The Book of Ballads and Sagas

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

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

Feb 1996

Cover: $2.95

W: Jane Yolen, Charles De Lint, Rob Walton · A: Charles Vess

B&W

3 copies from $3.95
#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

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
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