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.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Medieval swordplay and adventure have never been as glorious as in Foster's Sunday-only comic strip. Although much reprinted (including an earlier version from the same publisher), this edition has been reproduced from pristine printer's proofs to give the gorgeous artwork its crispest version ever. The story takes young Prince Valiant, exiled heir to the conquered kingdom of Thule, from a witch's evil prophecy to adventure at the court of King Arthur, with stops for heroic rescues, conniving foes, beautiful maidens, Viking invasions and even a broken heart or two. Narrated in captions rather than told in speech balloons, Foster's script is literate and full of vivid characterizations, like the headstrong but cunning Val and carefree Sir Gawain. But nothing surpasses his artwork—rich with details of armor, weapons and dress, the story comes to life with a palpable sense of magic and danger. Each drawing is a flawless illustration, perfectly composed; even a battle of 20 men comes alive in a tiny panel, with every action clearly delineated. Prince Valliant is one of the best-drawn comics ever, and this new edition does ample justice to its achievement. Bonus material includes an interview with Foster and an afterword by editor Kim Thompson for context. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“This is one of the greatest works of American art of the past century…one of the greatest comics of all time…the greatest adventure comic…[Foster’s] drawings are heartbreakingly beautiful. He understands powerful forms and delicate lines…Prince Valiant has been reprinted before, but this book uses his color engraver’s proofs and it’s a world of difference…It’s so beautiful.” (Nick Gazin - Vice )
“There was no comic strip in the 1930s or today that is as visually striking as Prince Valiant with its attention to detail and brilliant narrative. Foster presented a panoramic view of Arthurian times and he laid out his strip in film director fashion, beautifully staging his panels…This is graphic storytelling at its finest and a true treasure!” (Brian Lumley - Mania )
“This first collection of Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant strips has to be seen to be believed—it’s a lovingly crafted, tabloid-sized book with the highest production values. The artwork has been recreated from Foster’s own engraver’s proofs, providing better quality than even the original newspaper run would have got.... a real treat for fans of the original or new readers looking for some classic medieval adventure.” (Grovel )
“Who knew that Prince Valiant, a comic strip I always assumed appeared next to the word 'boredom' in the dictionary, was so vibrant, colorful, action-packed and gosh-darned fun?... This new edition ups the ante not just through the fancy hardcover, but via state of the art technology that allows for a pristine detail and rich color that’s about as close to Foster’s initial intentions as we may ever be likely to get... The strip is full of brio and vigor and hits the ground running right from the start... Foster’s fight scenes are sumptuous in detail but economical in execution, with Foster rarely showing a glinting sword unless it’s either about to or already has carved someone in half... In a world where too often most art turns out to be exactly as shallow as first glance suggests, it’s nice to discover that something like Prince Valiant is capable of surprising, and even enthralling, the modern reader.” (Chris Mautner - Robot 6 )
“It’s much more fluid and enjoyable than I would’ve guessed—beautiful work.” (Timothy Hodler - Robot 6 )
“Prince Valiant was a comics-page colossus…one of the most celebrated of all comics…the presentation does justice to Foster’s classic creation.” (Gordon Flagg - Booklist )
“A real thing of beauty…the reproduction is as crystal clear as it can be…[Foster’s] exquisite delicate renderings have influenced so many artists who have come after him and it’s not hard to see why so many people are such huge fans of this master of visual story.” (Joel Meadows - Tripwire )
“The strips in Prince Valiant Vol. 1: 1937-1938 are merely the first installment of a massive, groundbreaking, and thoroughly exciting adventure saga that was better than nearly anything during its time, and remains better than nearly anything on the shelves today.” (Michael C. Lorah - Newsarama )
“There have been a lot of great comic book releases this year, but none has the beauty and melancholy resonance of Fantagraphics' Prince Valiant: Volume 1-1937-1938.” (Mark Rhodes - Omnicomic )
“The star of what is arguably the twentieth century's best-drawn newspaper comic strip, Hal Foster's Prince Valiant is all hero, through and through, for his age and ours. The first four volumes of Fantagraphics' collected Prince Valiant reveal young Foster's creation as both the sum total of the heroic ideals that preceded his debut in 1937 as well as a source of serious inspiration for all the heroes that have followed him, in all media formats, in the decades since.” (Alan Scherstuhl - SF Weekly )
