View Full Version : 'The Dark Tower' Discussion Thread
Next Wednesday marks the shipping of Dark Tower #1. It is the first installment in a mini based on stories from and architected by Stephen King. It will be, I hope, like the best thing ever. But alas, still no discussion really amongst the iFanboy community. What's up with that? Am I alone? Do you all care? I'm such a jaded jackass that I'm never excited, but I'm actually excited about this one; seriously, without having to fake it. Come on people!
If you don't care, why don't you? Is it Marvel fatigue from CW? Is it fatigue from the hype machine? Is it that comic companies are always trying to draw in the general public and you like it that it's just us? What is it? I'm half-heartedly calling you out here, don't let me down.
JAFlanagan
01-30-2007, 05:41 PM
I don't think it will necessarily be very good. The books that are good, the ones you talk about, and care about, are NEVER the books that they make huge events out of. Stephen King isn't actually scripting this. Peter David is great...he really is, but on this, he's just adapting as far as can tell. And while I love Jae Lee art, I'm just not looking forward to this. I'll buy it, and be pleasantly surprised if it's any good, but I'm not holding my breath.
Also, I never read the Dark Tower books, so I don't know if that has something to do with it. I love reading Stephen King when he writes as himself, but his fiction, while capable and prolific, is often hit or miss. I don't read a Stephen King book and get that same feeling I do when I read a Neal Stephenson book, for example.
And that's why I'm not too excited.
Stephen King isn't actually scripting this. Peter David is great...he really is, but on this, he's just adapting as far as can tell. And while I love Jae Lee art, I'm just not looking forward to this. I'll buy it, and be pleasantly surprised if it's any good, but I'm not holding my breath.
From what I understand, and I read everything that I see about it, Peter David is scripting it with heavy input from Stephen King and Robin Furth(I think that's the name) who apparently has written some things set within this 'Dark Tower' universe that King created. David makes it sound like scripts are approved by King and Furth. Also, King is promoting it and you'd have to figure that Marvel would've made a deal with the devil to get him to authorize it in the first place so he probably doesn't contractually have to. He must really believe in it.
I'll be just as upset as anyone if this sucks but I'm not expecting to.
Jimski
01-30-2007, 06:12 PM
King writing (or even moderately participating in) a comic is, given his place in American/pop literary culture, obviously a big deal. As I just alluded to in another thread (forums! so much to keep track of for an old man!) my lack of excitement comes from the fact that I have been hearing about this project since approximately 1982. At some point, my reaction to news of its release went from "can't wait to get a look" to "yeah, sure it is."
mister s
01-30-2007, 06:20 PM
I checked out the pre release sketchbook and it look alright.
I'm not all that excited for the same reasons Josh mentioned above - too much hype to be good/real. I also am curious about King's level of participation.
Has this really been in production for 20 years?
The Dude Abides
01-30-2007, 06:40 PM
Yeah. It has. My sister started reading it in her early 20s and just finished it in her early 40s.
Personally, I haven't seen ANY hype over this. at all. But then I don't spend much time on comics outside of actually reading them and listening to Ifanboy. That's about it.
I can't wait for this. I actually reallllllly liked the Dark Tower series and I'm totally loving Peter David right now.
PS- They'll completely ruin it.
Derek
01-30-2007, 06:58 PM
I love the Dark Tower series and am definitely excited for the comic, albeit with a couple of caveats:
1) King isn't writing it, as mentioned already. It is David and Furth. I know King is approving all the story elements, but it isn't quite the same as knowing the words came from him.
2) This first miniseries isn't even a new story, it is just an adaptation of the Roland & Susan Delgado in Mejis story from Wizard & Glass. I love that story, it is one of my favorite parts of the whole series, but I already know what's going to happen, so this first miniseries won't hold any surprises or have any tension for me. If it does well they plan on making more, but we probably won't be seeing that for a couple of years or so.
