Quest for the Dragon Star: An Oral History of WMAC Masters Paperback – July 6, 2022

I discovered the TV show “WMAC Masters” at a friend’s house. The friend happened to be in a martial arts class himself, although I was not, but back in those days we were in to Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Mortal Kombat, and Saturday morning kids television, which meant this show checked off every interest box down the list. I remember watching every rerun of the first season and religiously recording every episode of the second season and I especially remember waiting for the start of the third season to resolve the ultimate cliffhanger. The third season never came; only reruns and speculations as to whatever happened to Superstar, Tsunami, Chameleon, Tracer, and the rest of the world’s greatest martial artists competing for the ultimate prize.Fast forward to 26 years later. Now, I have a son who studies taekwondo. About three months ago, a quarter century after learning that one of my favorite TV shows was cancelled without a resolution, I discovered a Twitter profile at @WMACMastersBook that an author named Kristopher Landis was writing a book about the show, including information about what might have happened if it had continued on. There was no thought put into my ordering this book. It was a Zen state, like a perfectly executed double inside crescent kick, done on pure emotion and autonomous action.My recommendation is, if you know what “WMAC Masters” is, even a passing recognition, this book is worth investing your time.The care the author takes with the subject matter is evident in the final product. Large and small details are included and carefully interwoven with interviews from the cast, crew, and producers. The research is thorough and substantial. The writing is smooth and conversational. The tribute to Richard Branden is emotional.Adding to that, the way the book is organized was done very cleverly, divvying it up into a pre-production/concept phase, breaking down the episodes one by one, then ending with the “what could have been chapters.” Full disclosure: When this book arrived at my house on Saturday, I got home from work Saturday night, opened the package, and turned straight to page 358. I spent many years waiting for this moment, Universe (well, actually, Norman Grossfeld), and now you answer to me (well, actually, Kristopher Landis).I like the layout of this book, too. It has a very sleek, modern aesthetic to it, with sidebars and clear quotation and a very fluid water-like flow to everything; water is the most powerful force in nature, after all. And full color pictures! Scripts, behind-the-scenes photos, Ki symbols, and all.“Quest for the Dragon Star: An Oral History of WMAC Masters” is a must-read companion for anyone who has had any interaction with this show in their life. Whether you are seeking answers to the generations-old questions of how that show from 1996 was supposed to end, or discovered it later through Youtube uploads, the complimentary information provided by this book is interesting, informative, and entertaining. Once you get your copy of this book, there will be only one question left unanswered…Now that you have it, what shall you do with it?

WMAC Masters was the type of show that I had a ton of nostalgia for but there isn't a ton of information about it available online. I ordered this book hoping I'd get a bit of insight and it's all of that and then some. It dissects every single episode with tons of cast interview and anecdotes. It even speaks to where the show would have gone had there been a third season. Pepper in a bunch of personal photos from the cast and crew and this is all you could ever want to know about WMAC and then some! Easy recommend for any '90s fan.

Just an incredible and easy-reading, in-depth review of one of the all-time cult hit shows of the '90s. A fantastic summary of all of the events that lead up to the show, some absolutely wonderful histories and interview segments of the people involved, behind-the-scenes material, a chapter on Yin Yang Man that I found devastatingly touching... 5 stars, only complaint is that it makes me want a season 3 even more.

This is a great read on a childhood syndicated show that should not be forgotten. Very well researched and a lot of great behind the scenes pictures.

For fans of this show left haunted by the season 2 cliffhanger, this books is everything you wanted and more. A fantastic history and overview of a nostalgic property that is perhaps the most 90s thing ever. Martial arts? Dramatic backstories? A “Hell in the Cell” but the fence is electrified and there are ninjas? Truly for kids of the 90s this was the perfect show. And for those kids that grew up into adults that love good reads, this is the perfect book.

Kris is a true fan of WMAC Masters, and it shows. His writing style is full of humor and wonderful insights. He spent countless hours researching every aspect of the show - and interviewing the creators, producers, production team and key martial artists to fill this book with both hysterical, and touching, behind-the-scenes stories.Kris provides tons of details about each episode, including: how the show came to life, reasons for casting decisions and how the scripts transformed over time. His deep digging into the catacombs of the WMAC archives helps answer one of the show's longest lingering questions: what would have happened to JuKiDo if there had been a third season?Fans of the show will not be disappointed!

It felt great to read and see the ideas each martial artist had and the concepts of the show itself. I'm grateful for the research that was done and even the masters themselves adding special details and tricks about what they incorporated. It was even cool to see what the next season set up would have been like and what mat could have happened. I wish the series did keep going.

Author Kris Landis gives us an in depth book about one of the 90s most under appreciated martial arts television shows. Kris has a down to earth style of writing that is very engaging and informative. The book does a great job of letting cast and production members reminiscence about their time on the series, which makes the book all the more enjoyable. 6 stars. Great book. Highly recommended

Amazing! Greetings from Brazil

Thanks to the author and everyone who contributed to this book. It is the best thing since the show!Hope for more in the future in any form.