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PRAISE FOR THE GOLDEN VINE
"Sen has so thoroughly researched his characters and setting, you'd swear that history unfolded exactly as shown in THE GOLDEN VINE--and when you turn the final page, you'll mourn the loss of what the world could have been."
--Doug Griffin,
Digital Webbing
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Lauded as "one of the most beautiful books published" the year it was released (Out Magazine, December 2003), The Golden Vine explores what might have happened if Alexander the Great had not died young--if he had lived to fulfill his plan of conquest and unite the world into a single empire.

The epic story is told through three interwoven visual narratives, each illustrated by a different artist: the story of Alexander's estranged heir, Alexander IV, who races to discover his father's secrets as conspirators threaten to end his lineage; the recollections of Alexander's lover, Hephaestion, who witnessed the rise of the Macedonian prince as he became the emperor of a united world; and Alexander's own letters, written as he discovered new territories.

Spanning a period of a hundred years, the story was conceived and written by Jai Sen and exquisitely illustrated by Japanese artists Seijuro Mizu, Umeka Asayuki, and Shino Yotsumoto. The Golden Vine is the first book in a planned trilogy about Alexander's fictional world empire.

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Reviews
The Golden Vine
January 2003 | ISBN 0-9717564-1-4
GRAPHIC NOVEL. Written by Jai Sen.
Illustrated by Umeka Asayuki, Seijuro Mizu, and Shino Yotsumoto
US$24.99 |
Currently out of stock. Please check back.
First edition | 304 pages, paperback
Full color plus gold ink
9" x 7" (22.9cm x 17.8cm) horizontal format
Includes publisher's cataloging-in-publication (P-CIP)

Previews and sample pages
Get a glimpse into the world of The Golden Vine with previews of pages from each of the three visual narratives that comprise the story (sample pages require Adobe's free PDF Reader to view).

Preview sample pages


The process
At times, the process of creating The Golden Vine seemed almost as ambitious as Alexander's campaign, and almost as far-reaching. With a creative team of 21 people in four countries, there were many steps between idea and printed page.

Find out more about the process and creative team

Enter the world of The Golden Vine
History vs. alternate history
Alternate histories follow recorded facts to a point, then alter a few key events to create a different outcome. Find out how The Golden Vine asks the all-important question, "what if?"

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Hephaestion's story
Hephaestion Amyntoros was Alexander's closest confidant, perhaps his lover, yet his origins are shrouded in mystery. It is possible (even likely) that Alexander himself is responsible for erasing records of his companion's life. Why?

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Alexander IV
Alexander's half-Persian heir was the living embodiment of a plan for cultural unity--but history tells us he was murdered at the age of 13. In The Golden Vine, he lives to inherit the empire. Who was Alexander's son, in history and in The Golden Vine?

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Persepolis: rebuilding a dead city
One of the most glorious cities ever built, Persepolis thrived as the political capital of the vast Persian Empire until Alexander arrived and burned the magnificent royal palace to the ground. Join us as we raise Persepolis from the ashes.

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A guide to the symbols in the book
In the carefully layered symbology of The Golden Vine, every detail is significant. An intricate puzzle lies at the heart of the story, and important clues tend to travel in sets of threes, each linked to the three oracles of the ancient world Alexander visited.

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Production notes
The Golden Vine earned accolades for its subject matter, but also for its unusual format and the sophisticated printing techniques used to realize the artists' vision. Find out more about the advanced methods used to bring the images to life.

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Lithographs

Featuring a triptych of images by each of the three primary artists who worked on The Golden Vine. A Shoto Press exclusive, only 300 sets of these beautiful lithographs have been produced.

US$12.99 |
Limited edition (set of 3)
Triptych 33"w x 21.5"h
(83.8cm x 54.6cm)
Individual size 11" x 21.5"
(27.9cm x 54.6cm)
Full color plus gold ink
More information

In their own words
Members of The Golden Vine creative team comment on the project:
Jai Sen, author:
"So much of each of us went into creating this book. It's been a real joy to work with so talented a group. I hope we've done Alexander justice, and created something that people will enjoy."
Seijuro Mizu, lead illustrator, "Hephaestion's memories":
"The process we developed was very unusual, but we all soon became accustomed to it and supported each other. Working on this project was a great experience."
Umeka Asayuki, lead illustrator, "the story of Alexander IV":
"I hope people consider our book worthwhile and get enjoyment from reading it."
Shino Yotsumoto, lead illustrator, "Alexander's letters":
"As I discovered the universality of Alexander's character, I could participate in his journeys. I think this is a very special book."
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