The Battle of Jericho Hill

Stephen King's The Dark Tower #5

by Robin Furth (Adaptor), Peter David (Adaptor), Stephen King (Creator)

A brand new story featuring Roland Deschain and his beleaguered ka-tet as they go on the run following the complete destruction of their beloved city of Gilead! And when such as Gilead falls, the pillars of reality itself—the six beams holding all of existence together—begins to crumble. The satanic plan of the Crimson King to return all of existence to the primal state of chaos is nigh.

Collecting DARK TOWER: THE BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL #1-5

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Westerns

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Robin 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.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost a decade of guerrilla warfare against Farson and his legions, sees Roland, his Ka-Tet and rag tag allies back at Gilead during a Beam-quake. When readers first meet Roland in The Gunslinger he is very much haunted by Jericho Hill, the loss of his Ka-tet and the need for vengeance against Marten Broadcloak, he that is also known as Walter O' Dim. For the first time, and in graphic novel format, this is that story, the Battle of Jericho Hill!

When I first read this book it blew me away with all the detailed revelations of this grim time in Roland's past, but by this 3rd reading, I had more time to focus on the storytelling, which felt rushed, and lacked the impact that this occasion merited. Still a very fascinating Dark Tower tale with the added bonus of the return of Jae Lee's pencils. 7 out of 12, Three Star read.

2021 read; 2015 read; 2012 read

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our quest continues . . .

Very little hope is left . . .

One of the most historic battles in Dark Tower lore is upon us . . .



The graphic novel telling of the events before the Dark Tower novels is nearing its end. While I have heard rumors that the series eventually begins to slide into mediocrity, so far it has remained top notch. This volume is as dark, brutal, and enthralling as the volumes before it.



I am very glad I gave this series a try. I enjoyed the novel series and getting the prequels through the graphic novel media has been excellent. I highly recommend it. But, definitely read the novels first!

[Stepheny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this beautiful copy on a Sunday morning. I bought my copy in Bangor, Maine at a local comic shop. My library system has every Dark Tower graphic novel BUT this one, so I will be donating my copy to the library system. I would hate to see someone else hit a brick wall like I did and not be able to continue the series.

Gilead has fallen.

9 years have passed since The Good Man and his followers destroyed what was left of the ancient city. Roland and the few remaining gunslingers are determined to end the war and to end John Farson. Their hope is dwindling as the odds keep getting stacked higher and higher against them.



We see Young Roland making very adult decisions. His instincts are almost never wrong. He seeks the council of his elders, but in the end, the decision rests with him. And Roland only knows one way to deal- in lead.



There’s a traitor in the midst and soon Farson’s men come marching. They come on horse and on foot. They come in numbers unfathomable. And they come bearing the flag that proudly displays the Eye of the Crimson King.



Alain, Cuthbert and Roland must make their final stand. Will they defeat the Good Man? Will they make it out to see another day? Will their quest to reach the Tower continue?



This is another great addition to the Dark Tower Graphic Novel series. And if I haven’t mentioned already 8573505418746 times how much I love Jae Lee’s artwork, hear me now. Yes, hear me loud and clear. Lee’s artwork brings a unique perspective to an extremely complex storyline. I love his interpretations of these scenarios.


Read the Dark Tower series, then read the graphic novels. That’s an order, maggots!

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another beautiful installment in the Dark Tower series. The artwork is stunning, even though I am missing Jae Lee.



Taking place 9 years after the fall of Gilead, we pick up the ka-tet attempting to stand against the forces of evil at Jericho Hill. This is where it all happens, (no spoilers), and I'll admit it brought a tear to this cold heart.

I can't wait for the next one! (Thanks to my local library, I don't have to!)

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume comes with a TON of sadness.

Gorgeous art, as always, but it's hard to see all of one's friends die on the battlefield. This should have been the end of all the gunslingers and Roland as well.

At least we now have the final, horrific bridge between his hard youth and the beginning of his long wandering and his quest for the Dark Tower.

