Medieval Intrigue from Paris to Byzantium!
It's pretty clear that the discerning comic reader of the early 80s was reading Arak Son of Thunder. We've already seen an issue with a fan letter from a young Todd McFarlane. And this issue boasts one from legendary superfan T.M. Maple.
And it's no wonder with issues like this - Arak and Satyricus, reunited with Valda become embroiled in intrigue in Byzantium where emissaries from White Cathay - including a Viking - are attempting to broker a deal exchanging gunpowder for Greek fire! The deft mixing of historical detail and high fantasy is excellent.
But it doesn't stop there - the backup feature 'Isle of the City, Isle of Death!', starring the Iron Maiden and Malagigi actually upstages the main story (again)! It features the machinations of a witch named Greerarmada in a former Roman stronghold to acquire a powerful reliquary on St. Denys' Eve!
The art is good and the stories are great - if you hunger for an intelligent take on the sword and sorcery genre, Arak is for you!