OFFICIAL! Stephen King and Marvel Bring "The Dark Tower" to Comics

[Jonah Weiland]

Made official today, Marvel Comics has announced that it's signed a deal with author Stephen King to launch a new comic seres adapted from King's series "The Dark Tower." The first issue hits stands in April, 2006.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=6113

[howyadoin]

Jesus CHRIST, is that for real?

[JimmyDee]

Wow. Sure, we've been hearing about this for a while, but still ... wow. And that art. Damn.

Jae Lee must be saying to himself over and over in muttered tones, "I'm a very lucky man. I'm a very lucky man. I'm a very lucky man."

Awesome news. Just awesome.

[Dizzy D]

Well, that's a suprise. And a pleasant one at it. Have the books, would love to see how they translate to comics.

[Dead Man's Hand]

I have never, ever been a fan of Jae Lee's art, but this could change my opinion. It looks amazing!

I'm a pretty huge King fan, but I haven't had a lot of time to read until recently. I'm halfway through Wolves of the Calla right now. Hopefully I can finish the series within the next few weeks.

I'm so excited, I can't wait for this comic!

[Styjan]

I just pissed myself........

[pennywisdom]

Should be great.

I had heard King was coming to Marvel, and I figured that he would either be adapting one of his books or writing for an existing superhero title. Either of those two situations is very cool, but I would love even more to see him do an all-new non-superhero original project for Marvel. Horror or not, just as long as its new. I think that would be the greatest.

[Crimson]

What is Dark Tower about?

[The Wayner]

What is Dark Tower about?

I've read all 7 books, some numerous times, and am really grappling with a way to explain it. It's the quest for the Tower, muh man! Pick up book 1---The Gunslinger---and enjoy the ride. Until then, I'm sure someone else can explain it a whole lot better, lol.

As for SK writing for Marvel... I'm on it!

[BlackKnight]

This looks amazing... I am in.

[Cayman]

Jae Lee is one of my favorite artists, I'd be buying this even if it were Dean Koontz writing. I'm looking forward to this.

Cay

[Captain Trips]

This is pretty awesome. I like the fact that it will fill in the gaps of Roland's younger years. I know after reading Wizard and Glass that I wanted more stories that included Cuthbert. I hope this series goes into greater detail about the revolution led by John Farson and the fall of Gilead and the gunslingers (sounds like that is what it is going to do).

Having read the whole Dark Tower series (and most of the books that tie into the series), I can say that I am glad this series is not taking place after the end of book 7. I thought the ending of the series was really well done, and don't think it needs to have anything else done to it.

[Captain Trips]

What is Dark Tower about?


This will tell you all you want to know:

http://www.stephenking.com/DarkTower/flash_index.html

[borateen]

Having read the whole Dark Tower series (and most of the books that tie into the series), I can say that I am glad this series is not taking place after the end of book 7. I thought the ending of the series was really well done, and don't think it needs to have anything else done to it.

This is pretty much why I thought a return to the DT world wouldn't be the best move, unless he was focusing on another character or another part of the world. But I think early stories of Roland could be very interesting. We only got a hint of his childhood, just the story with Hax and his trial with Cort, and we met Alain and Cuthbert for the time during Wizard and Glass, so there's a large amount of stuff we DON'T know about his childhood and his fascination with the DT. I can't WAIT to see Lee's depiction of Walter, and maybe we'll finally hear the full story about Farson.

As opposed as I was to more DT stuff, I'm gradually looking forward to this more and more as I hear more and more about it.

And I'm a big King whore.

[Captain Trips]

This is pretty much why I thought a return to the DT world wouldn't be the best move, unless he was focusing on another character or another part of the world. But I think early stories of Roland could be very interesting. We only got a hint of his childhood, just the story with Hax and his trial with Cort, and we met Alain and Cuthbert for the time during Wizard and Glass, so there's a large amount of stuff we DON'T know about his childhood and his fascination with the DT. I can't WAIT to see Lee's depiction of Walter, and maybe we'll finally hear the full story about Farson.

As opposed as I was to more DT stuff, I'm gradually looking forward to this more and more as I hear more and more about it.

And I'm a big King whore.


