Comic Title: Warlord #26
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Cover Date: October 1979
On Sale Date: July 19, 1979 Newsstand Date July 19, 1979
Source: House Ad, Warlord #25, Page 29

Newsstand Date July 19, 1979
Source: DC Coming Attractions, #32

Newsstand Date July 19, 1979
Source: Comics Journal, #47

Copyright Date July 19, 1979
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1979

Newsstand Date July 17, 1979
Source: Comic Reader, #170

Newsstand Date July 16, 1979
Source: Daily Planet, Vol. 79 #29
Listed as on sale the week of July 16th

Shipping Date June 26, 1979
Source: DC Coming Attractions, #32

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.40
Page Count: 32
Editor: Jack C. Harris

Title: "The Challenge"
Pages: 17

Feature(s):
Warlord (of Earth-1)

Writer/Penciller: Mike Grell
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Reprinted In:
Showcase Presents:Warlord Vol. 1 TPB (2009)

Feature Character(s)

• Warlord (last appearance in Warlord #25; next appearance in Warlord #27)

Supporting Character(s)

• Aram Al Ashir (full name revealed in this story; last appearance in Warlord #25; next appearance in Warlord #27)

Villain(s)

• Deimos (last appearance in Warlord #21; next appearance in Warlord #27)
• Chakal (last appearance in Warlord #25; next appearance in Warlord #27)
• A dragon (dies in this story; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Tara (in a projected image)
• Machiste (in a projected image)
• Mariah (in a projected image)
• Ashir's father (in a projected image)
• A clone of Joshua (in a projected image)

Comments:
This story continues in Warlord #27.

Synopsis:
Travis Morgan and his new friend Ashir seek out the Temple of the Sun. After defeating a dragon which guards the temple, the duo enter the temple to find the Eye of Truth. Once inside they use pieces of a stolen medallion to activate an ancient machine which shows both men visions of their past. Ashir is revealed as a prince who ran out on his duties for a life of adventure. Morgan sees the death of his son and is haunted by images of his friends.

After seeing the truth of their lives, Morgan and Ashir make decisions about their next steps. Ashir decides that he should go home to his kingdom and resume his role as a prince. The Warlord however wishes for a chance to start over. He steps through a portal which the machine opens which leads into the past.

Meanwhile, Deimos finds the mercenary Chakal whom Morgan nearly killed and offers him a chance for vengeance. Chakal arrives at the temple just as Morgan steps through the portal.