Customer Reviews

Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

As a huge Dark Tower fan I was ecstatic when I first heard news of this comic series and, even though the story itself is mostly a re-telling of Roland's flashback story from WIZARD AND GLASS, it was still very enjoyable. I wish that I had just stuck with buying the individual issues instead of the hardcover in addition.
What I loved most about the individual issues were the stories that Robin Furth wrote at the end of each issue which were really interesting and really helped flesh out some of the mythology previously established in the book series (Arthur Eld's backstory, the forging of Roland's guns, the creation of Maerlyn's Rainbow, Rhea's backstory, Jonas's backstory, , Roland's TRUE relationship to the Crimson King, etc.). I enjoyed the story enough that I felt warranted in buying the hardcover so I could read it in one convenient collection.
HOWEVER, Marvel, for some reason I cannot imagine (other than to save money by cutting down on the number of pages) DID NOT include these stories in the hardcover. There is a nice collection of sketches and alternate covers but not a single one of the stories from the issues. GODDAMN is that annoying. I pretty much had no reason to buy this hardcover, since, if I want to read any of those nifty back stories I now have to dig up the individual issues, so I might as well read those instead.
Way to drop the ball, Marvel.
From now on, before buying any Marvel comic collection I'll have to wait until somebody else I know gets it first to find out if I'm being gypped on material that should have been in there in the first place. I'm sure you'll release the SUPER DELUXE EDITION FAN COLLECTION when the second comic series begins in February, containing those stories that should have been in this one, following the film studios in double-dipping popular comic releases instead of just releasing the better collection in the first place. I really hope that when the hardcover collection for the second series comes out the sales are as terrible as the duping of your fans because they realized how you suckered them the first time around.
Thanks for nothing.
To anyone interested in reading the story do yourself a favor and buy the individual seven issues so you can get the stories in the end. If you're a fan of the DT books you won't regret getting them over this abysmal hardcover.

This would have been a 4 star review, if it were for the series (NOT the hardcover). The series had wonderful prose and backstories on origins of Dark Tower events and characters, filling in many gaps. This 25.00 book doesn't include those. Most Marvel hardcovers are in the 30.00 range, which should have meant by boosting the price a bit, fans could get the prose (perhaps sequentially in the back), along with the interviews, and possibly the Gunslinger's Guidebook. In the end, Marvel's negligence should NOT be rewarded with anything over a one star review for screwing over Stephen's fans.

Shortly after graduating high school (too many years ago to admit to), I read my second Stephen King novel. I decided to take on King's 800+ page epic called The Stand (updated in the 90s to 1100+ pages!)...this after finishing his awesome story about young Ms. Charlie McGee called Firestarter. After those two novels I was hooked on anything King...couldn't wait for his next release.

In 1982 King brought back the main antagonist (albeit under a different name) of The Stand for the beginning of what turned into an awesome seven-part series called The Dark Tower. Flash-forward to 2007 and here we are with a new beginning to The Dark Tower series, a prequel, a graphic novel called The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born.

King worked closely with Marvel, his personal assistant of several years (Robin Furth) and an experienced comic book writer (Peter David) in order to deliver this inaugural graphic novel adaptation of his work. Jae Lee (another experienced comic booker) did the amazing artwork. And the result?...the beginning of what will hopefully go on for many years...a neverending adaptation to a neverending story one can only hope.

Unlike a King novel that takes a guy like me days (sometimes weeks) to finish, The Gunslinger Born takes about an hour. And readers are rewarded with King's signature prose and stunning images to accompany every word.

The story starts with Roland Deschain's Gunslinger School "graduation test" (rest assured this ain't no written test), then follows Roland and friends as they embark on their fisrt assignment by the elders.

Another chapter in the series titled Dark Tower: The Long Road Home is slated for release in October 2008, and I'm pretty excited about it. But I can say that I'd look forward much more to taking The Dark Tower novels and converting them with this writing/artistic crew into graphic novels for an amazing, refreshing re-read. After all...it's been 25 years since I read the first Dark Tower novel, and the way my memory has been working lately, a graphic novel adaptation would be like reading it for the first time.

Regardless, whether you've ever read a comic book, graphic novel, Dark Tower or Stephen King story for that matter, The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born is a great place to escape into a world that goes on forever. Do ya kennit?

Add it to your cart.

The first descriptions of this book gave me the impression that it would cover parts of the story that were left untold in the original books - most notably the infamous battle at Jericho Hill, or the mysterious Jamie whom we hear about in the series but never meet.

I was disappointed, then, to find out that what I was handed was a rehash of Roland's trial of manhood and a quick synopsis of Wizard and Glass. There is no material that is at all new to any reader of the series.

But my disappointment was offset by the care taken in presentation. An excellent adaptation, in my opinion; it allows the reader a more tactile glimpse of characters who were already well-fleshed in the mind and only needed a little nudge to reach the next level of realism. The artwork is splendid, very gothic with heavy emphasis on shadows and blood-spatter.

It puts one in mind of early Frank Miller with an airbrush stapled to his hand. After a night's heavy drinking. And a bar fight or two. Such a treatment is perfect for the story of a young man's descent into fate and tragedy.

