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The Jester
WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH?
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap…and what happens to them is no joke. When Riyria is hired to retrieve a jester’s treasure, Royce and Hadrian must match wits with a dwarf who proves to be anything but a fool. Difficult choices will need to be made, and in the end those who laugh last do so because they are the only ones to survive.
This is a graphic novel, based on Sullivan's short story The Jester, and featuring the two charming rogues who are the main characters of both of his Riyria series, No prior knowledge of The Riyria Revelations or The Riyria Chronicles is required to enjoy it to its fullest, making this a perfect introduction for new readers or a chance for Riyria veterans to spend a little more time with old friends. The Jester is a story of adventure, bonds of friendship, and a recognition that the choices we make dictates the future we find.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap…and what happens to them is no joke. When Riyria is hired to retrieve a jester’s treasure, Royce and Hadrian must match wits with a dwarf who proves to be anything but a fool. Difficult choices will need to be made, and in the end those who laugh last do so because they are the only ones to survive.
This is a graphic novel, based on Sullivan's short story The Jester, and featuring the two charming rogues who are the main characters of both of his Riyria series, No prior knowledge of The Riyria Revelations or The Riyria Chronicles is required to enjoy it to its fullest, making this a perfect introduction for new readers or a chance for Riyria veterans to spend a little more time with old friends. The Jester is a story of adventure, bonds of friendship, and a recognition that the choices we make dictates the future we find.
25 pages, Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 2016
1 person is currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Michael J. Sullivan
86 books95.6k followersWe are extending the dates for the Holiday Sale. Click the image to shop (a) Out of print hardcovers just $10 each (b) Soon to be out of print hardcovers and (c) Deluxe boxsets with savings up to $80 off.
I'm a New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post bestselling author with 9 Goodreads Choice Award Nominations and 6 Amazon Editor's Picks.
My current released books:
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Coming to Kickstarter in April 2026
New short stories by: Brandon Sanderson • J.A. Andrews • Bradley P. Beaulieu • Carol Berg • Peter V. Brett • Terry Brooks • Jim Butcher • Delilah S. Dawson • Matt Dinniman • Kate Elliott • Kevin Hearne • Jessica Day George • Lev Grossman • Nancy Kress • Mark Lawrence • Scott Lynch • Jonathan Maberry •Seanan McQuire • Brandon Mull • Peter Orullian • Christopher Paolini • Kat Richardson • Christopher Ruocchio • Anthony Ryan • R.A. Salvatore • Scott Sigler • Shawn Speakman • Michael J. Sullivan • Carrie Vaughn • Brent Weeks • Tad Williams • Janny Wurts
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —
Indie Author: A documentary for those wo dare to dream is now FREE on YOUTUBE!
It features myself, Andy Wier, Will Wight, Travis Baldree, and many more.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —
I first opened the door to my imagination with typewriter keys while playing hide and seek and finding a black behemoth when I just ten years old. Serious writing started in my twenties, but after more than a decade trying to publish (and getting nowhere), I quit altogether. I returned to writing in 2004, and published my first novel with a small press in 2008. If you had told me that I'd be a New York Times Bestselling author, have 85+ novels translated into 13 languages, and sold more than 2 million copies, I never would have believed you!
I'm a New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post bestselling author with 9 Goodreads Choice Award Nominations and 6 Amazon Editor's Picks.
My current released books:
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —
Coming to Kickstarter in April 2026
New short stories by: Brandon Sanderson • J.A. Andrews • Bradley P. Beaulieu • Carol Berg • Peter V. Brett • Terry Brooks • Jim Butcher • Delilah S. Dawson • Matt Dinniman • Kate Elliott • Kevin Hearne • Jessica Day George • Lev Grossman • Nancy Kress • Mark Lawrence • Scott Lynch • Jonathan Maberry •Seanan McQuire • Brandon Mull • Peter Orullian • Christopher Paolini • Kat Richardson • Christopher Ruocchio • Anthony Ryan • R.A. Salvatore • Scott Sigler • Shawn Speakman • Michael J. Sullivan • Carrie Vaughn • Brent Weeks • Tad Williams • Janny Wurts
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —
Indie Author: A documentary for those wo dare to dream is now FREE on YOUTUBE!
