THE ULTIMATE BOOK FOR PRINCE VALIANT COLLECTORS
Out of print for over a decade, The Prince Valiant Companion has become a Holy Grail for collectors of the series. Now, in anticipation of the seventy-fifth anniversary of comics’ longest-running adventure strip, and to celebrate their own just-launched reprinting of the strip’s classic earliest years, Fantagraphics is proud to present an expanded version of this hard-to-find collector’s item. Compiled by award-winning Foster biographer Brian M. Kane, The definitive Prince Valiant Companion beautifully showcases the careers of artists Hal Foster, John Cullen Murphy, and Gary Gianni.

In addition to updating the original version’s story synopsis section with over thirty years of material, The definitive Prince Valiant Companion also contains rare and new articles. Included in this volume is a never before reprinted newspa per feature from 1949, Foster’s final interview conducted by Arn Saba, an extensive interview with John Cullen Murphy, and a new interview with the current Prince Valiant creative team of Gary Gianni and Mark Schultz. The Companion also contains a new, in-depth article by Kane on Foster’s artistic influences, as well as a Foreword by comics historian Brian Walker, and an Introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ray Bradbury.

A special feature of The Companion is a sixteen-page color section of carefully selected strips from the entire run of the comic. Showcasing this section are eight pages by Foster, scanned and digitally restored from original color engraver’s proofs that had been carefully stored and preserved for over forty years. For the first time ever, collectors will be able to see Prince Valiant as Foster intended it to be seen, with all of his fine inked line work intact. Rounding out this section are four John Cullen Murphy pages from the Murphy family’s collection of proofs, and four Gary Gianni pages that were selected by the artist and digitally recolored under his supervision.

Proceeds from the sale of The definitive Prince Valiant Companion will go to The Friends of Hal Foster Society to aid in the creation of the Prince Valiant statue in Foster’s birthplace of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

By Brian M. Kane
160 pages, color and back-and-white, 8 1/2” x 11”

HAROLD FOSTER’S LEGENDARY MEDIEVAL EPIC, FINALLY IN ITS DEFINITIVE EDITION

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. (Such was its popularity that today, decades after Foster’s death, it continues to run under different hands.)

The giant Sunday-funnies pages (Valiant ran only on Sundays) gave Foster a huge canvas upon which he was able to limn epic swordfights, stunning scenes of pomp and pageantry, and some of the most beautiful human beings — male and female — ever to appear in comics. And he matched his nonpareil visual sense with the narrative instincts of a born storyteller, propelling his daring young hero from one crisis to another with barely a panel to catch one’s breath.

Prince Valiant has previously been widely available only in re-colored, somewhat degraded editions (now out of print and fetching collectors’ prices). Thanks to advances in production technology and newly available original proof sheets, this new series from the industry leader in quality strip classics is the first to feature superb restored artwork that captures every delicate line and chromatic nuance of Foster’s original masterpiece. Comic strip aficionados will be ecstatic, and younger readers who enjoy a classic adventure yarn will be bowled over.

Volume One is rounded out with a rare, in-depth classic Foster interview previously available only in a long out-of-print issue of The Comics Journal, as well as an informative Afterword detailing the production and restoration of this edition, which you can read in its entirety right here on our website.

120-page full color 10.5" x 14.25" comic book

In this second volume, Prince Valiant helps his father reclaim his throne in kingdom of Thule, fights alongside King Arthur, and is made a knight of the Round Table in recompense for his bravery and wit. Bored by the peace he helped to create, Val decides to battle the Huns. When Val’s army breaches the Huns’ stronghold, he discovers that corruption reigns in Rome. Thus Val sets off with Sir Gawain and Tristam of Arthurian legend, and the fellowship of the trio sees them through false imprisonment and daring escapes. By the end of this volume, they go their separate ways, and Val boards a ship to Sicily — yet a storm approaches, throwing him off-course, as adventure follows him everywhere.

Thanks to the use of original proof sheets and advances in printing technology, these comic strip masterpieces are even brighter and crisper than when they were originally published 70 years ago! Finally Foster’s achievement is treated to the grand depiction it deserves!

112 pgs / FULL COLOR / 10.25 x 14 / HC

Näytettä kustantajan sivuilta.

With this volume, Foster reaches the peak of his drawing and storytelling prowess. This third volume features a ten-month epic entitled “Fights for the Singing Sword” (a globetrotting adventure fueled by Valiant’s obsessive search for his bride-to-be Aleta throughout Northern Africa), “The Misty Isles” (Valiant meets Aleta face to face but flees upon learning that she has had his crew killed) and “Homeward Bound,” where Valiant continues his travels before finally returning to Camelot. His return is shortlived as an alliance threatens Britain’s security, and thus Valiant must journey forth to “The Roman Wall.”

This volume also includes a portfolio of instances where Foster’s work was edited or censored (including a hilariously prudish edit by a Canadian Catholic paper), and an introductory essay on Foster’s art by renowned comics historian and critic Dan Nadel.

HC / 112 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

Näytettä kustantajan sivuilta.

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 is 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 including our most spectacular bonus feature yet — a double-sized fold-out page reproducing a strip hand-colored by Foster — plus 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.

HC / 112 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

Näytettä kustantajan sivuilta.

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. 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.

Prince Valiant Volume 7, once again shot from stunningly crisp and colorful original printer's proofs from Foster's original collection, also features the usual wealth of supplements, including another brace of rarely-seen Foster art, and an introduction by the recently-anointed artist of the ongoing Prince Valiant strip, Thomas Yeates.

HC / 112 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

Näytettä.

