Arak / Son of Thunder #16
In "Monster in Mosaic!", Arak and Satyricus reach Byzantium in their quest for Valda, where Emperor Constantine is captivated by her spirit and declares her his bride. When Arak steps forward to claim her, the emperor challenges him to swim across a dazzling, ancient pool—only to reveal the water hides a sorcerer’s trap and a monstrous guardian beneath the mosaic. Written by Roy Thomas and brought to life with bold art by Adrian Gonzales and inks by Alfredo Alcala, this 1982 DC adventure blends myth, mystery, and peril in a pool that’s far more than it seems. The cover by Gonzales and Alcala captures the moment of tension with striking detail.
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Arak and Satyricus arrive in Byzantium, continuing their search for Valda, and General Cometas helps Arak gain an audience with Emperor Constantine. But, before Arak can present his petition, an escaping Valda bursts into the room and Constantine, impressed by her fire, announces she will be his bride! To defuse the situation, Arak claims Valda as his own. The ruler states that he will acquiesce if Arak can simply swim across an ornate pool. Arak agrees, but soon finds that the emperor's vizier is a sorcerer, and Arak has to battle an aquatic beast before winning through to the other side.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).