if I could add into the image the mysterious magical Sword of Shannara that was carried on an airship and encased in a box bound by magical chains.

What follows is the art directors description given to me for instructions as to how they wanted me to depict this magazine cover of Walker Boh. 

Dragon Magazine Art Directors Description:

“…Physically, he was forbidding – tall and dark-featured, with long black hair and beard, and a narrow, angular face that was seamed by sun and weather. He looked neither young nor old, but somewhere in between. His right arm was missing from just above the elbow, leaving only a stump within a pinned-up tunic sleeve. Even so, he radiated power and self-assurance, and his strange eyes registered an unmistakable warning to stand clear.”

Additionally, the art director said:

“Futhermore, he is usually referred to as wearing a dark (or black) cloak.

I’d like to see something along the same heroic lines as your duelist (Gerard) cover. Half beefcake, half hero, half menace (one and a half man!).

He is standing on the deck of a wicked-looking (but sleek and nimble) flying ship. This should probably be suggested rather than a literal portrayal to avoid problems with continuity… keep the trappings around Walker Boh sort of ‘generic nautical.’

Eyes engage the viewer and head breaks into the Dragon logo. The left side of the composition will be filled with type (“Shannara Special!” for example). This type will be really high contrast, which will threaten to mute any cover illustration, so choose a garish palette and when it’s all together it should fall into place perfectly.”

I submitted the sketch for approval as seen above and then went on to paint the image in acrylic.

A couple years ago prints of this image were made available to the Terry Brooks, Shannara community. Since this is one of the most frequently asked-for prints (that we did not as of yet have on the website) we’ve now made them easy to obtain. 

👉 The large archival prints are now in the store, signed in gold and offered in two sizes:
13×19” & 17×22″