“The new Prince Valiant crackles from the page with an energy and enthusiasm that positively dares anyone to deny this strip’s rightful place in the history of the form. Yes, this is another great day for comics history and most definitely a venture worth supporting into the future.” (Guttergeek )
“Sure I'd read Foster before, but I'd never found a way in. Fortunately, Fantagraphics recently released Prince Valiant Vol. 1: 1937-38, and I was able to absorb the material in a wholly new way.... I found this first book completely engrossing. Prince Valiant opens up a world that I wanted to stay in—a wide-eyed early 20th century approach to fantasy with a now-vanished sincerity and wholesomeness. It's an all too rare pleasure in comics. ” (Dan Nadel - Comics Comics )
“It’s difficult to laud Foster too excessively; he was one of the undisputed masters of the craft. …a handsome oversize volume... [T]he comic strip’s otherworldly setting and taut characterization keep this an evergreen favorite for readers of all ages, an American epic born of a tale of European romance.” (Aaron Ragan-Fore - Eugene Weekly )
“The art is painstakingly detailed. I was struck by Foster’s expert use of speed lines in the fight scenes—there was one panel where I could see how Val’s foot was sliding sideways and digging into the dirt for balance as he was fending off an enemy.... Fantagraphics’ production quality is stellar as usual.” (Tangognat.com )
“The temptation is to shut up and let Hal Foster's panels speak for themselves... Designed by Adam Grano, Prince Valiant 1937-1938 is a beautiful book.” (Steve Duin - The Oregonian )
“[Prince Valiant Vol. 1: 1937-1938] is gorgeous. ... Foster is frequently cited as an influence on other great cartoonists, and part of it is his precise line and the way he builds a convincing world from authentic architecture, clothing and armaments. That's part of the appeal, but Foster also excels at staging. ... Unlike daily strip collections, the full, weekly Prince Valiant page ends up a brisk, headlong read... Prince Valiant is something I picked up expecting to admire. I had no idea I would love it.” (Christopher Allen - Comic Book Galaxy )
“Starred Review. Medieval swordplay and adventure have never been as glorious as in Foster's Sunday-only comic strip. Although much reprinted (including an earlier version from the same publisher), this edition has been reproduced from pristine printer's proofs to give the gorgeous artwork its crispest version ever.…Prince Valliant is one of the best-drawn comics ever, and this new edition does ample justice to its achievement. Bonus material includes an interview with Foster and an afterword by editor Kim Thompson for context.” (Publishers Weekly )
“For the first time ever, we’re able to see just how detailed and elaborate Foster’s art really was. The number of fine lines that went into each drawing is impressive, providing a fine texture and grace to every single panel.” (Greg McElhatton - Read About Comics )
“Foster is justly hailed for his stupendous full-pagers, full of panorama and carefully-researched settings.... We moderns are fortunate that superb reprint editions of these classics are readily available.” (Brenda Clough - Book View Cafe Blog )
“Universally acclaimed as the most stunningly gorgeous adventure of all time, Prince Valiant ran for 35 years under the virtuoso pen of its creator, Hal Foster. The giant Sunday-funnies pages gave Foster a huge canvas upon which he was able to limn epic swordfights, stunning scenes of pomp and pageantry…he matched his nonpareil visual sense with the narrative instincts of a born storyteller, propelling his daring young hero from one crisis to another…Comic strip aficionados will be ecstatic, and younger readers who enjoy a classic adventure yarn will be bowled over.” (Rick Klaw - The Geek Curmudgeon )
“One of the greatest comic strips of all time and a peak in visual splendor and breath-taking adventure, the story of Prince Valiant's 30+ year odyssey is getting a marvelous presentation in Fantagraphics' series of books... The strip is violent, sexy, serious, droll and above all eye-catching.... It's a worthy presentation for one of the most important and entertaining works in comic strip history.” (Michael Giltz - The Huffington Post )
“Who knew that Prince Valiant, a comic strip I always assumed appeared nest to the word ‘boredom’ in the dictionary, was so vibrant, colorful, action-packed and gosh-darned fun?...This new edition ups the ante not just through the fancy hardcover, but via state of the art technology that allows for a pristine detail and rich color…In a world where too often most art turns out to be exactly as shallow as first glance suggests, it’s nice to discover that something like Prince Valiant is capable of surprising, and even enthralling, the modern reader.” (Comic Book Resources )
“My choice for the greatest comic strip in history would be Hal Foster's epic adventure strip Prince Valiant. And now Fantagraphics is reprinting the series in a series of spiffy, oversized hardcover collections, with the first volume out this week. And even though I own the whole [50-]volume set of the Foster-drawn pages that Fantagraphics published in the 1990s, I’m perfectly happy to buy this new series, with larger pages, better-quality paper, and much better-quality coloring... It’s excellent stuff, and I look forward to enjoying it all over again.” (Michael Rawdon - Fascination Tangents )
