PRINCE VALIANT HC (2025)

"The most gorgeous adventure comic strip of all time, the on-going Prince Valiant Sunday-only comic strip ran for 35 years under its creator, Hal Foster. Foster limned epic swordfights and some of the most beautiful human beings ever to appear in comics. And he matched his nonpareil visual sense with the narrative instincts of a born storyteller. Prince Valiant has previously been widely available only in re-colored, now-out-of print editions (which fetch collectors' prices). Thanks to advances in production technology and newly available original proof sheets, this new series is the first to feature restored artwork that captures every delicate line and chromatic nuance of Foster's masterpiece. Comic strip aficionados will be ecstatic, and younger readers who enjoy classic adventure will be bowled over. Book One also has a rare, in-depth Foster interview."

"For 35 years, Hal Foster created epic adventure and romantic fantasy in his legendary Sunday strip, Prince Valiant. Realistic in its visual execution and noble in its subject, depicting a time in which the fabled warriors of history and legends fought together for the greater good, it remains one of the great masterpieces of the medium. In this second volume, Prince Valiant helps his father reclaim his throne in kingdom of Thule; fights alongside King Arthur; is made a knight of the Round Table; battles the Huns; sets off with Sir Gawain and Tristam of Arthurian legend fame; and is thrown off-course from Sicily; adventure follows him everywhere. Fantagraphics is proud to present these strips, which, thanks to the use of original proof sheets and advances in printing technology, are even brighter and crisper than when they were originally published 70 years ago. Foster's work, painterly and sweeping, is finally treated to the grand depiction it deserves. These illustrative, time-honored comic strips will enthrall old readers and just as easily awe new ones. Readers will be able to read it in tandem with their Definitive Prince Valiant Companions (coming from Fantagraphics in Dec. 2009)."

"Almost the entirety of 1941's strips, collected in Prince Valiant Volume 3: 1941-1942, featuring a single ten-month epic entitled 'Fights for the Singing Sword.' This globetrotting adventure is fueled by Valiant's obsessive search for his bride-to-be Aleta throughout Northern Africa, with stops in Jerusalem, the Arabic deserts, and, inevitably, a harem which Val must infiltrate. Then finally, in 'The Misty Isles' Valiant meets Aleta face-to-face, but upon learning that she has had his crew killed (deservedly so, actually, but still), he flees in anger, vowing never to see her again. 'Homeward Bound,' Valiant continues his travels, with stops in Athens (where he meets the boisterous Viking Boltar, who will become his friend for life), North Africa, and Gaul (where Valiant liberates Gawain), before finally returning to Camelot. But his joyous return is short-lived as an alliance of Picts and Vikings threatens Britain's security, and thus Valiant must journey forth with, as his ultimate destination, 'The Roman Wall.' "

"As this fourth volume begins, Prince Valiant, haunted by Aleta, seeks Merlin's wise counsel. This brief episode segues into one of Hal Foster's patented epics, 'The Long Voyage to Thule,' which ran for seven straight months and featured Valiant's return to his birthplace and reunion with his father. Of course, Foster's astonishingly detailed and evocative depictions of Val's homeland contribute greatly to this sprawling epic. After a series of shorter adventures including 'The Seductress,' 'The Call of the Sea,' and 'The Jealous Cripple,' Val finally decides he can stand it no more and sets out to find his long-lost love. Long-time fans know that his quest will eventually be successful, but Foster throws so many obstacles in the way of true love that the saga 'The Winning of Aleta' would end up stretching a full year and a half, well into the next volume. "

"Fully half of this latest volume of Hal Foster's epic masterpiece - again scanned from superb syndicate proofs - is devoted to the remaining chapters of 'The Winning of Aleta,' a 20-month (!) epic in which Valiant obsessively pursues his bride to be. Not surprisingly this is followed by a sequence called 'Matrimony,' which ends with a newly wed queen adjusting to the luxurious, exciting court life at Camelot. But Val's marriage does not signal an end to his adventures. In 'War in the Forest' Val is sent out to spy on encroaching Saxons - unknowingly aided by Aleta, who, disguised as a small knight (and dubbed 'Sir Puny') helps prevent disaster. But the 1946 strips end with Val and Aleta unable to return to Camelot and the displaced couple journeying to Thule. Half the strips in this volume also include the delightful 'The Medieval Castle,' Foster's chronicle of two young boys growing up during the time of the First Crusade - but by the end of the 1945 strips this series has ended and the Valiant portion resumes its full-page glory."

