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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: The Eye of the World Graphic Novels

Written by Melissa Ann Singer, Senior Editor

There are always risks to be taken when a work is adapted from one form to another. That’s true whether you’re talking about the novelization of a film, turning a fictional card game into the real thing, or creating a graphic version of a story that was previously told only in words.

I’m guessing that everyone has played the casting game with The Eye of the World—in the movie or TV series, who would play Rand? Moiraine Aes Sedai? What stars would make guest appearances as Elyas or Thom Merrilin? Beyond that, I’m sure everyone has a personal mental image of what Robert Jordan’s characters and world look like—the books are quite visually evocative.

How challenging it must have been when the creative team began to draw that world and those characters—images that would first have to satisfy Robert Jordan himself (and later, Maria, Alan, and Harriet) and then please readers. To illustrate the great battles as well as Rand’s dreams and visions; the dark city of Shadar Logoth and the bustle of Caemlyn; the journey downriver to Whitebridge and the long ride to Tar Valon.

The artists who have worked on The Eye of the World: the Graphic Novel have risen splendidly to that challenge. Chase Conley’s striking page layouts; Jeremy Saliba’s fluid line-work; Andie Tong’s masterful use of shadow and contrast; Nicolas Chapuis’s brilliant color choices . . . their work, and the work of Francis Nuguit and Marcio Fiorito, have brought Jordan’s characters vividly and dramatically to life.

Matching these talents is a prodigiously gifted writer, Chuck Dixon, who faced a monumental task: to boil down thousands of Jordan’s words into the bits of dialog, thought balloons, and captions that would fit onto a standard comic-book-sized page. To figure out how to break the novel into 22-page bits (since the graphic adaptation first appeared in comic book form) and how to pace those 22-page bits so that they could be gathered into bigger chunks that would each have something resembling a beginning, a middle, and an end (as we turned them into graphic novels).

That’s not easy, and we’re very lucky to have Dixon to do it; he’s a master of the form.

It’s been a wonderful ride so far, one that’s expanded my inner vision of the world of The Wheel of Time. I’m almost sorry that we’re halfway through with the graphic novels because watching Dixon and the artists solve the puzzle of creating the adaptation has been so amazing, but at the same time, I can’t wait to see how they handle the climax of the story.

We are grateful to the Dabels, who began the process of bringing The Wheel of Time to life in graphic form, and to everyone at Dynamite, who have been just splendid to work with.

…………………………

From the Tor/Forge January Wheel of Time newsletter. Sign up to receive our newsletter via email.

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More from the January Wheel of Time Tor/Forge newsletter:

• Reading the Final Scene of The Wheel of Time by Brandon Sanderson
• Computers Made It Easier by Harriet McDougal
• The Wheel of Time: Legacy
• The Turning of an Age, plus… Haiku by Jason Denzel
• Channelling Saidar by Jennifer Liang
• A Memory of Light Backpack Sweepstakes

Not at New York Comic-Con Sweepstakes

Tor Books is heading to New York Comic-Con!

We hope to see many of you there. Stop by Booth #920 to say hi or to participate in one of our many events and signings.

But for those of you who couldn’t make it out to New York, we wanted to offer you the chance to grab some of the same amazing swag and books that we’re promoting at #NYCC. To enter for the chance to win one of these five prize bundles, leave a comment on this post telling us one fabulous thing that you’ll be doing this week while you are #NotAtComicCon.

Here’s a look at the prize:

And here’s a list of what’s included in each prize bundle:

• Wheel of Time backpack
• Halo patch
• Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
• The Battle of Blood and Ink written by Jared Axelrod and illustrated by Steve Walker
• The Clockwork Sky Volume One by Madeleine Rosca
• Dead Space: Martyr by Brian Evenson
• Earthseed by Pamela Sargent
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
• The Eye of the World: Graphic Novel: Volume 2 Based on the novel by Robert Jordan, written by Chuck Dixon, illustrated by Andie Tong
• For the Win by Cory Doctorow
• Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
• The Gift of Fire/On the Head of a Pin by Walter Mosley
• Green by Jay Lake
• Halo: Cryptum by Greg Bear
• Halo: Glasslands by Karen Traviss
• Hellhole by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
• Inside Straight edited by George R.R. Martin
• Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero written and illustrated by Fred Chao
• Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber
• Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
• The Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind
• Only Superhuman by Christopher L. Bennett
• Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
• Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone
• The Way of the Kings by Brandon Sanderson

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. You must be 18 or older and a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. to enter. Promotion begins October 11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET. and ends October 15, 2012, 12:00 p.m. ET. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules go here. Sponsor: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

Graphic Novel Collection Sweepstakes

Sign up for the Tor/Forge Newsletter for a chance to win the following collection:

About our newsletter: Every issue of Tor’s monthly email newsletter features original writing by, and interviews with, Tor authors and editors about upcoming new titles from all Tor and Forge imprints. In addition, we occasionally send out “special edition” newsletters to highlight particularly exciting new projects, programs, or events.

If you’re already a newsletter subscriber, you can enter too. We do not automatically enter subscribers into sweepstakes. We promise we won’t send you duplicate copies of the newsletter if you sign up for the newsletter more than once.

Sign up for your chance to win today!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. You must be 18 or older and a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. to enter. Promotion begins September 1, 2012 at 12 a.m. ET. and ends September 30, 2012, 11:59 p.m. ET. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited by law. For Official Rules and to enter, go here. Sponsor: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

Goodreads Giveaway: The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel Volume 1

Enter for a chance to win a copy on Goodreads!