“Magnificent reproductions, done in a sturdy hardcover with oversized pages and entirely restored colors and shadings (indeed, those of us who’ve seen Prince Valiant reprint editions in the past will need some mental time to adjust to how much we’ve been missing).” (Steven Donoghue - Open Letters Monthly )
“The release... of Prince Valiant, Vol. 1: 1937-1938, the first in a new series of gorgeously printed, hardcover Valiant collections from Fantagraphics Books, served as a bittersweet reminder of the century-long rise and eventual decline of a great American art form, the comic strip.” (Tirdad Derakhshani - Philadelphia Inquirer )
“I'm really looking forward to the hardcover of Prince Valiant as the online [preview] shows this to be the best reproduction I have ever seen of the book.The Hal Foster years (especially for the first decade or more) are a great story and stunning artwork.” (Comics And... Other Imaginary Tales )
“There was no comic strip in the 1930s or today that is as visually striking as Prince Valiant with its attention to detail and brilliant narrative. Foster presented a panoramic view of Arthurian times and he laid out his strip in film director fashion, beautifully staging his panels…This is graphic storytelling at its finest and a true treasure!” (Brian Lumley - Mania )
“This first collection of Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant strips has to be seen to be believed—it’s a lovingly crafted, tabloid-sized book with the highest production values. The artwork has been recreated from Foster’s own engraver’s proofs, providing better quality than even the original newspaper run would have got.... a real treat for fans of the original or new readers looking for some classic medieval adventure.” (Grovel )
“Who knew that Prince Valiant, a comic strip I always assumed appeared next to the word 'boredom' in the dictionary, was so vibrant, colorful, action-packed and gosh-darned fun?... This new edition ups the ante not just through the fancy hardcover, but via state of the art technology that allows for a pristine detail and rich color that’s about as close to Foster’s initial intentions as we may ever be likely to get... The strip is full of brio and vigor and hits the ground running right from the start... Foster’s fight scenes are sumptuous in detail but economical in execution, with Foster rarely showing a glinting sword unless it’s either about to or already has carved someone in half... In a world where too often most art turns out to be exactly as shallow as first glance suggests, it’s nice to discover that something like Prince Valiant is capable of surprising, and even enthralling, the modern reader.” (Chris Mautner - Robot 6 )
“It’s much more fluid and enjoyable than I would’ve guessed—beautiful work.” (Timothy Hodler - Robot 6 )
“Prince Valiant was a comics-page colossus…one of the most celebrated of all comics…the presentation does justice to Foster’s classic creation.” (Gordon Flagg - Booklist )
“A real thing of beauty…the reproduction is as crystal clear as it can be…[Foster’s] exquisite delicate renderings have influenced so many artists who have come after him and it’s not hard to see why so many people are such huge fans of this master of visual story.” (Joel Meadows - Tripwire )
“The strips in Prince Valiant Vol. 1: 1937-1938 are merely the first installment of a massive, groundbreaking, and thoroughly exciting adventure saga that was better than nearly anything during its time, and remains better than nearly anything on the shelves today.” (Michael C. Lorah - Newsarama )
“There have been a lot of great comic book releases this year, but none has the beauty and melancholy resonance of Fantagraphics' Prince Valiant: Volume 1-1937-1938.” (Mark Rhodes - Omnicomic )
“The star of what is arguably the twentieth century's best-drawn newspaper comic strip, Hal Foster's Prince Valiant is all hero, through and through, for his age and ours. The first four volumes of Fantagraphics' collected Prince Valiant reveal young Foster's creation as both the sum total of the heroic ideals that preceded his debut in 1937 as well as a source of serious inspiration for all the heroes that have followed him, in all media formats, in the decades since.” (Alan Scherstuhl - SF Weekly )
“The new Prince Valiant crackles from the page with an energy and enthusiasm that positively dares anyone to deny this strip’s rightful place in the history of the form. Yes, this is another great day for comics history and most definitely a venture worth supporting into the future.” (Guttergeek )
“Sure I'd read Foster before, but I'd never found a way in. Fortunately, Fantagraphics recently released Prince Valiant Vol. 1: 1937-38, and I was able to absorb the material in a wholly new way.... I found this first book completely engrossing. Prince Valiant opens up a world that I wanted to stay in—a wide-eyed early 20th century approach to fantasy with a now-vanished sincerity and wholesomeness. It's an all too rare pleasure in comics.
