SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 2, 2025--
Ben Mauro, the acclaimed concept artist and worldbuilder behind Halo Infinite, Call of Duty, Elysium, and The Predator, today announced the US release of HUXLEY: The Oracle. The book, serving as the narrative prequel to Mauro’s expanding HUXLEY universe, has already reached #1 in Amazon’s New Releases for Conceptual Art based on pre-orders alone.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251202609807/en/
HUXLEY: The Oracle departs from the graphic novel format in the first book, adopting an immersive narrative art book format that pairs cinematic, full-page illustrations alongside storytelling. Using a format familiar to readers of Simon Stålenhag’s Tales from the Loop, the book places world-building at the forefront, delivering a large-scale, atmospheric introduction to the world of HUXLEY that is fitting to the new story.
HUXLEY: The Oracle unites a "dream team" of industry heavyweights to bring the desolate machine-ruled world to life. The book features over 100 illustrations from collaborators including Syama Pedersen (director of Warhammer 40k ‘ Astartes’ ), Steve Chinhsuan Wang ( Gears of War 5 ), Nikolas Gekko ( Halo Infinite, Destiny 2 ), and artwork from Mauro himself.
“We approached The Oracle illustrations with the same storytelling and visual fidelity seen in AAA games and blockbuster film,” said Mauro. “This prequel story sets the stage for the events of the original HUXLEY graphic novel and marks the beginning of an epic two-part war story.”
Published in partnership with Thames & Hudson and Read Only Memory, global leaders in visual-culture publishing, The Oracle marks a major milestone in the continued expansion of the HUXLEY universe. Set decades before the original HUXLEY timeline, The Oracle follows Max, an elite Ronin soldier navigating a world ruled by the Oracle Empire during the height of its power. As the AI Wars escalate across the desert planet, Max uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to fracture the very foundations of his world.
HUXLEY: The Oracle is now shipping worldwide.
Amazon (Standard Edition):
https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/huxley-the-oracle-hardcover
Deluxe Editions:
https://readonlymemory.com/products/the-oracle
About HUXLEY
HUXLEY is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction universe set on the planet FURY-7, where ancient machines, rogue AI empires, and human survivors converge in a mythic struggle. Created by Ben Mauro, HUXLEY spans world-class illustration, narrative fiction, and future transmedia expansion into animation, games, and collectibles. More information at www.huxleysaga.com.
HUXLEY: The Oracle Book
HUXLEY: The Oracle book illustration
HUXLEY: The Oracle Cover illustration
ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Muslim pilgrims from around the world congregated on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the second official day of the annual Islamic pilgrimage, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj.
Despite the sweltering heat, the pilgrims gathered on the rocky hill and surrounding plain for intense prayers and worship that often mark a spiritual peak for them. They fervently murmured prayers and poured their hearts out in supplications. Many raised their hands in worship. It is common for pilgrims on that day, some with tears streaming down their faces, to ask God for forgiveness, mercy, blessings and good health.
The Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to perform it.
For pilgrims, the Hajj, performed over several days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. As they brave the intense heat to perform religious rituals, many pilgrims have been using umbrellas for shade.
A Saudi official said on Friday that more than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in the country from abroad.
This year, Muslims have been pouring into Saudi Arabia for the Hajj against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and related uncertainty in the region.
The U.S. military said Monday that it carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats used to lay mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations with Tehran were “proceeding nicely." Iran on Tuesday denounced the most recent U.S. strikes as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability” as negotiations pressed on toward a possible deal to end the war.
For many, performing the Hajj can be a realization of a lifelong dream as they spend years hoping and praying to one day be able to undertake the pilgrimage or saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the trip.
“This happens once in a lifetime,” Mohammad Asal, an Egyptian pilgrim, said. “People here have prepared their prayers, hoping that God will respond to them, because we know that ... the most important ritual of the Hajj is being in Arafat.”
The Hajj brings together large numbers of Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and socioeconomic classes, creating a sense of unity for many. It’s a mass, communal experience, with Muslims performing rituals together. But it is also deeply personal, as every pilgrim brings their own yearnings and experiences.
“It was incredible,” Ahmed Sufyan, a pilgrim from the United States, said on Tuesday. “The unity and peace that we feel is something I’ve never experienced before,” he added via WhatsApp.
“Our wishes are many,” Mohammad Obaid, a Sudanese pilgrim, said, adding he was praying for Sudan and Muslims everywhere.
Fam reported from Winter Park, Florida.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
A Muslim pilgrim pray atop of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Muslim pilgrims walk towards the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Muslim pilgrims are silhouetted as they pray at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Muslim pilgrims pray at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Muslim pilgrims read a copy of Islam's holy book Quran atop of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