Other than that, I am very excited that they are actually doing this. I had no idea the comic has been in discussions for 20 years. The books came out over a 25-year period, but the first I even heard about the comic was a couple of years ago.
Derek
01-30-2007, 06:59 PM
Oh, and I'm not expecting it to suck. The Roland and Susan story is great, and Jae Lee's art is awesome. I fully expect the quality to be high.
JAFlanagan
01-30-2007, 07:52 PM
Oh, and I'm not expecting it to suck. The Roland and Susan story is great, and Jae Lee's art is awesome. I fully expect the quality to be high.
I don't expect it to suck at all. It will probably be very competantly done, but at the same time, I don't think it will have that feeling of being new or exciting. Work that gets me excited sneaks up on me, and surprises me. I have no doubt of the craft and skill being used for this, but I fully expect to say, "yeah that was pretty good," and never think about it again.
Not unlike the Neverwhere comics from Vertigo last year. Mike Carey and Glenn Fabry on a damn well done book....but still...been there.
ConorKilpatrick
01-30-2007, 08:06 PM
I really am a big fan of Stephen King's and have loved everything of his he has written.
Except for The Dark Tower books, of which I read the first two. I really liked the first one and then the second one I really had to struggle to get through. And it made me sad because those are his big, personal epics books that are dearest to his heart and I just not get them AT ALL.
I guess that's why I'm not excited about this series. I'm still not sure if I'll be picking it up.
Derek
01-30-2007, 08:41 PM
I really am a big fan of Stephen King's and have loved everything of his he has written.
Except for The Dark Tower books, of which I read the first two. I really liked the first one and then the second one I really had to struggle to get through.
I am the opposite. I think his Dark Tower books are the best thing he's done. They are quite different than his other stuff, but in a good way in my opinion. And for the most part, they get better and better as they go. I liked 2 more than 1, 3 more than 2, etc... That's not entirely true because some of the stuff in the last 3 I wasn't a huge fan of, but only minor quibbles. Overall I love that series.
I've never read the Dark Tower books but I have enjoyed many of his other works.
The Dude Abides
01-30-2007, 09:42 PM
I heard Roland Deshaine (sp) is a total influence on the Saint of Killers.
So wait a second.. these aren't just the adaptations of the books? In order? What?
I was wondering how they'd get past all the copyright issues. There's star wars and harry potter and terminator and tons of other shit throughout the entire series.
Derek
01-30-2007, 10:05 PM
I heard Roland Deshaine (sp) is a total influence on the Saint of Killers.
So wait a second.. these aren't just the adaptations of the books? In order? What?
I was wondering how they'd get past all the copyright issues. There's star wars and harry potter and terminator and tons of other shit throughout the entire series.
I read an interview with Peter David on Newsarama where he said the first mini was the Roland/Susan story. If it did well they would probably do some original stories covering events referred to but not actually taking place in the books, i.e. other stories with Roland/Alain/Cuthbert, etc.... He specifically said he would like to explore some stories with Rhea that hadn't been fully detailed in the books. He also said the stories would take place fully in Roland's world, so nothing on our Earth or (most likely) with Jake, Eddie, Susannah, etc... I don't have a link to it but go to Newsarama and search and you will probably find it.
Jimski
01-31-2007, 05:18 AM
I see that Peter David is doing a midnight signing at Midtown Comics on Monday. And of course now my first thought is always gonna be, "I wonder if iFanboy TV is gonna be there."
acomicbookgirl
01-31-2007, 05:20 AM
I'm intrigued... I just hope there are still some copies left... Smart me forgot to ask the guy at the comic book store to save a copy for me... Oh well..
my lcs isn't opting in for the midnight release and I understand why. It's kind of stupid. Dark Tower is the only Wednesday book that can be sold at midnight. Everything else that comes out next week can't be sold until regular hours. Who the hell is going out in the middle of the night for one book? It's not like it's a Wii or anything; there will be plenty.
