Comic Title: Arak Annual #1
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 1984
On Sale Date: July 12, 1984 Newsstand Date July 12, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #5

Newsstand Date July 12, 1984
Source: Comic Reader, #219

Newsstand Date July 12, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #50

Newsstand Date July 12, 1984
Source: House Ad, All-Star Squadron #35, Page 32

Shipping Date June 19, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #5

Shipping Date June 19, 1984
Source: Comic Reader, #219

Shipping Date June 19, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #50

Copyright Date June 19, 1984
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1984
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Shipping Date June 12, 1984
Source: Comics Journal, #91

Cover Price: $1.25
Page Count: 48
Editor: Roy Thomas

Title: "In the Lair of the Serpent Lord"
Pages: 40

Feature(s):
Arak

Writer: Roy Thomas
Writer: Danette Thomas
Penciller: Ron Randall
Penciller: Adrian Gonzales
Penciller: Ernie Colon
Artist: Alfredo P. Alcala
Artist: Gerald Forton
Inker: Rick Magyar
Inker: Rodin Rodriguez
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: L. Lois Buhalis
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Feature Character(s)

• Arak (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #37; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #38)

Supporting Character(s)

• Satyricus (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #37; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #38)
• Alsind (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #36; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #38)
• Sharizad (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #36; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #38)

Villain(s)

• The Lord of Serpents (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #36; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #50)
• Minions of the Lord of Serpents (some disguised as Khiron, Star-of-Dawn, and White-Snow Owl; no further appearances)
• A band of desert raiders (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Valda (in Arak's vision)
• Angelica (in Arak's vision)

Synopsis:
Arak and Satyricus begin a trek across the desert to find the lair of the Lord of Serpents who has kidnapped their friends Alsind and Sharizad. Arak defends himself when a band of raiders attack using the fire sword of Gabriel. The travelers are then lost in a cyclone of sand.

Arak finds himself transported by the cyclone to a Quontaukan village. He helps fight off an attack by natives loyal to the serpent and is then reunited with his mother and grandfather whom he believed dead. Despite his joy at the reunion he is disturbed when his grandfather suggest that he remain with the Quontaukan and ignore his obligations to his friends. Arak is able to penetrate the illusion and realizes that his grandfather and the Quontaukan are not real. Using the fire sword he banishes them and finds himself back in the desert.

Satyricus has also fallen victims to the illusions. He believes that he travels to Hades, slays Charon and Cerberus and returns to Hellas with Khiron. Arak then appears and helps him to see the truth. Arak slays the Khiron imposter and both travelers continue their trek through the desert.

They finally reach and enter the lair of the Serpent Lord. Arak agrees to hand of the sword in exchange for Alsind and Sharizad. When a minion of the Lord of Serpents touches the sword it explodes with a dazzling display of light and power. Only Arak and his shielded friends are protected as well as the Lord of Serpents, who then battles the warrior shaman for the possession of the sword. Arak prevails and wounds the serpent. The sword then disappears, the lair collapses, and Arak makes his escape with his friends. However, the wounded Lord of Serpents also escapes.