Comic Title: Arak, Son of Thunder #50
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: November 1985
On Sale Date: August 8, 1985 Newsstand Date August 8, 1985
Source: DC Releases, #18

Newsstand Date August 8, 1985
Source: House Ad, Legion of Super-Heroes #16, Page IBC

Newsstand Date August 8, 1985
Source: Amazing Heroes, #75

Shipping Date July 16, 1985
Source: DC Releases, #18

Shipping Date July 16, 1985
Source: Comics Journal, #100

Copyright Date July 16, 1985
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1985
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Shipping Date July 16, 1985
Source: Amazing Heroes, #75

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

Title: "The Road to the Rising Sun"
Pages: 38

Feature(s):
Arak

Plotter: Roy Thomas
Plotter: Danette Thomas
Scripter: Randy Lofficier
Scripter: Jean-Marc Lofficier
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: David Cody Weiss
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Feature Character(s)

• Arak (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #49; next appearance in All-Star Squadron #55)

Supporting Character(s)

• Valda (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #49; next appearance in All-Star Squadron #54)
• Malagigi (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #49; no further appearances)
• Satyricus (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #49; no further appearances)
• Alsind (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #49; no further appearances)
• Re-Is Hazz (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #49; no further appearances)

Villain(s)

• The Lord of Serpents (as a spirit; last appearance in Arak Annual #1; no further appearances)
• An Oni (a demon; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Khodja Hassan (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #49; no further appearances)
• Rishi (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #49; no further appearances)
• Lord Yoritomo and his followers (a Japanese clan; no further appearances)
• Abdul (an arab translator; no further appearances)
• A crew of Chinese sailors (no further appearances)
• Tossa (an Ezo prisoner; no further appearances)
• Tusu-Guru and the Ezo (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Carolus Magnus (in a vision)
• Pope Leo (in a vision)

Comments:
Arak and Valda are reunited in All-Star Squadron #55 when they are temporarily transported to the year 1985 from a point several weeks after this story ends.

This story makes reference to the crowning of Carolus Magnus by Pope Leo III which took place on Christmas Day 1800.

Synopsis:
Arak parts ways with several of his fellow travelers in Canton. With his ship destroyed, Re-Is Hazz remains behind, as does Alsind who has joined the household of Khodja Hassan. Arak, Valda, Satyricus, and Malagigi board a ship crewed by Chinese sailors for the final leg of the journey to Arak's homeland. Shortly after their departure, the crew abandons ship when the spirit of the Lord of Serpents appears on board. Malagigi magically guides the ship to the nearest land which is the island of Japan.

Once the group reaches shore they are attacked by a tribe known as the Ezo which remind Arak of his own people in many ways. They are in service to a demon called an Oni which Arak fights. The battle is broken off when a group of Japanese arrive led by Lord Yoritomo. Arak and his friends are taken back with the Japanese who accept them as friends. Malagigi was injured in the battle, so Arak heals him with shaman magic.

When the Japanese want Arak to take up a war with the Ezo and the Oni, he refuses. Insulted, the Japanese send him and his friends away. Arak leads the others to the Ezo camp where he learns that the people want to leave the island but are forced to serve the Oni. Arak then fights and kills the demon. He then arranges for the Ezo to leave Japan.

Arak then tells Valda that he shared a vision with Malagigi showing that Carolus Magnus was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor. Knowing her duty is to her king, Valda reluctantly allows Arak and Satyricus to leave on his journey without her. She and Malagigi plan to return to the Frankland.