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Stephen King's The Dark Tower #9
The Way Station
Collects Dark Tower : The Gunslinger - The Way Station #1-5. Roland's pursuit of the elusive Man in Black across the endless Mohaine desert becomes even more treacherous when he is attacked by a ravenous pack of desert dogs and vampiric dust devils when he is at his weakest! It's a new chapter in the life of the last gunslinger of Gilead as he struggles to remain alive and achieve his destiny!
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2012
59 people are currently reading
1657 people want to read
About the author
Robin Furth
220 books208 followersRobin Furth is the personal research assistant to Stephen King and the author of Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Complete Concordance, which was published by Scribner on December 5, 2006. It is a compilation of her two previous encyclopedic books dealing with King's magnum opus, The Dark Tower: A Concordance, volume I - which explores the first four books in King's series - and A Concordance II, which gives the reader definitions and explanations of pivotal terms used over the course of the final three books of The Dark Tower. She is now currently working on the graphic novel adaptation of the Dark Tower for Marvel Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 27, 2022
I read the volume collecting The Way Station #1-5, the first half of Robin Furth and co-creators' wonderful adaptation of the first Dark Tower book, The Gunslinger. As the graphic novel series is in chronological order, it took five years to reach this stage where the Man In Black crossed the desert, and the Gunslinger followed! 8 out of 12.
2021 read; 2013 read
2021 read; 2013 read
July 6, 2020
Richard Isanove's color art makes this series. They should just have him do the pencil art along with the colors.
February 4, 2020
So nice to get Jake's (or rather, the first Jake's) introduction. I love seeing the Dogan, the jawbone, and the Succubus.
It's INTERESTING. The pacing in both the original and the comic is creepy, slightly crazy, and definitely poignant. Roland is a mess. Almost a zombie of a man. Definitely broken. And yet he takes the time to push everything, his quest, hunting the Man in Black, the Dark Tower, slightly aside in order to take care of a young boy. He cares for the kid as if it is his own.
Indeed, after losing Susan and his child to the Charyou tree, he has lots of reasons to fall into a slight pocket of madness over Jake.
This is a great scene in the full arc. The only one that is more messed up is the next volume. The Man In Black... here comes Roland's ultimate sacrifice...
It's INTERESTING. The pacing in both the original and the comic is creepy, slightly crazy, and definitely poignant. Roland is a mess. Almost a zombie of a man. Definitely broken. And yet he takes the time to push everything, his quest, hunting the Man in Black, the Dark Tower, slightly aside in order to take care of a young boy. He cares for the kid as if it is his own.
Indeed, after losing Susan and his child to the Charyou tree, he has lots of reasons to fall into a slight pocket of madness over Jake.
This is a great scene in the full arc. The only one that is more messed up is the next volume. The Man In Black... here comes Roland's ultimate sacrifice...
October 28, 2024
Roland's journey by foot through the Desert begins with the Man in Black just out of reach...
A time to reflect and remember.
Plus the introduction of Jake.
A time to reflect and remember.
Plus the introduction of Jake.
March 10, 2024
This is the ninth volume in Marvel's long-running series of associational volumes to King's Dark Tower books. The art is pretty good, not as great as Lee's work in the first few books, but it still captures the flavor of the world pretty well; Laurence Campbell is the new artist of the run, with colors by Isanove. The story is as always by long-time King associate Robin Furth and adapted by Peter David, based, of course, on King's initial book in the series. Things pick up! Roland meets Jake at last... It's a good adaptation. I don't recommend reading the graphic version instead of King's prose, but it's a fine auxiliary.
August 19, 2012
As long as I can shoot with my mind and kill with my heart, my will is my own.4.5 stars
Oh sweet, crackling Moses, but this series is really heating up. The only thing keeping me from showering five juicy stars all over this thing, is that I'm leaving some room for further advancement into the realm of EPIC AWESOME. Because this is where we're headed, if you kennit. The best is yet to come, and I don't have to be a demonic, succubus oracle to ordain that, hear me well.
The story arc of Marvel's ambitious (and glorious) Dark Tower adaptation has finally reached the sweet spot for me -- long, tall and ugly Roland, lethal and obsessed and (let's face it, truly fucked up) Roland, hot on the trail of the man in black, in search of the Tower that haunts his dreams. The Battle of Tull is behind him -- yet another massacre to add to the rising count -- and Roland is traveling across the endless desert with his taunting quarry always just out of reach, always just a few steps ahead of him.
