Arak / Son of Thunder #42
In "Beyond the Scorpion Gate!", Arak ventures into a sun-scorched desert after being ordered by Angelica to retrieve the Herb of Life Eternal, leading him to an ancient encounter with Utnapishtim. The legendary figure recounts Gilgamesh’s doomed quest for immortality and the serpent that stole the herb, warning Arak of the dangers that come with such power. With Utnapishtim’s reluctant blessing, Arak is granted passage to the realm of the dead, where he may yet save Valda and Satyricus. Written by Roy and Dann Thomas and illustrated with striking detail by Tony DeZuniga, this 1985 issue features a cover by DeZuniga, capturing the moment Arak stands at the edge of the unknown.
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With Valda and Satyricus in danger, Arak has no choice but to follow Angelica's orders to save them. Angelica wants the Herb of Life Eternal, so Arak passes through the Scorpion Gate and ends up in a desert. There, he meets Utnapishtim, who tells the story of how Gilgamesh tried to obtain the herb to revive his friend, Enkidu, only to have it stolen by the Serpent Lord. Utnapishtim offers Arak the final seeds of the herb, but Arak decides it's too dangerous to give to Angelica. Appreciating Arak's wisdom, Utnapishtim opens a door to the realm of the dead, so Arak can try to save his friends.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).