EW posts drawings for upcoming Drawing Of The Three Comic

picture: popwatch.ew.com

Entertainment Weekly published a great update  on the development of the Dark Tower, The Drawing Of The Three today, writing, "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."

This is exciting news to me.  One of my favorite books in the Dark Tower series was The Drawing Of The Three.  If it hadn't been for this novel, I would have given up on the series.

Check out the full article at: popwatch.ew.com

The Stephen King Library Desk Calendar 2013

The new Stephen King Desk Calendar rocks!  I’m usually not real big on calendars, which is probably why I haven’t understood why everyone starts asking if a new SK calendar is coming out each year.  However, this years offering by the Stephen King Library is great!

The book is spiral bound so that it can lay flat on a desk.  It has a great 3D cover that is a collage of King stories.

This year, Duma Key and Just After Sunset both turned 5. Night Shift turned 35, Christine 30, Dolores Claiborne 20, Bag of Bones 15, and many more.  This Calendar is a celebration of these wonderful books!  It is a weekly hodge podge of Stephen King related articles.   It’s like owning a small pile of books about Stephen King.  I love the behind the scenes stuff, the articles and trivia.  In fact, it’s more fun than a book of just article, or just trivia. . . it’s a lot of stuff mixed together and arranged around great illustrations and a weekly desk calendar.

Naturally the calendar includes important King dates and reminders of this day in history.  For instance, February 9 includes the notes, “Bangor Daily News prints story of revealing true identity of Richard Bachman, 1985.”

How about this, “Bev shoots IT with the silver slugs, July 25, 1958.”  Or, On April 17, “Annie Wilkes ‘Hobbles’ Paul Sheldon 1987, Misery.”  Or, On August 18, “First meeting of the Free Zone to elect representatives, 1985.”

Famous authors birthdays are also included.  Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812.  Important dates to the King universe are scattered throughout – such as Andy McGee’s birthday, or a note when John Lennon was shot.  You might also find some sports trivia dates . . . October 27, “In 2004, Red Sox win first World Series  since 1918.”

I liked The Stand 25th Anniversary Trivia.  Here’s one, “According to the novel, how old Is Mother Abigail?”  (108 years old) There is also a Night Shift Anniversary Trivia page.  Here’s one, “In I Am The Doorway” the protagonist is a retired astronaut who has become a pathway for aliens.  How do they aliens manifest and take control of his body?” (Eyeballs appear like a rash on his fingers that allow the aliens to view our world and then slowly take over the man’s body.)

Also included is a Dolores Claiborne 20th Anniversary Trivia, as well as trivia from several other books.

I really enjoyed Peter Brett’s, “Pet Sematary, Now and Then” and Kevin Quigley’s, “Divorce And Departure: Duma Key Five years later.”  Also, Robin Furth’s “Mid World Anniversaries” was great!

My favorite article was by Brian James Freeman, “Publishing a Stephen King Anniversary Edition.”  He discusses what was involved in putting together the special 25th anniversary edition of IT.  All kinds of stuff we never think about.  In particular, there w ere problems with the books size and how much they could actually include.  Freeman takes us from idea to sales, all of it a great ride.

EXCERPT: Twenty Years Later. . . 
The book also has several touching stories.  Here’s one from Carolle M. Bendle: 

“I always started the school year in my advanced class by handing out index cards, asking what books students had read over the summer.  Most were returned blank with excuses like, “Summer Job,” but there was one I received covered front and back.  Discovering we shared a fondness for certain authors – Stephen King, in particular – Jason syly asked if I would read some of his poetry.  His life and heart were in them. 

Completely on a whim, I wrote the letter to Stephen King on my 40 year old typewriter and enclosed Jason’s poems.  Never dreaming that what we called the “SK Adventure” would actually happen... a few weeks later I got “the phone call.” ...

