Peter David announces Marvel adaptation of The Drawing of the Three

[Bev Vincent]

During his Emerald City Comicon Secret Origins panel, Peter David was asked by a member of the audience whether he enjoyed the collaboration with his co-creators on the "Dark Tower" comics. Rather than answer directly, he revealed the Marvel adaptations of Stephen King's fantasy epic will resume with "Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three." He also provided the 'secret origin' of how the project was greenlit.

>>> Read more here (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=51836)

[WeDealInLead]

Good. It really didn't make sense that the previous series would end just as it was about to start.

This also means I won't be getting the DT omnibus that's coming out later this year.

[CyberGhostface]

I'm honestly a bit surprised that they're still doing this given how the series has been petering out and King effectively disowned them as being canon. I still wish King would actually write for comics like Joe Hill does, even if it was just once in a while like his American Vampire run.

[harrison ryan]

Hey, I like the "secret origin". King's a good guy. Sounds a bit like it was a gift to David.

[Tik]

Brilliant news! Hopefully the full series will eventually be done. I hope we can look forward to extra/new scenes akin to those we got in the Wizard and Glass adaption. Also hoping for more Dark Tower short stories in the back of the issues as these really help expand the mythos/canon.

[WeDealInLead]

I'm honestly a bit surprised that they're still doing this given how the series has been petering out and King effectively disowned them as being canon. I still wish King would actually write for comics like Joe Hill does, even if it was just once in a while like his American Vampire run.

It still sold more than most indie (Vertigo, IDW, Oni, Avatar, Image, Boom! etc.) comic books by full-time comic book writers. I was pretty disappointed in the quality of writing. Background stuff and history were OK, but sometimes less is more. I don't like it when writers hold my mind for the sake of world-building.

If King wrote the new material, I'd be all over it. If we're going to get an adaptation, stick to source material please. To be completely honest, if American Vampire is any indication of King's comic book scripting, I'd rather he sticks to prose. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book. I have all the single issues and the hardcover but the story really took off after he left. It's not because he's terrible at writing comics. It's because he's OK at best and Snyder is next level genius.

I feel opposite about Hill's work. I prefer his comic books (and short stories) over his novels.

[Bev Vincent]

'The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three': Exclusive artwork from Marvel's new Stephen King adaptation, 'The Prisoner' (http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/04/25/dark-tower-drawing-three-marvel-prisoner-art/)

But this September, Marvel will release the first issue of a new series that will delve into a new corner of King’s Dark Tower saga.

The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three–The Prisoner is a five-issue miniseries focusing on Eddie Dean, a character first introduced in King’s second Dark Tower book. And as drawn by artist Piotr Kowalski (Marvel Knights: Hulk), it’s also a departure from the post-apocalyptic Western setting of the previous comic books.

We’ll have more information to share with you about The Prisoner on Sunday — and Marvel will be discussing their future plans for the series this weekend at C2E2 — but for now, EW is excited to share the cover and the first seven pages of inked artwork from The Prisoner. Click on each picture for a larger image — and some eagle-eyed Dark Tower fans might find some embedded references to King’s work.

[Bev Vincent]

The cover has been revealed at King's website:

http://stephenking.com/promo/dark_tower_drawing_of_the_three_prisoner_1_cover_r eveal/index.html

[mikeC]

The cover has been revealed at King's website:

http://stephenking.com/promo/dark_tower_drawing_of_the_three_prisoner_1_cover_r eveal/index.html

Excellent.

[Bev Vincent]

New York, NY—May 13th, 2014—Marvel, in collaboration with Stephen King, is proud to announce the new chapter in the Dark Tower series – DARK TOWER: THE DRAWING OF THE THREE – THE PRISONER. Beginning in September 2014, New York Times Best-Selling writers Peter David & Robin Furth along with critically acclaimed artist Piotr Kowalski bring the action from Mid-World to our world as the epic series returns!

THE DARK TOWER: DRAWING OF THE THREE – THE PRISONER marks another milestone for the graphic fiction sensation that’s captivated fans worldwide as the saga moves to the second volume of King’s magnum opus. And as the action shifts from the dusty plains of Mid-World to the mean streets of New York City – old and new fans alike will experience the rich and vibrant world of The Dark Tower in new and interesting ways.

