This review went up Wednesday morning, but was lost in the server revolt... here it is again in case you missed it!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a tiny look at DARK TOWER: A GUNSLINGER BORN issue #3.
I’m finding it pretty geeky cool getting to look at these comics early. In this case, early meaning the night before release, but still.
My previous two reviews (of issues 1 and 2) were complimentary, with the 2nd issue shattering my expectations and having a genuinely strong impact on me, the Dark Tower junkie that I am. It was the dream of what this series could be in comic book form. The imagination and ingenuity in translating King’s story was top level.
This 3rd issue isn’t up to that level, unfortunately. Jae Lee’s artwork and Richard Isanove’s colors are still amazing, but the problem is that issue three is mostly exposition.
We get to know Susan Delgado, we get to know her situation, as complex as it is. We see the beginnings of young love.
For those familiar with the book, the events in issue three go from Roland walking Susan home (from the end of last issue, with that amazing full page piece of art) through the dance and finally ending just after Shimi’s real introduction and the first face off between our young gunslingers and the Big Coffin Hunters.
In many ways they set themselves up with the biggest challenge they could, starting off with Wizard and Glass. Every other book is filled with much more striking imagery that would be easier to adapt into comic book form, but I love the look Lee has given it so far. It might not be my ideal, but it’s certainly a beautiful interpretation of Stephen King’s books.
So, not a whole lot happens in this issue. There’s only one diversion from Mejis to see John Farson and Marten meeting… which is odd, because I thought they were the same person… maybe it’s time I re-read the series. Some of the smaller details are getting fuzzy now.
All in all, it’s pretty, it’s needed to set up the big confrontation about to hit, but it’s my least favorite of the three out right now. I have gotten word that the next issue will blow me away, so I’ll look forward to that!!
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
