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Ron's avatar

The classic covers and Empire of Grass are my favorites. Random House made a bad, bad decision to not allow Michael Whelan to continue the beautiful cover art.

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Mark S's avatar

Out of curiosity, how big are the three sword paintings?

I never noticed the colors in Sorrow's blade. Love it, just not as apparent on the spine of the book with the title covering it. (Probably also never noticed it because I have older editions of the books).

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Michael Whelan's avatar

They were 12" x 18" as I recall

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Mark S's avatar

Thanks!

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Michael Everett's avatar

I don't have the dimensions listed anywhere in my notes. I'm checking with Michael and will get back to you on that.

In the original illustrations, the swords were part of the dustjacket art. Where the blade was covered on the spine was actually how Michael painted it. We get a better look at the blades in the new paintings and there were definite changes, but there is color on Sorrow in the original design...just not quite as obvious in the newer painting.

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Jennifer's avatar

As a long time devotee of Tad Williams, I too was gutted when discovering Michael Whelan would not be finishing the covers. What a *stupid* decision by the publishers. I don't care what the reasons were.

That being said, I have all the covers of the first trilogy framed and hung in my house. Absolutely stunning works.

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