I agree with you. Wizard and Glass tells us Roland's first recognition of his quest for the Tower, but his actual first setting out on that quest with other gunslingers in tow is only mentioned sparingly throughout the series. There's actually a lot of meat for a good story in there between the end of Roland's tale in Wizard and Glass and the beginning of the Gunslinger.

[darkkeeperjr]

Reading book 7 now. how many comics books willl it take to tell the whole story?

[borateen]

Reading book 7 now. how many comics books willl it take to tell the whole story?

Probably as many as King wants, or until he gets bored and has Robin Furth fully take over the writing chores.

[metr0man]

The comic series is set before the novels I believe, so it's not an adaptation of the book series.

[takashimiike]

Which is a smart move. Will be a lot eaiser for new readers to jump on, though they'll still probably be intimidated. I still can't wait. THis should really be quite amazing.

[Michael P]

Yeah, I think he's going to show us Roland's journey up to the point he reaches in that classic first sentence: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed him."

I could be completely wrong, of course.

[Voncaster]

I think this is great news not only for marvel, but comics as a whole. The whole industry should gain increased respect from the mainstream by this move. Just think in the last year or two we have had Meltzer write a graphic novel for DC, Frank Miller share equal billing as Rodrigez in the theater and now Stephen King is doing work for Marvel. Its a great time for comics.

[Azrael52]

GUNSLINGERS! TO ME!

I'm feeling a little bi-polar right about now. I am so freaking overjoeyd I could die, but at the same time . . . well, let me explain. A few years ago, before he released DT5, I emailed Stephen King and broached the subject of making the series into a comic. I never ever heard back from him. I guess that I had in my head that he was going to call me up and say, "Ayuh, great idea! I'll call you with the details." and we'd work it all out and ride off into the sunset.

Seriously, though, I've loved King's work for about 15 years or so, and I've collected comics for 13 years. I've had a lot of hobbies or fads I've followed (from Star Trek to WWF), and these are the only 2 that have stuck with me. I love the Dark Tower Universe. I hate to admit it, but I'm gonna have to start reading Marvel (other than the Daredevil/Punisher that my wife currently gets).

Me to DC while pointing at Marvel: "You see that! The lucky Bastards! Why can't that be you? Huh?"

The art work is out of this world and spot on with the feel of the stories.

I've read DT1-4 3 times, I've listened to the Audiobooks of 1 and 2, 5 or 6 times each, I've read 5 and 6 twice each, and I've read 7 once and have it to read again shortly. I have read the tie-ins numerous times, too. I'm so hyped!

Long Days and pleasant nights!
-Ray

[thik_3rd]

god that art looks great. jae lee stepped his game up like crazy.

too bad i won't be buying this.

[Donald Stone]

Damn. Just damn.

I love King, and the Dark Tower is maybe my favorite fantasy series ever, so I am so ready for this. It'll be interesting to see how well Steve manages writing for comics. He loves short stories and seriels, so I think he'll really get into the groove with a monthly comic.

[cass195]

Stephen King and Jae Lee on anything would be great, but on a Dark Tower comic....fan-f**king-tastic. I cannot wait.

This is the first comic the wife wants read.

[Captain Trips]

god that art looks great. jae lee stepped his game up like crazy.

too bad i won't be buying this.


Yeah, Jay Lee is a GREAT choice as artist for this. I've been a fan of his for years. I am really excited about this. I was excited when I first heard about it and thought Marvel was making the existing DT stories into graphic novel form. But to find out that they are new stories of Roland's younger days that have yet to be told makes it sooooooo much better.

[BoosterBronze]

So cool. Wish I had more to say.
So very very cool.

[Ray Dillon]

Everyone that is so overjoyed they could (and probably will) vomit, I'm right there with ya! :eek:

THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER!!!

And I can't stop saying that. :D

This will be SOOO good for the industry and it's something I've wanted to see my whole life (at least King in Comics; I never dreamt it would be at Marvel and with the Dark Tower series).

Geez, this is awesome!! :eek:

[Doom Hammer]

Uhm...wow.

Looks like I've gotta read the Dark Tower books now.

I've loved King's work, and I've read a whole lot of his novels, but I've always been a bit too intimidated (I guess) to touch the 7-book series.

But WOW! I need some background, now. This book is gonna be ridiculously awesome. I need to read them.

