Gondal Issue 1

***Gondal Issue 1*** is the first issue of the *Gondal* comic series published by Archie Comics.

## Summary

### Issue 1 - "A Caterpillar Named Gondal"

Gondal is daydreaming about standing before a crowd as they shower him with applause, chanting his name. Shwart quickly appears and interrupts his fantasy, snapping him back to reality. They are sitting on a branch high above the other trees in Blush Forest. Gondal sighs wistfully and stares out at the midday sky. Shwart, concerned for his friend, asks him what's wrong. He explains to Shwart that sometimes he wonders what life is like outside of their forest. Shwart laughs it off and reminds him of the stories they were told as hatchlings. The outside world was seen as dangerous to their entire village. As he grabs a stack of leaves and begins making his way down to the ground, Gondal watches him, grumbling about how unfair it is that Shwart is able to settle with mediocrity so easily. He takes one last look at the skyline before grabbing his own bundle and following his friend.

Back in their village, Gondal and Shwart carry out their typical day job of delivering leaves to all the residents of Blush Forest Village. Shwart asks him how he could possibly want to leave when they have the most important job in the village. Gondal internally groans, quietly recounting the last several times this same question had been asked of him by his friend. He idly nods in agreement, his mind wandering elsewhere. As they deliver the last leaf to a caterpillar near the middle of town, they notice a group of villagers whispering eagerly while gathering in a crowd. Confused, they push their way through the group to see the source of the commotion. In the center of the village they see a strange machine that resembles a giant winged ant. The abdomen of the machine opens to reveal a ramp and an anteater steps out. The stranger greets them all and introduces himself as Theevus Anteatus. He says he has come from a faraway city to meet the villagers of Blush Forest. Gondal instantly takes interest in this newcomer. He suddenly doesn't want anything more than to learn about Theevus' home.

Mayor Hickory comes through the crowd and introduces himself to the visitor. Theevus politely returns the gesture. When the mayor asks why he has come to meet them, he explains that he is an innovator with many contraptions like the large ant behind him. The villagers are awed as he displays a few devices he has brought with him. Gondal is enamored by this anteater and tells Shwart they have to meet him. Shwart seems apprehensive, but Gondal dismisses his reservations as him being afraid of new things as usual. Theevus continues and says he loves to travel and show others the wonders of technology, and he will gladly show his discoveries to anyone in the town who was interested. The crowd of caterpillars is extremely excited by this news and are practically crawling over one another to introduce themselves. Mayor Hickory tells Theevus he is welcome to stay as long as he likes. Theevus laughs and remarks how unnaturally welcoming they all are, with a small twinkle in his eye.

Theevus has quickly charmed the entire village. A full day has passed since his arrival and he has only grown in popularity. A few lucky caterpillars got to ride in the flying machine he had used to come to the forests. This only increased Gondal's eagerness to meet him. Shwart seems to be the only one unsettled by the abrupt entry. He has always hated change. He asks if he's the only one who has noticed a few missing villagers, but Gondal shrugs it off again. After many attempts, Gondal finally manages to get Theevus' attention much to Shwart's dismay. Theevus happily greets Gondal, and Gondal introduces himself. With the energetic crowd quickly drowning him out, he quickly asks if he can talk to Theevus more later. The anteater agrees with a tip of his hat and tells him to come to the edge of town at sunset. From there he continues to woo the village. Shwart nervously asks Gondal what he's planning, he happily tells him that he wants to go back to Theevus' city with him to see the outside world. Shwart calls him delusional, but he ignores it. Gondal is dead set on adventure. He is absolutely certain this newcomer is his key to success. He barely even registers the fact that he's shrugging off his friend. Shwart's worrywart personality is something he's used to, after all.

As more and more villagers get the privilege of seeing Theevus' private projects at his supposed campsite outside of the village, Gondal excitedly awaits sunset when he'll ask to travel with Theevus and fulfill his dreams. Meanwhile, at a technologically advanced campsite in a clearing a small distance from the village, a large, red-eyed ant robot carries a cage containing scared villagers. It enters a large door on the side of the building. It seems to be less of a campsite and more of the foundations to a factory. The ant disappears into the shadows, whimpering villagers in tow. Right as it leaves the line of sight, Theevus' flying ant lands and opens its ramp. A group of happy caterpillars from the village step out, unaware of the second ant approaching them.

Theevus watches from inside the transport, no longer smiling.

## Appearances

### Characters

* Gondal (First appearance)
* Mayor Hickory (First Appearance)
* Shwart (First appearance)
* Theevus Anteatus (First Appearance)

### Locations

* Blush Forest (First Appearance)
* Blush Forest Village (First Appearance)
* Ant Base 58 (First Appearance)

## Quotes

* **Shwart:** "Come on, Gondal. Is the outside world *really* that great? Don't you remember all the stories of flesh-eating monsters?"
* **Gondal:** "Sounds more exciting than... you know, *cutting leaves."*

* **Theevus:** "Good people! I am Theevus Anteatus. I am an aspiring inventor from a far away city of lights and machines galore! I travel far and wide, and Blush Forest has caught my eye. I am very happy to meet you all!"

* **Gondal:** "I'm sick of doing the same thing all day, every day. I'm getting out of here and that long-nosed guy is my ticket to freedom!"

## Key Events

* Gondal meets Theevus Anteatus, the beginning of the domino effect that causes the story to unfold...

## Background Information

* This was the first issue of the *Gondal* comic series.
* Issues #1 and #2 were released at the same time for the comic's premiere.
* Although the beginning arc was simply titled "Gondal," the arc was renamed to "Origins" following the continuation of the comic.
* According to Archie writers, Shwart was not included in the first draft of the issue. He was later added when the script was rewritten. It is unknown why the decision was made, but some speculate he was the favorite character of one of the lead writers.