Comic Title: Arak/Son of Thunder #19
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: March 1983
On Sale Date: December 9, 1982 Newsstand Date December 9, 1982
Source: House Ad, Fury of Firestorm #10, Page 32

Newsstand Date December 9, 1982
Source: Comic Reader, #207

Newsstand Date December 9, 1982
Source: Comics Journal, #78

Shipping Date November 16, 1982
Source: Comic Reader, #207

Newsstand Date December 9, 1982
Source: Amazing Heroes, #17

Copyright Date November 16, 1982
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1982
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.60
Page Count: 32
Editor: Roy Thomas

Title: "They Came Upon a Midnight Fearful"
Pages: 7

Feature(s):
Valda

Writer: Roy Thomas
Writer: Danette Thomas
Penciller: Adrian Gonzales
Inker/Letterer: Alfredo P. Alcala
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Feature Character(s)

• Valda (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #20)

Supporting Character(s)

• Malagigi (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #21)
• Carolus Magnus (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #14; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #21)

Villain(s)

• Baron Ovis (next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #21)
• The berserkers of Yule (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Pip (the hunchback son of the king; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #20)
• Carlo (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #14; no further appearances)
• Pepin (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #14; no further appearances)
• Lui (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #13; no further appearances)
• Lord Matelo (a guest of Carolus Magnus; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Charles the Hammer and Pepin (in flashback; grandfather and father of Carolus Magnus)

Comments:
This story continues in part in the second story of Arak/Son of Thunder #20.

Synopsis:
Valda and Malagigi attend a yuletide feast held by the king Carolus Magnus. His sons present the king with a new sword of fine steel. His illegitimate son Pip the hunchback presents an even finer gift, a tree that grows many varieties of fruit even in win. Instead of being impressed by the gift, the king calls it an abomination against nature and orders it removed.

Angered that his gift be destroyed, Pip throws wine into the fire, extinguishing it. The cold fireplace is believed to be a bad omen for things to come. Seeking to capitalize, Baron Ovis the last surviving member of the fallen Merovingian rulers of old, uses a tiny bell to summon berserkers from the cold. They attack the guests and the king himself. Valda fights her way through them and helps Malagigi reignite the fire. Once restarted, the fire banishes the berserkers. In the aftermath, Carolus Magnus disowns Pip for his careless actions.