Arion Lord of Atlantis 1982 - Direct Mail #17

Arion #17: "The Sun-God's Trial!"

The Direct Market version is easy to spot: instead of a UPC barcode in the bottom-left corner, you’ll see a graphic illustration(usually a portrait of Arion or a DC logo).

Why Collectors Often Prefer the Direct Edition:

• The "Leeper" Logo: Instead of the bulky barcode, the Direct version features a small, stylized drawing of Arion’s head. This allows more of Jan Duursema’s background art to be visible, making the cover feel more like a cohesive piece of fantasy art.
• Better Handling: Direct Market copies were shipped in bundles specifically to comic book specialty shops. Unlike Newsstand copies, which were often shoved into spinning wire racks at grocery stores, Direct copies typically have fewer "rack dings" and "thumb creases" from casual browsers.

Issue Plot Recap: The Trial of Ra-Amun

• The Spiritual Audit: Arion is stripped of his royal status and his magical artifacts. He must face the Sun-God, Ra-Amun, in a series of trials that test his soul rather than his spells.
• The Moral Choice: Ra-Amun offers Arion a life of pure, untainted light—but it requires him to abandon the "darker" mortals of Atlantis. Arion’s refusal to leave his people, even with their flaws, defines his heroism in this era.
• The "Sword" Returns: While Arion is in the solar realm, Lady Chian is forced to lead the defense of the Golden Gate against a rising tide of supernatural rebels.