The Legend of Zelda might have started off as a Nintendo game (in 1986), but since then it has grown quickly and exponentially and later on developed into an animated TV show, several print adaptations, and even more video games.
Of the printed variety, the Mangas are the most popular, the ones that are widely known. But back in the early '90s, there was also a comic book series that was set around Link and Princess Zelda's adventures. Published by Valiant Comics, The Legend of Zelda was a short-lived exercise that didn't even reach 10 full issues, but still, it was enough to quench the thirst of fans who wanted to know more about Zelda and Link.
10 The Issues Had Bonus Stories
Every Valiant issue was made up of two chapters, each of which was ten pages long. But that wasn't the full extent of the issues—there were two bonus sections as well!
In issue 1, the first bonus was not a story with plot and characters but a map with towns and villages. The place it showcased was Hyrule. It had both iterations of the overworlds—The Legend of Zelda at the bottom and The Adventure of Link at the top. And then there was the second bonus, which set a bit of backstory and showed how Link first interacted with Impa and had a fight with Ganon, and then decided to stay on in Hyrule.
9 Stories And Chapters Were Moved Around
Despite having been published on paper, the Valiant version of The Legend of Zelda was not set in stone. There were times when the order of stories was moved around, from one issue to another, and other times when stories thought to be on the verge of being published, were rejected at a crucial moment.
Issue 1, for example, contained "Missing in Action" and "Trust Me" in 1990, but for its second run the "Trust Me" was moved to issue 2 while "Missing in Action" stayed on in the first issue. Of the rejected stories, "The Fortress" was about Link looking for a healer in a fortress; "Kiss Me, Princess!" was about Link undertaking a task to win a kiss from Zelda in the end; "Point of View and Another Point of View" was about an uncontrollable spell; and "Small Problem" was about Zelda getting shrunk by Ganon.
8 Link’s Appearance Was Based On The First Game
While the storyline and the general outlook favored the animated show, which was being aired around the same time that the Valiant comics were being published, Link's appearance was based more on the original video game by Nintendo.
In all his many avatars—in the games, the show, and the Manga—Link has gone through many makeovers. Sometimes his hair is blond, other times it's light brown. His eye color oscillates as well, from brown to blue. But when he first burst into the scene, Link was a young boy with red hair and chocolate-brown eyes—and that's what the Valiant version of Link looks like as well.
7 Comics Introduced A New Character
Often, within the context of a large franchise, there are characters that exist in only one medium and never really get out of it. Daryl from The Walking Dead is one example. Even though his character wasn't there in the comics, he went on to become an iconic individual on the show.
Unlike Daryl, Captain Krin isn't a major character. But in the Valiant comics version of The Legend of Zelda, he plays an important role as the Captain of the Guard of North Castle. A staunch defender of Zelda and the palace, Krin is always ready to face danger in order to protect the princess.
6 Zelda And Link Are Quite Affectionate
In the last Zelda issue produced by Valiant, we see the princess going for a date with Link. Although it ends on a chaotic note, it does show that the princess does have some feelings for the young soldier.
In fact, throughout the comics, Zelda is a lot more receptive to Link's affections. In issue 3, on page 6, she actually says, "Because you LOVE me... and I love YOU," to Link. And while the trope of Link asking for a kiss from her is repeated here as well, Zelda's actions—it's quite clear—come from a place of love.
5 Zelda Rescues Link From A Wizzrobe
In "To the First Power," Zelda gets fed up with Ganon's nefarious plots to steal the Triforce from her (and also defeat her), so she decides to go to a land far, far away where the villain would not be able to capture her. In the middle of this plan, though, she realizes she's safest with Link and requests him to teach her how to defend herself. As a part of her training then, she heads inside the Eagle Labyrinth, to fight and gain experience against Ganon's lot.
When she finally gets out, she comes across the surprising sight of Link being set in a trap by a Wizzrobe. Still, she doesn't shirk from the challenge and is successful in defeating the Wizzrobe and saving Link.
4 Issue Six Was Published Separately
There's a bit of mystery regarding issues 6 and 7, and whether one of them is missing or not. But the fact of the matter is that there were only six issues of The Legend of Zelda produced by Valiant Comics. There was no seventh such attempt.
The confusion arises because, after publishing issues 1 to 5 under the standalone Zelda series, Valiant decided to print the sixth story under the Nintendo Comics System brand, which had already published 6 issues and was due to print the seventh one—the issue that the Zelda story came to be a part of. Essentially, it was a matter of two different numbering systems, but since the two digits were so close together, it led to the myth of the missing sixth issue.
3 The Comics Indulged In A Bit Of "Product Placement"
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the Valiant Comics is the presence of a brew called Ambrosia Lite. It doesn't have any magical powers, nor does it play a huge role in any of the storylines, but still it finds a way to steal attention in two issues.
In what almost feels like product placement, there is even an ad for it that proclaims it's meant for warriors, readers are told that it's a favorite drink of Link's and that it is made and manufactured on his parents' property, Arn and Medilia's. We first see it in issue 5, in a bonus story that is titled "Ambrosia Lite" and then we see it in the last issue, where Zelda and Link go on a date.
2 Everyone Hates Link In Issue Five
Link has the misfortune of starting issue 5 by getting a swift punch to his face, with the bearer of the said punch being no one other than his own father. Prior to that, Link had been quite happy to meet his parents, Arn and Medilia, in Calatia. But then his parents opened the door to Link, his father hit him, and then threw him out by proclaiming he was not his son.
Everywhere he goes in his homeland, he is faced with the same derision and coldness. He doesn't have any idea what could have happened, not until he realizes this is all a ploy by Shadow Link and Thunderbird.
1 Bagu Steals The Triforce From Zelda
Former resident of the Moruge Forest, Bagu now lives with the princess in the North Palace in issue 4. It seems like a peaceful arrangement, and Zelda even trusts him, but then he robs her and runs away with her Triforce of Wisdom.
Link doesn't let go of him, though, and goes after him and catches up to him. Demanding a reason for his dastardly act, Link then comes to learn that Bagu only stole the Triforce since Ganon was holding his pet amphibians hostage and had made a deal with him to exchange the frogs for the Triforce.