As this tale of urban crime opens, you’ll meet Eddie Dean as an innocent child who grows into a troubled young man gifted with the ability to open doors to other worlds. Can he survive family tragedy, a haunting addiction, and the deadly forces that conspire to stop him from challenging the Man in Black? Eddie faces trials and tribulations at every turn – and the badlands of Mid-World can’t hold a candle to the dangers of Brooklyn in the 1960s! Witness the story of a young man on the path to an unlikely destiny and the most important journey of his life.

“To borrow some successful branding, this is the ‘All-New Marvel NOW’ version of The Dark Tower. As we now travel from The Gunslinger to The Drawing of The Three, we are refocusing our spotlight to explore the histories and events that led to the formation of the Ka-Tet that aided the gunslinger Roland Deschain on his quest to defeat the Man in Black and the Crimson King,” said editor Bill Rosemann. “But instead of encountering Eddie Dean later in his life, as you do in the novel, we zoom back to 1964 and meet him as a toddler, so while we are adapting the second novel, we’re weaving together events in a new way that will hopefully surprise and entertain everyone who has already read the book. We’re ‘assembling the Avengers’ of the Dark Tower universe, but Robin Furth, Peter David, and Piotr Kowalski are doing so in a way that you’ve never imagined.

A bold new chapter begins as the landmark series makes its historic return to comic shops this September in Stephen King’s THE DARK TOWER: THE DRAWING OF THE THREE – THE PRISONER #1

http://www.comicosity.com/marvel-announces-dark-tower-the-drawing-of-the-three-the-prisoner/

[WeDealInLead]

The preview issue came out today. I grabbed an extra in case anyone on here wanted one. It was free so it's free to you too. I'd charge just whatever it costs to ship it.

[Brainslinger]

The cover has been revealed at King's website:

http://stephenking.com/promo/dark_tower_drawing_of_the_three_prisoner_1_cover_r eveal/index.html

I doubt I'll be getting this series (I'm mainly interested in new stories as far as the comics are concerned) but that cover is gorgeous!

[Bev Vincent]

Then there's this one: Stephen King Gets Adorable With The Dark Tower: Drawing of the Three - The Prisoner #1 Skottie Young Variant (http://comicbook.com/blog/2014/08/02/stephen-king-gets-adorable-with-the-dark-tower-drawing-of-the-th/)

http://media.comicbook.com/uploads1/2014/08/dark-tower-drawing-of-the-three-prisoner-1-skottie-young-variant-104030.jpg

[Merlin1958]

Hmmm, I wonder if all these "Marvel" associations may be the ticket to eventually bring the DT series to the big screen in the future. Seems like a sensible idea given the money and reach of the new "Disney/Marvel" universe. Just an idle thought.

[WeDealInLead]

The cover has been revealed at King's website:

http://stephenking.com/promo/dark_tower_drawing_of_the_three_prisoner_1_cover_r eveal/index.html

I doubt I'll be getting this series (I'm mainly interested in new stories as far as the comics are concerned) but that cover is gorgeous!

See, I'm the opposite from this. I want to see only words written by King. I'd like to see an adaptation, not a re-imagining. I'd be OK with new material if King kept a really tight leash on it and actually read it before signing off on it, sort of like the Star Wars EU. I'm going out on a limb here but I feel like he didn't pay too much attention to what was going on in some of the previous arcs. Still, I'll be there the first day the book comes out. I read so many comics, I can't see myself not reading one based on a King book.

[Bev Vincent]

In my interview with him in The Dark Tower Companion, he comes right out and says there are some arcs he deliberately didn't read. Jericho Hill, for example, because he might want to write that story himself some day and he didn't want their version to get inside his head.

[Tik]

The cover has been revealed at King's website:

http://stephenking.com/promo/dark_tower_drawing_of_the_three_prisoner_1_cover_r eveal/index.html

I doubt I'll be getting this series (I'm mainly interested in new stories as far as the comics are concerned) but that cover is gorgeous!

If you're interested in new stories, I'd very much recommend getting this series based upon the previews I've seen. It looks like we will be getting a hell of a lot more new stuff than in the Gunslinger adaption:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=22988

http://stephenking.com/promo/dark_tower_drawing_of_the_three_prisoner_1_cover_r eveal/1-artwork-reveal/

http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/04/25/dark-tower-drawing-three-marvel-prisoner-art/

Not only Eddie's childhood but also what looks like Low Men and the Dixie Pig (maybe even Sayre?).