Then Roland stumbles into The Way Station and collapses from heat stroke and is revived by a young boy offering him water (and who thankfully resists the urge to dispatch Roland with his pitch fork). The young boy is John Chambers, but he informs Roland that his friends call him Jake. Jake!!! Oh Jake, how I've missed you! And this is where his story begins, but if you've been on this journey before, you know this isn't where or how it ends. Not even close.
I can't tell you how much joy I got from watching these initial intimate moments shared between gunslinger and boy unfold ostensibly for the first time. The devastation and betrayal that you know is waiting for each of them just makes these early interactions that much more precious and bittersweet. I especially giggled at one early morning conversation they share when Jake wakes up to find Roland has tethered him with rope in the night.
"Why'd you tie me up? I wasn't going to run away. Or is this some kind of gunslinger kinky thing that I'm probably not old enough to know about?"Jake is so innocent here, so trusting, yet to be betrayed, yet to kill. You just want to wrap him up in your arms and hug the shit out of him.
"We don't have time to palaver...Do you see this?...Take the bone and keep it close."
"Sooo first I'm tied up, and now I'm holding your magic bone. This morning could not be more disturbing."
This is a most welcome addition to the Marvel series, and I can't wait to read more.
January 1, 2014
I really enjoy these graphic novels, but this one seemed a bit... liberally interpreted from the original source material. I know that it's unlikely to be a 1 to 1 adaptation, but there are some parts that were not in The Gunslinger at all, but rather in later books, so their inclusion here felt strange. (I'm going to assume that if you're reading this, you've also read the series, so don't get mad at me if I spoil something for you here.)
For instance, take Jake's last day. Roland hypnotizes him when he meets Jake in the Way Station, and Jake tells him about his father and his housekeeper and his walk to school, leading up to "the priest" and his eventual arrival in Midworld. But added here is a mention of Jake's feeling of losing his mind - which is completely out of place because the event/paradox that leads to that feeling has not happened yet. As far as the FIRST time we see this day, it should have been a completely normal one for Jake, because he'd never been to Midworld at that point, and had never died, so he couldn't have memories of dying yet.
That's my main complaint - that one inappropriate addition, but I also feel like there was a hugely wasted opportunity with the Oracle in the Speaking Ring. This is one of the few really intense scenes in the book for me, because Jake's in danger, and Roland arrives just in time, and then the whole sexual succubus prophecy thing is intense. But so much time is spent with Roland commanding the creature to speak its prophecy that the actual payment for it, and all the danger that entails, is completely overshadowed by repetitiveness. There's actually a nod to the way it's downplayed: "...and the less said of the climax of the coupling, the better, do ya kennit?" No. Not really. Because that's a pivotal aspect of the series, and kind of important.
I did like the artwork, as usual with these, but I can't help but feel that all of the women look too similar. I wish that they were a little more unique.
Still, I liked it. I enjoy the tone of the omniscient narrator, and I like the minimalist style. I just wish that it was a little more accurate to the books as I mentioned above.
For instance, take Jake's last day. Roland hypnotizes him when he meets Jake in the Way Station, and Jake tells him about his father and his housekeeper and his walk to school, leading up to "the priest" and his eventual arrival in Midworld. But added here is a mention of Jake's feeling of losing his mind - which is completely out of place because the event/paradox that leads to that feeling has not happened yet. As far as the FIRST time we see this day, it should have been a completely normal one for Jake, because he'd never been to Midworld at that point, and had never died, so he couldn't have memories of dying yet.
That's my main complaint - that one inappropriate addition, but I also feel like there was a hugely wasted opportunity with the Oracle in the Speaking Ring. This is one of the few really intense scenes in the book for me, because Jake's in danger, and Roland arrives just in time, and then the whole sexual succubus prophecy thing is intense. But so much time is spent with Roland commanding the creature to speak its prophecy that the actual payment for it, and all the danger that entails, is completely overshadowed by repetitiveness. There's actually a nod to the way it's downplayed: "...and the less said of the climax of the coupling, the better, do ya kennit?" No. Not really. Because that's a pivotal aspect of the series, and kind of important.
