Wind and Truth Cover Reveal: Michael Whelan’s Final Masterpiece for The Stormlight Archive

The final cover of Wind and Truth.

We asked Isaac Stewart, vice president of creative development at Dragonsteel, how he felt about the anticipation that came with this cover reveal. Fans have been eagerly awaiting this cover, so how does that kind of expectation and pressure work in the creative process?

“In the visual development of a world, character, or story, one of the trickiest things to find is the right balance between author vision and fan expectation,” said Stewart. “That’s what we set out to do when crafting our official versions, asking questions like: Where does Brandon’s vision of a character, for example, overlap with how fan artists are depicting that character? How do we meet fan expectations without going against how Brandon wants his world and characters being depicted?

“A lot of it has to do with the tone of the stories and creating a visual world that matches the tone. Part of it is creating visuals that can be nothing else but from out of the Stormlight Archive.

“I often ask myself this question during visual development. If we make this or that design decision, will how we present Roshar still feel like Roshar to the fans?

“In the case of Michael’s illustration for the Wind and Truth cover, I feel the balance is just right. This feels like Roshar to me. From the epic storm to the new plants that feel like they match the ecology–this is very much Roshar.”

Don’t worry—we also asked the question you all want to know. Are there any easter eggs in this cover? Whelan said: 

“He’s holding a copy of the leather-bound edition of TWoK, but that seemed too obvious for me to call it an ‘easter egg.’ 😉”

Stewart said: 

“Yes. But again, ask me this question when more people have read the book. In the meantime, I always love looking for how Michael integrates his signature into his paintings and think it’s clever how he integrated it into this one.”

So, we’ll be following up with Isaac in a few months. 👀

The Birth of a Storyteller

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

For Brandon Sanderson, this saying doesn’t quite hold up. For him, the cover of a book was often the first step in a lifelong love affair with fantasy literature.

"It's a lie," Sanderson jokes. "There's more going on behind the scenes here. Yes, bad books sometimes have good covers. And, good books have bad covers now and then. So, you can't exclusively judge a book by its cover. However, knowing the business like I do... books that the publisher expects to do well tend to get more resources for their covers. I noticed this even as a new reader. I could pick out the books that were more likely to be excellent by looking at the covers done by Michael Whelan."

The story goes like this: When he was young, Brandon had an extraordinary teacher introduce him to the book Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly, with a cover by none other than Michael Whelan. The book was a gateway into a new world, both literally and figuratively.

Art from the cover of Dragonsbane.

It was through this first encounter with fantasy novels that Sanderson became a reader. That experience led to him becoming one of the most important authors of his generation. Whelan’s cover was a window into a realm of dragons, magic, and adventure—a realm that Sanderson would eventually come to master.

From then on, Sanderson watched for Whelan’s covers in bookstores, knowing that most of the time, those would be the best books on the shelf. This early connection between a budding storyteller and a masterful artist set the stage for what would become an epic collaboration.

Developing The Stormlight Archive’s Iconic Imagery

When Sanderson’s publishers approached him about the cover for The Way of Kings, he knew exactly who he wanted for the art. There was no hesitation—Whelan was the artist who had shaped his own love for the genre, and Sanderson knew that he was the only person who could bring Roshar to life in the way he envisioned.

From Michael Whelan’s Substack, originally captioned: Feeling the Stormlight blues

The result was breathtaking. Whelan’s cover for The Way of Kings set the tone for the entire series, introducing readers to the sweeping landscapes and complex characters that have become hallmarks of the series. 

Whelan details his creative process, sharing how he translates such a vast narrative into a single, compelling image:

“Usually I’ll read the story and as the movie of the book plays in my head I’ll stop and make note of passages that seem particularly compelling or descriptive. At the end of the book, I’ll go back through my notes and sketches and try to winnow them down to the selections that seem best.

