Roland, "Wild Bill" and John Wesly Hardin

[osseolax28]

I dont know if anyone else knows of these people, beside Roland, but i'm sure a lot do. Do you think King may have placed features from both these law-man and outlaw?

Wild Bill was known for his quickdraw and general goodness as a lawman, he also killed his friend by accident( like roland and cuthbert killing alain) there are also crazy stories about him.

As for John Hardin, he was an outlaw who was said to be THE fastest at drawing his revolver.

Do you think that these two together helped kind make roland?

[MonteGss]

I am sure King was influenced by many westerns and many "outlaws" but none more so than Clint Eastwood in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, according to King.

[fernandito]

/slightly off topic


I'm also pretty sure that whichever artist drew Roland in The Wastelands was inspired by Henry Fonda's character in Once Upon A Time In The West. I'll post a couple of pictures for comparison shortly.

[osseolax28]

I thought it was funny that these two guys reminded of Roland more than anything, even more than Clint Eastwood

[fernandito]

Check this out

[jayson]

I agree Feev. I've always thought that picture was very much Henry Fonda-ish.

[obscurejude]

I don't see the resemblance.

[MonteGss]

I can see it.
I never liked that picture of Roland though.

[jayson]

I never liked that picture of Roland though.

Me neither. I do like it better than the one of Roland with Susannah on his back though. You know the one where Roland looks like he's 12 feet tall? It takes "long tall and ugly" a bit too far.

[fernandito]

I love that picture. You can see the cruel determination in those crystal blue eyes, and the lines and creases on his face insist he's seen his fair share of battles and losses.

[lead dealer]

Roland strikes me as more of a flawed hero. More of a Doc Holiday type, rather than a cold blooded former confedrate rader (Harden) or a arrogant, flamboyant blowhard that was good with a pistol (wild bill).

[obscurejude]

I can see it.
I never liked that picture of Roland though.

I was just joking, but I hated that picture too. I think I was too attached to the Gunslinger pictures by the time I got to the Wastelands.

[Sam]

Check this out

That picture reminds me more of a beloved uncle of mine. He lived right down the road from us and was very much like a second grandfather to me and my brothers.