I did like the artwork, as usual with these, but I can't help but feel that all of the women look too similar. I wish that they were a little more unique.
Still, I liked it. I enjoy the tone of the omniscient narrator, and I like the minimalist style. I just wish that it was a little more accurate to the books as I mentioned above.
August 16, 2020
I was aware that it would happen eventually, the merging of dimensions if you want to keep it vague. If you know anything about the dark tower or if you watched clips from the movie you will probably know that and this is what I feared the most of happening since it drastically would change the tone right?
Surprisingly enough they pulled it off and it brought some fresh air into this, just as it started to drag a tiny bit in the 2 previous books (as well written as they are) we just needed a change of curtains and this is it. Cool stuff, I am intrigued. 5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly enough they pulled it off and it brought some fresh air into this, just as it started to drag a tiny bit in the 2 previous books (as well written as they are) we just needed a change of curtains and this is it. Cool stuff, I am intrigued. 5.0 out of 5 stars
April 9, 2020
Robin Furth's excellent adaptation of King's Gunslinger series continues.
This is the adaptation of the novel's The Way Station section wherein Roland Deschain meets Jake Chambers for the first time. While searching the way station's cellar for usable supplies, Roland encounters a demon that speaks to him through a skeleton buried behind the wall. The demon warns him that the man in black will be able to use Jake as an asset against him as long as the two are traveling together. On impulse, Roland takes the skeleton's jawbone with him. Roland and Jake then venture out on the trail of the Man in Black.
Excellent artwork and a nice additional section explaining the lore about Stephen King's novel makes this a great read for any fan of the Dark Tower series. This entire comic series has been top notch so far.
This is the adaptation of the novel's The Way Station section wherein Roland Deschain meets Jake Chambers for the first time. While searching the way station's cellar for usable supplies, Roland encounters a demon that speaks to him through a skeleton buried behind the wall. The demon warns him that the man in black will be able to use Jake as an asset against him as long as the two are traveling together. On impulse, Roland takes the skeleton's jawbone with him. Roland and Jake then venture out on the trail of the Man in Black.
Excellent artwork and a nice additional section explaining the lore about Stephen King's novel makes this a great read for any fan of the Dark Tower series. This entire comic series has been top notch so far.
July 6, 2020
3.5 stars. Roland is still chasing after the man in black. At the end of this books he actually gets to have some brief words with him before he dips off again. But before all that, Roland happens upon a house and stable where he finds a young boy by himself. The boy, Jake, is having a hard time remembering how he got there. Roland hypnotizes him to get the full story. Whoa....that was pretty damn interesting. From here, Jake now joins Roland in his quest. Some cool moments happen as well as some humor as they are both trying to understand each other’s different lingo and things for each other’s worlds. The next volume looks like it may be the big showdown between Roland and the man in black.
July 12, 2015
This book picks up very closely behind the ending of the previous and for once actually makes reference (if only briefly) to the events that happened. For me it builds on the continuity of the story and lets me feel like I am reading something that is bigger than just the 130 plus pages that make up this single book.
I am also starting to see connections to events that were written in the books I read all those years ago - again giving support to the storyline and encouraging me to accept it as part of the Dark Tower canon of work.
I am also starting to see connections to events that were written in the books I read all those years ago - again giving support to the storyline and encouraging me to accept it as part of the Dark Tower canon of work.
November 12, 2016
4.5 Stars
Jake Chambers enters the Gunslingers life. Enough said, kennet?
Jake Chambers enters the Gunslingers life. Enough said, kennet?
November 12, 2018
the weakest of the series so far... the artwork was kinda dull in too many places where it could have been superbly detailed... the story was incredibly thin and overly drawn out... still, a fun addition to the previous tales and expansions... hoping the final books get back to amazing...
August 16, 2017
By far the most griping GN. I enjoyed it throughout.
April 27, 2019
Didn't really add anything interesting to the story.
February 26, 2023
Toujours intéressant à lire, notamment par rapport au développement de la relation Roland/Jake. Je l'ai trouvé un peu moins captivant que le précédent tome...
