Interview with Robert Stanek (Excerpt from the Original)

With the hotly anticipated release of SIN CITY in theaters, I thought it timely to recommend a good read that blends elements of Frank Miller’s graphic novels with hints of Tom Clancy’s style. The novel Sovereign Rule—written by Robert Stanek, the creator of the beloved Ruin Mist fantasy series—carries a similarly dark and compelling tone.

After reading Sovereign Rule, I exchanged a few emails with Mr. Stanek about writing, comic books, and movies. “I definitely can see a comparison between SIN CITY and SOVEREIGN RULE,” he explained. “In SIN CITY, Frank Miller has created a world where crime and corruption rule, while in SOVEREIGN RULE, I’ve built a setting filled with betrayal, where my main character, Scott Evers, is driven by both desire and love for his family in the midst of chaos.”

Stanek also emphasized that his background in technology and military intelligence informs much of the realism in his work. “Every location—from Ft. Meade in Maryland to Washington, D.C., and even to Honolulu—is carefully researched. While some details are embellished, the technological aspects of the story are based on real-world possibilities,” he noted.

Discussing genre and style, Stanek remarked, “Writing thrillers is very different from writing epic fantasy. In Sovereign Rule, my aim was to craft a tightly constructed, fast-moving narrative that mirrors the intensity of real-life challenges while still delivering the imaginative depth fans expect from the Ruin Mist universe.”