Book Review by: Sharon Powers.
I finished reading Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World on May 28, 2010--just over four years, ago. In the months that followed reading The Eye of the World, I read all the (then available) books in the series. I, like so many others, had fallen in love with the characters in the series of The Wheel of Time.
And then, the graphic novels appeared, of course, beginning at the beginning, New Spring. And then, The Eye of the World: The Wheel of Time, The Graphic Novel. I began reading these, too. I completed volumes one, two three, and now, I have finished volume four, the one I am reviewing, here, today.
A graphic novel is, in form, a bound book with material similar to full novels. They can be hardcover or card stock and include topics of fiction and non-fiction, or even such things as anthologies or collections.
The graphic novel is distinguished from comics or comic books even though the bulk of the material consists of art work. Comic books are printed on inexpensive bulk paper and graphic novels are printed on much higher quality of paper. Some are truly beautiful with glossy pages and beautiful illustrations. Moreover, comics contain advertising whereas graphic novels do not. Also, graphic novels invariably contain a story line that has a beginning, middle, and end; comic books tend to be episodic in nature. Comic books are much, much, shorter than graphic novels (some graphic novels I've seen approach 150 pages--an average seems to be around 100 pages.
I mention these attributes to graphic novels because some purported-to-be graphic novels are nothing more than a few comics put together with a card stock cover. It is so disappointing when a title is described and billed as a graphic novel and you spend your money expecting to get a graphic novel, but end up with a glorified comic book. (See the Thor: The Dark World Prelude, A Graphic Novel by Marvel Comics). Now, let's take a look at The Eye of the World, Volume three, Graphic Novel to see how it stands up under scrutiny.
This book has absolutely no advertising of any sort, anywhere in the book; so that's very good. The artwork is by Andie Tong, Lettered by Bill Tortolini, colors by Nicholas Chapuis, and is adapted by Chuck Dixon. The book is published by Tor (Tom Doherty Associates, LLC).
The book is a full hardcover book with a full-color, glossy, dustcover. The images are beautifully rendered and colored and the art is on glossy paper that is, indeed, beautiful to look at. Additionally, it has 176 pages; it is in the English Language, the ISBN 978-0-7653-3631-6.
The story is adapted by Chuck Dixon, and it is clear that the story is adapted from The Wheel of Time Series, The Eye of the World(the novel). Remembering that it is a graphic novel, we know that not everything can be included from a full size book is 753 pages, distilling the book down to 176 pages of art and dialog, it seems that the adapter did a more-than-adequate job, he did a great job. The requirement of having a complete story arc is met: the story follows Jordan's book plot with a beginning, middle, and end.
The book's glossy pages, beautiful art, colors, and design, exciting story arc, and well-constructed features make this one of the finest examples of graphic novel I have ever had the pleasure to read and review. I rate this beautiful book 5 stars out of 5. Thank you for taking time today to read my review. Sincerely, Sharon Powers.