An Actual Native American Legend
Roy and Dann Thomas' barbarian hero Arak has fallen by the wayside at DC - killed off in Crisis on Infinite Earths, and largely forgotten over the intervening decades. 'Tis a shame, for they created a pretty unique fantasy hero in Arak, the Native American warrior destined to walk the Earth.
In this issue, the Roy & Dann Thomas and Ron Randall & Rick Magyar team continue their excellent Middle East storyline in this issue of Arak, Son of Thunder. Arak, his companions, and members of the deposed royal line of Damaskos, seek out the holy, flaming sword of the Archangel Gabriel, but there are some perils they have to overcome first – and the age-old enemy of Arak’s tribe is also making it’s own bid for the sword.
The art is really great, with shadowy forms in the dim night alleyways of Damaskos, and half page, full page, and even two page spreads of key moments.
Sadly, the backup story is just another reprint of Arak’s early life.
The story 'The Turtle and the Serpent' tells another story of the boyhood of Arak. Once while fishing, Bright-Sky-After-Storm (Arak) and his father Proud-Elk caught only a water snake, which Bright-Sky killed - saving Proud-Elk's life, and a turtle. Then the story takes a detour as the shaman tells of the creation of the world and how the Great Turtle was always a friend to man. The shaman told Bright-Sky that since the turtle is a good omen, but since he killed the serpent he would be fated to battle of its brothers all his life - foreshadowing the coming of the Quontauka's serpent-worshiping enemies.
The incorporation of an actual Native American creation myth adds some depth and believability to the short tale, and reminds us that even though Arak wasn't a commercial success, maybe it should have been.