(the rest is in the Calendar) 

Here is the table of contents: 

Dec 31, 2012 – Jan 6 — introduction / editor letter — Jay Franco
Jan 7 – Jan 13 — This Book Is a Weapon — matt bergin
Jan 14 – Jan 20 — Ever Relevant — Jay Franco
Jan 21 – Jan 27 — 35th ANNIVERSARY – THE STAND — excerpt — Stephen King
Jan 28 – Feb 3 — King’s Lord of the Rings — Myke Cole
Feb 4 – Feb 10 — A Most Generous King — Jay Franco
Feb 11 – Feb 17 — The Stand Trivia — Fotini Marcopulos
Feb 18 – Feb 24 — Irons in the Fire — Jay Franco
Feb 25 – Mar 3 — 35th ANNIVERSARY – NIGHT SHIFT — an excerpt — Stephen King
Mar 4 – Mar 10 — Night Shift TRIVIA — Fotini Marcopulos
Mar 11 – Mar 17 — It’s About Time — matt bergin
Mar 18 – Mar 24 — 30th ANNIVERSARY – CHRISTINE — an excerpt — Stephen King
Mar 25 – Mar 31 — 30th ANNIVERSARY – CHRISTINE — an excerpt — Stephen King
Apr 1 – Apr 7 — Christine TRIVIA — Fotini Marcopulos
Apr 8 – Apr 14 — A King’s Ranking — Jay Franco
Apr 15 – Apr 21 — A Birthday to Die For! — Samantha Etkin
Apr 22 – Apr 28 — 30th ANNIVERSARY – PET SEMATARY — an excerpt — Stephen King
Apr 29 – May 5 — Coming Back Wrong — Jeff Somers
May 6 – May 12 — Squeaky’s Return — Matt DeVirgiliis
May 13 – May 19 — Pet Sematary essay — Peter Brett
May 20 – May 26 — 20th ANNIVERSARY – DOLORES CLAIBORNE – an excerpt — Stephen King
May 27 – June 2 — Dolores Claiborne TRIVIA — Fotini Marcopulos
June 3 – June 9 — Mysterious Benefactor — Diane Ketcham
June 10 – June 16 — Nightmares & Dreamscapes trivia essay — Fotini Marcopulos
June 17 – June 23 — 20th ANNIVERSARY – NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES — an excerpt — Stephen King
June 24 – June 30 — Fear Does Not Exist in This Dojo – Jay Franco
July 1 – July 7 — Looking into The Eyes of The Dragon — Jay Franco
July 8 – July 14 — “Maine Man” — the editors
July 15 – July 21 — King the Scrivener — Justin Brooks
July 22 – July 28 — 15th ANNIVERSARY – BAG OF BONES — an excerpt — Stephen King
July 29 – Aug 4 — Bag of Bones TV Miniseries – The Sitelet — Jay Franco
Aug 5 – Aug 11 — The King films of 1983 — Dan Kimmel
Aug 12 – Aug 18 — Bag of Bones – Trivia – Fotini Marcopulos
Aug 19 – Aug 25 — Duma Key related trivia – Fotini Marcopulos
Aug 26 – Sept 1 — 5th ANNIVERSARY – DUMA KEY — an excerpt — Stephen King
Sept 2 – Sept 8 — Divorce & Departure – Kevin Quigley
Sept 9 – Sept 15 — A Discussion of: The Wind Through the Keyhole — Jay Franco
Sept 16 – Sept 22 — Dark Tower essay — Stephen Jewell
Sept 23 – Sept 29 — 5th ANNIVERSARY – JUST AFTER SUNSET – an excerpt — Stephen King
Sept 30 – Oct 6 — Just After Sunset trivia — Fotini Marcopulos
Oct 7 – Oct 13 — The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Carrie — Jay Franco
Oct 14 – Oct 20 — The Philosophy of Time Travel – Jay Franco
Oct 21 – Oct 27 — The ROAD RAGE Collaboration – Jay Franco
Oct 28 – Nov 3 — Top 5 Horror Websites – Jay Franco
Nov 4 – Nov 10 — Embracing It — Jay Franco
Nov 11 – Nov 17 — Inspiration Insight – Matt DeVirgiliis
Nov 18 – Nov 24 — 10th Anniversary of the Dark Tower: The Wolves of the Calla — Robin Furth
Nov 25 – Dec 1 — Insert Dead Pet Comedic Relief Here — Matt DeVirgiliis
Dec 2 – Dec 8 — A Love/Hate Relationship — Jay Franco
Dec 9 – Dec 15 – A discussion of documentary, ROOM 237 – Jay Franco
Dec 16 – Dec 22 – Publishing a Stephen King Special Edition – Brian James Freeman
Dec 23 – Dec 29 – Publishing a Stephen King Special Edition [continued] – Brian James Freeman
Dec 30 – Jan 5, 2014 – Last Night I dreamed of a Tiger – Jay Franco 

