BONUS BOOK - Arak, Son of Thunder (1981)

BONUS BOOK - Arak, Son of Thunder (August, 1981)
Writer - Roy Thomas
Art - Ernie Colon
Embellisher - Tony DeZuniga
Letters - John Costanza
Colors - Adrienne Roy
Edits - Dick Giordano

Hey look, another "Insert Prevue" without an actual cover!  Whatta bummer.

Speaking of "bummers"... today we take a look at Arak, Son of Thunder.  Gotta be honest here, there's a reason why it's taken me so long to get to this one.  This is definitely not my type of comic... and, I've been dreading having to cover it.  But, ya know what they say... in for a penny, in for a pound.  We don't do things halfway at this here blog... if we're covering Insert Prevues, then dammit, we're covering 'em all.

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We open with Arak lurking and hunting alongside overly flowery narration... and, a lot of it.  He comes across a pool, where a beautiful woman is skinny-dipping... and so, he decides to stick around and watch for a bit... as ya do?

Anyhoo, Arak watches as the woman "Phoebe Cates" out of the pool, while more overly-purple (and perhaps some blue) thoughts cross his mind.  The woman notices him, and doesn't take kindly to the hulking peeping tom... and so, she sics her dogs on him.

Arak makes short work of them... however, it gives the woman, Dziewona, enough time to flee... at least for the moment.  She hops on the back of her horse and takes off.  But then, Arak starts up his "War Whoop" which frightens the horse enough to buck the broad off!

Arak approaches the fallen bather, and assures her he means her no harm... maybe he's just a creepy pervert then?  Anyhoo, he tells her that he's only out searching for amber for trade.  Just then, a bunch of shadowy folks appear from the forest... and one hurls a spear right at Arak's face, knocking him out!  When he awakens, he's all alone... looks like his attackers have taken Dziewona.

Arak manages to track his attackers to a nearby amber-hoard... so, we're killing two birds with one stone here!  He discovers that his foes are Vikings... and they appear to be setting up Dziewona for some sort of ritual.  They bind her and place her within the amber motherlode.

Then... they chant.  Suddenly, the amber begins to move... and comes together in the form of a great glowing beast.  The strange serpentine predator approaches the prone Dziewona.

This prompts Arak to belt out another War-Whoop!  He lunges into battle with the Vikings, and takes them out alongside even more flowery narration.  Ya know, there are a lot of reasons why I don't read Thor... faux-Shakespearean, or over-dramatized narration is very high on that list.  This sort of thing is pretty off-putting to me, and is really taking me out of the story.  It almost feels like I'm reading a parody.  "Sinews and Steel"... c'mon, gimme a break.

All the while, the amber-beast kinda just menacingly looks at Dziewona.  It doesn't exactly "attack" or attempt to harm her in any way.

That doesn't stop Arak from attacking it, however.  He hacks away at the beast, taking off chunks of amber with each swipe.  The amber actually seems to attach itself to his hand-axe... not sure if there's anything special about that... but, Roy really wanted us to know this was happening.

More fighting... more slashing... and finally, Arak goes in for the "kill".

The Vikings look on, and are flabbergasted.  Well, they ain't seen nothin' yet... because Dziewona takes this opportunity to stand up and begin a chant of her own.  This causes the great amber beast to stiffen, ultimately turning into a shining statue.

The Vikings flee... and Arak passes out, again.  When he wakes up, he asks Dzie if she was ever in danger from the beast... and, of course she wasn't.  She then calls forth her decrepit-looking steed, and takes her leave.

Not before telling Arak that they will see each other again, however... well, he'll meet someone like her at the very least.  All's he's gotsta do is head for the City of the Golden Horn.  And... that's that.

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Ya know, this wasn't bad.  It's not something I feel compelled to continue reading... but, I didn't dislike this as much as I feared.  I should always expect quality from Roy Thomas, and shouldn't doubt in his ability to make even stories that are so far out of my personal wheelhouse, at least somewhat interesting.

Arak feels like a series I'd probably need a "running start" to try in earnest.  I just don't see how stories like this were able to last as long as they did.  I think Arak, Son of Thunder lasted something like fifty issues... which, dang... different times, I guess.

