Comic Title: Arak, Son of Thunder #38
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: November 1984
On Sale Date: August 9, 1984 Newsstand Date August 9, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #6

Newsstand Date August 9, 1984
Source: Comic Reader, #219

Newsstand Date August 2, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #52

Shipping Date July 17, 1984
Source: Comic Reader, #219

Shipping Date July 17, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #6

Copyright Date July 17, 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 July 17, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #52

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Roy Thomas

Title: "Of Beasts and Baghdad"
Pages: 23

Feature(s):
Arak

Writer: Roy Thomas
Writer: Danette Thomas
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: L. Lois Buhalis
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Feature Character(s)

• Arak (last appearance in Arak Annual #1; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)

Supporting Character(s)

• Valda (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #37; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)
• Satyricus (last appearance in Arak Annual #1; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)
• Malagigi (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #37; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)
• Alsind (last appearance in Arak Annual #1; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)
• Sharizad (last appearance in Arak Annual #1; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)

Villain(s)

• Barmak (vizier of Harun Al-Rashid; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)
• Barmak's men (next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)

Other Character(s)

• Harun Al-Rashid (ruler of Baghdad; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)
• An escaped prisoner (no further appearances)
• Gryphon, Cocodryllus, Catoblepas, and Manticora (menagerie beasts; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• The Lord of Serpents (in flashback)

Comments:
This story continues in Arak, Son of Thunder #39.

Synopsis:
Valda and Malagigi arrive in Baghdad as emissaries of Carolus Magnus. After meeting with the ruler of Baghdad Harun Al-Rashid, the vizier Barmak gives them a tour of the palace dungeons. Valda helps to recapture an escaped prisoner. She then finds Arak who is held captive and is being whipped. Valda and Malagigi secure his release.

Arak is taken to a bed chamber where Malagigi can treat his wounds. He tells his rescuers a tale about how he and his companions were captured in the desert by Barmak. Sharizad has been taken to the royal harem, Alsind was spared because he was believed to be an alchemist, and Satyricus placed in a bestiary. Arak and Valda want to fight to free the others, but Malagigi proposes a more diplomatic approach.

Meanwhile, Alsind has created an explosion to free himself. While fleeing from the palace guards, he is reunited with Satyricus who is sharing a cell with a variety of beasts.