*shiver*

This one was well met. Well met, indeed.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess for me one of my golden rules is not to give away the plot - not out of respect for spoiling the book but more for the fact it takes you seconds to find far better, more entertaining and insightful reviews than mine. Then again for this series if you have read any of the original Stephen King novels you know what is coming as they basically start after the events in this series (although later books do start to over lap)
So there is the balance of not giving away the story and yet admitting to anyone who has had experience of the series that all that happens is "history".
So what can I say about this instalment - well if the last book started the dramatic events that announced the beginning of the end - well this book sees them through to their heart wrenching conclusion- no punches are pull probably because they cannot be. This storyline matched the artistic style I have come to associate with the Gunslinger series makes for a powerful and poignant ending to the first series.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth volume in Marvel's long-running series of associational volumes to King's Dark Tower books and it is yet another excellent addition to the mythos. The art is not as great as the first few books, but it still captures the flavor of the world well, and Lee returned to an extent and Isanove began to grow on me. The story is again by long-time King associate Robin Furth and adapted by Peter David. It picks up the story a decade or so after the fall of Jericho and is another good look at Roland's development, but I still think one should have the whole set available to read. It's another treasure for Dark Tower fans and Constant Readers alike.

[Kandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can never say enough about the art in this series, so I don't need to say more.

I think the story deserved three stars, the art five for an average of four. This story was a let down. The battle of Jericho Hill has always been so huge in my mind. I mean this is where he loses that damn horn! This was just...meh. Tragic, but not even exciting.

I was also a bit unimpressed with the passing of nine years. I know time must pass, but I would rather have had an entire installment showing those years passing instead of the two and half pages we get. At first I was disappointed that no one looked older, but Roland only seems to look about 35 in The Gunslinger and is eons old, so I quickly got over that.

Getting over the whimper instead of the bang I wanted from the battle will take much longer.

[Lukas Sumper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This basically concludes the story of the prequel and it did what it was suppossed to. But thats exactly why I wasn't able to give it 5 stars. "Beginnings" as a whole (all 5 books) were on track to be on the very top of my graphic novel favorite list and only lost some of its steam starting with the 4th book. By the time they reached Chapter 5 of Book 5 I couldn't help but notice that it felt rushed/ the focus wasn't there like in the previous books. It just leads me to believe this is due to deadlines, and maybe fatigue of the writers.

If I was judging it with a checkmark list of storypoints it had to fullfill, I would give it a 5 out of 5 but the human element like the relationships to side characters were suffering, as they saw not enought limelight this time around (considering what this book had in store for them). Instead the theme of betrayal was much more important and sucked away most of the pages, which isn't bad per se but it felt very unballanced especially with that ending.

Don't get me wrong, its a great read but it certainly didn't finnish as strong as it started with book 1. My best guess is, that it would have taken them more time to come up with more meaningful conclusions to the character arcs of Roland's Ka-tet. Or they simply didn't know how to.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I loved this series. As the final installment of the prequel series of the Dark Tower it could not have ended more fittingly. It's difficult to write a series when the reader knows the outcome of all major events prior to reading it. This could have been awful. It wasn't. It enhanced my love for the Dark Tower, and it has me even more excited to continue the graphic novels that go through the book's events.

What is there to say about this volume itself? Well, it's a hard read. The reader knows going into it there will be casualties (I mean, we know the result of the battle, and look at the cover). What I didn't expect was to care so much and hope for a different ending. If you have read the book series, here's a thought if not, skip, MAJOR SPOILER: when Roland starts events again at some point when he starts over will he do as he hopes and save Gilead? Save Steven. Save Bert. Save Alain. Save Susan. Save Eddie. Save Oy. Surely we will find a time where all goes perfectly and good triumphs? I refuse to believe that this all ends in defeat, death, darkness..

Review from previous volumes:
Gunslinger Born Review
The Long Road Home Review
Treachery Review
Fall of Gilead Review

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine years after the fall of Gilead..Roland survives with a few companions fighting against seeming insurmountable odds.

It doesn't help there's a traitor...