FROM: brianjamesfreeman.wordpress.com

David's take: I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this.  I approached it thinking I'd just thumb through it, but found myself reading it cover to cover  with the same enjoyment I would have gotten from a Companion book about Stephen King.  With writers like Jay Franco, Kevin Quigley, Robin Furth, Brian James Freeman. . . this is a home-run!  I love it.

 

MORE AT:
http://www.stephenkinglibrary.com/
http://www.facebook.com/StephenKingLibrary
http://www.bomcclub.com/

2012 SK Desk Calendar

The Stephen King Desk Calendar is now on sale (here).  It is a 128 spiral hardcover calendar from Mooseluck Associates, Inc. The theme this year is the Dark Tower, and the cover looks awesome.

According to fearnet's Brian James, contributors include Matt Bergin, Peter Brett, Justin Brooks, Myke Cole, Matthew DeVirgiliis, Samantha Etkin, Jay Franco, Brian James Freeman, Robin Furth, Stephen Jewell, Daniel M. Kimmel, Fotini Marcopulos, Jon Oden, Micol Ostow, Tricia Pasternak, Rome Quezada, Jeff Somers, and Bev Vincent.

The book clubs website reads: "If you’re a fan of Stephen King, chances are you avoid pet cemeteries, you have a healthy fear of clowns and when you think of the Man in Black, it isn’t Johnny Cash who comes to mind. But there’s so much more to the Master of Horror, and in our Club exclusive Stephen King Library Desk Calendar 2012, you get to spend a year inside his sinister universe. Packed with essays, juicy details and fascinating trivia, this year’s calendar is also full of excerpts from all the Dark Tower books, articles from professionals he has influenced and more. Plus, it features quizzes—like Mid-World Word Trivia, which tests your knowledge of High Speech—and notes on the future of the series. This calendar is packed with so much, it’s scary!"

THE BATTLE OF TULL!

Robin Furth is back, crafting a new Dark Tower comic book arc -- this time the action will take place at "The Battle of Tull." Teamed with writer Peter David and new Michael Lark, who is new to the project.
.
Lark is quoted as saying: "I have nothing but respect and admiration for Stephen King and the chance to work on The Dark Tower is a wonderful privilege. I only hope that I can come close to conveying his vision - a daunting task, but a challenge that I'm enjoying tremendously. "It has allowed me to explore the darker aspects of my art and really start pushing some of the boundaries of my own style. And who doesn't love drawing cowboys and horses?"
.
The Battle Of Tullwill be a five issue arc. Sounds interesting!
.
http://www.digitalspy.com/comics/news/a308955/michael-lark-joins-dark-tower.html

The katet of 19

Key to the Dark Tower novels is the number 19. This is interesting, since most horror writers like to play with the number 13 (ie: 1408). I'll start this in list form, but there's more to find than one post can deliver. I am hopeful those of you who are in the know on this subject will fill me in. Here's my start. . . ya'all start sharing what you know about 19.

.

In looking into the importance of 19, the best reference thus far has been Robin Furth's Dark Tower concordance.

.

Chassit is "High speech" for 19.

• Of course, King began writing The Gunsliner when he was 19.
• In Wolves of the Calla, 19 is the "mystery number."
• Robin Furth notes in the DT Concodance that they gather firewood in bundles of 19.
• King was hit by a mini-van June 19, 1999.
• Names that add up to 19, "Donald Frank Callahan" "Richard Patrcik Sayre" "Claudia Y Inez Bachman" "Susannah, Odetta, Detta" "Roland the gunslinger"
• Jakes locker number is 883. (adds up to 19)
• Bev Vincent, in his Cemetery Dance column News From The Dead Zone, mentions a connection between the number 19 and Cannibals. "For the 19 fanatics out there, it's worth noting that the problems at the apartment start on July 19."
• The robot Andy is guarded by directive 19. (Does Andy remind anyone of C-3PO?)
• 1999 is considered the "keystone year."
• When Roland is in Jack Mort's head: Code 19
• The lot with the rose is on 298. (adds up to 19)
• In the Shining there are 19 steps between the lobby and the second floor.
• The shining, the dangerous room was 217. (2+17 = 19)
• In Wizard and Glass, there are 19 working gas pumps in Citgo.
• In Dream Catcher, Duddits lives at 19 Maple Ln.

