Big Coffin Hunting
Issue #2 of The Dark Tower comic book series hit the stands yesterday, and I can only say that it just keeps getting better and better. The Dark Tower series is one that is rich in backstory and characters and mythology and ideology. There are so many characters and so many aspects of the Stephen King universe that come into play, that it is hard to see it as a singular entity away from stories like "It" or "The Stand" or "'Salem's Lot". So I understand the massive undertaking that Joe Quesada and the good folks at Marvel have placed on their highly capable shoulders. This being the case, I like what they have decided to do in order to expose the uninformed reader to other aspects of The Dark Tower that are not easily accessible by just reading the comics. Towards the end of each issue so far, there is placed a short story of sorts that tries to explain certain aspects of the entire story. The first issue explains the geography of Mid-World, and the "physics" that govern it. The Beams, The Portals, The Guardians, and The Dark Tower itself. (Sorry, no explanations here. If you're curious, you're just going to have to find out on your own!) The story, told as a lesson taught to a class, features Roland and his Ka-Tet (Group brought together by fate) shortly before the events of issue #1. This method is effective in that not only does it inform you of some very integral parts of the story, but it also shows you how it effects the characters that you are becoming familiar with in this journey. In issue #1 Roland bested his teacher, earned his guns, learned of his mother's deceit, and became a man in EVERY sense of the word. We last saw him in bed with a lady of the night, which is also how his father stumbled upon him. (DUM DUM DUM!!!)
Now, in issue #2, we learn that despite some initial disappointment in his son, Steven Deschain learns that Roland has not forgotten the face of his father. That, in fact, all that he has gone through, the trial, the confrontation with his mother, has all been done in order to avenge the betrayal of his father. Disowning his mother, and vowing to kill the traitor, Marten Broadcloak, once advisor to his father. It was Marten who rushed Roland into the trials of manhood, expecting failure. But Roland, driven by both hatred and rage, would not accept failure. Steven, seeing the man his son now has become, bestows upon him a mission, one that Roland and his friends must undertake. This mission is not only meant to place Roland a safe distance from the menace of Marten, but also to gather intel on the enemies of the kingdom, plotting to bring forth the end Mid-World. In this issue we are introduced to the yang to Roland's ying, The Crimson King. As Roland is charged with the protection and preservation of The Dark Tower, The Crimson King seeks only to corrupt and destroy it. This is the first time we've seen any physical representation of the "King", and, I must say, the splash page used for his introduction is awe-inspiring. (At least I thought so!)
We learn that Marten works for the "King", which can only mean bad things for our heroes. Steven charges Roland to head East to the nearby Barony of Mejis, where we are introduced to Eldred Jonas, The Big Coffin Hunters, Rhea of the Coos, and Susan Delgado. We also learn of Maerlyn's Rainbow, 13 mystical orbs, each imbued with a special power, each carrying a curse for it's user. These are the major pieces that will play a larger role in the coming isses of this series. Primarily focusing on the plot of "The Wizard and Glass" (Book 4 in The Dark Tower Series), this is the place where major events in Roland and his Ka-Tet's lives take place.
The short story at the end of this issue attempts to explain the origin of The Tower, the establishing of the Line of Eld in Mid-World, the birth of The Crimson King, and the creation of Maerlyn's Rainbow. There is plenty of material inspired by the stories of King Arthur and Camelot, and some pretty interesting connections into the world of Stephen King. What you have to keep in mind is that there are worlds other than this one. Some very much like ours, others on completely different paths. The Tower acts as a hub that unites them all in time and space. There are thin areas in each world that allow for access into others. There are demons and unspeakable evils that dwell in the dark places between worlds. By destroying The Tower, The Crimson King wishes to negate all of existence. It is up to Roland to prevent that from happening...by any means necessary. It becomes his quest, but also his obsession. So now, the players are in place, the scenery has been set, all that's left to do is watch the beginning of the end unfurl. See you back here for issue #3 next month. (Man, I LOVE this stuff!)
