Michael Whelan

Michael Whelan has won a record 15 Hugo Awards for his imaginative science fiction and fantasy cover paintings. He is widely considered one of the most celebrated and respected artists in the speculative fiction genre. His winning streak began in 1980 and continued through the 1990s.

Michael Whelan has illustrated iconic hardcover books for legendary authors like Isaac Asimov, Stephen King, and Robert Jordan. His artwork helped visually define the look of major science fiction and fantasy series for decades. He created the stunning cover art for Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower' series.

Yes, Michael Whelan famously created the cover art for several books in the Wheel of Time series, including the final volume, 'A Memory of Light'. He stepped in to cover the series following the passing of the original artist, Darrell K. Sweet. His interpretation of the characters is highly praised by the fanbase.

While he officially retired from doing regular commercial book covers in the early 2000s, he still selectively produces artwork for special editions. He now spends much of his time focusing on his own personal gallery paintings. He occasionally returns to do covers for prominent authors like Brandon Sanderson.