The Legend of Zelda (Valiant Comics)

"A long, long time ago, the world was in an age of chaos. There was a land called Hyrule, a legend called Zelda, an adventurer named Link, and evil known as Ganon, and three Triforces, with power over them all."

- Introduction

Valiant Publishing is the parent company that owned the Nintendo Comics System in 1990 and 1991. In those years, they published a number of Nintendo franchise comics, including The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., and Captain N: The Game Master. The Valiant Publishing line was founded in 1990 by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. After 1991, Valiant ceased to publish Nintendo-related comics, except for trade paperback collections of some of the series later on.

The Legend of Zelda issues ran February 1990 through August 1990, and was penned by George Carogonne. The comics were sold at a newsstand price of $1.95 per issue. Each issue contained two 10-page stories, along with two bonus shorts, which were often times very humorous.

There is some debate over how many Zelda issues were actually released, as there appears to be an issue #7, while issue #6 was never cataloged. The matter became further convoluted when the comics were re-released in 1993 in book formats, where the issues were placed in different orders. The reason for there not being a documented sixth issue is that there were only five Zelda issues in all. The seventh issue was actually part seven of the Nintendo Comics System line, which had nine issues in all.

The comics are readily available on the Internet, as Zelda.com provided them as a free download for a time. Below are the comics listed and their synopsis' as they were originally released.

Issue #1
Originally released in February, 1990.

Part 1- He Also Serves
The story opens with Impa sharing a prophecy from the Triforce of Wisdom, telling of how Ganon will defeat Link, conquer the North Castle, and enslave the people of Hyrule if Link steps foot outside of the castle. This news upsets Link, as he wants to go with Princess Zelda as she goes on a journey to visit some of the northern villages. However, he promises that he will remain at the castle.

As Link is practicing his sword fighting skills, he is approached by Miff, his fairy companion. Miff grows upset when she finds that Link let Zelda go off alone, and decides to use her magic to view Zelda's progress. When she looks into the fountain, she sees that Ganon and his minions have captured the princess' party. While this greatly disturbs Link, he knows that he cannot leave the castle, and he sends Captain Krin and his men off to rescue the party.

Later, a wounded Krin returns, claiming that he and his men were ambushed by monsters, and that he is the only survivor. He tells Link that the village of Rauru has been burned, and that only one who can save he princess is Link. Once again, though, Link refuses to break his promise. In anger, Krin strikes Link, calling him a coward. At that moment, a magic signal appears, with a message from Zelda, calling for Link to come to her aid. Before Link can respond, the message cuts out. As Link once more refuses to leave the castle, Krin tells him that he has let her down, and leaves the castle, presumably to find the princess.

Shortly after, guard stationed on the castle wall tells Link that there is a woman outside of the gate. When the gate is opened, Link finds Impa, who tells him that Ganon has once again placed the Spell of Eternal Sleep on Zelda, and she will never again wake up if he is unable to find her by midnight. Link confronts her about her earlier prophecy, and she tells him that even she is sometimes wrong. As Link remembers that it was the Triforce's prophecy, and not Impa's, he pulls out his blade and strikes down the impostor, who vanishes in a puff of smoke. Link then walks outside of the gate, and orders Watchman Erol not to open the gate for anyone.

Nearby, Ganon removes his Impa disguise, saying that it worked no better than the rest. As several of Ganon's henchmen wait behind some bushes, Link appears outside of the castle gate, and orders Erol to open the door. Erol starts to protest, but then gives in. As Link walks into the castle, he begins to chuckle. Suddenly, another Link appears, and asks Erol who came in. Erol is baffled, but they then realize what has happened. Link uses his sword to shoot a beam at the disguised Ganon, who then disappears.

The story is concluded by Zelda, Impa, Captain Krin and his men returning unharmed. After Link explains the story, he asks Zelda for a kiss as a reward, but she declines him.

Part 2- Missing in Action
The story opens with Link wrestling away from Captain Krin and his men, who are attempting to keep him from reaching the King of Hyrule. When the King realizes what's happening, he chastises Krin, and allows Link to speak with him. Link explains that he is upset because after going on a journey, he returns to Hyrule to find that Zelda and the Triforce of Wisdom are missing, and no one will tell him why. The king explains to Link that Zelda has taken the Triforce, and is going to leave Hyrule forever, as she believes that's the only way to keep Ganon from obtaining it. Link is also told that Ganon's followers know of her plan and are pursuing the princess. Upon hearing this, Link set's out to find Zelda, and takes along a compass that will direct him to the Triforce.

Zelda is riding away from Hyrule of her horse, Storm, while being pursued by a group of Daria. She is thrown from her horse when a Deeler spooks it. As the Daria surround her, Link charges in, attacking the creatures. While he is fighting, Zelda attempts to run off, but Link quickly catches up. However, he is unable to convince her to stay, and reluctantly agrees to help her escape. He plan is to use the magic flute found within the Fifth Palace on the Island of Hyron.

Link and Zelda travel to the town of Mido to stock up on supplies before continuing their journey. They trek through a swamp, numerous caverns, and spend several days in the desert before ending up in a city of tombs. They then cross the sea, where they are attacked by a River Zora. Finally, they reach the Fifth Palace, where they are confronted by an Iron Knuckle. After a grueling battle, Link defeats his foe, knocking it's helmet off. It turns out that it is a human, and not a monster under the armor. The man explains that an old king charged him with protecting the treasures within the palace, and that he was to stop anyone who was unworthy. He tell the duo that by defeating him, they are free to take what they want.

