This one’s gonna tug at the heart strings of any old school Nintendo Power fans!
Over 20 years since the original printing of Manga master Shotaro Ishinomori’s ‘The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past’ manga adaptation, Viz Media is returning the graphic novel to life. I remember these pages in their original forms, as syndicated entries in Nintendo Power magazine, and completely missed the collected edition published in 1993. Now, for the first time, I can hold it in my hands!
As the press release states:
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, is proud to announce the return of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST for the first time in more than two decades. The celebrated full-color graphic novel adaptation of the classic Nintendo game returns in a special single-volume edition scheduled for May release under the company’s Perfect Square imprint.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST is a unique adaptation of the internationally bestselling video game originally released for Nintendo’s Super Nintendo Entertainment System™. This comic book version by manga and anime legend Shotaro Ishinomori (Cyborg 009, Kamen Rider) was first serialized in Nintendo Power™ magazine and later collected into a graphic novel in 1993. Long out of print, this stunning, full-color graphic novel is now available once again for the first time in more than twenty years!
“THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST is such a rare book, showcasing world-famous manga creator Shotaro Ishinomori’s incredible art with the classic Nintendo story of Link and his quest to save Princess Zelda against all odds. We are honored and excited to make the publication available once again to North American readers from the Perfect Square library,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, Perfect Square. “Many older fans recall eagerly awaiting each new issue of Nintendo Power magazine back in the ‘90s for a new monthly chapter of A LINK TO THE PAST. While it followed the overall story arc of the original Super Entertainment System game, creatorIshinomori also added new plot twists and characters that made this a stand-alone favorite among multiple generations of fans. Readers of all ages will be captivated by this timeless story and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy this long-out-of-print book!”
Shotaro Ishinomori was one of Japan’s most prolific and revered comic book creators. Among his most popular works are Cyborg 009, Kamen Rider and Hotel. In 2008, Guinness World Records named Ishinomori the world record holder for the “most comics published by one author” for creating more than 770 stories collected in a total of 500 volumes of manga. The Ishinomori Manga Museum in Japan is dedicated to his works and legacy.
I’m pretty excited to take a look. VIZ does some pretty fantastic reprint work and for new or old fans alike, this is a classic that you sure don’t want to miss the second (or third) time around!