Below is the most complete list I could find. Some of the entries are either redundant, or nuts! But it's a cool list. http://www.desperation.dk/nineteen.htm

Would Dark Tower Make A Strong Movie?

While there is a lot of discussion right now in the S.K. universe about what will happen to the Dark Tower -- T.V. series ? Movies ? -- I am wondering if the books would make a strong set of movies? I have to admit, I have reservations.

Here are my concerns:

1. The books are extremely intricate.
Could anyone except King pull off all the subplots and nuances? Abrams did it with Lost, but he already gave up the project.

Bev Vincent and Robin Furth are both known for their encyclopedic understanding of the books. But could someone from outside the world of S.K. come in and pick up on what's going on here? Not only does the Dark Tower inner-connect with itself, it links with the entire Stephen King universe. So someone dealing with a visual adaptation, will have to be ready to go through the world of the Stand at points and touch on other King works skillfully.

2. The books are uneven.
I'm sorry to say this, but all books are not equal in this series. Even the rewritten Gunslinger is not as strong as The Drawing of the Three.

3. Massive flashbacks
The books do a lot of flashing back. A lot! Would that work on screen? Because this isn't a brief thing, Wizard and Glass acts almost as a prequel.

4. Who would play Stephen King?
Sure, he could play himself, and that would be cool, but Song of Susannah requires a young Stephen King.

5. This is big budget stuff.
Not the first book, but there are several scenes in New York of yester-year, and the cast would be huge.

6. Stephen King movies are often. . . uh, how do I say. . . not as strong an offering as the novels they are based on. Or, more bluntly, I'm afraid Hollywood will screw this up. Think I'm wrong? Watch Needful Things again! Or any number of the Children of the Corn movies.

7. A story this long would require actors to be consistent from beginning to end.

8. What about Wind through the Keyhole? Will it fit into any future projects?

If they're going to do it -- I hope James Earl Jones narrates it!
All that said, I will anxiously await future news -- hopeful something great is in the works.
Am I excited? Absolutely! But, I also know that in the world of Stephen King and Hollywood, it's sometimes not good to get my hopes up.

Movies I am looking forward to:
1. The remake of IT
2. Eyes of the Dragon ?
3. HBO's Under The Dome
4. The dark Tower
5. Pet Semetery remake ?
6. Needful Things remkae. (actually, there is no remake, I'm just hoping. . .)

Ka Is Wheel -- It's A GAME!

I thought maybe, jsut maybe, Ka Is A Wheel referred to a new book coming out or perhaps the new comic book series based on the Gunslinger. It appears it was about a video game.

.

A VIDEO GAME! Come on. This takes some soul searching. Am I really ready to stop playing Civilization 4? How about a Dark Tower game built on the Civ engine? (Of course, that bombed with Cilivization)

.

Eric Caoili writes, "the project looks like an online interactive game (my guess) centered around the Tet Corporation's secret war with North Central Positronics and Sombra Corporation, both companies under control by Insomnia/The Dark Tower villain Crimson King."

...............................http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/10/the_dark_tower_game_teased.php

...............................and see http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25759

.

He also notes that this will probably be the first in a series of games.

.

Robin Furth is the director of the game, which makes it a hopeful offering since she wrote the Stephen King companion. In other words -- she'll get the details right! And when it comes to the Dark Tower, there's a lot of details to keep up with!

.

But my hopes were up for another book. Maybe a tie in book. I mean, it was possible, right? Maybe? Just because Mr. King has been busy finishing that massive novel and other projects this year, you never know what 1,000 page nugget he came up with on his free time.

.

How about a Dark Tower book that opens, "Let's just pretend the last 20 pages of Dark Tower 7 never happened. . ."