“It’s difficult to laud Foster too excessively; he was one of the undisputed masters of the craft. …a handsome oversize volume... [T]he comic strip’s otherworldly setting and taut characterization keep this an evergreen favorite for readers of all ages, an American epic born of a tale of European romance.” (Aaron Ragan-Fore - Eugene Weekly )
“The art is painstakingly detailed. I was struck by Foster’s expert use of speed lines in the fight scenes—there was one panel where I could see how Val’s foot was sliding sideways and digging into the dirt for balance as he was fending off an enemy.... Fantagraphics’ production quality is stellar as usual.” (Tangognat.com )
“The temptation is to shut up and let Hal Foster's panels speak for themselves... Designed by Adam Grano, Prince Valiant 1937-1938 is a beautiful book.” (Steve Duin - The Oregonian )
“[Prince Valiant Vol. 1: 1937-1938] is gorgeous. ... Foster is frequently cited as an influence on other great cartoonists, and part of it is his precise line and the way he builds a convincing world from authentic architecture, clothing and armaments. That's part of the appeal, but Foster also excels at staging. ... Unlike daily strip collections, the full, weekly Prince Valiant page ends up a brisk, headlong read... Prince Valiant is something I picked up expecting to admire. I had no idea I would love it.” (Christopher Allen - Comic Book Galaxy )
“Starred Review. Medieval swordplay and adventure have never been as glorious as in Foster's Sunday-only comic strip. Although much reprinted (including an earlier version from the same publisher), this edition has been reproduced from pristine printer's proofs to give the gorgeous artwork its crispest version ever.…Prince Valliant is one of the best-drawn comics ever, and this new edition does ample justice to its achievement. Bonus material includes an interview with Foster and an afterword by editor Kim Thompson for context.” (Publishers Weekly )
“For the first time ever, we’re able to see just how detailed and elaborate Foster’s art really was. The number of fine lines that went into each drawing is impressive, providing a fine texture and grace to every single panel.” (Greg McElhatton - Read About Comics )
“Foster is justly hailed for his stupendous full-pagers, full of panorama and carefully-researched settings.... We moderns are fortunate that superb reprint editions of these classics are readily available.” (Brenda Clough - Book View Cafe Blog )
“Universally acclaimed as the most stunningly gorgeous adventure of all time, Prince Valiant ran for 35 years under the virtuoso pen of its creator, Hal Foster. The giant Sunday-funnies pages gave Foster a huge canvas upon which he was able to limn epic swordfights, stunning scenes of pomp and pageantry…he matched his nonpareil visual sense with the narrative instincts of a born storyteller, propelling his daring young hero from one crisis to another…Comic strip aficionados will be ecstatic, and younger readers who enjoy a classic adventure yarn will be bowled over.” (Rick Klaw - The Geek Curmudgeon )
“One of the greatest comic strips of all time and a peak in visual splendor and breath-taking adventure, the story of Prince Valiant's 30+ year odyssey is getting a marvelous presentation in Fantagraphics' series of books... The strip is violent, sexy, serious, droll and above all eye-catching.... It's a worthy presentation for one of the most important and entertaining works in comic strip history.” (Michael Giltz - The Huffington Post )
“Who knew that Prince Valiant, a comic strip I always assumed appeared nest to the word ‘boredom’ in the dictionary, was so vibrant, colorful, action-packed and gosh-darned fun?...This new edition ups the ante not just through the fancy hardcover, but via state of the art technology that allows for a pristine detail and rich color…In a world where too often most art turns out to be exactly as shallow as first glance suggests, it’s nice to discover that something like Prince Valiant is capable of surprising, and even enthralling, the modern reader.” (Comic Book Resources )
“My choice for the greatest comic strip in history would be Hal Foster's epic adventure strip Prince Valiant. And now Fantagraphics is reprinting the series in a series of spiffy, oversized hardcover collections, with the first volume out this week. And even though I own the whole [50-]volume set of the Foster-drawn pages that Fantagraphics published in the 1990s, I’m perfectly happy to buy this new series, with larger pages, better-quality paper, and much better-quality coloring... It’s excellent stuff, and I look forward to enjoying it all over again.” (Michael Rawdon - Fascination Tangents )
“Magnificent reproductions, done in a sturdy hardcover with oversized pages and entirely restored colors and shadings (indeed, those of us who’ve seen Prince Valiant reprint editions in the past will need some mental time to adjust to how much we’ve been missing).” (Steven Donoghue - Open Letters Monthly )
