DAC Issue 1: Raise the Banners

**Issue 1: Raise the Banners** is the first comic-styled episode in the Dark Archer Chronicles series. It began production on May 14, 2015. It centers around Malcolm Merlyn and his followers of the League of Assassins attacking the Temple of the Bannerless Legion in Zambesi, believing in the legend of an artifact hidden away there.

## Summary

**Zambesi -**It was late night when monks patrolling the Iron Temple of the Bannerless Legion notices a group of four hanggliders at the horizon approaching them. The three in the front land on both sides of the Iron Temple, with two of the patrolling monks being killed by the unknown assassins, who burn the gliders. A third monk appears from the stairs but it is hot by two jetblack arrows. The two remaining hanggliders land on the Iron Temple with one of the fliers revealing himself to be Malcolm Merlyn, wearing a combination of his Dark Archer and Ra's al Ghul gear, ordering the three men with him to secure the top wall.

Malcolm clears out the top room, saying it is not here. One of the three assassins kills another monk with an arrow to the chest and reveals herself to be Talibah, one of the League's assets acquired during a Suicide Squad mission in Kahndaq. Malcolm dispatches Talibah to open the gates to the others. Talibah uses a black scarf to safely descent to the first level, descending to fast to be seen by the monks inside the Iron Temple. She kills the two guards in front of the main gate and opens it, revealing another squad of League's Assassins led by Nyssa al Ghul.

Nyssa and Talibah lead the group of assassins through the quarters, silently killing most of the monks inside, while meeting up with Malcolm who says it has to be deeper into the catacombs. They continue their way into the catacombs, where Nyssa questions the validity of the claim of the artifact in the Iron Temple. Malcolm explains to her that he learned through a friend in occultism. They fight their way through a hallway guarded by a group of lightly armed monks. While fighting Malcolm explains to Nyssa and Talibah that he made a promise to Oliver Queen when he took the mantle of Ra's al Ghul and he intends to keep it.

They arrive in the lowest catacombs of the Iron Temple where they get in front of a large two-sided door. Nyssa aims an explosive arrow at the door, preparing to blast it open when Malcolm orders her to lower her bow. The doors open slowly, revealing a dark room behind it. As Malcolm, Nyssa and Talibah enter it, the door closes before the rest of the League can enter. Raising their bows and Talibah her sword, the room is revealed to be filled with monks and one in particular welcomes them to the Bannerless Legion. They then announce they may never leave. At that point all lights are out.

To be continued...

## Trivia

* First series in-universe that stars Malcolm Merlyn as the central character.
* Mesi Natifah also known by her League name **Talibah** returns to the continuity after being introduced in *Arrow Season 2.5* and later in a cameo appearance in Arrow Season 3.
* *John Constantine*is being alluded to here in this episode, with Malcolm Merlyn mentioning him as a friend.