About The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel Volume One: With the full cooperation of the Jordan estate,The Eye of the World has been turned into a stunning comic book series written by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by Chase Conley. The first Robert Jordan graphic novel, New Spring: the Graphic Novel, was a New York Times bestseller.

The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel, Volume One begins Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy tale by introducing Rand al’Thor and his friends Matrim and Perrin at the spring festival. Moiraine Damodred and Lan Mandragoran appear, and almost before Rand knows it, he and his friends are fleeing his home village with Moiraine, Lan, and Egwene al’Vere, the innkeeper’s daughter, who wishes to become an Aes Sedai. The conclusion of this volume leaves the travelers on the road to Baerlon, barely ahead of the pursuing Trollocs and Draghkar. As they run for their lives, Moiraine and Lan begin to teach the young people what they need to know to survive in this dangerous world.

Enter for a chance to win here!

(Ends September 21)

Also, don’t forget to check out our other sweepstakes!

Goodreads Giveaway: The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel Volume 2

Enter for a chance to win a copy on Goodreads!

About The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel Volume Two: In The Eye of the World: the Graphic Novel, Volume Two, scripted by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by Andie Tong, Rand al’Thor, Egwene al’Vere, and their friends flee their home village in the company of Moiraine and her Warder, Lan Mandragoran. Pursued by their enemies, the group seeks sanctuary in Baerlon. Rand’s nightmares grow darker. Moiraine takes Egwene under her wing. Lan warns them to trust no one, but should that distrust extend to Lan and Moiraine as well?  

The Eye of the World: the Graphic Novel, Volume Two, collects six issues ofRobert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World comic book published by Dynamite Entertainment. This book will feature bonus material that gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a graphic novel.

Enter for a chance to win here!

(Ends August 23)

Also, don’t forget to check out our other sweepstakes!

Goodreads Giveaway: The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel Volume 1

Enter for a chance to win a copy on Goodreads!

About The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel Volume One: With the full cooperation of the Jordan estate,The Eye of the World has been turned into a stunning comic book series written by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by Chase Conley. The first Robert Jordan graphic novel, New Spring: the Graphic Novel, was a New York Times bestseller.

The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel, Volume One begins Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy tale by introducing Rand al’Thor and his friends Matrim and Perrin at the spring festival. Moiraine Damodred and Lan Mandragoran appear, and almost before Rand knows it, he and his friends are fleeing his home village with Moiraine, Lan, and Egwene al’Vere, the innkeeper’s daughter, who wishes to become an Aes Sedai. The conclusion of this volume leaves the travelers on the road to Baerlon, barely ahead of the pursuing Trollocs and Draghkar. As they run for their lives, Moiraine and Lan begin to teach the young people what they need to know to survive in this dangerous world.

Enter for a chance to win here!

(Ends August 8)

Also, don’t forget to check out our other sweepstakes!

Not at San Diego Comic-Con Sweepstakes

Tor Books is heading to San Diego Comic-Con!

We hope to see many of you there. Stop by Booth #2707 to say hi or to participate in one of our many events and signings.

But for those of you who couldn’t make it out to California, we wanted to offer you the chance to grab some of the same amazing swag and books that we’re promoting at #SDCC. To enter for the chance to win one of these five prize bundles, leave a comment on this post telling us one fabulous thing that you’ll be doing this week while you are #NotAtComicCon. Whether you’re fighting a clone army, rescuing damsels in distress (or princelings in peril), zipping across galaxies at light speed, or just conquering your laundry pile, we hope that you have a great week.

Here’s a look at the prize:

And here’s a list of what’s included in each prize bundle:

• Wheel of Time backpack
• Signed copy of Redshirts by John Scalzi
• Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
• The Battle of Blood and Ink written by Jared Axelrod and illustrated by Steve Walker
• Dark Companion by Marta Acosta
• Existence by David Brin
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
• The Eye of the World: Graphic Novel: Volume 2 Based on the novel by Robert Jordan, written by Chuck Dixon, illustrated by Andie Tong
• Eyes to See by Joseph Nassise
• Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
• Girl Genius Omnibus Volume 1 by Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio
• Halo: Cryptum by Greg Bear
• Halo: Glasslands by Karen Traviss
• Inside Straight edited by George R.R. Martin
• Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero written and illustrated by Fred Chao
• Laddertop: Volume 1 written by Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card Art by Honoel A. Ibardolaza
• Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber
• The Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind
• Passion Play by Beth Bernobich
• Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
• The Way of the Kings by Brandon Sanderson

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. You must be 18 or older and a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. to enter. Promotion begins July 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET. and ends July 16, 2012, 12:00 p.m. ET. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules go here. Sponsor: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

Goodreads Giveaway: The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel Volume 2

Enter for a chance to win a copy on Goodreads!

About The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel Volume Two: In The Eye of the World: the Graphic Novel, Volume Two, scripted by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by Andie Tong, Rand al’Thor, Egwene al’Vere, and their friends flee their home village in the company of Moiraine and her Warder, Lan Mandragoran. Pursued by their enemies, the group seeks sanctuary in Baerlon. Rand’s nightmares grow darker. Moiraine takes Egwene under her wing. Lan warns them to trust no one, but should that distrust extend to Lan and Moiraine as well?  

The Eye of the World: the Graphic Novel, Volume Two, collects six issues ofRobert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World comic book published by Dynamite Entertainment. This book will feature bonus material that gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a graphic novel.

Enter for a chance to win here!

(Ends July 13)

Also, don’t forget to check out our other sweepstakes!