Shadmocks are a race of villainous creatures who feature exclusively in the Ruby-Spears Dragon's Lair animated series episode "The Pool of Youth." Appearing as anthropomorphic canines, the Shadmocks serve as henchmen to the evil witch Biralla, who seeks to strengthen her magical powers through regaining her youth. The Shadmocks do not appear to speak any discernable language but are intelligent creatures led by a commander, who is distinguished by a purple hood and receives instructions directly from Biralla.
The Shadmocks helped Biralla to capture the town of Avalon and imprison Gelda, the daughter of Mayor Rukh. When Dirk the Daring leads a rescue mission, Biralla instructed the Shadmocks to allow the heroes to free Gelda, in order that they might follow her to the magical Pool of Youth. The Shadmocks tracked the heroes in their quest and attempted to ambush Dirk and Princess Daphne in the ancient city that hides the pool. Biralla ordered the Shadmock Commander to charge at a de-aged Dirk, but the diminutive knight tripped him, causing him to fall into the pool and de-age into a playful puppy. A second Shadmock was also de-aged into a puppy after being splashed by Daphne. After the arrival of The Sandman, the effects of the pool were reversed, returning all characters to their proper ages. Once Biralla was defeated by Dirk, the remaining Shadmocks ran away in fear.
Trivia[]
- The Shadmocks may have been inspired by the 1981 British comedy horror film The Monster Club, which featured a segment titled "The Shadmock Story." In the film, Shadmocks are a hybrid race descended from vampires, werewolves, and ghouls, which can cause insanity through whistling. The film was based upon a 1976 book of the same name by British author Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes.
Gallery[]