This is the biggest thing Marvel's done in a while. Stephen King is their biggest name, now.

Awesome. Just awesome.

And that art! Oh, God, that art! I've always loved Jae Lee, but I've been waiting for him to get back to his reeeeally good stuff. Those couple pages were better than, like, anything he's put out.

[WeaponX]

Oh, man, this is the best thing thats happened to me all DAY! Funk it, ALL WEEK!!!!! YES

[thik_3rd]

i really want to check this out, but i never read dark tower before. and i'm not really looking forward to having to read 7 books just to get this.

[BlackKnight]

i really want to check this out, but i never read dark tower before. and i'm not really looking forward to having to read 7 books just to get this.

Technically you won't have to since it is a precule...

[Doom Hammer]

i really want to check this out, but i never read dark tower before. and i'm not really looking forward to having to read 7 books just to get this.

Oh, you have 6 months to read 7 books. I think you can handle it. ;)

[Ryan K]

This looks very nice and I'm very happy for the attention that this could potentially bring to the medium, but I don't think I'm interested.

I read the first three Dark Tower books and liked them, but this just doesn't interest me terribly. I would have prefered it if King and Lee were working on established Marvel properties.

I'll probably take a glance at the inevitable tpb.

[Cayman]

This looks very nice and I'm very happy for the attention that this could potentially bring to the medium, but I don't think I'm interested.

I read the first three Dark Tower books and liked them, but this just doesn't interest me terribly. I would have prefered it if King and Lee were working on established Marvel properties.

I'll probably take a glance at the inevitable tpb.

Me too, I'd like him to write Man-Thing.

Cay

[Lex]

This quote from Newsarama (http://www.newsarama.com/JoeFridays/JoeFridays23.html) got me more interested:NRAMA: From your point of view, how entrenched will the story be in the Dark Tower mythology? Will people need a passing familiarity with the subject material to get into the story?

RM:: A passing familiarity wouldn’t hurt, but it won’t be necessary. You can begin this series as the first chapter in the great quest of Roland for the Dark Tower. You’ll learn about him and his world along the way as events unfold. This will be reader-friendly material.
I'm happy to hear that. I've never read the Dark Tower series (or really heard about it before this news started to come out). I wasn't terribly excited at the thought of having to buy seven other novels to find out what's going on in this one. Making it a prequel story is a great idea.

[Forefinger]

Made official today, Marvel Comics has announced that it's signed a deal with author Stephen King to launch a new comic seres adapted from King's series "The Dark Tower." The first issue hits stands in April, 2006.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=6113
Dammit. Now I have to subscribe to another comic.....

[Captain Trips]

This quote from Newsarama (http://www.newsarama.com/JoeFridays/JoeFridays23.html) got me more interested:I'm happy to hear that. I've never read the Dark Tower series (or really heard about it before this news started to come out). I wasn't terribly excited at the thought of having to buy seven other novels to find out what's going on in this one. Making it a prequel story is a great idea.

Yeah, I sort of figured that this was how it is going to be handled. It wouldn't have made since to make this story only something existing readers of the Dark Tower series could follow. It needs to be accessible to new readers. King did something similar with the short story "The Little Sisters of Eluria." This story was about Roland but took place before the events in the first DT book. It wasn't necessary to know the events of the DT stories to follow what happened in TLSE.

[Ite]

This is the greatest news I have heard in a very very long time. My only hope is that it won't be hard to get ahold of the series, i'm hoping they don't sell out before I can get to them.

I would love to see Flagg in a comic as well as of course Roland.

Who is Robert Furth btw? I would not ever wanna see anyone else write anything Dark Tower if it isn't King himself.

[Captain Trips]

This is the greatest news I have heard in a very very long time. My only hope is that it won't be hard to get ahold of the series, i'm hoping they don't sell out before I can get to them.

I would love to see Flagg in a comic as well as of course Roland.

Who is Robert Furth btw? I would not ever wanna see anyone else write anything Dark Tower if it isn't King himself.

Robin Furth is a research assistant who has worked with Stephen King since 2001. Basically, there was always a large gap of years between when Stephen King would write one Dark Tower book to the next. When he was set to write a new book in the series, he would go back to the ones already done, re-read them, and refresh himself with his story and make notes along the way. He followed this process through the 4th book of the series (Wizard and Glass).

