Prince Valiant was created by cartoonist Harold Foster in in 1937. It is an epic adventure which tells a continuous story of a young prince of Thule, who grows up to become a knight for King Arthur in Camelot. The full stretch of that story now totals more than 4000 Sunday strips. The Sunday strip has been continued every Sunday since 1937. In the early 1970's John Cullen Murphy gradually took over the drawing, but Foster continued to write the story until 1982. Murphy then continued the cartoon with his son Cullen Murphy writing the story. This continued until 2004 when Murphy retired at the age of 84 a few months before he died. The story was then continued by Gary Gianni who made the drawings until 2012 with Cullen Murphy writing the story for a short period. In 2005 Mark Schulz took over writing new adventures. In 2012 Thomas Yeates replaced Gianni
Valiant grows up and get married to the queen of the Misty Isles, Aleta, and they have the children, Arn, Galan, Karen, Valetta and Nathan. Together with various friends Valiant witness many different historical events which took place in the early Middle Ages. Most often he's accompanied by his best friend and fellow knight Sir Gawain
Cartoonists and writers
Hal Foster:August 16, 1892 – July 25, 1982. Foster created the cartoon. He both wrote and drew the strip from 1937 until the early 1970's when John Cullen Murphy gradually took over taking care of the drawings. Foster continued to write the story until 1982. Foster's impact on comic art has been significant in the development of adventure strips, due to his controlled compositions, action scenes and detailed drawings of human anatomy and costume. His Prince Valiant pages are much admired by other artists and loved by fans all over the world
John Cullen Murphy: May 3, 1919 – July 2, 2004. Murphy took over drawing Prince Valiant in the early 1970's and continued to do this until 2004. J.C. Murphy did not write the story which first was written by Foster himself and later by Murphy's son Cullen Murphy.
Cullen Murphy: September 1, 1952. Murphy helped his after with writing the Prince Valiant stories until he retired in 2004
Gary Gianni: 1954. Gianni began drawing the strip in 2004 and continued doing this until March 25, 2012. The stories were written by
Mark Schultz: June 7, 1955. November 1, 2004 he has been the writer of the story
Thomas Yeates: January 19, 1958. On April 1, 2012, Yeates began drawing the weekly comic strip, replacing Gary Gianni.
Prince Valiant Vol. 1 - 1937-38
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2009
Story
Valiant and his family arrive in Britain, where they settle in the moors. Valiant's mother dies. He becomes the squire of Sir Gawaine. He falls in love with Elaine. He becomes a knight of King Arthur's
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant King Aguar Sir Gawain King Arthur Sir Trimtram Prince Arn Elaine Horrit
Prince Valiant Vol. 2 - 1939-40
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2010
Story
Valiant helps bringing his father on the throne in Thule. Valiant takes part in the defense of Andelkrag. He meets Slith. With his friends he fights the huns. He travels with Trimstram and Gawain.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant King Aguar Sir Gawain Slith King Arthur Sir Trimtram Slith
Prince Valiant Vol. 3 - 1941-42
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2011
Story
Valiant travels in the south of Europe and meets Aleta on the Misty Isles. He meets the viking Boltar. He helps defending the north of England against picts and the vikings
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Sir Gawain Aleta King Arthur Boltar Angor Wrack
Prince Valiant Vol. 4 - 1943-44
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2011
Story
Valiant visits the moors again and meets Horrit who reveals bit of his future, He makes a voyage back to Thule to visit his father. He has many new adventures in Thule and makes friend with Gundar Harl. When he return to Britain in Camelot, her makes plans with Gawain and Beric to back to the Mediterranean. On the Misty Isles he meets Aleta again. Beric is killed by Aleta's soldiers. The additional story. "The Medieval Castle" begins
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Horrit King Aguar Gundar Harl Sir Gawain Aleta King Arthur
Prince Valiant Vol. 5 - 1945-46
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2012
Story
Valiant kidnaps Aleta and takes her through the desert of Arabia. She makes no try of escape. Valiant finally realizes that they love each other. Aleta is captured by robber king Donardo. Aleta and Valiant are reunited and later they meet Katwin who becomes Aleta's personal maid. They go to King Arthur in Camelot, when Sir Mordred is causing problems. Valiant and Aleta are married and together they go on a new trip to Thule to meets Valiant's father
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Sir Launcelot Sir Mordred Sir Gawain Aleta King Aguar King Arthur
Prince Valiant Vol. 6 - 1947-48
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2013
Story
Aleta is captured by Ulfrun who takes her on long voyage with ends upbringing them to America. Valiant and his Thule vikings follow them along with Gundarl Harl and Katwin. In America Aleta is freed and soon after their first son, Arn is born. Indian woman helps taking care of the child and rerun with Valiant and the viking to Europe. Valiant meets his old friend/rival Prince Arn. In Camelot Arn is baptized. "The Medieval Castle" continues.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Gundar Harl Tillicum Aleta Arn Prince Arn King Aguar Oom Foyat Boltar Geoffrey Arf