“In this case, however, due to timing and other issues, I didn’t have a copy of the whole story to absorb (though I was given some chapters that were relevant). Mostly I worked from an outline of a scene everyone thought best. But even though I knew that the image had to be of a figure standing on a platform with a storm in the background, I could visualize all sorts of ways to present the scene. 

“Generally I can’t decide between the possibilities without doing visual explorations of the different approaches I have in mind. That means I end up with anything from a host of thumbnail sketches to full size compositions in whichever media feels right at the time. Even then, at times it’s really hard for me to choose one out of a number of approaches, many of which seem equally favorable. 

“It’s really helpful at such times to have someone like Isaac [Stewart] or Ben [McSweeny] to bounce ideas off of. And, of course, I can’t forget to mention Audrey, my #1 reliable critic, fan, and beacon of encouragement!”

The Way of Kings cover art in the works. Credit to Michael Whelan.

Creating these covers involves deep collaboration between Sanderson, Whelan, and the team at Dragonsteel. Every detail is meticulously considered, from the way the light falls on a character’s face to the color palette that sets the mood for the entire book.

The Way of Kings color study. Credit to Michael Whelan.

This attention to detail is what makes the covers so iconic—they are works of art that stand on their own while also enhancing the reading experience.

Stewart gave us a peek into his collaboration with Whelan, saying: 

“Michael is the consummate professional and a master artist. I believe he has covers for bestselling books now in each decade from the 1970s to today. That’s fifty years of doing amazing art! I feel like I’m the one learning from him, so my primary role in the process was that of cheerleader, to be there to answer questions and provide a channel to Brandon.

“As Michael sent finished sketches, I showed them to Brandon and returned with feedback on composition, pose, and environment. Michael and I discussed the feedback, and then there was another round of sketches, and eventually we landed on the concept that became the finished painting.”

Michael Whelan’s Influence

Michael Whelan’s involvement with The Stormlight Archive has been a defining chapter in his storied career, but it almost didn’t happen. 

Fifteen years ago, Whelan was semi-retired and considering a return to science fiction when he received the manuscript for The Way of Kings. Initially hesitant, he found himself captivated by Sanderson’s intricate world-building. This moment proved pivotal for the visual identity of modern fantasy.

Whelan’s ability to blend the fantastical with the real has made him a household name among genre fans. His work doesn't just illustrate stories—it brings them to life. This is certainly true of his visualizations of Roshar. Whelan’s art became a bridge between readers and Sanderson’s complex world, pulling us in before we even turned the first page.

Over the past 30 years, Whelan’s career has been marked by iconic works that defined the visual identity of beloved series like Stephen King’s The Dark Tower and Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern. His modern style makes the fantastical feel tangible and relatable.

We asked Michael how working on these iconic fantasy covers compare to other genres, and how his process changes from project to project:

“Each assignment is different, and I let my impression of the book or its themes determine what materials I’ll use to create the image for it. I can’t explain how that works, as it is a subjective instinct that I try to avoid analyzing. Generally I’d rather just go with the flow and hope my instincts about it are correct.

“Fantasy presents such an infinite realm of possibilities, how can one approach serve all the variables one might encounter? My attitude is to let the book speak to me and hope that an appropriate response will yield the best result.

“That being said, this case has special considerations that were bound to influence my approach—the main one being the covers that preceded it, especially The Way of Kings. I did not wish to appear to be duplicating that image, though there were bound to be similarities given that they are all set in the same cosmos. At the very least, it seemed to me that all the paintings should at least be in the same medium, so I turned to the acrylics I had used for the previous four cover paintings.”

Apparently, that’s an unnamed left-handed shardbearer!

Fun fact: For a long time, fans (and even Brandon) believed Dalinar was featured on The Way of Kings cover. To the surprise of many, Whelan recently clarified that it was actually an unnamed Shardbearer. However, for Wind and Truth, Dalinar finally takes his rightful place on the cover—a fitting tribute to the character’s journey.