So, whatta we get here?  Besides some gorgeous Ernie Colon art, we get to sorta-kinda meet our leading man.  All we know is that he's looking for amber to trade, is "sinewy", and he has a War Whoop that can spook even a horse!  Sorry, I'm really looking for something interesting to say... there's just nothin' comin'!  I'm sure folks who are into this kind of book... will like this, and probably like it a lot.

Over on social media, I've been counting down to my four-year anniversary by sharing "This Day in Christory" posts... where I just compile all of the books I'd covered on that date over the past few years.  Just the other day, I shared this one:

This Day in Christory
Jan 5, 2017 - Justice League Europe #1 (1989) https://t.co/z5Nuexb2qU
Jan 5, 2018 - Convergence #0 (2015) https://t.co/ApncNXYZx9
Jan 5, 2019 - Titans East Special #1 (2008) https://t.co/ezJxTSQ4e8 pic.twitter.com/6XOAvY7sWm

— Chris Sheehan (@AceComics) January 5, 2020

Convergence #0... actually features the first appearance of Arak... as Telos!  Which is pretty dumb!  But ya know, kinda relevant with the timing of this post.  Or maybe I'm just grasping at straws to extend this post?

Anyhoo, just one Insert Prevue left to go... if you're following along at H.O.M.E. you probably know exactly where we're headed.  Also, we're going to take a short peek at the planned Len Wein & Ross Andru-crafted Insert that never happened!

UPDATE: February 16, 2020:
A piece from Amazing Heroes #1 (June, 1981) regarding Roy Thomas' arrival at DC Comics, and his plans to continue his Conan-ing through a certain Indian/Viking character:

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Interesting (and Relevant) Ad:

BONUS BOOK - Blue Devil (1984)

BONUS BOOK - Blue Devil (June, 1984)
Writers - Gary Cohn & Dan Mishkin
Pencils - Paris Cullins
Inks - Pablo Marcos
Colors - Bob LeRose
Letters - John Costanza
Edits - Len Wein

Sticking with Mssrs. Mishkin and Cohn today for the first look at Blue Devil!  I remember this being a fun one... and, we actually took a look at the first issue of the ongoing series wayyy back in the day!

This Prevue was included with The Fury of Firestorm #24 (June, 1984).

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We open with James Jesse (though I'm not sure we're supposed to know that it's him quite yet) having a read of the latest Stuntman Magazine, where they're doing a feature on all of the awesome powers that have been implemented into Dan Cassidy's Blue Devil costume.  A young fella named Gopher is also taking in the article... and he just so happens to be reading parts of it aloud to Dan himself.  Sounds like this costume is one heckuva marvel.  So much so, that Jesse proclaims that it will soon be his!

Dan tells Gopher about all of the subsequent additions and features he'd like to add to the suit, but tells him to keep it all quiet from Marla... the Hollywood big-wig they work for.  Well, she saunters in just as he says this... and wants to know what's up.  Dan and Gopher come up with a lie on the fly... which appears to satisfy her curiosity.  She reveals that she's come to see them regarding some upcoming photo-ops.  Dan bows out, because he's got work to do... and suggests perhaps sticking a fella named Wayne Tarrant into an unpowered suit instead.  She doesn't seem to care who is under the mask, so long as she gets her photos.  Wayne, however, ain't exactly in love with the idea.

Tarrant tries to pawn the gig off on a cameraman... who turns it down flat, before Marla decides to pull ultimate rank and insist Wayne just do his damned job.  There's a blonde woman with a headband named Sharon present... and it seems as though Wayne's got quite an eye for her.  She, however, doesn't return those feelings.  In fact, if you ask me (or her), she's more into Dan Cassidy.  Gotta be dem muttonchops... women are powerless against 'em!

We jump ahead, and Wayne's doing the Blue Devil thang in front of the cameras... er, camera, singular.  Wow, heckuva photo-op!  Meanwhile, outside the movie lot, James Jesse chats up the security guard.  When he is not granted access (due to his being a stuntman at a rival studio), the baddie decides to go "full-Trickster"!