[webstar1000]

In my interview with him in The Dark Tower Companion, he comes right out and says there are some arcs he deliberately didn't read. Jericho Hill, for example, because he might want to write that story himself some day and he didn't want their version to get inside his head.

I WOULD LOVE TO read about that battle... always wanted to know about the 1st leg of his quest... namely with his buddies...

[Brainslinger]

The cover has been revealed at King's website:

http://stephenking.com/promo/dark_tower_drawing_of_the_three_prisoner_1_cover_r eveal/index.html

I doubt I'll be getting this series (I'm mainly interested in new stories as far as the comics are concerned) but that cover is gorgeous!

See, I'm the opposite from this. I want to see only words written by King. I'd like to see an adaptation, not a re-imagining. I'd be OK with new material if King kept a really tight leash on it and actually read it before signing off on it, sort of like the Star Wars EU. I'm going out on a limb here but I feel like he didn't pay too much attention to what was going on in some of the previous arcs. Still, I'll be there the first day the book comes out. I read so many comics, I can't see myself not reading one based on a King book.

Oh I wouldn't say our views are entirely opposite. I particularly agree with the bit I've emoldened above, and wish that all new material were based at least on outlines from King (unless it prevented him writing a direct novel/novella on the subject in future of course). At the very least it would be nice if it were at least read and authorised by him, if he doesn't author it.

But I'm not keen on an adaptation of something already written. Although I'll admit, I thought The Gunslinger Born was pretty interesting and it did add a decent amount.

Concerning what was/wasn't run by King, yeah, I got the impression he backed off from that too. One thing I did find curious was learning that Walter's origin story (written by Robin Furth) supposedly originated from King... yet King's version of Maerlyn in his novel turned out rather different... It's not a complete contradiction with a bit of creative reasoning mind you.


If you're interested in new stories, I'd very much recommend getting this series based upon the previews I've seen. It looks like we will be getting a hell of a lot more new stuff than in the Gunslinger adaption:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?p...eview&id=22988

http://stephenking.com/promo/dark_to...rtwork-reveal/

http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/04/25/da...-prisoner-art/

Not only Eddie's childhood but also what looks like Low Men and the Dixie Pig (maybe even Sayre?).

Okay. Now you've got me intrigued. Part of me thinks "Eddie's early story is told. Nothing need be added". But I'm curious darn it.

[nocny]

#4

http://stephenking.pl/stephen_king/news/prisoner_4.jpg

[Danish]

I love that last cover!

[Danish]

I remember reading some interviews with King back in 2005, when the Marvel DT comics were just coming out, that King did modify the outlines of the first two arcs (plus tinkered with the dialogue). From then on, he gave his blessings (and surely some guidelines and suggestions) for most of the remaining arcs, and yes, it seems like he has lost his interest in the last few arcs - of course that's only speculative. I still like them to a certain degree but don't consider them very important. Now they're doing Drawing of the Three - are they really up to do them all, all the way up to Wind Through the Keyhole?

[Merlin1958]

I remember reading some interviews with King back in 2005, when the Marvel DT comics were just coming out, that King did modify the outlines of the first two arcs (plus tinkered with the dialogue). From then on, he gave his blessings (and surely some guidelines and suggestions) for most of the remaining arcs, and yes, it seems like he has lost his interest in the last few arcs - of course that's only speculative. I still like them to a certain degree but don't consider them very important. Now they're doing Drawing of the Three - are they really up to do them all, all the way up to Wind Through the Keyhole?

Who cares what you think? You're "Self Banned" . Leave quietly, jack hole.

[Ari_Racing]

??

[Br!an]

??
http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?1405-Rare-illustrations&p=870298&viewfull=1#post870298

[Bev Vincent]

The Prisoner #1 is out today.

[Bev Vincent]

I do like that Marvel is releasing these digitally (https://www.comixology.com/Dark-Tower-The-Drawing-Of-The-Three-The-Prisoner-1-of-5/digital-comic/135536).