"Hal Foster's masterpiece of adventure enters its second decade as Valiant and Aleta journey to 'The New World' a 16-month epic that allows Foster to draw some of his spectacular native Canadian backgrounds, and during which Aleta gives birth to Arn and acquires her Indian nurse, Tillicum. Most of the rest of the book is taken up with the action-packed five-month sequence 'The Mad King' during which Val, back at Camelot, confronts the evil, fat little King Tourien of Cornwall. This volume will be rounded off with an essay by Foster scholar Brian M. Kane (The Prince Valiant Companion) discussing Foster's depiction of 'Indians' as it relates to other interpretations of the times, accompanied by various graphic goodies such as a previously unpublished camping cartoon by Foster from circa 1915, some of Foster's Mountie paintings, Foster's own map of Val's voyage to/from the New World, and more rare photos and art. As always, this volume is shot directly from Foster's personal collection of syndicate proofs, their glorious colors restored to create an unprecedentedly sumptuous reading experience."

"You might think that birth of Prince Valiant's son Arn at the end of the previous volume would have slowed down Val's adventuring, but you would be wrong. In Prince Valiant Vol. 7, after the baby has been christened, Valiant and Gawain are dispatched to investigate reports of black magic in Wales, ending up in pitched battle at the aptly named Castle Illwynde. Then it's off to Scotland to battle the Picts, and then home yet again for Val to visit his growing boy. Valiant now enters the 1950s: The Thule winter is hard and bleak, and a prince who has designs on Aleta must be dealt with. Then it's another epic-length story, 'The Missionaries,' in which Val and several of his fellow knights and crew travel to Rome on a quest for teachers who might bring Christianity to Thule. The story also features an escape through the Alps, far too many red-headed girls, and a tragic, life-changing event for the young squire Geoffrey (a.k.a. 'Arf '). And Foster charmingly ends the book with 'The Prince Arn Story,' a three-week sequence narrated by the toddler."

"You might think that birth of Prince Valiant's son Arn at the end of the previous volume would have slowed down Val's adventuring, but you would be wrong. In Prince Valiant Vol. 7, after the baby has been christened, Valiant and Gawain are dispatched to investigate reports of black magic in Wales, ending up in pitched battle at the aptly named Castle Illwynde. Then it's off to Scotland to battle the Picts, and then home yet again for Val to visit his growing boy. Valiant now enters the 1950s: The Thule winter is hard and bleak, and a prince who has designs on Aleta must be dealt with. Then it's another epic-length story, 'The Missionaries,' in which Val and several of his fellow knights and crew travel to Rome on a quest for teachers who might bring Christianity to Thule. The story also features an escape through the Alps, far too many red-headed girls, and a tragic, life-changing event for the young squire Geoffrey (a.k.a. 'Arf'). And Foster charmingly ends the book with 'The Prince Arn Story,' a three-week sequence narrated by the toddler."

"In our ninth volume of the collected illustrative Sunday comic pages, Arn tries his hand at being a warrior, Merlin is bewitched by Nimue, and Tillicum and Boltar have a son named Hatha - the first interracial baby 'born' in comics. Most of the second half of this volume follows Gawain and Val's pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem, and Queen Aleta's return to the Misty Isles where treacherous nobles seek her throne and her death. Also featuring a look at Prince Valiant's 1954 escapades on both the large and small screens by Foster scholar Brian M. Kane. As with all the previous volumes in this highly acclaimed series, these pages are reproduced for the first time from Foster's personal set of color engraver's proofs, the most impeccably produced Prince Valiant series ever produced."

"Our tenth volume finds our band of heroes making their way back to the Kingdom of Thule by way of Constantinople and Eastern Russia. Soon they are attacked by a tribe of barbarians who kidnap Aleta for the great Dragada Khan who wants to make her one of his wives. After nearly being killed in battle, Valiant returns to his homeland only to find the threat of hunger hovers over Thule. As Val explores new ways of feeding the kingdom's growing populace, raiders threaten the lives of his family and friends. The volume ends with Val's return to Camelot, a tournament of champions, and the threat of new treachery in Cornwall. This volume also includes an introduction by legendary comics artist Timothy Truman, and a special gallery containing more of Hal Foster's incredible Mountie paintings annotated by comics historian Brian M. Kane."

