Hercules #5

In "The Land of Amazons," Hercules is sent by Hera to retrieve the Golden Girdle of Hippolyta, but his journey takes a sudden turn when he rescues a maiden chained by the Amazon queen for sport. Impressed by his courage, Hippolyta tries to win him over—only to trap both him and the maiden when he refuses her advances. With the help of the rescued girl, Hercules escapes, leads a daring stand against Hippolyta’s forces, and ultimately fulfills his mission when Hera intervenes to spare the queen. The story, written and illustrated in the classic 1968 style, blends mythic adventure with a fleeting moment of connection between Hercules and the maiden he saves.

In "Chapter Five: The Battle Lost," Hrothelac, once a banished Thane of Bagarth, now a slave on a Viking ship, finds himself cast ashore after a violent wreck. Stranded in England, he witnesses the brutal aftermath of the Viking raiders as Celtic warriors overwhelm them, then stumbles upon a castle in the wild. As he approaches, a shadow moves behind him—unknown to Hrothelac, a warrior closes in.