Prince Valiant Vol. 7 - 1949-50
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2013
Story
In Wales Valiant meets wizard Oom Foyat. Later Valiant goes on new adventures with viking Boltar and he meets young Geoffrey Arf. who becomes Valiant's squire. A new trip to Thule and King Williem
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Gundar Harl Tillicum Aleta King Aguar Oom Foyat Boltar Geoffrey Arf
Prince Valiant Vol. 8 - 1951-52
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2013
Story
In Thule Viking Boltar causes some trouble. Boltar takes nurse Tillicum prisoner, but she manages to escape from him. The end up falling in love and get married. During a stay with Tillicum, Arn is kidnapped by some of Boltar's enemies. Arn and Tillicum free Arn and bring him back to his family in Thule.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Tillicum Aleta King Aguar Boltar Geoffrey Arf
Prince Valiant Vol. 9 - 1953-54
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics 2014
Story
Valiant is by King Arthur sent on a trip to Ireland. Valiant and Sir Gawain go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Valiant and his family visit the Misty Isles followed by Sir Gawain
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Aleta Arn Sir Gawain
Prince Valiant Vol. 10 - 1955-56
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics February 2015
Story
Valiant and Gawain are on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On a return from the Misty Isles Dragda Khan wishes to kidnap Aleta for his harem; a bad idea! On their return north Val and his family travel through Ukraine and other central European territories. A new visit to Aguar in Thule.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Aleta Arn Sir Gawain Aguar Karen & Valetta
Prince Valiant Vol. 11 - 1957-58
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics June 2015
Story
Valiant and Gawain are checking out possible rebellions and trouble in Cornwall. A new family visit to Thule where Prince Arn is sent to the King Hap-Atla to serve him for a period. During a quest in Wales Sir Gawain has disappeared. Prince Valiant and Sir Waldoc go searching for their friend, and it turns out that Gawain is being held ransom by King Oswick
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Aguar Karen & Valetta Alfred Sir Waldoc
Prince Valiant Vol. 12 - 1959-60
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics December 2015
Story
Valiant and Gawain are checking out possible rebellions and trouble in Cornwall. A new family visit to Thule where Prince Arn is sent to the King Hap-Atla to serve him for a period. During a quest in Wales Sir Gawain has disappeared. Prince Valiant and Sir Waldoc go searching for their friend, and it turns out that Gawain is being held ransom by King Oswick
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Aguar Karen & Valetta Alfred Sir Waldoc
Prince Valiant Vol. 13 - 1961-62
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics June 2016
Story
Valiant welcomes a new member to his family - a baby boy. After an abduction and a period of rebuilding, a peaceful era returns to the Misty Isles. Valiant produces help from the locals on his visit to the Holy City, but they are not all as welcoming as he thinks. Traveling through Italy and Spain, Val searches for an overland trade route and the missing Arn. We are also introduced to Wojan, a powerfully-voiced monk, and Arvak, now dangerously untamed.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Boltar Wojan Paul Taloon
Prince Valiant Vol. 14 - 1963-64
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics November 2016
Story
Wars and rumours of wars:Prince Valiant finds himself drawn into battles both large and small, while Mordred plots a scandal that will shatter the bonds of the Fellowship of the Round Table. 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. In Thule, a guerrilla war is waged against Val's father, King Aguar.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Katwin Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Boltar Mordred
Prince Valiant Vol. 15 - 1965-66
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics June 2017
Story
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.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Boltar Mordrid Karen Valeta
Prince Valiant Vol. 16 - 1967-68
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics Nov 7, 2017
Story
The earl of Wickham is dead, and his half brother Sligol now requires taking over the loan, but the earl's widow denies to to comply with this. Consequently, King Arthur asks Prince Valiant to leave to reconcile the conflicting parties and, with him, Valiant takes the young Bala, who dreams of becoming one of the king's knights. When they arrive at Wickwain and demand to see the Earl's testament, Sligol tries to burn it, but Valiant succeeds in saving some of the document, which shows that a neighbor, Sir Grenwold, was aa witness of the signing. While Valiant and the earl's young nephew, Noel, rides off to fetch the neighbor, Bala stays at the castle where he must defend himself against Sligol's armed guards after preventing Sligol's son, Funds, to harm the earl's daughter Meg.
