REVIEW: Stephen King's the Dark Tower: Treachery

This is the third volume in the graphic novel series produced by Marvel. It takes place after and during the events in Roland’s tale of Mejis, from the 4th novel, Wizard and Glass.

This series has been decidedly hit or miss. The first volume, the Gunslinger Born, was fresh and beautifully painted. It covered what we expected it to cover, and therefore was relatively immune from narrative mistakes. The second volume, the Long Road Home, was again beautifully painted, but in some points it was difficult to differentiate between characters, especially the boys of Roland’s ka-tet. The narrative strayed, necessarily, from the hints and pieces that King revealed throughout the Dark Tower novels. Unfortunately, the second volume just didn’t GO anywhere. It was, essentially, the tale of the ka-tet’s journey from Mejis back to Gilead. Nothing new was revealed, save for the unusual origin of Sheemie’s ability to teleport.

This third volume, though, hits all the right notes in all the right places. Again the art is wonderful, and the characters are discernable, despite purposefully muddled finishes. It follows some of King’s Red Slippers (to borrow from Dennis L. McKiernan), but masterfully expands them and fills in the space only our imaginations occupied previously. The narrative is painted with detail as well as with broad strokes that reveal the scope of the events.

This comic, or graphic novel, presents Roland’s mother as far more treacherous and deceptive than gathered from the bits of King’s accounts. The novels painted Gabrielle Deschain as a helpless puppy, easily enamored with Marten the sorcerer. Robin Furth, likely with King’s approval, shows Gabrielle as a vital cog in the fall of Gilead.

This volume has renewed my faith in Furth and Peter David. Based on her involvement with King and the writing of the final three Dark Tower novels, I always thought Furth could do the series justice. I now look forward to subsequent volumes as they examine Roland’s first ka’tet and the start of their quest for the Tower and, ultimately, the Battle of Jericho Hill!