The wheel turns, which means it’s time for “So You Want To Read Comics”.  This is our weekly feature where we take a look at a single topic or genre, then give you two comic book recommendations, perfect for new readers, based on that topic or genre.  This week we’re taking a look at Robert Jordan’s celebrated fantasy series, The Wheel of Time.

The Wheel of Time is a fantasy series that was begun by Robert Jordan.  The first book was published in 1990 and would go on to span 14 books.  Fun fact: if you listen to the audiobook versions of all the books back to back, it would take over 19 days to listen to the series in its entirety. Unfortunately, Robert Jordan passed before the completion of his story, but it was eventually finished when Brandon Sanderson was tapped to close it out. The series is set 3000 years after an evil entity nearly destroyed the world.  These events made it so women were the only ones able to wield magic without serious consequences.  A prophecy stating a final massive battle between the light and dark sets the events of the books into motion, as both sides seek out a person who could swing the tides in their favor.  Fans of the series praise the excruciating detail that Jordan went into when building his world and for the large cast of compelling and complicated characters.  The series has gone on to be one of the best-selling fantasy series of all time and has served as the basis for a recent TV adaptation.

So, if you count yourself among the countless number of fans of this series, and you were thinking about picking up some comics, maybe start with these.

THE EYE OF THE WORLD – THE GRAPHIC NOVEL

Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Chase Conley
Publisher: Tor Books

So, it probably shouldn’t be much of a surprise, considering the popularity of The Wheel of Time, that there’s already a comic book adaptation out there.  This series is helmed by comic book veteran Chuck Dixon who remains mostly faithful to the source material while still adding his own little touches.  Where this series really shines is in how it visually conveys the rich world that Robert Jordan had originally created.  It’s clear that the creative team truly took their cues from the source material.  References to minor details in the original novels are everywhere in this comic series, both obvious and subtle.  Of course, some things did have to be cut in order to avoid having a 10,000-page graphic novel, what’s created here feels like an expedient version of the story as opposed to a truncated version.  There are six volumes that cover the events of the entirety of The Eye of The World.

Y: THE LAST MAN

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Pia Guerra
Publisher: DC Comics

What? Dystopian fiction being suggested to fans of epic high fantasy? Stick with me here.  One of the key elements in the world of Wheel of Time, perhaps the television show more so than the original books, is the dynamic between the sexes.  In The Wheel of Time, males are unable to use magic, which means that a massive amount of power and societal sway rests solely in the hands of females.  In Y: The Last Man, a mysterious event has eliminated all men from the world, with the exception of one, a guy named Yorick.  The series follows him as he comes to learn about a world inhabited and controlled solely by women, and tries to exist as an endangered species.  What this series excels at is showing things that are both familiar to what we know, but also completely unfamiliar.  This series makes it exciting to see the concept of femininity in places where it has unfortunately been excluded from in our world. So, much like how a defining characteristic of The Wheel of Time is questioning gender roles in fantasy, so does Y: The Last Man for comic books.

What’s your favorite book from The Wheel of Time?  What did you think of these recommendations?  Let us know in the comments section below.

---

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.