[PUMPKINHEAD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on this current kick of graphic novels inspired by great books I've read. Like the 'Hellraiser' comic book spinoffs, these Stephen King graphic novels are thoroughly enjoyable. Great art, good stories, and some interesting expansions of the fictional universes we've enjoyed in other novels. Whether prequel or sequel in nature (These Dark Tower ones are prequel btw), I'm loving the widening of worlds and characters.

IMHO, Marvel has done a great job with this stuff. I love the quality of art, the bloody violence, the horror, and the surprisingly compelling stories. Battle Of Jericho Hill is an epic tale, one that sees a young Roland Deschain and his comrades take the fight to a collection of their greatest enemies. It's an all out war that makes you pump your fists in the air one moment, and breaks your heart the next.

If you're a comic book or graphic novel fan, and you like your fiction on the dark side, definitely check out these King/Marvel offerings.

[Sud666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall quality of the Dark Tower comics is fairly impressive. Combining gorgeous artwork with a wonderful, though grim, story this is a must read for any fan of Stephen King's "The Dark Tower".

The Battle of Jericho is a dark tale. The gunslingers go up against John Farson's army. This is the end of the ka-tet. While I did enjoy the story, Roland's inability to ferret out traitors is galling. With the events of the previous issues out of the way, one would think the gunslingers would be hypervigilant. But, no they delude themselves and wander into a trap. It diminishes my respect for Roland. On a bright note the SJW female gunslinger bit the bullet. She wasn't part of the original story and there was no need to introduce her in this story.

A great combination of superior artwork and a great story make for a great comic book.

[Paul Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The battle of Jericho hill is the final installment looking back on Roland's younger days from his rise to a gunslinger to the ending of the gunslingers, all but one.
When we reach the final battle at Jericho Hill the destructive forces of evil have already won, its all over bar the last dance and the only thing left is how one man survives amongst a myriad of death. Its violent, a little sad and now onto the search for that Dark Tower.

[James Morpurgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a good idea where this was going having almost completed the main book series, but that took nothing away from how good this and all the other preceding graphic novels have been. These have been a fantastic companion piece to The Dark Tower and really help to flesh out early parts of the time line which are missing or only referenced to in passing.

[Michael Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilead has fallen, destroyed by The Good Man, John Farson. When the ancient city fell, so did its connection to the Dark Tower. One Beam is broken, one of twelve that hold together Mid-World and all of reality. So begins the war campaign of John Farson, working to conquer all of Mid-World in service to the Crimson King, who sits within the Dark Tower, waiting for all of the Beams to be broken.

Nine years have passed since the destruction of Gilead. Roland and his ka-tet are following the Path of the Beam, through the war-torn wastelands and enemy camps, hoping to find the Dark Tower. They do not know of the traitor in their midst, pushing the band of gunslingers and refugees closer to the evil John Farson, his ever-growing army of soldiers and mutants, and the necromancer Marten Broadcloak, aid to the Crimson King. The two forces are set to collide, and Roland and his companions will make their last stand, fighting an army of thousands at the Battle of Jericho Hill.

Plotted by Robin Furth (Stephen King's research assistant and author of The Dark Tower: A Complete Concordance) and scripted by Peter David, The Battle of Jericho Hill details the brutal and heart-breaking culmination of Marvel Comics' five-volume story arc that began with The Gunslinger Born. It's a story that fans of Stephen King's Dark Tower series know well, as readers were able to glean bits and pieces of Roland's history through the course of that seven-part fantasy epic. But to know it intimately, to be able to see that history as one story, with all the details that fit in between those bits and pieces to form a tapestry, fans of King's original work would do well to turn to these hardback trade collections.

Furth is the definitive authority--next to Stephen King, of course--on all matters related to The Dark Tower. The woman knows her stuff, and she has plotted it all out with perfection. David's script-work captures King's voice wonderfully, allowing readers to befriend and learn more about Roland and his ka-tet. Jae Lee's pencils and Richard Isanove's colors bring Mid-World to life, filling it with both beauty and horror. These two have created some of most eye-catching vistas, gut-wrenching visuals, and haunting imagery in modern comics with their work throughout this series. Together, this collaboration of writers and artists has produced an incredible execution of Stephen King's fantastic world that not only stands perfectly grounded on its own, but also serves as a vital companion piece to the original epic.

