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Once and Future Kings: The Return of King Arthur in the Comics

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Adapting the Arthurian Legends for Children

Part of the book series: Studies in Arthurian and Courtly Cultures ((SACC))

Abstract

The idea of the return of King Arthur has been an important element of the legend since the Middle Ages, and creative artists have represented Arthur as a Once and Future King in an unprecedented number of works during the twentieth century, an era that Valerie M. Lagorio described as “witnessing an Arthurian renascence even greater than that of the Victorian Age.”1 Over the past one hundred years, Arthur has adopted various forms, guises, and even genders to effect his return in modern works, including fiction, poetry, drama, film, television, radio, and folklore. In particular, the comics medium—both the comic book and the comic strip—has employed the enduring motif of Arthur’s return to create innovative approaches to the legend. This essay will focus on one particular aspect of Arthur’s fictional restoration in the comics by exploring his return through reenactment.

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Authors
  1. Michael A. Torregrossa
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Editor information

Barbara Tepa Lupack

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© 2004 Barbara Tepa Lupack

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Torregrossa, M.A. (2004). Once and Future Kings: The Return of King Arthur in the Comics. In: Lupack, B.T. (eds) Adapting the Arthurian Legends for Children. Studies in Arthurian and Courtly Cultures. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403982483_11

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