Check out this post from Whelan’s official X account where he says that he’d credit this character by saying, “Left-handed Shardbearer #1.”

Collaboration Between Team Dragonsteel and Michael Whelan

The collaboration between Dragonsteel and Whelan is one of the most iconic partnerships in fantasy art. 

During our interview, Stewart reflected on their collaboration, saying: “I want to highlight Michael’s drive to produce the very best work he is capable of. His commitment to quality can’t be overstated. He turned in an earlier version of the painting that we all loved, but after sitting on it over a weekend, Michael came back with ideas about how to make it even better. That extra attention took the painting from great to masterpiece.”

From Michael Whelan’s Substack, originally captioned: Concepts and studies for Wind and Truth.

Stewart also added some additional color to the early stages of the Wind and Truth cover.

“Brandon had a clear idea of what he wanted to see on the cover of Wind and Truth in order for it to be a matching bookend, so to speak, with Michael’s amazing painting for The Way of Kings. So, we asked for a painting that would feel like it’s in dialogue with the cover of The Way of Kings and echoes its grand, sweeping feel.

“The overall tone we wanted was this: Something that makes the viewer feel small in the face of the storm. With that in mind, this is the cover description we prepared for Michael and Tor:

“Dalinar stands on the top of the tower of Urithiru looking west toward the oncoming Everstorm. In his hand is a copy of The Way of Kings. Below, in the distance, and around him are snowcapped mountains. The sweeping view of these mountains and the oncoming Everstorm takes up most of the sky.

“We were aiming for a tone that echoed how Dalinar might be feeling in that moment, like he’s the only one standing between the storm and the rest of Roshar.”

Wind and Truth presented new challenges for the seasoned artist. Whelan said of his inspiration for this cover:

“A primary challenge for me was to come up with an image that featured a menacing storm different from those that appeared on previous covers of this series. In a nutshell, I was in the uncomfortable position of striving to outdo the sky I had painted for the first cover [The Way of Kings], which I felt worked well for that novel.

“What kind of shape would seem as huge as that first one, while having aspects which were different–even alien–to my previous storm renditions?  I experimented quite a while with approaches that yielded interesting results, but I still felt they came up short of the mark, not unique enough. Then I remembered a photo I had come across years ago which might provide an answer.

“The photo was of a formation of ice crystals that had blown through a hole and deposited on the ceiling of a storage room at some polar station. Fascinated by the shapes formed by the ice in that photo, I saved it thinking it might suggest similar shapes in an unusual storm for a Stormlight illustration. Here was my chance to incorporate aspects of those shapes in the sky featured in this illustration. 

“I spent a long time trying to capture the feeling of those shapes as a growing storm cloud, initially using pastels then switching to acrylic paint. It took a lot of time and effort to make it work. Alas, though it looked pretty cool I didn’t feel it seemed threatening enough, so eventually I ended up overpainting much of that work, darkening the skies to elicit the right mood. C’est la vie.”

Now that Wind and Truth is completed, Whelan’s journey with the series—and possibly his career—has come full circle. The cover features Dalinar in a grand, iconic pose that captures the essence of his character, bringing the first arc to a visually stunning conclusion.

What’s Next for Michael Whelan?

Whelan has expressed a desire to explore more personal, introspective pieces that have been waiting in the wings as he devoted much of his career to bringing other people’s visions to life. This shift marks a new chapter in Whelan’s career, one where he can fully immerse himself in his own creative pursuits.

When asked about his retirement, Michael shared:

"Though it’s been a good run for the past 50 years, I’m looking forward to being free from the deadline-to-deadline existence that has dominated my working life. I feel fortunate that I can close up my commissioned oeuvre with a work for such a popular and well-respected author. (Nevertheless, going by past experience, some of my subsequent personal work will likely appear on book covers where feasible—but they won’t be tailor-made for any specific book.)

