Comic Title: Arak, Son of Thunder #37
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: September 1984
On Sale Date: June 14, 1984 Newsstand Date June 14, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #4

Newsstand Date June 14, 1984
Source: Comic Reader, #218

Newsstand Date June 14, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #48

Shipping Date May 22, 1984
Source: Comic Reader, #218

Shipping Date May 22, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #4

Shipping Date May 22, 1984
Source: Comics Journal, #90

Copyright Date May 22, 1984
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1984
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Shipping Date May 22, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #48

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Roy Thomas

Title: "Once Upon a Unicorn"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Arak

Writer: Roy Thomas
Writer: Danette Thomas
Artist: Ernie Colon
Letterer: L. Lois Buhalis
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Feature Character(s)

• Arak (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #36; next appearance in Arak Annual #1)

Supporting Character(s)

• Valda (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #30; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #38)
• Satyricus (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #36; next appearance in Arak Annual #1)
• Malagigi (last appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #30; next appearance in Arak, Son of Thunder #38)
• Carlous Magnus (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #6; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Rinaldo (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #6; no further appearances)
• Astolpho (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #6; no further appearances)
• Ferrau (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5; no further appearances)
• Archbishop Turpin (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #6; no further appearances)
• Olivar (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #6; no further appearances)
• Duke Namo (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #5; no further appearances)
• Ganelon (last appearance in Arak/Son of Thunder #6; no further appearances)
• Rotrud (the king's daughter; no further appearances)
• Prince Ecgfrith (an emissary from Mercia; no further appearances)
• Two serving wenches (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Arak and Satyricus stop at a tavern in Damaskos. While the satyr frolics with the tavern girls, Arak's thoughts drift to Valda, who has recently returned to the Frankland and rejoined the court of Carolus Magnus.

The king plays host to Prince Ecgfrith from Mercia who has brought a unicorn as a gift. Valda tries to tame the creature, but she is no longer a virgin after her time with Arak. To prevent injury, Malagigi casts a sleep spell on both Valda and the beast.

When Valda awakens, she joins the others for a feast. Ecgfrith wants to marry her and offers to prove himself in a joust against her. If he wins, Valda agrees to the marriage. However, when the joust takes place, the Iron Maiden makes a poor showing and loses.

Valda is forced to prepare for a marriage that she does not want. At the ceremony, her thoughts drift to Arak, and she is forced to refuse the marriage. Her uncle Rinaldo then admits that the joust was fixed with the aid of an enchanted lance. Valda is released from her vow to marry the prince.

Later, after Valda resumes her knightly garb, she meets with the king. The kingdom is surrounded by enemies on all sides, so it is decided that Valda shall go to Baghdad to treat with the saracen Harun Al-Rashid. Malagigi agrees to join her on the quest.