Set-up part 2
Roy and Dann Thomas continue to set up the big finale. Chinese heroine Mu-lan shows up to challenge Arak and Valda, but only to test their mettle. It all culminates in everyone brought together at a feast in the local Governor's palace. At that banquet we learn that Hakaan is plottin against Arak. Brunello also shows back up and rescues Arak, but for his own selfish reasons. We also learn that Alsin is actually the legendary Sinbad (I wonder how many heroes of folklore are going to show up here by series end?). And finally, the 'dragon' that continually plagues Canton is the work of - you guessed it - Angelica.
The fact that the likes of Angelica and Hakaan can actually beat Arak and company to Canton, and get themselves established there seems a little hard to imagine, but not so much that it interferes with suspension of disbelief. What's harder to believe, though, is that Arak will manage to wrap up all these loose ends and make it home to his people in only two issues. We shall have to see.