Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Book of Ballads, illustrated by Charles Vess


Fantasy and comic book illustrator Charles Vess brings to life thirteen ballads through pictures. Set out in sequential-art form, this delightful and daring book will captivate comic book, art and folk music fans alike.

With the help of many fantasy authors, such as Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, Charles de Lint, Vess’ elegant art gives weight and background to the musical tales adding elements not in the originals as each author expresses their ballad with their own personal style.

Here songs and folktales of England, Ireland and Scotland made popular by groups and singers as Steeleye Span and Loreena McKennitt are represented in black and white with the original ballads follows each author’s interpretation.

See the hard-hearted Barbara Allen, discover the ugly Alison Gross, admire the brave and sexy Sovay and marvel at Vess’ skill to pull them all together into this marvelous book of ballads!