Comic Title: Arak/Son of Thunder #7
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Cover Date: March 1982
On Sale Date: December 3, 1981 Newsstand Date December 3, 1981
Source: Comic Reader, #197

Newsstand Date December 3, 1981
Source: DC Coming Attractions, #61

Newsstand Date December 3, 1981
Source: Comics Journal, #69

Newsstand Date December 3, 1981
Source: Amazing Heroes, #7

Copyright Date November 10, 1981
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1981
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Shipping Date November 10, 1981
Source: DC Coming Attractions, #61

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.60
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dick Giordano

Title: "A Dark, Unlighted Place..."
Pages: 26

Feature(s):
Arak

Plotter: Roy Thomas
Scripter: Gerry Conway
Scripter: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Ernie Colon
Inker: Rodin Rodriguez
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Feature Character(s)

• Arak (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #6; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #8)

Supporting Character(s)

• Valda (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #6; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #8)

Villain(s)

• The Black Pope (next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #8)
• Followers of the Black Pope (next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #8)
• An angry mob (no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Jesus Christ (in flashback to the origin of Josephus; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Josephus (a jew; claims to be the infamous Wandering Jew; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #8)
• Hadrian (the current Pope; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #8)
• Ursilus (in flashback; a former candidate for Pope; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Malagigi (in flashback)
• Carolus Magnus (in flashback)
• Stephen II (a former Pope; in flashback)
• Pepin (Magnus's father; in flashback)
• King Arthur (in flashback)

Comments:
This story continues in Arak/Son of Thunder #8.

Synopsis:
Arak and Valda arrive in Rome to request the assistance of Pope Hadrian in locating White Cathay. When they enter town Arak enrages the townspeople by saving the life of Josephus, a jew who was being stoned. Valda is able to quell the fighting with mention of Carolus Magnus.

The pair is then met by Hadrian who claims to possess no information concerning White Cathay. He suggests they travel to Byzantium for information. Before the warriors depart, the Pope requests that Valda serve as his guardian during the upcoming Christmas procession in the streets. Hadrian is concerned about a series of strange disappearances among the people.

Valda agrees to accept the duty with Arak joining her. During the procession, the ground is shaken by a quake and great arms rise from the cracks in the Earth and pull Hadrian and Valda under the Earth. The mob blames Arak and chase him. While seeking shelter Arak is met by Josephus who gives him aid.

The jew guides him into the catacombs which were recently opened. Legend claims that the followers of Ursilus, a man passed over in the election of Pope in 366, took shelter in the catacombs and were sealed inside. Josephus also claims to be the infamous Wandering Jew, who has been wandering the Earth since Christ's crucifixion. Arak enters the catacombs and guided by the jew's dice finds a secret chamber which leads to the domain of the Black Pope who has Valda and Hadrian held hostage.