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The Book of Ballads and Sagas

    (Green Man, 1995-1997, 2004, 2006)
™ and © 1993, 1995, 1996 Charles Vess and respective authors

Noted illustrator Charles Vess brings his evocative, meticulously detailed artwork to a self-published anthology that features comic book adaptations of legendary ballads and mythological tales. In the first issue for example, Vess has gathered other luminaries like Sandman’s Neil Gaiman to pen an adaptation of “The False Knight on the Road.“ Other stories featured in the premiere issue include “Thomas the Rhymer,“ adapted by Sharyn McCrumb, and the first installment in an ongoing serial, “Skade,“ inspired by Norse mythology. Other issues include stories like Charles DeLint’s version of “Twa Corbies, “ Jane Yolen’s adaptation of “King Henry“ (previously printed in an issue of Dark Horse Presents), and an illustrated play version of “Tam-Lin“ entirely by Vess himself. Vess’ passion for the material permeates every page, and he includes original texts wherever appropriate. Articles on the research underlying the stories and discographies of related folk recordings round out each issue.
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Oct 1995
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Sharyn McCrumb, Neil Gaiman, Rob Walton, Terri Windling  ·  A: Charles Vess
    B&W
    8 copies from $2.98
  • 2
    #2
    Feb 1996
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Jane Yolen, Charles De Lint, Rob Walton  ·  A: Charles Vess
    B&W
    3 copies from $3.95
  • 3
    #3
    Jun 1996
    Cover: $3.50
    W: Midori Snyder, Jeff Smith, Delia Sherman, W.K. McNeil, Charles Vess  ·  A: Charles Vess
    B&W
    7 copies from $4.95
  • 4
    #4
    Dec 1996
    Cover: $3.25
    W: Charles Vess, Charles De Lint, Linda Medley  ·  A: Charles Vess, Linda Medley
    Includes preview of Castle Waiting by Linda Medley; B&W
    5 copies from $5.00
  • Ash 1
    Ashcan #1
    SDCC Exclusive
    Jan 1997
    W: Charles Vess, Charles De Lint, Linda Medley  ·  A: Charles Vess, Linda Medley
    No copies available
  • Ash 1/A
    Ashcan #1 Variation A
    has B&W version of #1's Cover A by Charles Vess
    W: Charles Vess, Charles De Lint, Linda Medley  ·  A: Charles Vess, Linda Medley
    Preview of upcoming series; B&W; ca. 1995
    No copies available
  • Bk 1
    Book #1
    Cover: $9.95
    W: Sharyn McCrumb, Neil Gaiman, Rob Walton, Terri Windling, Jane Yolen, Charles De Lint, Midori Snyder, Jeff Smith, Delia Sherman, Charles Vess, Ken Roseman  ·  A: Charles Vess, Linda Medley
    B&W; ca. 1997
    No copies available
  • Bk 1-2
    Book #1 - 2nd printing
    Mar 2006
    Cover: $14.95
    W: Sharyn McCrumb, Neil Gaiman, Rob Walton, Terri Windling, Jane Yolen, Charles De Lint, Midori Snyder, Jeff Smith, Delia Sherman, Charles Vess, Ken Roseman  ·  A: Charles Vess, Linda Medley
    Discography Notes by Ken Roseman; Edited by Teresa Nielsen Hayden; Introduction by Terri Windling; Published by Tor
    No copies available
  • Bk 1/HC
    Book #1 Hardcover
    Hardcover Edition with cover by Charles Vess
    Nov 2004
    Cover: $24.95
    W: Sharyn McCrumb, Neil Gaiman, Rob Walton, Terri Windling, Jane Yolen, Charles De Lint, Midori Snyder, Jeff Smith, Delia Sherman, Charles Vess, Ken Roseman  ·  A: Charles Vess, Linda Medley
    Published by Tor
    1 copy for $24.95
  • Bk 1/HC-2
    Book #1 Hardcover - 2nd printing
    Hardcover Edition
    Cover: $29.99
    W: Neil Gaiman  ·  A: Charles Vess
    Published by Titan
    No copies available