Our continuing reprinting of Hal Foster's sumptuous epic — still scanned directly from Foster's personal collection of syndicate proofs, providing the most spectacular iteration of this material since its original publication in Sunday newspaper supplements 60 years ago — enters the 1950s with this new volume.

The entire first third consists of the second half of the 15-month-long (!) Roman epic "The Missionaries," which includes a dramatic, life-changing experience for Prince Geoffrey (aka "Arf") at its climax. After a brief stay back in Camelot (where the irrepressible Val and his friend Gawain indulge in some not-very-knightly pranks that end up costing them dearly), the two, accompanied by Arf, are summoned back to Thule, where Aleta presents Val with new twin daughters!

Foster also reintroduces such favorite characters as the piratical Boltar and the Indian princess Tillicum (now an unlikely romantic couple), and the year concludes with the beginning of "Valhalla" (another installment in the ongoing story of the problematic Christianization of the Vikings) — which includes one of Foster's most dramatic and gorgeous splash panels (used here on the cover).

And as a back-up, Prince Valiant Volume 8 includes an article by Foster scholar Brian M. Kane on Foster's near-forgotten "Mounties" ad campaign paintings from the 1930s, along with a number of gorgeous reproductions.

HC / 120 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

Näytettä kustantajan sivuilta.

In our ninth volume, Arn tries his hand at being a warrior, Merlin is bewitched by Nimue, and Tillicum and Boltar have a son named Hatha — the first inter-racial 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.

HC / 112 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

Näytettä kustantajan sivuilta.

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.

HC / 120 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

The eleventh volume of Fantagraphics award-winning Prince Valiant series conclues 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.

HC / 112 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

Volume twelve begins with Prince Valiant attempting to rescue Sir Gawain from prison. Val then sets out on a quest to find the legendary Holy Grail with the foundation of the Fellowship of the Table Round at stake.

Bonus features include an introduction by legendary comics artist Neal Adams and a gallery of Foster's rare advertising art. Directly scanned from the engraver's proofs, this is the finest reproduction of one of the greatest and most influential adventure strips of all time.

Full color throughout.

HC / 124 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

Presenting two more years of Hal Foster's award-winning, and best-selling masterpiece printed from the artist's personal color engraver's proofs. This volume begins with Prince Valiant in search of Arn who has been abducted.

Next, Val sets off for the Holy Land on a mission to find an overland trade route from Rome to Britain. But danger shadows the noble Prince of Thule and Val is wounded, his horse has gone feral, and Arn is kidnapped once more and held for ransom.

HC / 112 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

This volume opens with Val being sent to thwart an attack by King Cidwick and closes with his returning to Thule to find a guerilla war being waged against King Aguar.

This volume also includes an introduction by comics writer Roger Stern, who looks back at the artists inspired by Hal Foster.

Hal Foster's Prince Valiant is the most magisterial strip ever conceived, and Fantagraphics Books' series is the loveliest production of this masterpiece ever published.

HC / 112 pgs / FC / 10.25 x 14

Traveling the North Atlantic Ocean leads Prince Arn and his crew to the New World. Arn's Vikings team up with the Algonquins, leading to the discovery of the St. Lawrence seaway. Meanwhile, Mordrid plots his revenge, Aleta suffers a case of mistaken identity and Prince Valiant goes on a mission to find a missing heir.

This volume also includes a feature on Bob Fujitani's Prince Valiant stories in the Dell comic books, and a gallery of Valiant covers from books and comics.

HC, 112pgs, FC

Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant continues as one of the greatest adventure comics ever conceived and Fantagraphics’ reprinting is the loveliest treatment of the strip in the history of publishing.

In Volume 16, Prince Valiant tracks down a missing heir only to become a mentor to the reluctant leader. There is in-fighting amongst family members and knights in the Hall of Champions, young Arn goes berserk under the incantation of the feral forest people, Aleta plots against the greedy governors of the Misty Isles and the royal children discover romance.

HC, 112pgs, FC

In volume 17, is back in Britain, where he finds himself in the middle of a conflict between Saxon settlers and violent Viking raiders. Gawain's return journey to Camelot is fraught with romantic misadventure and Young Galan goes on a hunt to capture the fabled unicorn. Meanwhile, Arn is enslaved and held for ransom.

This volume also includes a supplementary section of rarities and extras, curated by Foster historian Brian M. Kane.

We begin this volume with Prince Valiant going on his most daring, and perhaps most dangerous, quest yet: winning back the heart of Queen Aleta.

Of course, things don't go as planned as Aleta's rival suitor organizes a deadly search party for the gallant Valiant. Back 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 includes and introduction by Mort Walker and Brian Walker, and a gallery of miscellaneous Foster Prince Valiant cartoons, including one that hasn't been reprinted since 1955, and one that has never been printed before. These are a rare glimpse into Foster's humorous side; they were done for a variety of venues, including the National Cartoonist's Society, Christmas cards, and private commissions-all funny, all Prince Valiant.

HC, 10x14, 112pgs, FC

In this latest volume, Prince Valiant defends the borders against barbarians while young Arn takes center stage, losing his heart to Lydia and encountering action on the jousting circuit.

Also: the complete comic-strip adaptation by Hal Foster of Frank Werfel's novel The Song of Bernadette. Sam and Silo co-creator and Beetle Bailey gag-writer Jerry Dumas introduces this volume with a remembrance of his friendship with Prince Valiant artist John Cullen Murphy.

HC, 10x14, 128pgs, FC

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.

HC, 14x10, 112pgs, FC

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!

HC, 11x14, 124pgs, FC

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.

HC, 10x14, 120pgs, FC

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. HC, 112pgs, FC