The Dark Tower Series

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THE DARK TOWER

Illustration by Michael Whelan

There are many Stephen King tales connected to The Dark Tower mythology. If you wish to get the full experience of Roland the Gunslinger and his epic quest to find the Dark Tower, I suggest you read each tale in the order they were published as they are related to the series. I must warn you, however, that not every tale connected to the series may be included because some references to the tower are so small that I might have easily overlooked them or had not heard of them. Here is the best offering I can give you, however, and I'm sure this will greatly help you.

'Salem's Lot: This is Stephen King's second novel. While it does not seem to be directly connected to the series, I do know that a certain character (I do not dare say which one) will be making an appearance in the upcoming The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla.
The Stand: Being Stephen King's epic tale of good versus evil and boasting by far the largest cast and the coolest villain - Randall Flagg - you know it has to be connected to The Dark Tower somehow. In many instances, especially The Dark Tower IV: Wizard & Glass, The Stand comes into major play. Randall Flagg is even mentioned in the novel and is sure to play a major role later in the series. This is a must read!

Illustrations by Berni Wrightson
Night Shift: This collection of stories contains "Night Surf", a story connected to The Stand.

This volume, The Gunslinger, began the highly imaginative Dark Tower series. It begins with Roland, the Last Gunslinger, and his mysterious quest. He chases the Man In Black across a desolate desert, and along the way he remembers his experiences in the township of Tull. It is there where the Man In Black had set a trap for Roland, leading to the slaughter of 39 men, 14 women, and 5 children.

Illustration by Michael Whelan

After crossing the desert for 16 days, he comes across a way station where he meets and befriends 9-year-old Jake Chambers, a boy who died in his world and crossed over into Roland's. Jake joins Roland in his journeys, and together they travel to the far hills, where they nearly catch the Man In Black.

Illustration by Michael Whelan

On the far side of the mountains, Roland finally confronts the Man In Black - but is faced with a difficult decision: sacrifice Jake in order to catch the Man In Black and obtain information regarding the elusive Dark Tower, or let him escape (possibly for good) and save his new-found friend. The choice he makes would haunt his memories, but the Dark Tower is never far from his mind.

Illustration by Michael Whelan

The Talisman with Peter Straub: While at first this tale may not seem connected, it does have a little something to do with The Dark Tower. However, this tale in itself seems more like a totally different universe of its own, but as its sequel Black House reveals, it ultimately has a lot to do with DT, so it is also essential, although you probably wouldn't realize it until reading its next installment.
It: This classic tale set in Derry is associated with DT in many ways. Derry is known for its supernatural connections and dark ways, so it is naturally connected. Many of the events seen in It are directly connected to the mythology, such as the epic battle against It at the end, especially when a turtle is mentioned. This turtle is actually vital and serves a purpose in the mythology, but I don't want to ruin it for you. Find out for yourself!
The Eyes of the Dragon: Randall Flagg is mentioned once again in this fantasy tale. It may also have some other connections to the series. Perhaps the ending sheds clue to something that might happen in a later installment of the series...

This second volume continues Roland's quest. The beginning picks up where The Gunslinger left off, finding Roland, aged 10 years, the morning after the palaver with the Man In Black, whose skeleton rests not too far away. When Roland is severely injured by strange creatures called lobstrosities, he becomes very ill. As infection sets in, he comes across free-standing doors in the desert, which serve as gateways to different years on Earth. He "draws" Eddie Dean first, a drug addict that was saved from the authorities when he was caught smuggling drugs on a plane in 1997. He detests Roland and this new world he's found himself in, and his need for his beloved drugs makes this resentment even worse, especially since his drugs do not exist in Roland's world.

Illustration by Phil Hale

At the next door, he draws Odetta Holmes, a black schizophrenic woman with an evil side that calls herself Detta Walker that wreaks havoc on everyone. What makes things worse is the fact that her legs have been amputated. Eventually, these two personalities converge into one after an interesting battle, becoming Susanna Dean.

Finally, the third door reveals the Pusher, the man who ties both Odetta Holmes to the deceased Jake Chambers. He is the one who pushed Jake in front of a car and changed Odetta's life twice - by dropping a brick on her as a child and by pushing her in front of a train as an adult, leading to the loss of her legs. Roland, instead of actually drawing him, decides that the man should be punished for his evil doings, which eventually leads to the finale of the second volume.