For Dark Tower fans, the mention of Jericho Hill can send a shiver up the spine. They know what it means. For readers discovering Mid-World for the first time through these Marvel comics, brace yourselves. It's a rich, complex and dark tale, but crafted with attention and care. There are surprises and brutality, and heartbreak and bloodshed throughout. Roland and his band of gunslingers will make their stand at Jericho Hill, and readers would be well advised to stand with them, lest they forget the face of their father.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: the first part of this review is about the series, in general, and the last part covers this particular volume.

FROM MY REVIEW OF THE FIRST GRAPHIC NOVEL

I never got into the novel series but after reading this particular graphic novel I just might give it another try. This volume focuses on the Gunslinger before he became a legend in this post apocalyptic Spaghetti Western Fantasy tale. It covers the legends of his home realm life, how he earned his guns at an early age and his first mission which led to him meeting his first love.

King was creatively involved in the making of this graphic novel. I suspect this will be a spoiler on some level if I ever reach book four of the novel series but that's all right as I wasn't going to give King's series another chance until I picked this piece up.

The tone is dark, gritty and at times brutal and women don't have many options unless they hold a great deal of power. The artwork was impressively done with tight facial shots, focus on shadows and some nice running scenes sometimes all completed on one page. There's a nice map in the back to give you an idea of the overall world which I found very helpful as this was my first time experiencing the world. King was creatively involved in the making of this graphic novel. I suspect this will be a spoiler on some level if I ever reach book four of the novel series but that's all right as I wasn't going to give King's series another chance until I picked this piece up.


BOOK FIVE

In this installment Roland (the future gunslinger) and his pals (known as a ka-tet which is something like blood brothers who will die for you) have escaped Gilead and have turned to guerrilla warfare against their technologically advanced enemies. The tale also focuses upon a traitor in their midst who truly hoses them and then some. The overall quality of the tale drops a smidgen compared to previous volumes but it's still quite good.

The first issue topped the March comic sales figures, with an estimated 123,807 sold, 20,000 more than the next comic, New Avengers.

CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B; ARTWORK: B plus to A minus; SETTING/TONE: B plus to A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus; WHEN READ: end of May 2012.

[Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe over the years I've built the battle of Jericho Hill up in my own head to the point that no depiction could ever be satisfying. Maybe it's not Robin Furth's fault that this feels so flat & anticlimactic. Maybe I was a fool to get my hopes up after The Fall of Gilead and start believing in this series again. There are so many disappointments here. Somehow nine years pass in a two-page spread - would've been nice to see some of the things that happen over nine years but oh well. There's some muddled sequence about a laser that's wonderfully illustrated but confusing as hell. There's yet another traitor in their midst - I mean, c'mon, can we please use another plot device? I can't even tell what his treachery is supposed to accomplish, other than a few guys get killed and another woman/mother gets to be brutally murdered. And then the battle itself is such giant letdown. A few pages, everyone dead, wham bam over. Bummer.

[P42]

Czy ja sobie właśnie spoiluję dalszą część historii (przeczytałem 3/8 książek?) czy to jest prequel czy to jest spin off czy to jest w ogóle kanon czy to jest co ratunku co ja mam myśleć :o

Nad oceną się jeszcze zastanawiam…

[Whitney Jamimah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 1 of “Beginnings” in these Dark Tower comics was a 4/5 stars. Volumes 2-4 were 5/5 stars. With this final volume, The Battle of Jericho Hill we are back to 4/5 stars. Out of the 5 issues in this volume we only get 1 where the battle is actually happening so it felt very rushed. In the novels, the battle of Jericho Hill is such a legendary and pivotal moment in Roland’s life that it kind of gains this mythical status to the readers and one single issue of this battle did not live up to the mythos. Maybe Furth isn’t good at creating action in a graphic novel, I don’t know. Maybe they should have called in a more seasoned comic author to help build a more epic battle. Regardless, it is what it is and it did not live up to the legend.
I still enjoyed the continued back story we got in this volume and this first Dark Tower comic set in general. I am extremely thankful they are out there for all the Tower junkies like myself. I suspect I’ll dig into the rest of the Dark Tower comics throughout the rest of 2023 while I wait for my 2024 reread of the novels.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the last volume was "The Empire Strikes Back", this one would be "Revenge of the Sith." The big battle of Jericho Hill reminded me of the fall of the Jedi, although all hope is not lost. I think this volume ends the prequel material, and then the next volume gets more into Roland chasing the Man in Black, which is where the original book series actually started.