Once inside, the Trickster swoops overhead and snags the faux-Blue Devil on the hook of his weird fishing pole gimmick!

Marla and Company are completely bamboozled... Gopher, however, has the wherewithal to run off and grab Cassidy... and suggests he try using his "real" Blue Devil costume to catch the villain!

And, well... that's exactly what he does!  It really didn't take all that much in the way of prodding, did it?  Anyhoo, in a really cool (and much appreciated) bit, Cassidy springs into action... however, doesn't appear to have complete control over his awesome pitchfork!  He overshoots the Trickster and Wayne by a half-block!

Wayne tries laying in a solid left on the Trickster's jaw... but all that does is suggest to Jesse that this ain't no super-powered Blue Devil.  He unmasks his hostage, revealing not-Dan Cassidy... and is rather annoyed.  Ya see, James Jesse and Dan Cassidy have worked together before on various stunt projects... so, the baddie would've recognized him.

Then, the real Blue Devil calls over and tells the Trickster to knock it off.  He leaps from one rooftop to another, and before we know it, he and the Rogue are exchanging punches!

We get a couple of pages of blows and banter to follow... even a bit where Blue Devil recognizes the Trickster as James Jesse!  The baddie decides to use this to his advantage by feigning surrender.  Cassidy proclaims he doesn't want to hurt Jesse... the Trickster, however, doesn't have the same qualms.

More fighting follows... including Blue Devil getting wrapped up in a rainbow Slinky (ya know, I don't think I've ever typed the word "Slinky" before... and now I've done it twice!).  Ultimately, and naturally, Blue Devil overcomes.  With a flick of his finger he temporarily kayos the Trickster.

I say temporarily, as in the very next panel, the Trickster is fleeing the scene.  Blue Devil attempts to give chase, but again... he's not quite used to flying with his trident... so, he overshoots the villain.

We wrap up back at the movie lot with a pretty funny scene.  Blue Devil is trying to describe the Trickster to the police for their records... and can't understand why they won't just accept "It was the Trickster".  Good stuff.  The story ends with Dan Cassidy heading back into his workshop to make further improvements to the Blue Devil costume.

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Can't deny that this was a lot of fun.  It makes me yearn for the days where we'd get new characters in "Big Two" comics.  These days, it's all about shoving a "new" person into a Robin or Spider costume... or passing down/usurping an already established name in the superhero community.  Everything's derivative... and nothing feels special.

This (Blue Devil) feels special.

It's a new concept and (at the risk of sounding like a complete internet-douche) a new "Intellectual Property".  We just don't get things like this anymore.  I could do further into kvetching about "current year" comics, where focus is placed on brands and iconography over character... but, I'll try and rein myself back in.

In this here story, we get to meet a whole bunch of new characters... but in a way where it doesn't feel like a parade, if that makes any sense.  A lot of times, when a creative team is trying to "world build", it can feel as though all of the new characters are zipping past the reader on a conveyor belt... ya know?  Here's "this character", and now "this character"...  The way it was done here, however... it didn't feel quite that, I dunno, intensely impersonal.

There are a few archetypes at play here... which is to be expected.  I mean, we run across archetypal people in our real lives everyday.  Marla is perhaps the most "boilerplate" at this point.  She's the business-first executive... and that's basically all we get from her here.

We can already tell that Dan and Wayne will likely be butting heads over Sharon... which, is fair enough.  Nothing wrong with a bit of romantic competition... helps to "suds-up" the soapiness.

I think my favorite part of this Prevue was Dan's unfamiliarity with his gear.  These days (yeah, I said "These Days" again), I feel like (and I might be projecting...) the "new" superhero being a goof-up at first is kind of played for laughs.  Kind of nudging the readership at the ridiculousness of the situation... being "superior" to the silliness of superhero comics.  Here, however, it felt... I dunno, almost earnest.  Dan's trying his best... while realizing deep down that he hasn't the foggiest idea what he's doing.  He's just trying to stop a bad guy.  We didn't need to see him crash into a pile of garbage cans, and mutter "Whatta revoltin' development!" to drive that point home.