Derek
02-05-2007, 02:45 AM
Marvel has a trailer for this series. It is pretty cool, mainly because Jae Lee's art looks incredible. The narrator is kind of cheesy though.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid370512145/bctid370380596
I can't wait for Wednesday
JurassicAlien
02-05-2007, 12:56 PM
I'm being laim with this series and waiting for the trade (I hope there's a hardcover) so I can place in on my shelf, next to my Dark Tower books (Of which I have all seven and love)
I'm being laim with this series and waiting for the trade (I hope there's a hardcover) so I can place in on my shelf, next to my Dark Tower books (Of which I have all seven and love)
They've already announced a hard cover that comes out in (I think) October
JurassicAlien
02-05-2007, 01:21 PM
They've already announced a hard cover that comes out in (I think) October
OH! Good. This is Good
Deezer
02-06-2007, 02:32 AM
see now, for me, this book just looks interesting, and the pencils (if that's what I was looking at) look really good. I haven't seen any of the hype for it (aside from the countdown on the marvel website), and I only read a short story that King wrote based on it, so I have NOTHING to base it on, so I'm all set to enjoy it.
That I and I have a ridiculously light week this week (again) so I can spend the extra 4 bucks without kicking myself if it's bad
I have 19 books this week. Spacing people, spacing
JGG0610
02-06-2007, 04:24 AM
I have 19 books this week. Spacing people, spacing
I feel your pain: 13 books and 2 action figures this week. My wallet is already screaming for mercy!!
acomicbookgirl
02-06-2007, 04:34 AM
I have 19 books this week. Spacing people, spacing
19?! Ouch... I still have to look in Previews. :( The guy at the comic book store was telling me about the Wonder Woman stuff in this month's when I called... Wonder Woman Cookie Jar. Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman statue :eek:
I actually missed 2 maybes so it's 19-21
which sucks
acomicbookgirl
02-06-2007, 04:49 AM
I actually missed 2 maybes so it's 19-21
which sucks
Anything more than 10 books is a hole in one's pocket.. Got tired of Gary Coleman I noticed.. :p
acomicbookgirl
02-06-2007, 05:01 AM
You're too funny..
Hey
After the second viewing of 24, I started Pedro and Me. I'm about half-way through now and it's really really good. Touching and funny and sweet.
acomicbookgirl
02-06-2007, 05:29 AM
Hey
After the second viewing of 24, I started Pedro and Me. I'm about half-way through now and it's really really good. Touching and funny and sweet.
Hi!
You've already seen it twice already. :eek: Its on my all time fave list. :cool:
Pride of Baghdad is waiting for me at my lcs. I so can't wait to read it. :D
orlov
02-06-2007, 05:43 AM
I really am a big fan of Stephen King's and have loved everything of his he has written.
Except for The Dark Tower books, of which I read the first two. I really liked the first one and then the second one I really had to struggle to get through. And it made me sad because those are his big, personal epics books that are dearest to his heart and I just not get them AT ALL.
I guess that's why I'm not excited about this series. I'm still not sure if I'll be picking it up.
Really? I am in the same boat as you, I read the first two books as well but I thought book two was amazingly cool, I just cant seem to get myself to read anymore of the books though.
Hi!
Its on my all time fave list. :cool:
that was really special in the way that few things are
dedlites
02-04-2009, 12:44 AM
Hey guys,
i feel like DT doesn't get enough praise. I am in love with this series and have become engulfed in it's lore. The art is amazing and the writing blows me mind month after month. the narration really draws me in every issue. I think this is my favorite book out right now.
cenquist
02-04-2009, 01:46 AM
I never read any of the Dark Tower books, would I need to if I wanted to pick this up?
Zombox
02-04-2009, 02:28 AM
I never read any of the Dark Tower books, would I need to if I wanted to pick this up?
Nope. This series picks up where the story chronologically begins; the novels start in the middle of the story and bounce around from present to past and occasionally the future. In some ways this is better for most readers. Also, most of what happens, other than the first mini, is entirely new materials that fills in gaps in the books' telling.