Great art and coloring, and a good, dramatic story.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the fall of Gilead, our gunslingers find themselves held up at a camp in Jericho Hill only for that place to fall to Farson as well. In every volume, Roland is always like, I shall have my revenge. Then the next book is more of them getting their asses handed to them. I’m starting to think it may be time to give up on the whole revenge thing. Not really working out that great for you.

[Dávid Novotný · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew where this was going, but still it was very sad and I was touched by it. There are small bumps - time jump and Roland's end, but nothing serious, and whole atmosphere won't let you think about it for long. Also here is one of the most bad ass moments in comics I ever read: Surrender! I won't accept you surrender...goes right next to Snikt from Old man Logan.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das ging aber schnell. Schwupps - schon war die Geschichte zu Ende. Ich hätte mir etwas mehr Tiefe gewünscht. Dafür dass es die Entscheidungsschlacht ist, wurde sie meiner Meinung nach zu schnell abgearbeitet. Die ersten drei Bände gefielen mir besser. Insofern bin ich dankbar, dass ich mir das Buch in der Bibliothek ausleihen konnte.

[Kristýna Obrdlíková]

Tolik deprese!
Dějově méně nabité, kresbou velmi sugestivní.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accidentally read The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins before I read this volume. It seemed like I hadn't missed much, probably because volume 4: The Dark Tower: The Fall Of Gilead was all fighting too. But there was actually quite a bit that I had missed.

After the fall of Gilead, Roland and his ka-tet chase after John Farson and his minions, like Marten Broadcloak. Nine long years they chase after him, following a trail of destruction and strategically destroying Farson's forces. But they don't realize that one of their own will betray them, and bring about the final battle.

I had some complaints about the artwork in The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins. This volume explained the change in illustrators. Jae Lee's artwork here is just as good as in the first volume. It's really unfortunate to lose him as the main illustrator of this series. I also enjoyed seeing more of the ka-tet in this volume.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another great edition of this graphic novel series. This one is the origin, the start of the official "Dark Tower" quest, wherein Roland sets the goal and he and his ka-tet go about trying to attain it.

They don't even come close, of course. Nine years later, they've come right back around to where they started - but this only serves to reaffirm the quest, because shit's all fucked up, and it needs to get un-fucked up... and only the Tower can do that.

The artwork is still hit or miss for me. There are parts that have a Berenstain bears feel - the scraggly claws and faces and scruff just remind me of that, strongly. Some drawings more than others, but it is there. But there are also really great pieces here, and some of them capture Roland and his ka-tet perfectly. I just wish they were more consistent. Aside from the hair, sometimes it's REALLY hard to determine who is who when the drawing of a character changes from page to page, and especially when they are half hidden by shadow in the first place.

But, overall, this is one of my favorites of the series for story alone. It hits all the points that I love about Roland's quest, and does it very well in short form.

[David Sven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This covers the last tragic battle on Jericho Hill that keeps popping up through the main series. I think I would have preferred this to be left to the imagination. The story isn't bad but I think trying to flesh this out just detracts from the mystique without adding a lot. The art was excellent as usual. I'm looking forward to getting to the story as it picks up in the original The Gunslinger.

3 stars

[Michelle Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning immediately after the fall of Gilead, Roland and his ka-tet make one last desperate stand against Farson and the Crimson King, leading to the Gunslinger we know today.

[Rao Javed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best so far...reminded me of Lord of Ring but it has it's own style.