He simply miscalculates his own equipment... which works on a few levels.  It shows that he's overzealous... and, that, on an engineering-level, he needs to better calibrate his arsenal... or at the very least, understand it better.

Had a really good time with this... and honestly, went on quite a bit longer talking about it than I expected to!  We've got two pre-Crisis "Insert Prevues" to go before we hop into the actual "Bonus Book" era.

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From Dick Giordano's "Meanwhile... " Column:

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Interesting (and Relevant) Ads:

An Ad for Firestorm #24... in Firestorm #24!

BONUS BOOK - Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (1983)

BONUS BOOK - Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (April, 1983)
"Duel in Dark Magic!"
Writers - Dan Mishkin & Gary Cohn
Pencils/Letters - Ernie Colon
Colors - Tom Ziuko
Edits - Karen Berger & Dave Manak

Keeping with Insert Previews debuting in issues of Legion (since that's the longbox I just unearthed), we're going to take a look at the introduction of Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld.  This is a property we discussed here wayyy back in the long ago, and even prompted a visit from Amethyst co-creator, Dan Mishkin!

Ya see, I sorta-kinda suggested that Amethyst might've been... maybe a teensiest tiniest bit influenced by the character Magik over in Uncanny X-Men.  He assured me this wasn't the case at all.  He said it was just part of the comics zeitgeist at the time... and, honestly, that's good enough for me.

This Prevue was stuffed into the middle of Legion of Super-Heroes (vol.2) #298 (April, 1983)... one of many, many, many Legion stories I'll probably never get around to reading.

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We open in a Dark Keep on Gemworld, where a man called Lord Opal is being measured for a breastplate.  This piece must fit him perfectly... and, if all goes according to plan, he will be able to "unleash the mystic energies of Gemworld itself" with it.  Ya see, he is now in possession of ten fragments of Gemworld's gemstones... gem, gem, gem.  He thanks a weirdo named Sardonyx for his help... and, at this point, has entrusted his box'a gems to his goofball son Carnelian.  He laments that the only gem he is missing right now... you guessed it, the Amethyst!  Just then, a dullard bursts in with some news.

Looks like they've got a bead on the Princess of Castle Amethyst through a planted spy.  Turns out, she's on some sort of secret mission which has taken her away from the safety of the Palace and her Queen (?) Citrina.  Lord Opal decides this might be the best time to strike... and snag that Violet Gem.

Speaking of Amethyst... let's meet her!  At present, she (and her bestial escort, Granch) are about to enter the Bog of One Thousand Despairs... once, quite the tourist attraction, though far too commercial these days.  Okay, okay... it's just a bog.  Not sure exactly what their mission here is quite yet.

Lord Opal and Company are able to watch Amethyst and Granch via a handy "Well of Vision"... and a trio of bird-faced hags.  They celebrate finding her... however, since so much of the world is desolate and boggy... they can't exactly pin-point her location!  Lord Opal gives a rather chuckleheaded smile all the same.

Meanwhile, Opal's nudnick son Carnelian is off in the corner playing with his snake and baubles.  Err, that is to say, his weird pet snake and that box of Gem-Shards.  He doesn't seem overly keen at the prospect of his adopted father gaining all of these magical powers.  Hmm...

Meanwhile, Lord Opal has decided to send a ferocious dragon to Amethyst's location.  Least I think that's what's happening anyway... the art isn't overly clear here... though, I might just be a bit too dense.  Anyhoo, the dragon makes short work of Granch, kayoing him with ease.

Amethyst responds by blasting the ever-loving stuff outta the beast!  Lord Opal looks on via the well-pool, and suggests he might ought to try a different approach next time.

And by "next time", I mean right friggin' now.  Lord Opal's next "gift" comes in the form of a tornado.  Amethyst "outsmarts" the twister by having Granch toss a whole boulder into its funnel.  When asked how she thought of that, the Princess responds with an offhanded remark about having messed up a garbage disposal with a steak bone once before.  Hmm.  This infuriates Lord Opal... however, his frustration is short-lived.  Ya see, the Hags have discovered both Amethyst's whereabouts and destination.  Guess who's coming for dinner?

