Comic Title: Arak, Son of Thunder #40
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: January 1985
On Sale Date: October 11, 1984 Newsstand Date October 11, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #8

Newsstand Date October 11, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #55

Shipping Date September 18, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #8

Shipping Date September 18, 1984
Source: Comics Journal, #93

Copyright Date September 18, 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 September 18, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #55

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

Title: "Shah Mat! The King Is Dead"
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, Son of Thunder #39; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #41)

Supporting Character(s)

• Valda (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #41)
• Malagigi (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #41)
• Satyricus (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #41)
• Alsind (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #41)
• Sharizad (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #41)

Villain(s)

• Harun Al-Rashid (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #39; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Several physicians (no further appearances)
• An executioner and servants of the caliph (no further appearances)

Comments:
This story is continued in part from Arak, Son of Thunder #39.

Synopsis:
Alsind has been fatally injured after his battle with Barmak. The physicians of Harun Al-Rashid try to heal the boy, but their powers to help are insufficient to prevent Alsind's death. Arak offers his help and performs a shamanistic ritual which succeeds in saving Alsind's life.

After regaining consciousness, Alsind immediately begins a direct attack on the caliph who usurped the throne from his family. Harun Al-Rashid orders the boy's death, but Sharizad stays the execution. The caliph has promised to grant her a wish should she defeat him at chess. The game will decide Alsind's fate.

Arak and his friends then become life-sized chess pieces in a game between the caliph and Sharizad. The rules of the game dictate a fight between pieces for contested squares. Sharizad's pieces are not equipped with weapons. She intends to sacrifice Valda in a finishing move, but Arak intercedes and defeats on of the caliph's executioners bare-handed. With the game ending in his defeat, Harun Al-Rashid spares Alsind's life.

Alsind plans to continue his attack on the caliph, but Sharizad once again steps in to save her cousin. She tells him to put aside his hatred of the caliph. Then she willingly becomes the bride of Al-Rashid. Unwillingly to remain in Baghdad, Alsind requests that he be allowed to join Arak on his quest. Valda too wants to join Arak, but she is sworn to Carlous Magnus and the Frankland. Malagigi informs her that they will indeed be joining the warrior shaman in seeking a return to his homeland.