The knight shows them a secret wall, and Link enters in to obtain the magic flute. However, when he sees it, he is tempted to destroy it and lie to Zelda, which would force her to stay forever. Link makes the decision to give the flute to Zelda, but as he says his goodbyes, Zelda confesses to him that wherever he is, is the safest place to be. Link then inquires if it is safe enough for a kiss, but she responds to him that no place is that safe.

Bonus 1
The first bonus, rather than a story, was a two-page map of Hyrule.

Bonus 2
The second bonus story was a prolouge, which covers how Link first came to Hyrule, met Impa, and fought ganon.

Issue #2
Originally released in March, 1990.

Bonus 1
The bonus in issue #2 consists of a map of the North castle. There are descriptions of some of the buildings, which often make jokes.

Issue #3
Originally released in April, 1990.

Part 1- The Power
The story begins with Link and Zelda trapped in an underground battle in Ganon's Castle as they attempt to reobtain the Magic Trophy. As a group of Iron Knuckles pursues them, Link fears for the princess' safety, he warps her out of the lair by pushing her into a Wallmaster. Link then stumbles across the Triforce of Power, which burns his hand upon contact. The Triforce remains with him, and he is able to defeat the iron Knuckles with ease. He then exits the underground lair and meets with Zelda. However, he is pursued by Ganon. The two engage in a battle, of which Link emerges the victor after using his newfound strength to heave a large rock on top of his foe.

Several of Ganon's Goriya minions offer to serve Link, as they believe that he holds more power than their master, but Link refuses. Ganon then bursts out from under the rock pile in a desperate attempt to stop Link from taking the Triforce of Power, but Link gravely wounds him. Ganon is then barely able to crawl back to a place where he can teleport back into his castle to heal. After his escape, Link gets into an argument with Zelda over the Triforce of Wisdom, in which he storms off to finish Ganon for good.

Part 2- The Price
The Price picks up where The Power left off. Following his defeat, Ganon flees to Parapa Palace, but his lust for the Triforce of Power consumes him, and is a giveaway of his location to Link. Link heads to the palace, and is greeted outside by the same group of Goriya that had offered to serve him. This time, he accepts their aid. He dons a robe similar in likeness to that of Ganon's, and feels that Ganon, who is watching him through a mirror, is close bye.

Princess Zelda seeks advice from the Triforce of Wisdom about Link's actions, and follows his trail to the palace. There, she is taken into captivity by Darknut Prime. At that moment, Ganon teleports to Link's location, where they engage in a short battle. Ganon attempts to reclaim the Triforce of Power, but the Triforce chooses to remain with Link.

Desperate, Ganon uses his last piece of leverage: Zelda. Darknut Prime brings her into the throne room, and Ganon threatens to kill her. Link plays what Ganon thinks to be a bluff, and says that she means nothing to him. Ganon orders his minion to kill her, but Darknut refuses to, and states that he has only one master. Enraged, Ganon attempts to use a spell on Zelda, but it is blocked by Link, who then casts him into a cage hanging over a bottomless pit.

Overjoyed, Zelda approaches Link, but Link demands that she turn over the Triforce of Wisdom which she brought along. When she refuses, and tells Link that she loves him, he attacks her, only to find that the Triforce of Courage has left him, and is protecting her. Zelda then reveals to Link what he has become, and that he has even taken on a physical likeness to that Ganon. He then realizes what the price of that power is, and chooses to throw to Triforce of Power into the bottomless pit, although he is aware that doing so will end his own life. Due to Link's loss of power, the cage that was holding Ganon disappears, and sends him tumbling down after the Triforce.

However, even as Link lays dying in Zelda's arms, the Triforce of Courage returns to him. He then wakes up in Hyrule Castle, virtually unharmed. When Link mentions that Zelda admitted that she loves him, she is quick to deny it.

Bonus 1
The first bonus story is titled Secrets of the Triforce, and explains the differences between the three Triforces and their bearers. It makes up one page.

Bonus 2
The second bonus story is titled Zelda's Consumer Tips, and jokingly recounts some of the times that Link has been swindled. It makes up two pages.

Issue #4
Originally released in May, 1990.

Bonus 1
The first bonus was titled Impa's Info. In it, Impa attempts to explain to Link the importance of looking at past heroes and their mistakes, but Link disregards her as he daydreams about battling monsters.

Bonus 2
The second bonus was titled The Adventurer Link. It was comprised of a few panels detailing Link's past. It explains how he left home and acquired his arsenal of weapons, and also mentions his great amount of courage.

Issue #5
Originally released in June, 1990.

Bonus 1
Issue five's bonus story is titled Ambrosia Lite. It's a humourous advertisement for a drink called Ambrosia Lite, which appears to be a Calatia special.

Nintendo Comics Zelda Issue
Originally released in August, 1991. This was part of the Nintendo Comics System line, rather than the Legend of Zelda line.

Bonus 1
The first bonus story is titled The Perfect Date 1. It covers a rather disasterous date that Link and Zelda went on.

Bonus 2
The second bonus story is titled The Perfect Date 2, and it pickes up where the first one left off. This date also turns out with unexpected events, as Link engages in a bar fight. After returning home, Impa inquires as to why Link and Zelda even bother to go out at all, to which they reply that it's because they have so much in common.