January 3, 2020
The Gunslinger continues, this time with the meeting of Jake at the Way Station, the battle against the Speaking Demon in the basement, the whole encounter with the Oracle in the Circle, and Jake and Roland making it to the mountains and starting down the tunnels.
Love the series, really enjoying the comic. Will probably finish this one and read Drawing of the Three soon after.
Love the series, really enjoying the comic. Will probably finish this one and read Drawing of the Three soon after.
June 23, 2023
cement:
30%: There were cement paths besides the streets.
The drawing approaches. This is getting exciting.
30%: There were cement paths besides the streets.
The drawing approaches. This is getting exciting.
September 15, 2013
The last gunslinger wanders through the Mohaine desert in search of the man in black. As his water draws to an end the gunslinger happens upon a long abandoned way station. There he finds an unusual boy; a boy who claims to be from a strange place called New York. The gunslinger has to decide whether this boy is as he claims to be or is this just another trap laid by the man in black.
On to the more meatier sections from The Gunslinger novel. Out of all the parts of this arc, my favourite were the first two issues. While the tail-end of the arc felt like it was dragging on a bit, the starting issues were excellent. This arc is a great addition to the series, but I wonder whether that is because I know what's to come or if it actually has the power to stand on its own?
The first issue of this arc focuses on Roland as he searches for water in his endless trek across the desert; it does a wonderful job of establishing mood while also adding interesting new elements to the story. The second issue was devoted to Jake and his tale of how he came to be in Midworld. The remaining issue were focused on the mountains and the oracle of the stones; a section that did feel a bit drawn out and tiresome in places.
An interesting arc that leads towards the place where the story actually begins. Sure to be of interest to fans of the core series, although I do question whether newcomers would get as much from the arc as those with knowledge of the later novels would.
On to the more meatier sections from The Gunslinger novel. Out of all the parts of this arc, my favourite were the first two issues. While the tail-end of the arc felt like it was dragging on a bit, the starting issues were excellent. This arc is a great addition to the series, but I wonder whether that is because I know what's to come or if it actually has the power to stand on its own?
The first issue of this arc focuses on Roland as he searches for water in his endless trek across the desert; it does a wonderful job of establishing mood while also adding interesting new elements to the story. The second issue was devoted to Jake and his tale of how he came to be in Midworld. The remaining issue were focused on the mountains and the oracle of the stones; a section that did feel a bit drawn out and tiresome in places.
An interesting arc that leads towards the place where the story actually begins. Sure to be of interest to fans of the core series, although I do question whether newcomers would get as much from the arc as those with knowledge of the later novels would.
September 7, 2015
This is the 9th book in the Dark Tower graphic novel series based on Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. This was an excellent book and really brought the old, rugged gunslinger and his trials to life.
Roland continues his pursuit of the Man in Black across the treacherous wasteland. He encounters vicious dogs and vampiric dust devils and is desperate for some sort of water source. Finally his journey takes him to a Way Station where he meets the boy Jake. Jake is from New York and has no idea how he ended up in this wasteland. Jake and Roland journey closer and closer to the Man in Black. As Roland nears his goal he must ask himself, what will he give to reach his final goal?
This was an excellent addition to the Dark Tower graphic novel series. I really enjoyed seeing Roland as his tough and rugged Gunslinger self wandering the wastelands of his world. I love the relationship that develops between Roland and Jake; it was nice to see the somewhat sensitive side to this rugged old Gunslinger.
In this book Roland makes a lot of progress toward catching the Man in Black and finally gets to speak with him some. It was great to see that progress being made. As with all of these, the story is dark and a bit twisted, but incredibly engaging.
I continue to enjoy the illustration throughout these books. They have been easy to follow, done in beautiful full color, and have excellent detail.
Overall an absolutely outstanding addition to the Dark Tower graphic novel series. I would definitely recommend this whole series to those who enjoy dark fantasy graphic novels.
Roland continues his pursuit of the Man in Black across the treacherous wasteland. He encounters vicious dogs and vampiric dust devils and is desperate for some sort of water source. Finally his journey takes him to a Way Station where he meets the boy Jake. Jake is from New York and has no idea how he ended up in this wasteland. Jake and Roland journey closer and closer to the Man in Black. As Roland nears his goal he must ask himself, what will he give to reach his final goal?