Wizard and Glass came out in 1996, and it wasn't until 2001 that King decided to finish the DT series (book 5 didn't come out until 2003). He knew how daunting of a task it would be to refresh himself with all the story details after such a long period of time, so instead of just re-reading the stories, he decided to listen to the unabridged audio versions of them. But he found that not even that would be enough as he came to realize how all-encompassing the DT series had become. Any constant reader of King's knows how many characters and stories from outside the core DT books are intertwined with the Dark Tower saga. So he decided that he needed someone to write down everything regarding all these stories. In King's own words, "I needed some sort of exhaustive written summary of everything that had gone before, a Dark Tower Concordance that would be easy to search when I needed to find a reference in a hurry."

Robin Furth has published two volumes of the Dark Tower Concordance. According to King they were never meant to be published, but he realized what a source of enjoyment they might be for the fans of these books. Volume I covers all the characters, events, and locations of books 1-4 of the Dark Tower series. Volume II covers books 5-7. I have both volumes and really like them. Any fan of these books who wants an amazingly comprehensive overview of the the entire series is doing themselves a favor by picking them up.

[discostu]

I love Marvel and I love Stephen King... This is like a F'n wet dream for me. And King fans, go get the Colorado Kid, King's new hard crime novel. It's a great quick read.

[Doom Hammer]

The man puts out so much sheer stuff...this reminds me of that Family Guy episode...

King: "Okay, so...um...a family moves into a new home, but they don't realize they're being stalked by...um...an...an Evil Lamp-Monster!"

King's Publisher: "Sigh. You're not even trying anymore, are you?"

King: *Picks up lamp off publisher's desk, pointing it at him* "Raar! Rar! Rar!"

King's Publisher: "...Alright. Have it done my Friday."

[Ray Dillon]

So...

In the excitement, I sorta ordered the last two Dark Tower books (hadn't read those yet) and ... kinda also ordered the two Dark Tower Concordances by Robin Furth. I planned on get the DT books and the Concordances were packaged together for cheaper... I'm not a crazy!!

Heh-heh.

:o

Woo.

[O'Blivion]

"The Dark Tower" as a comic, written by Stephen King with art by Jae Lee!? I thought King was done, and I never thought he'd bring Roland back in comic-book form ... so I'm very, very pleasantly surprised.

Throw in some covers by Michael Whelan, Bernie Wrightson or Dave McKean to round it out and you've got the perfect comic translation of King's series.

[Ite]

So there is no reason to say Furth would right the comics. That was pretty dumb.

[mgs]

this is pretty cool, sounds like something Marvel in the 'old' days would do, books with more than just superheroes running around. May or may not work out, but at least it's something.

[Avalanche]

I honestly didn't know anything about Dark Tower before this, but after reading this article I'm pumped for this series. The artwork alone makes it worthy of buying.

[pesmerga316]

normally Im not a fan of a lot of Jae Lees stuff, but his artwork in this is amazing wow not doing it like he did Sentry and that recent Hulk issue

[borateen]

So there is no reason to say Furth would right the comics. That was pretty dumb.

I'm assuming you're talking to me, since I made the comment about Furth eventually taking over, but you didn't quote anyone, so...

Anyways, I made the assumption because I doubt King will do this forever or heck, probably more than a year or two. In the press release it said that Furth was assisting him, and before CT's explanation of who Furth was, I assumed he'd be helping King make the translation from writing novels to writing comics, or just to help out since King does so much. If Furth DOES end up helping with some writing chores, I'm betting that when King tires of writing comics, he'll allow Furth to continue writing young Roland's adventures, probably with some ground rules or guidelines.

Am I being a bit pessimistic? Probably, but I'm also being realistic.

[Crimson]

If you read the latest Joe Friday on Newsarama he explains how they all put together this comic for those interested.

[angry monkey]

:eek: There is a God..

[StoneGold]

I'm assuming you're talking to me, since I made the comment about Furth eventually taking over, but you didn't quote anyone, so...

