Comic Title: Arak/Son of Thunder #4
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Cover Date: December 1981
On Sale Date: September 10, 1981 Newsstand Date September 10, 1981
Source: Comic Reader, #194

Newsstand Date September 10, 1981
Source: DC Coming Attractions, #58

Newsstand Date September 10, 1981
Source: Amazing Heroes, #4

Copyright Date August 18, 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 August 16, 1981
Source: DC Coming Attractions, #58

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.60
Page Count: 36
Editor: Dick Giordano

Title: "A Tree from Some Dark Hell"
Pages: 27

Feature(s):
Arak

Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciller: Ernie Colon
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Feature Character(s)

• Arak (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #3; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)

Supporting Character(s)

• Valda (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #3; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Malagigi (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #3; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Carolus Magnus (king of the Frankland; first appearance; last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #28; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)

Villain(s)

• Widukind (a Saxon leader; in flashback; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Duke Namo (of Bavaria; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Astolpho (of Mercia; first appearance; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Rinaldo (a swordsman; first appearance; last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #28; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Ganelon (first appearance; last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #12; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Ogier (the Dane; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Ferrau (the Saracen; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Olivar (first appearance; last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #28; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Archbishop Turpin (first appearance; last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #12; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)
• Liutgard (Magnus's lady; first appearance; last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #12; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• A medicine man (in flashback)

Synopsis:
Arak, Malagigi, and Valda reach Aix-La-Chapelle, home of Carolus Magnus. The enter the king's court and find many of the king's advisors present. Most are astonished by Arak's red skin and unfamiliar clothing. Malagigi advises him to be quiet, but when the men start to question his religious beliefs Arak refuses to keep silent.

Angered by the pagan barbarian, Rinaldo, the great swordsman challenges Arak to personal combat. Arak agrees, and the two men stage a duel. Arak wins without seriously injuring his opponent. Having earned the respect of Magnus's court, he is finally able to deliver his warning concerning Angelica the sorceress.

That night Magnus tells a tale of his battle with the Saxons. During the campaign, Magnus chopped down a holy tree that was a symbol to the enemy. He kept a tiny branch from the tree. Malagigi advises the king to get rid of it for fear that it may be cursed.

Once the branch is returned to the Earth it grows into a new tree with living branches which nearly strangle the king. Arak and Valda come to his aid, but only Malagigi's fire is effective against the tree. Arak escapes the flames by protecting himself with an asbestos tablecloth.