ISBN: 978-1-933865-04-1

112 pages
9 x 12 inches
Hardcover with jacket
Introduction by Robert Wagner
Foreword by Mike Mignola

The Prince Valiant Page is the first book collection featuring Gary Gianni’s work on Prince Valiant. This book gives a well-rounded informative look at both Gianni’s rendition of the Prince Valiant Sunday strip and his own working procedures. After 25 years as a professional illustrator, Gianni describes his new role as an assistant to John Cullen Murphy (who assisted Hal Foster--Prince Valiant's creator). Upon Murphy's retirement, Gianni became the third artist in the 70-year history of the feature. It continues with in-depth knowledge of the strip’s creative process (i.e., receiving the script, photographing models, making preliminary drawings and pencil roughs, then concluding with the finished illustrations). Supporting artwork includes collaborations between Murphy and Gianni, with Murphy’s hand written notes and instructions. Examples of Gianni’s work over the previous thirty years as a professional illustrator are included as well.

Gianni’s entertaining, insightful text reveals his methods and working relationships with Murphy and current Prince Valiant writer, Mark Schultz. Further, he explains the usage of his tools and provides many tips learned during the course of his career. Prince Valiant aficionado’s, those interested in the creation process, and enthusiasts of Gianni’s artwork will all find this book appealing.

Most reproductions are direct from the original artwork, rendered with archival quality, and displayed in museum catalog format. Gianni’s originals are delineated using brush and pen. He utilizes these tools to create tones and variations often lost in the pure black and white reproduction methods characteristically employed in newspapers and comics. Gianni’s work has never been reproduced in this manner before. His full tonal range will be revealed for the first time.

This book includes three gatefolds of Prince Valiant strips in color to showcase the finished works.

About Gary Gianni

Influenced by golden age pen and ink illustrators such as Joseph Clement Coll and Franklin Booth, Gianni's illustrations provide us with striking imagery, reminiscent of the past, yet very modern and contemporary in style. Gianni skillfully handles both pen and ink and oil painting, rewarding the most scrutinizing collectors and critics.

Gianni graduated from The Chicago Academy of Fine Art in 1976. His illustrations and paintings have appeared in newspapers, books, and comics. Books illustrated by Gianni include Moby Dick, Kidnapped, John Henry, Tarzan: The Lost Adventure, Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, and The Complete Conan of Cimmeria: Volume Two. In the comic’s arena, he wrote and drew Indiana Jones and The Shrine of the Sea Devil, and his own creation The MonsterMen Mysteries, which have appeared as back-up features to Mike Mignola’s Hellboy series. Furthermore, he drew issues of Classics Illustrated and The Shadow. Gianni received an Eisner award in 1997 for his art on “Heroes,” a Batman story for the Batman: Black and White anthology. Gianni is the recipient of the Spectrum Fantasy Award. He is the current illustrator of the Prince Valiant Sunday strip.