Difference between revisions of "The Legend of Zelda (Valiant Comics)"
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− | '''''The Legend of Zelda''''' is a series of comic books published by [[Valiant Comics]] in 1990 as part of the ''[[Nintendo Comics System]]''. The comics are based on the first two games from [[The Legend of Zelda (universe)|The Legend of Zelda series]] and is the first American comic set in the Zelda universe (multiple Zelda-themed manga were already released in Japan). The artists use a character design similar to what was developed for the American ''The Legend of Zelda'' [[The Legend of Zelda (TV series)|TV series]] in 1989. There were a total of five comics published, although you could count ''Nintendo Comics System'' issue #7 as a sixth since it is completely Zelda-themed. Despite being officially sanctioned by [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]], the comics are not viewed as canon. | + | '''''The Legend of Zelda''''' is a series of comic books published by [[Valiant Comics]] in 1990 as part of the ''[[Nintendo Comics System]]''. The comics are based on the first two games from [[The Legend of Zelda (universe)|The Legend of Zelda series]] and is the first American comic set in the Zelda universe (although multiple Zelda-themed manga were already released in Japan). The artists use a character design similar to what was developed for the American ''The Legend of Zelda'' [[The Legend of Zelda (TV series)|TV series]] in 1989. There were a total of five comics published, although you could count ''Nintendo Comics System'' issue #7 as a sixth since it is completely Zelda-themed. Despite being officially sanctioned by [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]], the comics are not viewed as canon. |
The release dates for the comics do not appear to be accurate. Issues 1-4 are copyright 1991, but issue 5 is copyright 1990. The covers on issues 2 and 4 were incorrectly swapped in the original run, but corrected in later printings. The comic originally sold for $1.50, however later printings are $1.95. | The release dates for the comics do not appear to be accurate. Issues 1-4 are copyright 1991, but issue 5 is copyright 1990. The covers on issues 2 and 4 were incorrectly swapped in the original run, but corrected in later printings. The comic originally sold for $1.50, however later printings are $1.95. | ||
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===Good=== | ===Good=== | ||
* The comics expand quite a bit on the Zelda franchise which was desperately wanted while the US waited patiently for the next game installment which took another year to release. | * The comics expand quite a bit on the Zelda franchise which was desperately wanted while the US waited patiently for the next game installment which took another year to release. | ||
− | * In most of the comics, Zelda is actually | + | * The art is pretty decent for a comic targeting children. |
+ | * In most of the comics, Zelda is actually a strong capable character with her own mind. | ||
+ | * Various game hints are scattered throughout the comic. | ||
* The comic included some attractive maps of Hyrule. | * The comic included some attractive maps of Hyrule. | ||
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
− | * | + | * Some of the character design is bad. Link's bulbous nose looks silly (from game's 2's manual). Ganon's upper tusks are frequently drawn weird (from the cartoon). Zelda frequently looked stoned. |
− | * I | + | * Both the first two games are used for source material, but the artists merged them haphazardly, placing enemies exclusive to the second game in the dungeons of the first game, and vice-versa. Towns and cathedrals are also jumbled up. |
− | + | * The Triforce of Courage is described as not being a solid object, but being embedded in Link's heart, which doesn't make much sense. And, the dialogue sometimes refers to there only being two Triforces. | |
+ | * While I'm sure the children who wrote in were thrilled to see their letters being published, they're pretty annoying to read. | ||
===Ugly=== | ===Ugly=== | ||
− | * | + | * The comic is targeted toward kids, so this is forgivable, but most of the stories are juvenile, the humor is childish, and the morals are ham-fisted. Also, the story jumps around in a schizophrenic manner that is hard to follow and there isn't much of a cohesive narrative. It's just a bunch of vignettes that never resolve anything. |
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
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[[Category: Comics]] | [[Category: Comics]] | ||
+ | [[Category: Fantasy]] | ||
+ | [[Category: Strong Female Character]] |
Revision as of 16:44, 9 April 2019
The Legend of Zelda is a series of comic books published by Valiant Comics in 1990 as part of the Nintendo Comics System. The comics are based on the first two games from The Legend of Zelda series and is the first American comic set in the Zelda universe (although multiple Zelda-themed manga were already released in Japan). The artists use a character design similar to what was developed for the American The Legend of Zelda TV series in 1989. There were a total of five comics published, although you could count Nintendo Comics System issue #7 as a sixth since it is completely Zelda-themed. Despite being officially sanctioned by Nintendo of America, the comics are not viewed as canon.
The release dates for the comics do not appear to be accurate. Issues 1-4 are copyright 1991, but issue 5 is copyright 1990. The covers on issues 2 and 4 were incorrectly swapped in the original run, but corrected in later printings. The comic originally sold for $1.50, however later printings are $1.95.
I never saw these comics when there were published, but, thanks to the power of the Internet, I have been able to read them.
Status
I do not own these comics, but I have read them.
Review
Good
- The comics expand quite a bit on the Zelda franchise which was desperately wanted while the US waited patiently for the next game installment which took another year to release.
- The art is pretty decent for a comic targeting children.
- In most of the comics, Zelda is actually a strong capable character with her own mind.
- Various game hints are scattered throughout the comic.
- The comic included some attractive maps of Hyrule.
Bad
- Some of the character design is bad. Link's bulbous nose looks silly (from game's 2's manual). Ganon's upper tusks are frequently drawn weird (from the cartoon). Zelda frequently looked stoned.
- Both the first two games are used for source material, but the artists merged them haphazardly, placing enemies exclusive to the second game in the dungeons of the first game, and vice-versa. Towns and cathedrals are also jumbled up.
- The Triforce of Courage is described as not being a solid object, but being embedded in Link's heart, which doesn't make much sense. And, the dialogue sometimes refers to there only being two Triforces.
- While I'm sure the children who wrote in were thrilled to see their letters being published, they're pretty annoying to read.
Ugly
- The comic is targeted toward kids, so this is forgivable, but most of the stories are juvenile, the humor is childish, and the morals are ham-fisted. Also, the story jumps around in a schizophrenic manner that is hard to follow and there isn't much of a cohesive narrative. It's just a bunch of vignettes that never resolve anything.
Links
- valiant.fandom.com/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda_Vol_1 - Valiant Wiki.
- zelda.gamepedia.com/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(Valiant_Comics) - Zelda Wiki.