It features myself, Andy Wier, Will Wight, Travis Baldree, and many more.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —
I first opened the door to my imagination with typewriter keys while playing hide and seek and finding a black behemoth when I just ten years old. Serious writing started in my twenties, but after more than a decade trying to publish (and getting nowhere), I quit altogether. I returned to writing in 2004, and published my first novel with a small press in 2008. If you had told me that I'd be a New York Times Bestselling author, have 85+ novels translated into 13 languages, and sold more than 2 million copies, I never would have believed you!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 5, 2016
A fun little short (really short) story with some beautiful art. For fans of Riyria this is a nice bonus.
November 1, 2017
A fun little adaptation of Sullivan’s short Riyria story of the same name, with good artwork, but I preferred the original prose version. It already lacked detail - by design - so in this comic book version, one barely has any idea what’s going on, even with images to help.
Verdict: this is definitely for existing fans, and won’t make for any new ones.
Verdict: this is definitely for existing fans, and won’t make for any new ones.
December 1, 2016
AMAZING!!!!!
November 16, 2017
Comic adaptation of the short story The Jester.
Loved it, love the characters, the story, the writing and the art.
Good stuff
Loved it, love the characters, the story, the writing and the art.
Good stuff
January 1, 2026
Jester is a fantastic graphic novel and a perfect example of why Michael J. Sullivan is such a great storyteller. I’ve read his novels, reread them, and loved them in every form, but seeing this story brought to life visually was a real treat. The heart of the story is still there, and it shines just as strongly in this format.
As someone who loves graphic novels and spends a lot of time drawing, sketching, and learning the art of cartooning, I really appreciated how well this adaptation works. The pacing, expressions, and visual storytelling all fit the tone of the story, and it feels like a natural translation rather than a watered-down version.
The characters come through clearly, the humor lands, and the emotional beats still hit. That is not easy to do in a graphic novel, especially when adapting a story from a larger world, but Jester pulls it off beautifully.
This was an excellent version of the Jester story, and I genuinely loved it. Whether you’re already a fan of Sullivan’s work or just enjoy well-crafted graphic novels, this one is absolutely worth your time.
As someone who loves graphic novels and spends a lot of time drawing, sketching, and learning the art of cartooning, I really appreciated how well this adaptation works. The pacing, expressions, and visual storytelling all fit the tone of the story, and it feels like a natural translation rather than a watered-down version.
The characters come through clearly, the humor lands, and the emotional beats still hit. That is not easy to do in a graphic novel, especially when adapting a story from a larger world, but Jester pulls it off beautifully.
This was an excellent version of the Jester story, and I genuinely loved it. Whether you’re already a fan of Sullivan’s work or just enjoy well-crafted graphic novels, this one is absolutely worth your time.
April 13, 2024
This is such great adaptation! Great for fans of Riyria!
April 22, 2025
The book that sent me down the rabbit hole of the world of Elan.
July 28, 2022
I read this in the anthology "Unfettered".
The story begins in the middle of the action. Hadrian and Royce have been hired to help a wealthy candle maker find a treasure. The map she has is incomplete though, so they have to take along the pig farmer who has the last piece. When we meet everyone they have already been searching for days. During that period they have been attacked repeatedly. It’s a nice adventure with good dialogue. The story is part of the “Riyria” books that have multiple series.
The story begins in the middle of the action. Hadrian and Royce have been hired to help a wealthy candle maker find a treasure. The map she has is incomplete though, so they have to take along the pig farmer who has the last piece. When we meet everyone they have already been searching for days. During that period they have been attacked repeatedly. It’s a nice adventure with good dialogue. The story is part of the “Riyria” books that have multiple series.
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November 8, 2017I got this for free as part of the reward for donating to the kickstarter for The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter. I read the short story of this one awhile back, it's a pretty quick read, just wish there was more to the story.
October 23, 2018
The short story, The Jester, was the first book by Michael J. Sullivan I read. It introduced me to Hadrian and Royce, the Riyira and Michael's wonderful books.
So when I saw that they made a comic about it... well, I just had to have it.
So when I saw that they made a comic about it... well, I just had to have it.
February 22, 2017
Really enjoyed this edition of The Jester! Great artwork. Looking forward to getting Dulgath in my hands.
May 18, 2017
Loved the artwork for this and it is one of my favorite short stories featuring Ryria.
December 6, 2018
Graphics were cool but it was too short to meet my Riyria expectations
October 30, 2019
Ok. I imagine the story looking different than this, but this is fine.
November 13, 2020
Enjoy all his books....outstanding!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews