MILTON, ONTARIO, March 14, 2022 – H. G. Wells’ classic story When the Sleeper Wakes gets a makeover as a graphic novel from author Hugh A. D. Spencer and artist Will O’Brien. The first glimpse of the book was released today with the cover reveal.
The artwork features the novel’s protagonist, Graham, standing atop an airplane, surrounded by a montage of other scenes and figures from the story, including revolutionary leader Ostrog, revolutionary Helen, a “Babble Machine”, protesters, and heavily armed police.
With this cover art, O’Brien “wanted the image to have sort of a “blockbuster movie poster” look to it. Something that showcases the protagonist at his most heroic stage, while featuring a few key characters and influences.”
Graphic Novel Interior In Production
Since the successful conclusion of the crowdfunding campaign to fund the project in November, O’Brien has been hard at work creating the interior illustrations for the book for its June release.
Spencer, who has been a longtime fan of When the Sleeper Wakes, conceived of the adaptation years ago. “Revolutions?” Spencer says, “Riots? Corporate super-states? 24 hour news channels? To me When the Sleeper Wakes is as relevant in the 21st Century as it was when H.G. Wells wrote it back in 1899.”
Spencer spent years searching for the right medium to interpret “one of the first dystopias ever written to contemporary audiences,” considering a film, radio drama, and stage play before deciding on a graphic novel. He immediately sought out O’Brien as the artist to bring this vision to life, saying, “O’Brien’s artwork, with its raw power and steam-punk edge, is the perfect vehicle to re-tell this fantastic story of the struggle for freedom and meaning in a nightmare technological future.”
Spencer launched a successful crowdfunding campaign in late 2021 to hire O’Brien to provide the artwork for the novel. With the release of the cover art, this project long in planning is well on its way to completion.
When the Sleeper Wakes will be released Friday, June 10th, 2022 from Milton, Ontario-based publisher Brain Lag. This is the publisher’s first graphic novel and joins two novels and two short story collections from Spencer, along with thirty other books by fifteen other authors. This is Brain Lag’s sixth release of twelve in 2022.
Media inquiries and requests to contact the author can be directed to publishing@brain-lag.com.
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