Comic Title: Arak/Son of Thunder #17
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Cover Date: January 1983
On Sale Date: October 7, 1982 Newsstand Date October 7, 1982
Source: Comic Reader, #205

Newsstand Date October 7, 1982
Source: Comics Journal, #76

Newsstand Date October 7, 1982
Source: Amazing Heroes, #15

Copyright Date September 14, 1982
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1982
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.60
Page Count: 32
Editor: Roy Thomas

Title: "A Flame Upon the Sea"
Pages: 16

Feature(s):
Arak

Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciller: Adrian Gonzales
Inker/Letterer: Alfredo P. Alcala
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Feature Character(s)

• Arak (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #16; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18)

Supporting Character(s)

• Valda (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #16; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18)
• Satyricus (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #16; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18)
• Malagigi (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #20)

Villain(s)

• Constantine VI (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #16; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18)
• Aetius (dies in this story; last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #16; no further appearances)
• Haakon (a viking; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18)
• Several Byzantine soldiers (no further appearances)
• Huo Shih (Haakon's companion; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Irene (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #16; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18)
• General Cometas (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #16; next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18)
• Theodota (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #16; no further appearances)
• Kallinikos (next appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #18)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Angelica (mentioned by Haakon)
• Kalafron (mentioned by Haakon)

Comments:
This story is continued from the first story of Arak/Son of Thunder #16 and continues in the first story of Arak/Son of Thunder #18.

Synopsis:
Arak and Valda are attacked by Byzantine soldiers. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the duo hold off the combined forces of the attackers. Aetius, counselor to the emperor, uses sleeping sand to knock out Valda. Arak picks up his fallen friend and makes a mad scramble to escape the palace. On the way out he encounters Haakon, an emissary from White Cathay. Seeking to earn the emperor's favor Haakon fights Arak, until Aetius puts him to sleep as well.

Arak and Valda awaken in a dungeon cell with Satyricus. Arak has a vision of Malagigi who warns the Quontaukan to give up his search. Queen Irene visits the dungeon and makes a bargain with Arak. He proved his fighting skill, and she wants him to watch Haakon who has come to Byzantium for the secret of sea fire.

That evening Arak and his companions are taken aboard a ship to watch a demonstration of sea fire. Haakon and counselor Aetius double-cross the emperor, knocking everyone out except Arak. The Quontaukan kills Aetius and Haakon's companion from White Cathay, but he is knocked out from behind.

When Arak regains his senses, he is held prisoner of Haakon who is about to use the sea fire to burn the boat upon which Valda, Irene, and the Emperor are still unconscious.