Review: The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born by Stephen King, Peter David, and Robin Furth

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born by Stephen King
Series: Stephen King's The Dark Tower - Graphic Novel series #1
Published by Marvel
Published on: May 19 2010
Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Horror
Pages: 240
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

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'The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.' With those words, millions of readers were introduced to Stephen King's Roland ' an implacable gunslinger in search of the enigmatic Dark Tower, powering his way through a dangerous land filled with ancient technology and deadly magic. Now, in a comic book personally overseen by King himself, Roland's past is revealed! Sumptuously drawn by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove, adapted by long-time Stephen King expert, Robin Furth (author of Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Concordance), and scripted by New York Times Bestseller Peter David, this series delves in depth into Roland's origins ' the perfect introduction to this incredibly realized world; while long-time fans will thrill to adventures merely hinted at in the novels. Be there for the very beginning of a modern classic of fantasy literature!

Collecting DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER BORN #1-7.

Even though one of my few legitimate phobias is anything Stephen King-related (I read one of his short story collections when I was far too young, and have been unable to sleep in a room with an open door ever since #truestory), all the hype surrounding The Dark Tower movie, made me curious . . .

Of all of His work, it’s always been THE DARK TOWER that I’ve been the most interested in b/c fantasy.

BUT.

What does Stephen King-fantasy look like? o.O

I’d heard enough whispers to feel my hesitation was warranted, but curiosity and me . . . We’re bffs.

And FYI, Stephen King-curiosity + new(ish)found love of graphic novels = duh.

I figured it would be safer. I’d get the gist and some cool artwork without the dread and fear.

I was right.

This is where my basic outline of the plot begins, so if you don’t want to be spoiled, get thee gone. BUT. I’m just giving the gist, so I’d consider it safe—I’m not going to tell you anything that I wouldn’t want to know.

Roland Deschain is a Gunslinger.

I don’t know what that means beyond the obvious connotation and that it’s kind of a Big Deal in this world. Also, this world is very chauvinistic, so be aware of that. Anyway, Roland and his peers are trained by an abusive drill sergeant-type, until the day they challenge their master to a duel.

If they win, they become Gunslingers in their own right.

If they lose, they’re banished, ostracized, shunned, etc. They leave their families and their lives, never to return.

This is the first thing I learned.

The second is that Roland is manipulated into throwing the gauntlet years before he’d be considered ready by his nemesis, the Man in Black.

Fortunately for Roland (and apparently everyone and everything Good in his world), he wins the challenge and isn’t sent far, far away.

But his actions cause complications, so his father sends him and a couple of his friends to scout out a kind of in between area.

From there things get . . . more complicated.

Were parts of it gross in the way I imagine all things Stephen King to be?

Yes.

Were parts graphically violent?

Yes?

But in typical Jessica fashion I sped through those parts, not looking too closely at the images, and overall I have to say this was an excellent compromise. Recommended with qualifications.

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