DC Special #23 is an issue of the series DC Special (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1976. It was published on May 10, 1976.
Synopsis for The Three Musketeers: "The Secret of the Spanish Blade"
During a bar fight, the musketeer known as Porthos makes a wager with Dulac that he will go pull the beard of the King of Spain. They wager 1,000 gold Florins and set out on their journey. Porthos is joined by his fellow musketeers who wish to share his fate. On their way to Spain they run into Dartagnan who has apparently lost his blade. The musketeers inform him that he can acquire a new blade from the master sword makers of Toledo. Word of their journey soon reaches the monarchs King Louis the 13th of France and Philip the Fourth of Spain. Cardinal Richelieu also learns of the bet and is amused that the musketeers will soon find themselves imprisoned for life in Spain. In the meantime the Duc De Corbeau meets with five traitors to plan the assassination of King Louis. Corbeau would then assume the throne with the blessing of Cardinal Richleau who oversees that signing of their agreement. Their newly signed document is then accidentally dispatched to the Spanish ambassador Count Valois by Corbeaus’s servant. Corbeau is horrified that his plot might now be discovered and he murders his servant for making such a grave mistake. In the meantime Ambassador Valois intercepts the document and dispatches it with a messenger before Corbeau and his men arrive. Corbeau demands that Valois hand over the document but Valois announces that it is no longer in his possession. Corbeau murders the ambassador and proceeds to search for the incriminating document. In the meantime the musketeers cross the border into Spain on their mission to fulfill their bet. They arrive in the fabled city of Toledo to visit the workshop of Pedro de Diego. He provides Dartagnan with an excellent sword when they are suddenly attacked by Dulac and his men. During the fight, Dartagnan can sense that his new sword is off balance but he proceeds to use it for his defense. The Musketeers make their way to the royal castle where they attempt to enter in disguise but they are quickly found out and they make a hasty retreat. They then attempt to access the Spanish king once more by having Porthos impersonate Sancho, the famous Barber of Seville. The Spanish king readily sits for a hair trim which gives Porthos the opportunity to cut off the tip of his beard. The Musketeers then fight their way out of the castle and make their way towards France to collect on their bet. On their way back, the Musketeers are attacked by Corbeau and his men. They discover that Pedro Diego had placed a small scroll inside Dartagnan’s sword and that is why if felt off balance. The scroll is the document that was signed by all the traitors in their assassination plot and it contains the names of all the assassins including Corbeau. The scroll is quickly recovered by the Musketeers and delivered to King Louis himself. He announces that Corbeau and his assassins will hang. Unfortunately the scroll does not contain the name of Cardinal Richleau and he escapes all punishment In the meantime the Musketeers collect on their bet from Dulac and proceed to drink in merriment.
Appearing in The Three Musketeers: "The Secret of the Spanish Blade"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Cardinal Richelieu
- Dulac
- Corbeau
Other Characters:
- Pedro de Diego, sword-maker (Dies)
- Sancho, barber of Seville
Locations:
Synopsis for Robin Hood: "Three Arrows against Doom"
This story is reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #9.
Prince John arrives in Nottingham during the great fair. He witnesses a group of men bidding on three arrows at auction. John inquires as to how three arrows merit such high bids. The auctioneer reveals that the three arrow are all connected to Robin Hood and his attempts to escape the Sheriff of Nottingham. Prince John announces to the gathered crowd that he has received word from the Sheriff that Robin is dead. The crowd is in shock but the auctioneer proceeds with his tale of the three arrows.
The auctioneer states that the first arrow was used by Robin to overcome twenty armed horsemen. Robin Hood was cornered by the Sheriffs men in a dry riverbed. The armed horsemen begin to charge towards Robin when he suddenly spots a boulder above him which controls the floodgate to a dam. Robin uses his first of three arrows to splice the rope which holds the boulder in place. Once the rope is broken the floodgate opens releasing a flood of water which engulfs the approaching horsemen. Robin swims to safety and escapes.
The auctioneer then reveals that the second arrow was used by Robin to make smoke travel downwards. A group of Robins men had been captured and were being held prisoner in a cabin. Robin noticed that the cabin was guarded by marksmen at every window awaiting his anticipated appearance. Robin then notices that there is smoke coming out of the cabins chimney. He takes off his shirt and dips it in water. He then wraps the wet shirt around his second arrow and shoots it perfectly into the chimney causing it to block the escaping smoke and trapping it in the chimney until it floods the cabin. The hiding marksmen come out coughing and Robin Hood is able to rescue his men unharmed.
The auctioneer finally comes to the third arrow and states that Robin Hood used it to make a whole castle surrender. Maid Merian had been captured and held prisoner in Grimm Castle. Robin arrives at the castle and sees that is is guarded by a moat of savage wild boars. He ties a rope to the third arrow and shoots it at Maid Marians window. He then climbs across the moat using the suspended rope to reach Marians window. Robin then uses his sword to open the door to the castle allowing the wild boars to go charging in wrecking havoc on the sheriffs men. He rescues Maid Marian and escapes.
Prince John declares that the auctioneers stories are ridiculous and that the sheriff has assured him that Robin is dead. The auctioneer then takes off his hood revealing him to be Robin himself in disguise. He tells the people that Prince John's rule is evil and he is not to be trusted and he then escapes into the forest laughing.
Appearing in Robin Hood: "Three Arrows against Doom"
Featured Characters:
- Robin Hood (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Maid Marion (Flashback only)
Antagonists:
- Prince John
- Sheriff of Nottingham (Flashback only)
- Sir Osric (First appearance)
Locations:
Items:
- Robin Hood's Bow and Arrow
Synopsis for Robin Hood: "Attack of the Sea Raiders!"
This story is reprinted from Robin Hood Tales #7.
Robin Hood is pictured as a prisoner on a viking ship. He ponders the circumstances that resulted in his present situation as he rows the ship towards the coast of England. He recalls how Sir Gregory had summoned him in the forest to ask Robin to help defend their homeland against the invading Viking hordes. Sir Gregory goes on to mention that Prince John requires Robin’s help while he himself goes off to the crusades in search of King Richard. Robin readily accepts the task when he suddenly receives word that a Viking ship has attacked a nearby village. Robin and his men immediately respond and attack the ship but they soon find that they have fallen for a trap and they become prisoners of the Vikings. The Vikings prove to be formidable foes but Robin gets the idea to challenge their leader Toke to a sword duel. The two men fight each other aboard the ship but Robin feigns defeat and falls overboard supposedly to his death. In reality he swims back to shore to warn Prince John of the approaching Viking raiders. John takes the news in an aloof manner and announces he will do nothing to stop the invading hordes. He secretly hopes that the people will curse his brother Richard and then he will take action to appear as if he were the hero. In the meantime, Robin springs into action to round up his men from the forest. He attacks the approaching Viking ship with a hail of arrows from the sky and the Vikings find themselves helpless against such an attack. They also trap the Viking ships on the river by erecting a chain from bank to bank to entrap the ships from escaping. The Vikings then disembark into the forest and run into Robin and his men. After a brief fight, the Vikings find that they are no match for Robin and his men now that they are out of their element. Their leader Toke quickly surrenders. With the Vikings defeated, peace returns to Sherwood forest.
Appearing in Robin Hood: "Attack of the Sea Raiders!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Merrie Men
- Will Scarlet
- King Richard
Antagonists:
- Vikings
- Prince John
- Sir Osric
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
- Hammer of Thor (Mentioned only)
Vehicles:
See Also