Meanwhile, at the Forge... Sardonyx oversees the forging of Lord Opal's bedazzled chestplate.  He's feeling overly cautious, and somewhat suspicious of Carnelian... and with good reason.  Elsewhere, ol' Carny is plotting how to stop his Father from attaining high-power.  And by "plotting", I mean, he just repeats to himself (and his weird snake) that he can't allow this to come to pass.

Then, the Blacksmith gingerly places the bedazzled chestplate into the forge... and Carnelian secretly "turns up the heat".  From this, something very strange happens!  The forces of chaos (or just chaos in general) are psychedelically unleashed all ova da place!  Carny looks on... we know he had concocted this mishap, but he's still somewhat surprised by this result.

Back at the wellpool, Amethyst and Opal exchange pleasantries... which is to say, Opal yells a lot... and fires off energy blasts.  Amethyst takes this opportunity to snatch up a... fistful of water?  I didn't know water could travel in "fists", but we'll allow it.  She and Granch then go to scurry off.  Looks like procuring water from the "Well of Vision" might've been Amethyst's mission!

Opal, not wanting the Princess to escape, transforms the trio of hags into a three-headed hydra... and sends it off to halt the escape attempt.  He then heads down to the forge to don his chestplate... and discovers the strange scene of chaotic horrors.  He is thankful that this mishap did not occur with all twelve stones set in place... because that could have meant the end of Gemworld altogether.  He nyoinks the Dark Opal off the chestplate... which somehow renders the "lunatic enchantments" inside the forge to be quieted.

Outside, Amethyst and Granch are caught by the hydra.  The former tosses the well-water to the latter and instructs him to make a clean getaway.  Naturally, he refuses... but she ain't havin' no backtalk.  She zaps the beast's talon which releases Granch to the ground below.

She then blasts the Hydra right between it's eyes... and eyes... and eyes, which reverts it back to the trio of bird-faced hags.  All four begin to plummet toward ground, however...

... Amethyst opens up a portal of sorts, which she falls through.  On the other side, she, as a child... lands in a bed.  Well, she kinda bounces off the bed and lands on the floor, but you know what I mean.  Upon hearing the racket, "Amy's" mother calls out to her... to which, our gal just reports that she had a "bad dream".

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Okay, this wasn't my favorite... but it ain't Amethyst's fault!

Ya see, the most interesting part of Amethyst to me is... the duality.  Ya know, having a child in the "mundane world" actually be a super-powered Princess in Gemworld is a very fun idea.  Unfortunately, that only appeared in this Preview in order to subvert our expectations for the series to follow.  I mean, I can't fault it that... it's a heckuva subversion, and I'm sure it caught plenty of readers back in 1983 off-guard.  It's just less interesting to me in having all but a couple of panels of the thing occurring in a far-flung fantasy world.

Outside of ElfQuest, I've never been a big fantasy/Sword & Sorcery comics fan.  Conan and Red Sonja bore me to tears... Arion and Arak (who we'll be meeting in a few days) put me to sleep... Heck, I struggle with Warlord... which is something I'm not sure I'm allowed to admit online.  Sheesh, I hardly ever enjoy Thor over at Marvel!  That's not by any fault of this story... it's just my own personal tastes.  When it comes to comics (and the limited amount of time I get to actually read 'em nowadays), I suppose the kids today might refer to me as "basic"... I like superheroes.  There's another thing I'm not sure I'm allowed to admit online!

That said... I do appreciate the world-building Mishkin and Cohn engage in here.  In the limited amount of pages they're given, we get a pretty good idea what the "layout" of Gemworld is.  It would appear as though there are twelve "Kingdoms" all represented by a different Gem.  I'm guessing they'll be the Twelve Birthstones... but, I've been wrong before.  Lord Opal looks to be the main baddie... with Amethyst being the sole Gem he has been able to procure for ultimate control over the World.  He's got an adopted son, who isn't quite sure about his plans... and who I could see flipping sides, and perhaps even becoming romantically entangled with our lead.  It's all good, in as far as the "nuts and bolts" are concerned... however, the straight "fantasy" approach in this preview was just a bit too dull for me personally.