The scripting is a little overblown in its attempt to recreate King's Outer Arc "patois" at times (I got a bit tired of seeing "do ye ken" and "may it do ya" and such) but adds to the overall flavor of the latter part of the series. The overall feeling is dark, and savage, and very bloody - which is appropriate. Richard Isoanove apparently took inspiration from the Tower work by Michael Whelan; his use of color and scale is similar enough to induce feelings of deja vu. A very nice touch, if not an all-out homage.

I do not think it would be an appropriate book for those who have not read the series, only because so much of the plot in Wizard and Glass had to be trimmed for length. Roland's (and Susan's) motivations may not be understood by someone who is exposed only to the outline given here. It may serve as an introduction, but I would hope that anyone who uses it as their first step in the direction of the Tower continues by reading the original series to understand things a bit better.

The book itself is a nice departure from the standard softcover format - good thick hardback binding, nice glossy dust jacket, and a ton of pages at the back that show all the various covers and alternates for the original seven-part comic series. While not quite heavy enough to qualify as a lethal weapon when thrown, it's still a volume with satisfying weight to it. Overall a high-quality offering that is a step above the usual graphic novel fare.

As an avid Tower buff since the first book twenty years ago, I am very glad I got my hands on this little project - though as I said, I was disappointed that I didn't learn any more about Roland than King himself has already given us. Still, for any collector of All Things Tower, it's most definitely a good purchase. I would recommend it to anyone who has the collecting bug. While it wasn't what I had originally thought it would be as far as story goes, I am certainly glad I bought it and would not hesitate to suggest it to anyone who enjoyed the series, particularly those (like myself) who enjoyed the fourth book's gentler treatment of a notoriously un-gentle protagonist.

This comic is great for any King fan, and if you loved the Dark Tower books then you will love the comics. It is beautifully illustrated, and impossible to put down. I do wish it was a bit longer, but that has to be my only complaint.

As for the prices the private sellers are charging, this is crazy! Yes, the first priniting did sell out but Marvel is going back to the presses to re-print the first issue (with new cover) due to overwhelming demand. Additonally, call 1-888-comicbook for a shop closest to you. My local comic shop had more than they knew what to do with!

I really don't understand why Marvel would choose to leave out such a significant part of the stories. As has been mentioned, the individual issues each shipped with a narrative by Robin Furth. This narrative was, in my opinion, the best part of the deal. Rather then simply retelling the novels, these narratives added significantly to the whole gunslinger mythos. It was new material that fit wonderfully into the world and history of our beloved characters. It explained and elaborated upon things that I had been wondering about for years. Without it, despite the beautiful art and great pacing, I feel... well... cheated. I would have been much better off just buying the individual issues rather then waiting for the collection. Needless to say, I'm quite disappointed with my purchase.

To compare this graphic novel to its paperback predecessor would be unfair. Similar to books that are translated to movies, certain elements won't or simply cannot translate. As someone who has an afinity for reading comics, graphic novels and books I can say I highly recommend this book. When this medium does a good job it sucks you in to its world. From the first turn of the page you will be engrossed in and become part of the world of the gunslinger born. The writing and artwok are amazing. I was never a huge fan of Peter David's writing but his work here is astounding. I have been a huge fan of Jae Lee's artwork since his early days on Namor. This is by far his best work. Richard Isanove completes this story with his beautiful coloring.
This is a great coming of age story with interesting characters, politics and action to spare. You will not be dissappointed with this book.

I started reading these books when the 4th volume was released. The books are great. And I love these comics. They stay true to the books. I also think the mini original stories that people have written at the end of the comics are cool too. I especially like the mini story at the end of the second comic.

The only thing I was a little disappointed in was that I had thought these comics were going to be new material. Anyone who has read the books knows that the comics are just recapping days of Roland's youth previously told in dt:the gunslinger and dtiv: wizard and glass.

I am really enjoying these comics... can't wait for the hardbound to come out.

The books were excellent, to say the least, and the comics are nothing but! Anime and manga, thought to have overrun the American comic industry, have no comparison to what the Dark Tower has just done. This is a marvelous comic and I cannot wait to get them all as they release. Something they are doing however is going in chronogolical order, so instead of being in Wizard and Glass and going back to the times when Roland was in love it will just happen that way through the comics. I cannot wait for the next one to come out! Long days and pleasant nights!

Jae Lee's artwork is truly inspired. Peter David's scripting is pretty dead on. Robin Furth writes a compelling analysis of the sacred geography of Mid-World at the end. The sneak preview for the next issue (due out around March 7) was enough to get me salivating for more.

This is a once - in - a - lifetime Marvel release, bound for glorious collectability. I only bought one, which was probably stupid of me. But that's just how I do it, old school like. I'll be cherishing my single rare copy until I'm ready for the clearing at the end of the path, do ya kennit?

Finally a comic title that lives up to the name of its publisher, for what a marvel they have wrought...

This comic is untouchable.


Seriously though - this is a deluxe and loving treatment of King's legendary Dark Tower series, w/glossy pages in full color spreads, just gorgeous artwork and serious narrative tone. All the characters are there, and depicted perfectly as if they were lifted from your own imagining of what they must've looked like.

Highly recommended whether you've read the original books or not. In fact, I kind of envy those whose introduction to Roland of Gilead - the last gunslinger - comes via this devotional & superb Marvel title. It serves as a brilliant & perfect preface from which to delve into the books themselves, or as an addendum to the already initiated.

All around killer title, destined for immaculate collectability.

Run, do not walk, to your nearest comic store. Keep fingers crossed it isn't already sold out.