Prince Valiant in the days of King Arthur (Reuben award winner series)

Murphy, John Cullen

Blackthorne

The greatest adventure epic since Beowulf continues in this full-color series. Hal Foster's Prince Valiant, about a noble knight in the days of King Arthur, began in newspapers in 1937 and continues to this day. Foster (1892-1982) introduced illustrative techniquesand the sensibilities and standards of such greats as Howard Pyleto the comics page. Realistic depictions and sophisticated compositions had been curiously absent before him. Fantagraphics' deluxe, full-color library editions of Prince Valiant each feature close to a year's worth of full-page Sunday strips, with this volume collecting strips from 1972-1973, written and roughed-out by Foster and finished by Foster's prodigious assistant, John Cullen Murphy, who took over much of the strip in 1971 and continues with it today.

Prince Valiant, Vol. 42: Arn's Trip to Thule

Comics & Graphic Novels

Foster, Harold

Graphic Novels

Fantagraphics Books

Prince Arn and Sir Dinadan engage on a wintry journey, and at the request of Aleta, Prince Valiant travels to Alexandria with young Sir Gunther, who is searching for thieves who stole holy relics from a cathedral.

Prince Valiant, Vol. 47: Queen of the Amazons (Prince Valiant, 47)

FOSTER, HAL

Prince Valiant battles pirates and Aleta defeats a wizard in this collection of King-Arthur inspired Sunday newspaper comics. Creator Hal Foster’s art returns for the Sunday newspaper comic strip series' 2000th strip, recalling the high points of the Prince Valiant legend. Then, Aleta’s younger sister Helene is gambled away by her husband to a Corsair mercenary, drawing Prince Valiant and his Singing Sword into a deadly duel. Includes a gallery of Hal Foster’s gorgeous art for the 1930 U.S. Naval Academy yearbook. Plus, an interview with Mad artist Angelo Torres, who assisted Prince Valiant artist John Cullen Murphy on the Big Ben Bolt strip. Full-color illustrations throughout

Prince Valiant Vol. 20: 1975-1976

Literature & Fiction

A scoundrel has ruled over the continent's troubadours for the past three years, introducing scum and villainy into their ranks. Arn and Court Jester Sir Dinadan travel to France to set things right, while Prince Valiant accompanies the headstrong Gunther of Germany on his quest to recover stolen holy relics and claim a wife in Jerusalem. The mercenary army of a Persian warlord sweeps across the Middle East, forcing Queen Aleta to seek refuge in a hidden utopian city ruled by women. Val competes in tournaments in Marseille and Camelot and reunites with Sir Lancelot, but a tragic death impacts a member of Val's family. Plus: more dazzling commercial illustration work by Hal Foster. Fantagraphics' latest volume of the most lustrous fantasy strip ever conceived is the most spectacular presentation of the strip ever published. It continues to be one of our bestselling strip collections, hailed by fans and critics alike.

Prince Valiant Vol. 21: 1977-1978

Fantagraphics

Val, deprived of his Singing Sword, is enslaved in the Berber salt mines. A death watch has begun for the bedridden King Arthur, and the monarch's half-brother Mordred plots to usurp the throne. Aleta investigates a murder in Cornwall. This volume includes a tour of Prince Valiant's England by Vanity Fair and The Atlantic editor Cullen Murphy, John Cullen Murphy's son, who begins his long tenure as the strip's scriptwriter with this volume. Plus: Todd Goldberg's examination of the historical reality behind the Prince Valiant strip continues.

Prince Valiant Vol. 22: 1979-1980

Renowned painter and graphic novelist George Pratt (Batman, Sandman) introduces the volume. In these full-page, gorgeously illustrated newspaper strips, Prince Valiant journeys from the upper regions of the Alps to the bowels of the Earth on an allegorical quest for humility involving the mysterious Wanderer, a curse on the kingdom, monstrous imps, and a mystical casket. York, Lincoln, Colchester, and Londinium are sacked as Mordred leads an invasion across Britain, culminating in the siege of Camelot. Aleta's pregnancy promises to bring a new child into the family, but the newly crowned Emperor Justinian plots to have the infant stolen at birth. Arn begins a dangerous courtship of the huntress maiden Maeve and embarks on quests to obtain the Sacred Ring of India and to find his lost newborn brother.

Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982

Murphy, Cullen

There’s Merlin, Mordred, Maeve, Monsters, and Magic in this collection of the beloved Arthurian newspaper strip! In Volume 24 (1983-1984), a comedy of mistaken identities culminates in Val playing a game of life-or-death using live people as chess pieces. Arn's job as Arthur's Keeper of Parks involves defending against invading Saxons. Merlin gives Val a magic ring and a dire message for Arn. With all the other knights of the round table away from Camelot on a rescue mission, Val joins a hunt for a cattle-killing man-beast. Finding his opening, arch-enemy Mordred launches an attack on the defenseless kingdom, sending Arthur the severed leg of the mayor of each conquered town. Arn's love for Maeve takes a turn toward heartbreak and betrayal when the identity of her father is revealed. 
Hal Foster's Prince Valiant is the most illustrious heroic saga ever written and drawn for the Sunday newspapers. In full, glorious, restored color, this is the finest reproduction of this enthralling, romantic adventure serial ever published. 
Full color

Prince Valiant Vol. 24: 1983-1984

Fantagraphics is proud to present the 25th volume of one of the most enduring comic strips, based on Arthurian legend, ever created. As this latest collection begins, Val and Arn are in Lappland, where they get involved with two twin brothers’ struggle over succession. Arn consults a mystical hermit about whether his destiny intertwines with Maeve’s, the daughter of an arch-enemy. With the sinister Mordred in control of Camelot, Val and Aleta seek to raise an army; this goal requires Val to capture a notorious outlaw, battle a troll, and find a hidden treasure. Arthur’s forces come together at High Cross, and he wages an epic battle for the fate of Camelot, during which Arn becomes a knight of the round table. Also included, Prince Valiant writer Cullen Murphy and colorist Meg Murphy pay tribute to their mother, Joan, model for Aleta and other female characters for their father. Full-color illustrations throughout

Prince Valiant Vol. 25: 1985-1986

Arn takes his wedding vows in a milestone Prince Valiant strip. The most visually opulent comic strip in the history of the medium celebrates its 50th anniversary with the marriage of Prince Valiant's son. Val goes in search of a northern spice route, which leads him into adventures among the Balts, the Greeks, the Lapps, and the Chinese. A Trojan Horse deception in reverse nearly wipes out Val's expedition, and a dreamlike encounter north of Cathay involves Yeti and other strange creatures. Back in Britain, Arn's bride strikes a blow against chauvinism and liberates the women of the village of Orr to exercise their true potential. Full-color illustrations throughout

Prince Valiant Vol. 26: 1987-1988

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