Illustration by Phil Hale

Illustration by Ned Dameron

Now, I'm not exactly sure if The Tommyknockers or The Dark Half have DT references; the former I have just begun to read and have not had much time to really get into, and the latter I read many years ago and only remember bits and pieces of.

Illustration by Ned Dameron

On that note, I shall continue. The Waste Lands, the third volume of The Dark Tower, continues the story of what Roland refers to as a ka-tet, a group brought together by ka or fate. The ka-tet continues their journey along the beach until they come across a large, mechanical bear beast known as Shardik, a giant robot built in order to protect the Beam, which eventually leads to the Tower.

Illustration by Ned Dameron

After defeating the giant cyborg, the ka-tet continues on their quest for the Dark Tower but stumble upon a startling, free-standing doorway which leads to the world of Jake Chambers! After a horrifying episode, Jake is "drawn" and reunites with Roland as well as the rest of the ka-tet, and they continue along the Path of the Beam.

When the ka-tet reaches the city of Lud, though, Jake is kidnapped by the evil Tick-Tock Man, who proves to be a very deadly and twisted individual.

Illustration by Ned Dameron

After a terrible ordeal in Lud, the ka-tet does manage to escape onto Blaine the Mono, a nasty train with a suicidal mind of its own.

Illustration by Ned Dameron

As Blaine the Mono speeds through the Waste Lands with the ka-tet aboard, Roland makes one last gamble. Using the train's love of riddles, he challenges it to a contest. If the ka-tet wins, Blaine must let them live. If they lose... then Blaine will take every last one of them to their deaths when it reaches the end of its tracks! It is with this cliffhanger, just as the contest is about to begin, that volume three ends.

Illustration by Ned Dameron

Insomnia: This novel is vital to the DT experience. As the novel progresses, it deals with many aspects of reality within and around the Tower. It also features the evil being known as the Crimson King!

Illustration by Phil Hale
Rose Madder: Let's just say that there's something about that painting...
Desperation: There's little clues here and there throughout the novel, but unless you pay close attention and realize that some characters are from other novels (i.e. Cynthia from Rose Madder), you'll realize that although at first this doesn't seem like a DT-related novel, you'll find that it is.

Illustration by Don Maitz

Illustration by Dave McKean

This fourth volume picks up where The Waste Lands left off - with Roland and his ka-tet in the hands of the suicidal Blaine the Mono. After defeating the train and escaping with their lives, the travelers find themselves in Topeka, Kansas, after "Captain Tripps" - the plague from The Stand - had already wiped out the entire population.

Illustration by Dave McKean

It is here that the ka-tet holds palaver and Roland tells a story from his past - of his lost love Susan Delgado and their unborn child.

Illustration by Dave McKean

After holding palaver, the ka-tet continue walking through Kansas until they find a set of red slippers on the road to a crystal palace. It is here that it almost seems as if the group has arrived in the mythical Oz and quite possibly Randall Flagg and the deceased Blaine the Mono, but things are not quite as they appear... and a certain figure from their past, the Tick-Tock Man, is waiting for them...

Illustration by Dave McKean

Hearts In Atlantis: The first narrative, "Low Men In Yellow Coats," reveals a little insight into what the Breakers are as well as introducing the Low Men themselves and Ted Brautigan.
Dreamcatcher: This tale has its own connections - many of which are due to its connection to Derry. You can figure out the others for yourself, though...
Black House with Peter Straub: I told you The Talisman was connected to DT. This tale is firmly rooted in the mythology in its dealings with Breakers and the Tower itself. The Crimson King even gets some mention. Ted Brautigan of Hearts in Atlantis also gets recognized towards the end, and as it turns out, some characters from the original seem to be wannabe gunslingers! There is also some mention of Roland and his ka-tet.
Everything's Eventual: This collection contains "The Little Sisters of Eluria", a tale from Roland's early days that is set before the first volume The Gunslinger!

Upcoming Volumes of

The Dark Tower

Wolves of the Calla
Song of Susannah

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