"The eleventh volume of Fantagraphics award-winning Prince Valiant series concludes our heroes' adventures in Cornwall, and marks the first appearance of Arvak the Red Stallion. At the Council of Kings, Prince Valiant stands alone in the decision to avoid a ruinous war. Val returns to Aleta, and the two are summoned to Camelot, where Queen Guinevere becomes jealous of Aleta's popularity. Meanwhile, Val leads a bloody campaign to secure the Eastern marches and learns the tragedies of war. As the book ends, Prince Valiant begins searching for Gawain. There may just be another adventure afoot. Bonus features include a gallery of Foster's rare and never-before-reprinted advertising art from the 1920s. 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."

"Vol. 12 of Fantagraphics' award-winning series begins with Prince Valiant attempting to rescue Sir Gawain from prison. Most of the first half of this volume finds our two heroes fighting bullies, brigands and a despicable earl, but events soon turn very serious. Charged by King Arthur, Prince Valiant sets out on a quest to find the legendary Holy Grail. Should his mission fail the very foundation of the Fellowship of the Table Round is at stake. This volume concludes with the Misty Isles under attack, and leaves Queen Aleta perilously close to death."

"In the thirteenth volume of Hal Foster's award-winning, New York Times best-selling, legendary masterpiece, Val's son Arn is kidnapped and daringly rescued. When Val returns home, he greeted by the newest member of his family ? a baby boy named Galan."

"In the first story, King Arthur sends Val to North Wales to thwart an attack by King Cidwick, while back in Camelot, Mordred plans a scandal that will break the Fellowship of the Round Table. Fortunately, a battle-weary Val finds some minor respite in the melee known as the Spring tournament, and, for the first time since coming to Camelot, our hero is crowned Grand Champion! The festivities are interrupted as an invading army of savage Saxons attack in the Battle of Baddon Hill, and the only one who can save King Arthur and the Knights of Camelot is Val's son, Prince Arn. This volume closes with Val returning to his homeland of Thule to rest only to find a guerilla war waging against his father, King Aguar."

"After traveling the North Atlantic Ocean, shipwrecks and pirate attacks lead Prince Arn and his newly formed crew to the New World, where trade deals soon turn into hostage negotiations. When enemy tribes attack, Arn's band of Vikings teams up with the Algonquins to repel the invaders, leading to a long-overdue peace treaty and the discovery of the St. Lawrence seaway. Meanwhile, Mordrid plots his revenge and schemes another attack on Camelot when Val and his family are at their most vulnerable. Aleta stirs up gossip when she suffers a case of mistaken identity with a mermaid, the prized Singing Sword is recovered, and Prince Valiant goes on a sensitive mission to find a missing heir."

"Hal Foster's Prince Valiant continues as one of the all-time magnificent adventure comics ever conceived and Fantagraphics' reprinting is the loveliest treatment of the strip in the history of publishing."

"Val must win back the queen of (his) heart, Aleta, and much more in this collection of the King-Arthur inspired classic Sunday adventure strip. In Camelot, the troubled Zanedon reveals himself to be a runaway groom as the mischievous twins, Karen and Valeta, hide him in their stable. Prince Arn quenches a coup, Val ends a tyrant's reign with tough love, and domestic chaos runs amok when a poet with a wandering eye makes the Misty Isles his playground; this volume also boasts bonus material! Full-color illustrations throughout."

"In this latest collection of the famed newspaper strip, Prince Valiant is sent to defend the borders against invading barbarians, but it is young Arn who takes center stage as he travels to his homeland and loses his heart to Lydia, daughter of Haakon. Also in the latest volume of this award-winning comics series, Arn and Sir Gawain become trapped in a lost, lush land presided over by the mad Duke Cyril and the entombed object of his desire. In Thule, Prince Valiant defends the King of the Inner Lands from a war party led by a giant. Beetle Bailey gag-writer Jerry Dumas introduces this volume with a remembrance of his friendship with Prince Valiant artist John Cullen Murphy. Also: Hal Foster's complete 1943 comic strip adaptation of Franz Werfel's popular novel The Song of Bernadette. Full-color illustrations throughout."

