Comic Title: Warlord #96
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: August 1985
On Sale Date: May 23, 1985 Newsstand Date May 23, 1985
Source: DC Releases, #15

Newsstand Date May 23, 1985
Source: House Ad, Infinity Inc. #17, Page IBC

Newsstand Date May 23, 1985
Source: Amazing Heroes, #70, #72

Shipping Date April 30, 1985
Source: DC Releases, #15

Shipping Date April 30, 1985
Source: Comics Journal, #98

Copyright Date April 30, 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 April 30, 1985
Source: Amazing Heroes, #70, #72

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Ross Andru

Title: "Nightmare Prelude"
Pages: 23

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

Writer: Cary Burkett
Penciller: Rick Stasi
Inker: Bill Collins
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Jerry Serpe

Feature Character(s)

• Warlord (last appearance in Warlord Annual #4; next appearance in Warlord #97)

Supporting Character(s)

• Tara (last appearance in Warlord Annual #4; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Machiste (last appearance in Warlord #69; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Mariah (last appearance in Warlord #69; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Jennifer Morgan (last appearance in Warlord Annual #4; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Joshua Morgan (last appearance in Warlord Annual #4; next appearance in Warlord #98)
• Graemore (last appearance in Warlord #94; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Scarhart (last appearance in Warlord #93; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Krystovar (last appearance in Warlord #93; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Aram Al Ashir (last appearance in Warlord Annual #4; no further appearances)
• Shakira (last appearance in Warlord Annual #4; next appearance in Warlord #97)

Villain(s)

• Saaba (last appearance in Warlord #92; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Cykroth (the wizard-king of New Atlantis; not named in this story; first appearance; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Chief of the Vashek Assassins (next appearance in Warlord #99)
• Lord Sabre-Tooth (last appearance in Warlord #93; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Soldiers from New Atlantis (last appearance in Warlord #93; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Death (last appearance in Warlord #46; next appearance in Warlord #98)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Mongo Ironhand (last appearance in Warlord #69; next appearance in Warlord #98)

Other Character(s)

• Faaldren (last appearance in Warlord Annual #4; no further appearances)
• Trogero (dies in this story; last appearance in Warlord #95; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Kaldustan (last appearance in Warlord #95; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• The Danko Warriors (last appearance in Warlord #95; next appearance in Warlord #97)
• Soldiers from Shamballah (last appearance in Warlord #93; next appearance in Warlord #97)

Comments:
This story continues in Warlord #97.

Synopsis:
On the eve of battle to free Shamballah from the control of the New Atlanteans, Jennifer Morgan summons Machiste and Mariah from the past to help. The Warlord wants Machiste to lead the main force that will attack the city. Morgan himself plans to lead a commando unit under the city to destroy their advanced weapons.

Saaba the witch spies on Morgan and learns his plans. She the delivers the news to Lord Sabretooth. He and his army are too far away to reach the city before the attack, but Saaba is able to bring him their with magic.

That night, the Warlord was an frightening nightmare sent to him magically by the wizard-king of New Atlantis. In the dream, Morgan is responsible for killing all his closest friends. On the day of battle, Morgan still has a feeling of dread. He launches the attack anyway, only to find Lord Sabretooth waiting for him in the tunnels beneath the city.