This was an excellent addition to the Dark Tower graphic novel series. I really enjoyed seeing Roland as his tough and rugged Gunslinger self wandering the wastelands of his world. I love the relationship that develops between Roland and Jake; it was nice to see the somewhat sensitive side to this rugged old Gunslinger.
In this book Roland makes a lot of progress toward catching the Man in Black and finally gets to speak with him some. It was great to see that progress being made. As with all of these, the story is dark and a bit twisted, but incredibly engaging.
I continue to enjoy the illustration throughout these books. They have been easy to follow, done in beautiful full color, and have excellent detail.
Overall an absolutely outstanding addition to the Dark Tower graphic novel series. I would definitely recommend this whole series to those who enjoy dark fantasy graphic novels.
August 4, 2015
Roland continues on his journey, and after days in the desert, he comes across a way station, where he finds a boy. Jake has come from somewhere else, where he died, and the man in black predicts that Jake will die again.
I was so happy for Jake to finally get in the story! He was my favorite part of the first Dark Tower novel. I also liked all the weird supernatural things happening, the ghosts and visions and now the added dimension of Jake traveling between worlds.
I was so happy for Jake to finally get in the story! He was my favorite part of the first Dark Tower novel. I also liked all the weird supernatural things happening, the ghosts and visions and now the added dimension of Jake traveling between worlds.
September 23, 2021
Uwaga do tłumaczenia: jak można po wydaniu tylu części komiksu nie ogarnąć, że głowna adaptatorka jest kobietą? Mam nadzieję, że w kolejnych wydaniach wszystkie formy męskie we wstępie zostaną poprawione.
August 19, 2012
34th book read in 2012.
Number 129 out of 266 on my all time book list.
Follow the link below to see my video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PGgd3...
Number 129 out of 266 on my all time book list.
Follow the link below to see my video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PGgd3...
September 30, 2012
This one wasn't as good of a story to me as the other volumes. I love the introduction of Jake.. and more of the Man in Black. Can't wait to see what is to come in the next volume!!
May 29, 2013
Didn't expect this to happen....nice turn of events, and still as good as previous books.
October 24, 2023
The first thing that gave me pause in this was the size of that Joshua tree in the beginning. I’ve never seen one that big, and I used to live out in the Nevada desert. So, I did a quick search and saw that they can get up to forty feet tall. Which is horrifying considering there are birds that like to impale their prey on them. But at the same time Joshua trees also mean potential food. Hopefully something better than camel spiders. Believe me those are one of the most horrifying thing to find crawling in your house or under your porch. If you live in the Nevada desert and you’ve got a porch they are likely a few under it. Anyway, this Joshua tree was dead so that explains why there wasn’t any meat on it. But it was large enough to cast a shadow, and if Roland was really that strapped for water, that’s the other thing he should have been searching for. Any long lasting shadow in the desert will have something growing out of it. Cucumber cactus has a lot of water in it. Prickly Pears are also a great source during the right seasons. But you gotta get to them fast because the day after they’re ripe they vanish. Wild animals usually get to them before anyone else has a chance. There is steep competition in the desert for survival. And anything that casts a shady spot casts a spot for other plants to thrive. But that’s nit picking, isn’t it? This is an entirely different world right? The plants may be entirely different. In the book I just assumed he knew about how to find water in the desert and all the tricks you can use to do so… Don’t worry, I’m not done nit picking yet.
