Restrictions on Access

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Charles Vess Papers, Collection Number M 374, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.

Biographical Note

Charles Vess is a respected fantasy art and comic-book illustrator whose work is within the realm of myths and fairy tales. He has won several awards, including Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for his work on The Book of Ballads and Sagas, Neil Gaiman's Sandman, and Jeff Smith's Rose. In 1999, he was awarded the World Fantasy Award as Best Artist for his 175 paintings for Gaiman's novel Stardust. Vess was born in Lynchburg, VA, and began drawing as a child. He went on to earn a BFA in Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1974, and his first professional position was as a commercial animator for Candy Apple Productions in Richmond, VA. He later moved to New York City, did freelance for Heavy Metal Magazine, Klutz Press, and National Lampoon, and published The Horns of Elfland. In the 1980s, his career in fantasy comic art emerged with the publishing of Marvel Comics' The Raven Banner: A Tale of Asgard, "The Warriors Three Saga" in Marvel Fanfare, and Dark Horse Comics' Book of Night. In the 1990s, his notable mainstream work included the one-shot Spider-Man: Spirits of Earth and a 10-issue run as the cover artist for DC's The Swamp Thing. He also illustrated the official comic book adaptation of Steven Spielberg's Hook. During the early 1990s, Vess began self-publishing through his own Green Man Press studio. As an illustrator, Vess is well-known for his collaborations and other commissioned work, most notably with Neil Gaiman (Books of Magic, Sandman, Stardust, and Blueberry Girl), Terry Windling and Ellen Datlow (The Green Man, The Faery Reel, and The Coyote Road), Charles de Lint (Seven Wild Sisters, A Circle of Cats, Moonheart, and Medicine Road), and George R.R. Martin (A Storm of Swords). VCU Libraries' Special Collections and Archives received these titles as a part of the donation from Charles Vess.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains original artwork, correspondence, and periodicals. Graphic novels and comic books, many signed by Vess, are also available in Special Collections.

Arrangement

Materials are organized into three series--Artwork, Correspondence, and Journals. Each series is in alphabetical order, then chronologically therein.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Illustrators -- Virginia
• Vess, Charles -- Archives
• Virginia Commonwealth University -- Alumni and alumnae -- Archives