How does the author structure the novel, Ambassador of the Shadows?

As a graphic novel, the story is presented in the traditional manner of a comic book. However, the artist seldom uses the traditional six- or eight-panel layouts seen in many comic books. Instead, the panels are wider, taller, and placed in alternative directions. For example, the first page of graphics includes three panels. The top panel is very short, taking up just a sliver that stretches all the way across the page. The next three panels are each slightly taller than the one above, and each stretches across the page. The reader reads downward, and the increasing size makes it natural to assume that each panel has more detail than the one above.

On Page 12, the artist uses two rectangular panels at the top of the page. The second row of panels includes a large, tall panel showing a scene from a distance with three smaller panels stacked beside it, each showing a closeup of some of the characters seen at a distance in the previous panel. That means the reader reads from left to right, then from top to bottom. When the artist depends on alternative placement that does not have a natural flow (left to right or top to bottom), arrows direct the reader in the correct formation.

The graphics are presented in full color with elaborate details. Colors are used to help set tone, as seen in the reds used during the explosion when Earth's Ambassador is kidnapped.