[nocny]

#5

http://stephenking.pl/stephen_king/news/prisoner_5.jpg

[WeDealInLead]

I picked up the regular cover and the variant. The story was all right. Artwork was really, really good though and the previews for the next issue will have me waiting lined up at the comic shop at opening time.

[Robert Fulman]

I read it on Comixology. I liked it a lot, but my standard comic book complaints apply:

1. I tried to buy it at a store, but they didn't have it yet. I didn't feel like coming back tomorrow, so I went digital instead. I missed the first one, so I won't buy any of the others either.
2. It was way too short. $4 for ten minutes worth of reading isn't a great value proposition. In the past, I've waited for the trade books to come out.

Regardless, I'm super-excited for this. DOTT is my second favorite DT book (after Waste Lands) and I can't wait to meet the Ka-tet in comic form. The art in this book was much better than what we got on some of the Gunslinger series.

[Tatts4Life]

I do like that Marvel is releasing these digitally (https://www.comixology.com/Dark-Tower-The-Drawing-Of-The-Three-The-Prisoner-1-of-5/digital-comic/135536).

OMFG WHERE DO I START! So I LOVE the book series and when I found out they were gonna make it I to a comic series I thought it was awesome. I've bought every issue from the beginning (my local comic guy knew me pretty we'll towards the end). When I started to get into digital I was sad that marvel pretty much screwed people over by only including partial arcs and leaving out whole entire arcs for other stuff too. So I stuck with the physical books. When I found out they were stopping after the last arc I was both sad and happy. Sad because they ended just at the good part. But glad because my wife wasn't gonna have our room taken over by the comics.

We'll today while waiting for one of the kids to get out of school I was messing around and googled dark tower comic and saw they were starting back up. I swear I squealed like a girl at their favorite boy band concert. Then the dread of how long will this go on and that I have to travel 30 minutes to my closest store set in. We'll I got home and checked comixology real quick and from the looks of it they are caring the story and hopefully will carry all of them. AND it looks like they might of finally included all the back issues that they didn't have back then. Now my biggest dilemma is do I stick with the physical books or say screw it and risk going digital and possibly have them, Marvel, screw up and skip issues.

EDIT: so a quick look on comixology shows they have every issue up until the last arc Man In Black and they are also missing the one shots like sheemies tale I think. Still not sure if I want to trust marvel and comixology that they will carry all the comics or not.

[Bev Vincent]

5 Questions With Peter David + A Preview Of The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three – The Prisoner Issue 2 (http://biffbampop.com/2014/09/17/peter-david-the-dark-tower/)

[WeDealInLead]

Good read. I'm off to the store to pick up #2.

[nocny]

Second arc is THE HOUSE OF CARDS.

#1 cover:

http://stephenking.pl/stephen_king/news/house_of_cards_1.jpg

[Bev Vincent]

Part 5 of The Prisoner is due out on Christmas Eve.

[herbertwest]

It is now available ;)

[WeDealInLead]

Best issue out of the five in this arc. Both Eddie and Roland look a little too young though.

[Scoogs]

Looks like the collection is paperback only again. :frown2:

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Tower-Drawing-Three-Prisoner/dp/0785191577/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422219360&sr=8-1&keywords=marvel+the+drawing+of+the+three)

[mattgreenbean]

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51nloXECF9L._SX319_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three - The Sailor
Paperback – May 9, 2017

JAKE CHAMBERS RETURNS AS STEPHEN KING'S DARK FANTASY EPIC CONTINUES! Haunted by the specter of a boy he let fall to his death, ROLAND is tortured by despair. But the boy never existed, and Roland's guilt is madness. Or is it? As timelines converge and reality shatters, JAKE CHAMBERS becomes the focus of Roland's quest...and may be the key to the survival of the Ka-tet!

Pre-order here (https://www.amazon.com/Stephen-Kings-Dark-Tower-Drawing/dp/0785192840/ref=pd_sbs_14_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0785192840&pd_rd_r=V8D80J6KT01E0AREHHMP&pd_rd_w=QGyjL&pd_rd_wg=5QGHn&psc=1&refRID=V8D80J6KT01E0AREHHMP)

[TCCBodhi]

Does anyone who actually follows this more closely than I do know if the Drawing of the Three storylines are going to be released in their own Omnibus edition? I'd love to read them and if an Omnibus is on the way I'll wait for it instead of getting the smaller collections.