Arak Son of Thunder ##1
DC Comics • Arak Son of Thunder Vol. 1
Writer
Roy Thomas
Interior Artist
Ernie Colon
Cover Artist
Ernie Colon and Dick Giordano
Publication Date
September 1981
Cover Variant
Regular (Pence Price Variant/UK Edition)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
First appearance and origin of Arak, a Native American hero (Quontauka tribe) raised by Vikings in the 8th Century. In 'The Sword and the Serpent!', Arak is rescued as a child after his village is destroyed and becomes a formidable warrior navigating a world of myth and sorcery.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good/Very Good (CGC 3.0)
Condition Details
Moderate to heavy visible wear; significant spine stress with potential color breaking; blunt and rounded corners; slight tearing or chipping at top right edge; visible vertical crease/warping along the left side; general surface scuffing and cover dullness.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $3.00 - $8.00; Graded (CGC 3.0): $20.00 - $35.00 (Often less than the cost of grading fees).
Recent Sales
Raw copies of issue #1 typically sell for $5-$10; high-grade 9.8 copies fetch $75-$100. Low-grade Pence variants are niche and often trade for slightly higher than domestic cents copies in the UK market but less in the US.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The current estimated grade (3.0) and the commonality of this issue mean that the shipping and grading fees would far exceed the market value of the slabbed comic.
Notable Features
First appearance of Arak. Features a Pence price (20p) instead of USD, indicating it was intended for the United Kingdom market. The cover includes 'Big 1st Issue!' and 'Special Collector's Edition' callouts.
Authentication Notes
Appears to be an authentic 1981 newsstand-style UK distribution copy. Paper stock shows typical age-appropriate darkening (browning/tanning) consistently seen in 1980s DC newsprint comics.