In regard to Roland talking to himself and the line, “That’s never a good sign.” I hate it when people say this. It’s overused, over stated, and also a very modern concept which is mostly just used to belittle others. I know plenty of people who talk to themselves. Usually, they just have loud minds and need to organize their thoughts. They talk about the homework they have to finish and which they should do first, they talk about what ingredients they need to make for dinner, or they’re kids and their minds haven’t quieted down yet. For someone who’s been isolated, like Roland, it’s actually perfectly healthy for him to talk to himself, as long as he’s not expecting anyone to talk back. Once he starts expecting that then it’s a bad sign. But in all honesty, he’s in a desert, what else is there to listen to that’s half as comforting as a human voice? Believe me, I lived in the desert for years and the majority of other things you hear there is unsettling. One of the loudest things I heard was a pack of Cayotes moving around our house in the middle of the night. They sounded like crying demon children. Very unsettling. Who wouldn’t rather listen to themselves talk over that kind of thing? The other thing about sound in the desert is, it carries for absurdly long distances. We lived on the edge of town, a town so small it didn’t have a grocery store, and people would take their trucks out into the desert a couple miles off to set bonfires or hang out doing who knows what… I know what, because my window was open and I could hear them laughing and talking in the distance about people getting drunk at parties, who cheated on whom, and all the other things that small town people talk about when they think no one else can hear them… I guess they didn’t know how far sound carries for miles through flat desert terrain… Sounded like they were right in front of my house. Believe me, Roland would hear a lot of disturbing things out there on his own, and his own human voice was probably better than most of it. So what’s wrong with talking to himself when there’s no one else around? There’s nothing crazy or weird about that, it’s just human nature.
Now I’m done nit picking. From that point on my mind stopped stumbling over the little information snags. I’m onto the next book now and procrastinating because I don’t really want to know if he betrays Jake again or not. I’ve reread this story enough times to know it’s coming, but in the movie, he saved him, so why not again in the comic right? That’s probably too much to hope for. Every time it starts it’s a little different, doesn’t it? Maybe those small changes amount to larger changes overall. If we’re looking at it from a theoretical perspective maybe he’s the thread holding the tear together and maybe some of the information carries with him through each loop he treks. Maybe I’m too optimistic. I was going to give this three stars because I liked it but there were snags that kept catching at my mind, but then it landed strong and got my brain all in a frenzy. So now it’s four. Because that’s the kind of addicting aspect of the book that keeps your readers coming back for more. Well played and thank you for the stories.
In regard to Roland talking to himself and the line, “That’s never a good sign.” I hate it when people say this. It’s overused, over stated, and also a very modern concept which is mostly just used to belittle others. I know plenty of people who talk to themselves. Usually, they just have loud minds and need to organize their thoughts. They talk about the homework they have to finish and which they should do first, they talk about what ingredients they need to make for dinner, or they’re kids and their minds haven’t quieted down yet. For someone who’s been isolated, like Roland, it’s actually perfectly healthy for him to talk to himself, as long as he’s not expecting anyone to talk back. Once he starts expecting that then it’s a bad sign. But in all honesty, he’s in a desert, what else is there to listen to that’s half as comforting as a human voice? Believe me, I lived in the desert for years and the majority of other things you hear there is unsettling. One of the loudest things I heard was a pack of Cayotes moving around our house in the middle of the night. They sounded like crying demon children. Very unsettling. Who wouldn’t rather listen to themselves talk over that kind of thing? The other thing about sound in the desert is, it carries for absurdly long distances. We lived on the edge of town, a town so small it didn’t have a grocery store, and people would take their trucks out into the desert a couple miles off to set bonfires or hang out doing who knows what… I know what, because my window was open and I could hear them laughing and talking in the distance about people getting drunk at parties, who cheated on whom, and all the other things that small town people talk about when they think no one else can hear them… I guess they didn’t know how far sound carries for miles through flat desert terrain… Sounded like they were right in front of my house. Believe me, Roland would hear a lot of disturbing things out there on his own, and his own human voice was probably better than most of it. So what’s wrong with talking to himself when there’s no one else around? There’s nothing crazy or weird about that, it’s just human nature.
Now I’m done nit picking. From that point on my mind stopped stumbling over the little information snags. I’m onto the next book now and procrastinating because I don’t really want to know if he betrays Jake again or not. I’ve reread this story enough times to know it’s coming, but in the movie, he saved him, so why not again in the comic right? That’s probably too much to hope for. Every time it starts it’s a little different, doesn’t it? Maybe those small changes amount to larger changes overall. If we’re looking at it from a theoretical perspective maybe he’s the thread holding the tear together and maybe some of the information carries with him through each loop he treks. Maybe I’m too optimistic. I was going to give this three stars because I liked it but there were snags that kept catching at my mind, but then it landed strong and got my brain all in a frenzy. So now it’s four. Because that’s the kind of addicting aspect of the book that keeps your readers coming back for more. Well played and thank you for the stories.