Later, Valiant liberates with list and weapon Sir Gawain, who has been captured in North Africa. Together the two travel towards the The Misty Islands, where they will build-up Aleta's army and navy. Especially islands fear an attack from the ruthless Ortho el Bey of Lycia. Valiant's son Arn has travels with a delegation to Lycia to spy on the enemy. During this mission, Arn meets the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain King Arthur Geoffrey Arf Karen Valeta Katwyn
Prince Valiant Vol. 17 - 1969-70
By Hal Foster
Published by Fantagraphics Sept. 4, 2018
Story
After his long sojourn in the Mediterranean, Prince Valiant is back in Britain, where he takes on a new, intricate mission on behalf of King Arthur. Here, Valiant finds himself in the middle of a conflict between Saxon settlers and violent Viking raiders. Gawain’s return journey to Camelot is fraught with misadventure as he is beset by jealous romantic rivals, a marriage-minded widow and a thieving sorcerer. Young Galan goes on a hunt to capture the fabled unicorn, and Arn, after losing his horse in a Welsh bog, is enslaved and held for ransom
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain King Arthur Geoffrey Arf Katwin Gundar Harl Galan
Prince Valiant Vol. 18 - 1971-72
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics Nov. 20, 2018
Story
Val must win back the queen of (his) heart, Aleta. 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.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain King Arthur Karen Valetta Gundar Harl Galan
Prince Valiant Vol. 19 - 1973-74
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics June 25, 2019
Story
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 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.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Lydia Karen Valetta Gundar Harl Galan
Prince Valiant Vol. 20 - 1975-76
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics Nov. 19, 2019
Story
Prince Valiant battles pirates and Aleta defeats a wizard. 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.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Helene Karen Valetta Gundar Harl Galan
Prince Valiant Vol. 21 - 1977-78
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics May 21, 2020
Story
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 Lancelotm but a tragic death impacts a member of Val's family.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Sir Lancelot Karen Valetta Galan
Prince Valiant Vol. 22 - 1979-80
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics - 2020
Story
Prince Valiant battles pirates and Aleta defeats a wizard. 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. Galan begins a long journey to knighthood, bringing both shame and honour upon himself. But the old order is threatened with collapse as Valiant, deprived of his singing sword, is enslaved in the Berber salt mines, a death watch has begun for the the bedridden King Arthur., and the monarch's half-brother Mordred plus to unsurp the the throne. And: Aleta investigates a murder in Cornwall.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Galan Mordred King Arthur Gawain Prince Arn
Prince Valiant Vol. 23 - 1981-82
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics - 2021
Story
Prince Valiant journeys from the upper regions of the Alps tao 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. Arn begins a dangerous courtship of the huntress maiden Maive and embarks on quests to obtain the Sacred Ring of India and to find his lost newborn brother, Nathan.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Yuan Chen Karen Maeve Mordred Galan
Prince Valiant Vol. 24 - 1983-84
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics - 2021
Story
Prince Valiant plays a game of life and death using live people as chess pieces. Arn's job as Arthur's keeper of Parks involves defending against invading Saxons. Merlin gives Valiant 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., Valiant joins a hunt for a cattle-killing man beast, and arch enemy Mordred launches an attack the defenceless kingdom, sending Arthur the severed leg of the mayor of each conquered town. Arn's love for Maeve takes a turn towards heartbreak and betrayal when the identity of her father is revealed.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Helene Maeve Mordred King Arthur Galan
Prince Valiant Vol. 25 - 1985-86
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics - 2022
Story
In Lappland, Valiant and Arn become involved in a struggle for succession between twin brothers. Arn consults a mystical hermit about whether his destiny is intertwined with Maeve, the daughter of an archenemy. With the sinister Mordred in control of Camelot, Val and Aleta seek to raise an army, a goal that requires Val to capture a notorious outlaw, battle a troll, and find a hidden treasure. Arthur's forces come together at High Cross and an epic battle is waged for the fate of Camelot, during which Arn is made a knight of the round table.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Mordred Karen Valetta Maeve Galan King Arthur
Prince Valiant Vol. 26 - 1987-88
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics - Jan 31 - 2023
Story
Prince Arn is married. Valiant 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 Valinat'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.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Mordred Karen Valetta Maeve Galan Yuan Chen Vanni Sir Guy
Prince Valiant Vol. 27 - 1989-90
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics - December 2023
Story
On a quest in the Asian lands of Cathay, Prince Valiant encounters a fire-breathing mechanical dragon and the legendary adventurer Prester John. Armies converge, mountains crumble and a father and son are reunited. Mordred escapes imprisonment and treacherously stabs Arn, who learns that Maeve is soon to give birth. Valiant discovers a lost colony and wrestles with a tucked off the coast of Greenland, but a spell overcomes the expedition on the Isle of Lost Youth.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Mordred Karen Valetta Maeve Galan Yuan Chen Vanni Prester John Nathan King Arthur King Aguar Horrit Gundar Harl
Prince Valiant Vol. 28 - 1991-92
By Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy
Published by Fantagraphics - April - 2024
Story
Mysteries behind the Celtic Queen Boudicca, who rebelled against the Roman Empire, lead Prince Valiant and Galan to a lost treasure. Valiant's daughter Karen is reunited with her suitor Vanni and the two are presented with four challenges to prove their love. Maeve and Arn's child is born. An interrupted Druidic ceremony results in further revelations about Maeve's sinister father, Mordred. Valiant and Sir Gawain carry out King Arthur's campaign against slavery in Britain and Valiant is sent to rescue the kidnapped Pop Joannes.
Main characters in this album:
Prince Valiant Aleta Prince Arn Sir Gawain Mordred Karen Valetta Maeve Galan Vanni Nathan King Arthur
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