Anyways, I made the assumption because I doubt King will do this forever or heck, probably more than a year or two. In the press release it said that Furth was assisting him, and before CT's explanation of who Furth was, I assumed he'd be helping King make the translation from writing novels to writing comics, or just to help out since King does so much. If Furth DOES end up helping with some writing chores, I'm betting that when King tires of writing comics, he'll allow Furth to continue writing young Roland's adventures, probably with some ground rules or guidelines.

Am I being a bit pessimistic? Probably, but I'm also being realistic.
Sounds like JoeQ is doing everything short of fellating King to keep him happy though.

[borateen]

Sounds like JoeQ is doing everything short of fellating King to keep him happy though.

Yes...yes it does.

[Captain Trips]

I think I read where it is only 6 issues. Has there been any info that it will go more than that or have other volumes? (Maybe that's covered in the Newsarama piece I haven't read yet)

[borateen]

I think I read where it is only 6 issues. Has there been any info that it will go more than that or have other volumes? (Maybe that's covered in the Newsarama piece I haven't read yet)

According to the Newsarama piece (you really should read it...it's very informative), there will be multiple volumes.

[Sentry]

on a scale of 1 - 10 i have to be a 10.

i love Jae lee's work. best artist out there in my opinion. Cant wait.

[stealthwise]

As a comic fan, I'm excited about what this will do for interest in the medium... or at least, interest in Marvel.

As a Dark Tower fan, I'm extremely pumped about the fact that they're going to do this in comic form, rather than a series of squashed-together movies (or, god forbid, ABC movies).

I'm hoping that this lives up to expectations, because they'll be high, but I'm mostly interested in seeing how King adapts to the comic form. If Marvel was smart (they aren't) they would team King up with a comic veteran to help him get his feet.

[Captain Trips]

According to the Newsarama piece (you really should read it...it's very informative), there will be multiple volumes.

I did finally go read it. Very exciting stuff. I like how the first mini-series is going to take place right after the events in Wizard and Glass. This is when Roland first became aware that he needed to reach the Dark Tower, and it is also the real beginning of the end for the gunslingers. What a perfect time period to delve into. We have only read snippets about what happened to Roland during these years.

It's great that Stephen King wants to tell these stories. I really thought he wanted to be done with the Dark Tower universe, but it really does engross him I think. I can't wait to see more art and hear more story details.

[borateen]

It's great that Stephen King wants to tell these stories. I really thought he wanted to be done with the Dark Tower universe, but it really does engross him I think. I can't wait to see more art and hear more story details.

I guess that means that Gan (I hope I got that name correct) still need him to write more. ;)

[Captain Trips]

I guess that means that Gan (I hope I got that name correct) still need him to write more. ;)

LOL Yeah. He is still hearing Kes-Ka Gan (or something like that), the song of the turtle.

DARK TOWER 5-7 SPOILER COMMENT: I wonder if he will incorporate himself into any of these stories. In "Song of Susannah" King mentions that Eddie and Cuthbert saved his life when he was a young boy as the Crimson King was trying to kill him.

[borateen]

LOL Yeah. He is still hearing Kes-Ka Gan (or something like that), the song of the turtle.

DARK TOWER 5-7 SPOILER COMMENT: I wonder if he will incorporate himself into any of these stories. In "Song of Susannah" King mentions that Eddie and Cuthbert saved his life when he was a young boy as the Crimson King was trying to kill him.

Y'know, when I figured he'd eventually put himself into the book, but I figured he'd end up being the Crimson King (y'know, because of the "King"), and I didn't know if he'd be able to pull it off. I think he did a very good job with it. He didn't write himself as infallible...he was just another flawed character.

As for your spoiler, was it Eddie and Cuthbert? I don't remember that. I'm guessing that you're talking about the chicken incident at his grandparents' farm, but I don't remember those two characters being thrown together.

[Captain Trips]

Y'know, when I figured he'd eventually put himself into the book, but I figured he'd end up being the Crimson King (y'know, because of the "King"), and I didn't know if he'd be able to pull it off. I think he did a very good job with it. He didn't write himself as infallible...he was just another flawed character.

As for your spoiler, was it Eddie and Cuthbert? I don't remember that. I'm guessing that you're talking about the chicken incident at his grandparents' farm, but I don't remember those two characters being thrown together.

Yes. It was those two. They never appeared together in the series at all, but King mentions that they are twins, and that it was the both of them who saved his life at his grandparents farm.