January 5, 2022
(Zero spoiler review)
Well, the hot streak had to come to an end somewhere. Although to make it all the way to volume four before we didn't get a volume that exceeded the excellence that came before it is some feat in itself. And the fact that it was still a strong, if somewhat flawed offering. But The Battle for Tull was always going to be an exceeding difficult prospect to top.
I've remarked during each review at how wonderful it is to see different artists (this makes four now) but whom all have clearly tried to maintain the initial aesthetic. This really could have been a dogs breakfast with four differing styles, and although I must admit, this did seem like the weakest artistically of the four, the adherence to maintaining the style is something that needs to yet again be acknowledged. Hats off to all responsible for it.
Despite the four stars, I was really looking at a high 3 until the final issue went and pulled a final out a final basket at the buzzer. The story wallowed somewhat with a less than engrossing secondary character, whose backstory was more than a little bizarre. Maybe it makes more sense in the novels proper, although I'm yet to reads them.
This is also the collection where the least happens, story wise. It really feels like the authors wanted, for the sake of continuity, to tell this aspect of the story in five volumes, just like every other arc, although it really felt like 3 issues. Four is you wanted to push it. I really just wasn't that invested in this arc and the characters introduced. But like I said, issue five went and gave the story a much needed kick up the ass, and put a smile back on my face.
I'm really not sure what to expect in the final two volumes of this series. One can only hope for the same engaging quality of volumes two and three, although I feel as the story winds down, we are more likely to get a solid if unspectacular volume four. Only one way to find out. 4/5
OmniBen.
Well, the hot streak had to come to an end somewhere. Although to make it all the way to volume four before we didn't get a volume that exceeded the excellence that came before it is some feat in itself. And the fact that it was still a strong, if somewhat flawed offering. But The Battle for Tull was always going to be an exceeding difficult prospect to top.
I've remarked during each review at how wonderful it is to see different artists (this makes four now) but whom all have clearly tried to maintain the initial aesthetic. This really could have been a dogs breakfast with four differing styles, and although I must admit, this did seem like the weakest artistically of the four, the adherence to maintaining the style is something that needs to yet again be acknowledged. Hats off to all responsible for it.
Despite the four stars, I was really looking at a high 3 until the final issue went and pulled a final out a final basket at the buzzer. The story wallowed somewhat with a less than engrossing secondary character, whose backstory was more than a little bizarre. Maybe it makes more sense in the novels proper, although I'm yet to reads them.
This is also the collection where the least happens, story wise. It really feels like the authors wanted, for the sake of continuity, to tell this aspect of the story in five volumes, just like every other arc, although it really felt like 3 issues. Four is you wanted to push it. I really just wasn't that invested in this arc and the characters introduced. But like I said, issue five went and gave the story a much needed kick up the ass, and put a smile back on my face.
I'm really not sure what to expect in the final two volumes of this series. One can only hope for the same engaging quality of volumes two and three, although I feel as the story winds down, we are more likely to get a solid if unspectacular volume four. Only one way to find out. 4/5
OmniBen.
September 9, 2017
The introduction of Jack into the Gunslinger's story is very well presented here, taking some liberties but capturing the spirit well. Jake does sound a bit more modern than his 1970's era story would seem, but that's a minor quibble. I was particularly impressed with how the demon of the speaking stones is presented, and the prophecies relayed. Having Roland gain a character to talk to raises the quality of the story over the earlier issues where he spends so much time talking to himself (which doesn't really seem in character for him, but needs must for the presentation). The art and color work is surprisingly varied considering the locales. I've been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Gunslinger sequence of issues.
October 16, 2017
Ich kann mich leider nicht mehr wirklich gut an die Bücher der Reihe erinnern, nur Bruchstücke und was für eine Atmosphäre es war. Hier trifft nun Roland auf Jake, der uns ja lange begleiten wird und zudem noch eine wichtige Rolle spielen wird. Zudem haben wir auch Hinweise auf die anderen Kameraden, die noch kommen werden. Das Heroin dabei als Dämon bezeichnet wird, fand ich gut. Zudem wurde wenigstens etwas dargelegt, das Roland an sich ja auch ein Massermörder ist. Schließlich hat er ein Ziel, und tut alles, um dieses zu erreichen, wie viele Gefahren und Morde auch in seinem Weg legen sollten.
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