“The release... of Prince Valiant, Vol. 1: 1937-1938, the first in a new series of gorgeously printed, hardcover Valiant collections from Fantagraphics Books, served as a bittersweet reminder of the century-long rise and eventual decline of a great American art form, the comic strip.” (Tirdad Derakhshani - Philadelphia Inquirer )
“I'm really looking forward to the hardcover of Prince Valiant as the online [preview] shows this to be the best reproduction I have ever seen of the book.The Hal Foster years (especially for the first decade or more) are a great story and stunning artwork.” (Comics And... Other Imaginary Tales )
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More About the Author
Hal Foster (1892-1982) created Prince Valiant in 1937. Though remaining involved with the strip until his death in 1982, Foster handed the bulk of the scripting and art chores over to his longtime assistant, John Cullen Murphy, in 1971.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Foster-An Illustrator with the Sensibilities of a Fine Artist,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Prince Valiant, Vol. 1: 1937-1938 (Hardcover)
Hal Foster was forty four years old when he lauched his first Prince Valiant comic strip in February 1937. Little could Foster know that he would still working on the strip until February of 1980. Nearly three decades have passed since Hal Foster's retirement and new Prince Valiant stories continue to be produced. How does one account for a seventy two year old weekly adventure strip that is still going strong?
I think the secret to the longevity of Prince Valiant can be found in the strong foundation Hal Foster built in the first two years of the strip. From the very beginning, the strip showcased Foster's extraordinary skills as an illustrator. As a young man, Hal Foster was deeply influenced by the great artists of the Golden Age of American Illustration. By the late 1930's, Golden Age had come to a close but Hal Foster was able to keep the heroic sensibilities of Howard Pyle and N.C. Wyeth alive. Looking back at these seventy year old illustrations, I am struck by their vitality and continued relevence. From 1984 until 2004, Fantagraphics Books joined the Danish Publisher Interpresse in publishing a fifty volume run of all of Hal Foster's Prince Valiant strips. I have collected most of the volumes but some are difficult to find and when they are located, the volumes are often times very expensive. So it was with great pleasure that I learned Fantagraphics Books was going to start republishing the series. This first volume is hard bound and includes a short biographical essay and an insightful 1969 Hal Foster interview. But what really makes this volume so enjoyable is the high quality production values that were used to produce this volume. The paper is of very high quality and the color digital reproductions are true to Foster's own pristine color engraver proofs. The second volume of the series is promised for the Spring of 2010. It is going to be difficult to wait. My only fear is that at two volumes a year, it is going to take way too many years to cover Foster's forty three year career. Highly recommended.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning,
By AcidFree "bookie" (Earth) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Prince Valiant, Vol. 1: 1937-1938 (Hardcover)
Foster's brilliant Prince Valiant creation starts very strongly in this outstanding new reprint series from Fantagraphics ... none of your "early days" struggles to get it right, although Foster certainly improved with time and experience. Color corrected and sized like the originals, these classic masterpieces of the illustrator's and storyteller's art are still fresh and vibrant today. What a wonder this must have appeared to those opening their newspapers during the Great Depression!
PV can be enjoyed on multiple levels: for the addictive narrative, for the magnificent art and inventive layouts, for graphic storytelling par excellence ... it really doesn't get any better than this. My only quibble is the dark, somewhat lifeless cover. But, only a quibble. This is supreme -- enjoy.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
FANTASTIC,
By T. A. Hansen "sturmandordrang.blogspot.com" (eagan, mn USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Prince Valiant, Vol. 1: 1937-1938 (Hardcover)
This huge book is the perfect way to showcase the great art of Foster. There was one panel where Val crests a hill and views a castle. I stared at the panel for a couple minutes. The level of detail was amazing. The writing makes this a page turner and something to savor
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