“Brandon Sanderson is a virtual Everstorm of creative force, unparalleled in my experience.

“I’m very grateful to Tor Books, Brandon, and all the people at Dragonsteel for this opportunity, and for allowing me to be a part of what I’m certain will be a benchmark in Fantasy storytelling.”

Whelan’s art has always straddled the line between the real and the imagined, and now he has the opportunity to push those boundaries even further in his own creative projects. His gallery work, which often delves into themes of identity, memory, and the passage of time, will allow him to explore new dimensions of his artistic expression. Fans of his work can look forward to seeing a different side of Whelan—one that is deeply personal and reflective of his own inner world.

From Michael Whelan’s Substack: PASSAGE TO THE SUN (2006), Acrylic on Panel - 10" x 8"

While Whelan’s retirement from creating beautiful The Stormlight Archive cover art is bittersweet, it’s also an exciting time for the artist. His contributions to the world of fantasy and sci-fi will continue to influence generations of readers and artists, even as he moves on to new endeavors. Whelan’s legacy is secure, and his future is as bright and imaginative as the worlds he has brought to life.

Sanderson shared his sentiment about his legendary collaboration with Whelan, saying:

"I just want to say thank you to him [Whelan]. For those of you who don't know, I was partially made a writer in the first place by the fantastic cover that he had done for Dragonsbane that pulled me into fantasy for the first time. It became a dream of mine to someday have Michael Whelan do a cover with me, and now I've had the absolute pleasure of having him do six. Five for The Stormlight Archive and one for The Wheel of Time. It's just amazing. It is a dream come true. It was one of the very first item on my list of things that would mean I'd actually made it, and that was when I got a Michael Whelan cover. I am personally looking forward to seeing what kind of cool gallery work Mr. Whelan is going to be working on. I own his books that contain his gallery art, and in fact, I bought the first one when I was a teenager, and have enjoyed collecting them ever since."

The Future of The Stormlight Archive

Nearing the end of the first arc of The Stormlight Archive, fans are already speculating on what’s next for Roshar and the wider Cosmere. Sanderson has hinted that the second arc will take us to new places—both geographically and thematically. The world of Roshar is vast, and there are still many corners of it left to explore. The second arc promises to dive deeper into the mysteries of the Cosmere, offering readers a fresh perspective on the saga.

In our interview, Sanderson talked about what he hoped fans would feel when they saw the Wind and Truth cover and how it might set the stage for the second arc.

"We wanted it [the Wind and Truth cover] to be a good companion piece to the first book [The Way of Kings]. There's some things going on that evoke some of the same feelings of that first cover. I hope that it evokes what the book is trying to get across. I hope they see it and realize where we're at in the story, and that they feel excited for where we're going."

This statement has only fueled fan speculation about what lies ahead. Will we see more of the Heralds? Will the mysteries of the Shards be unraveled? The possibilities are endless.

We also got to ask Stewart an important question: With Stormlight 5 being such a pivotal point in the series, how does he see this cover setting the tone for future books in the series?

“Ask me this question again once the book has been released and more people have had a chance to read it. For now, I’ll leave it at this: Michael’s illustration is the perfect foundation to influence future covers.”

Isaac just RAFOed us again. 🤔

Conclusion

The cover of Wind and Truth is a culmination of decades of creativity, passion, and collaboration. From Sanderson’s early days as a fan of Michael Whelan, to their work together on this final cover, this journey has been one of mutual admiration and respect. This cover stands as a testament to the power of art to inspire, captivate, and tell a story all on its own.

As we prepare to dive into the conclusion of this first arc, it’s clear that Wind and Truth will be a book that stays with us long after we’ve turned the final page.

December 6th, 2024, is a date to mark on your calendar—because Wind and Truth promises to be an unforgettable experience. Whether you’ve been with The Stormlight Archive since the beginning or are just now discovering it, this is a moment to savor. The journey has been long, but the destination is worth it.