Issue #2 of The Dark Tower comic book series hit the stands yesterday, and I can only say that it just keeps getting better and better. The Dark Tower series is one that is rich in backstory and characters and mythology and ideology. There are so many characters and so many aspects of the Stephen King universe that come into play, that it is hard to see it as a singular entity away from stories like "It" or "The Stand" or "'Salem's Lot". So I understand the massive undertaking that Joe Quesada and the good folks at Marvel have placed on their highly capable shoulders. This being the case, I like what they have decided to do in order to expose the uninformed reader to other aspects of The Dark Tower that are not easily accessible by just reading the comics. Towards the end of each issue so far, there is placed a short story of sorts that tries to explain certain aspects of the entire story. The first issue explains the geography of Mid-World, and the "physics" that govern it. The Beams, The Portals, The Guardians, and The Dark Tower itself. (Sorry, no explanations here. If you're curious, you're just going to have to find out on your own!) The story, told as a lesson taught to a class, features Roland and his Ka-Tet (Group brought together by fate) shortly before the events of issue #1. This method is effective in that not only does it inform you of some very integral parts of the story, but it also shows you how it effects the characters that you are becoming familiar with in this journey. In issue #1 Roland bested his teacher, earned his guns, learned of his mother's deceit, and became a man in EVERY sense of the word. We last saw him in bed with a lady of the night, which is also how his father stumbled upon him. (DUM DUM DUM!!!)
Now, in issue #2, we learn that despite some initial disappointment in his son, Steven Deschain learns that Roland has not forgotten the face of his father. That, in fact, all that he has gone through, the trial, the confrontation with his mother, has all been done in order to avenge the betrayal of his father. Disowning his mother, and vowing to kill the traitor, Marten Broadcloak, once advisor to his father. It was Marten who rushed Roland into the trials of manhood, expecting failure. But Roland, driven by both hatred and rage, would not accept failure. Steven, seeing the man his son now has become, bestows upon him a mission, one that Roland and his friends must undertake. This mission is not only meant to place Roland a safe distance from the menace of Marten, but also to gather intel on the enemies of the kingdom, plotting to bring forth the end Mid-World. In this issue we are introduced to the yang to Roland's ying, The Crimson King. As Roland is charged with the protection and preservation of The Dark Tower, The Crimson King seeks only to corrupt and destroy it. This is the first time we've seen any physical representation of the "King", and, I must say, the splash page used for his introduction is awe-inspiring. (At least I thought so!)
We learn that Marten works for the "King", which can only mean bad things for our heroes. Steven charges Roland to head East to the nearby Barony of Mejis, where we are introduced to Eldred Jonas, The Big Coffin Hunters, Rhea of the Coos, and Susan Delgado. We also learn of Maerlyn's Rainbow, 13 mystical orbs, each imbued with a special power, each carrying a curse for it's user. These are the major pieces that will play a larger role in the coming isses of this series. Primarily focusing on the plot of "The Wizard and Glass" (Book 4 in The Dark Tower Series), this is the place where major events in Roland and his Ka-Tet's lives take place.
The short story at the end of this issue attempts to explain the origin of The Tower, the establishing of the Line of Eld in Mid-World, the birth of The Crimson King, and the creation of Maerlyn's Rainbow. There is plenty of material inspired by the stories of King Arthur and Camelot, and some pretty interesting connections into the world of Stephen King. What you have to keep in mind is that there are worlds other than this one. Some very much like ours, others on completely different paths. The Tower acts as a hub that unites them all in time and space. There are thin areas in each world that allow for access into others. There are demons and unspeakable evils that dwell in the dark places between worlds. By destroying The Tower, The Crimson King wishes to negate all of existence. It is up to Roland to prevent that from happening...by any means necessary. It becomes his quest, but also his obsession. So now, the players are in place, the scenery has been set, all that's left to do is watch the beginning of the end unfurl. See you back here for issue #3 next month. (Man, I LOVE this stuff!)
No comments:
Post a Comment