"Creator Hal Foster returns for the series' 2000th strip, recalling the high points of the Prince Valiant legend. Aleta is abducted by a wizard, but Val pursues them only to learn that Aleta is capable of rescuing herself. Aleta's younger sister Helene is gambled away by her husband, drawing Val and his Singing Sword into a deadly duel. And in between battles, romance has its way with kings, wizards and slaves. Also: a large gallery of Hal Foster's 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. "

"Scum and villainy have entered the ranks of the continent's troubadours, Prince Valiant travels to Jerusalem to recover stolen holy relics and Queen Aleta seeks refuge in a hidden city ruled by women. Plus more dazzling commercial illustration work by Hal Foster. All hail the original Game of Thrones!"

"The latest volume to collect the greatest adventure comic strip in history in full-color. Galan begins the journey to knighthood, bringing both shame and honor upon himself. Val is enslaved in the Berber salt mines while a death watch has begun for King Arthur, and Mordred plots to usurp the throne. Also: a tour of Prince Valiant's England by Cullen Murphy, son of John Cullen Murphy and Todd Goldberg further examines of the historical reality behind the Prince Valiant strip."

In this volume, there's death, birth, curses, quests, plots, magic, and war. Prince Valiant journeys to the bowels of the Earth on a quest for humanity involving a curse on the Kingdom, monstrous imps, and a mystical casket. Mordred leads an invasion across Britain, culminating in the siege of Camelot. Aleta's pregnancy promises to bring a new child into the family. Arn begins a courtship of Maeve and embarks on quests to obtain the Sacred Ring of India and to find his lost newborn brother. Renowned painter and graphic novelist George Pratt (Batman, Sandman) introduces the volume.

"In Volume 24 (1983-1984), Val plays a game of life-or-death using people as chess pieces, Merlin gives Val a magic ring and Val joins a hunt for a cattle-killing man-beast. Plus, Mordred launches an attack on the defenseless kingdom and Arn's love for Maeve takes a turn toward heartbreak when the identity of her father is revealed. Hal Foster's Prince Valiant is the most illustrious heroic saga ever written and is presented here in full, glorious, restored color."

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 archenemy. 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.

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.

The action never lets up in the newest volume of Hal Foster's masterpiece as Val embarks upon a questin in Cathay, encounters a mechincal dragon, Mordred escapes imprisonment and Val wrestles with a tusked whale off the coast of Greenland! Plus an introduction by Turkish/German artist Ertugrul Edrine and scences of heavy-metal interpreation of Prince Valiant.

In the latest volume of Fantagraphics' ambitious reprinting of Hal Foster's immortal masterpiece, another milestone in the life of Prince Valiant. The wedding of Karen and Vanni! The adventures of three queens and a princess! Val and Sir Gawain in North Africa! A traitor in control of Aleta's Misty Isles! Siege on top of siege! Val's quest for the truth-compelling Shield of Achilles! Plus, Prince Valiant scholar and translator Dr. Uwe Baumann on Prince Valiant in the early 1990s. Universally acclaimed as the most stunningly gorgeous adventure comic strip of all time, Prince Valiant ran for 35 years under the virtuoso pen of its creator, Hal Foster. Starring a daring and gallant young hero, the series features epic sword fights, elaborate scenes of pomp and pageantry, and breathless plotting that always leaves the reader wanting more. Fantagraphics' deluxe editions, each collecting two years' worth of Sunday strips, boast superbly restored artwork that captures every delicate line and chromatic nuance of Foster's art.

In the latest volume of Fantagraphics' ambitious reprinting of Hal Foster's immortal masterpiece, trouble follows Prince Valiant from the Misty Isles to Guatemala to Utopia. Premonitions of the future inform and confound Prince Valiant and his son Nathan. An earthquake rocks the Misty Isles. Val encounters danger among the Mayans in Guatemala. A druid civil war breaks out in Hibernia. Val arrives in Utopia and discovers a dark secret. Universally acclaimed as the most stunningly gorgeous adventure comic strip of all time, Prince Valiant ran for 35 years under the virtuoso pen of its creator, Hal Foster. Starring a daring and gallant young hero, the series features epic sword fights, elaborate scenes of pomp and pageantry, and breathless plotting that always leaves the reader wanting more. Fantagraphics' deluxe editions, each collecting two years' worth of Sunday strips, boast superbly restored artwork that captures every delicate line and chromatic nuance of Foster's art.