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Meeting with Stephen King
2007-01-04 10:43:45

It was about two years ago that I moved from working in Tom Brevoort’s editorial office into Ralph Macchio’s. At that time, the Dark Tower comic project was still top secret. Not even the other people in the Marvel office were supposed to know about it.

So when I started working with Ralph, the news of a Stephen King project in his office came pretty much out of the blue. It started with whispered comments within the office, and eventually there came the day for a meeting in the office with Stephen King and some of the people on his team. We called Robin Furth in because she lives and works in London.

Here are a few things that I remember about that meeting:

--I didn’t say anything, partly because I didn’t have much to say but mainly because I didn’t want to make a fool of myself.

--Ralph brought a Marvel comic book adaptation of The Lawnmower Man that he had edited way back in the day, to remind Stephen that they’d collaborated before.

--It was the only meeting I’ve ever been to at Marvel where there were bottles of water set out at every place at the table. Partway through the meeting, Stephen King finished his water and very politely requested another. Nobody knew what to do, because none of us knew where the water had come from. Alan Fine, the president of the company, had it together enough to get up and find another bottle. Goodness knows from where.

--In order to have some art to show Stephen King’s team, we had asked Jae Lee and Richard Isanove to do four pages of preliminary art. Those four pages are now the opening sequence in The Dark Tower issue #1.

--Marvel’s creative services department had made these beautiful display boards showcasing that preview art. Stephen King took one look at it and gave his enthusiastic approval.

This last tidbit was especially interesting to me, because I work on a number of projects at Marvel that require approval from outside companies. In many cases, it takes several rounds of revisions and corrections before we come away with an approval.

What’s striking about working with Stephen King and his group is that they’ve been so happy with everything we’ve provided so far. That’s largely due to the high quality of the work that Robin, Jae, Richard and Peter are doing. But I think there’s also a lot to be said for King’s ability to trust other people’s artistic judgment. To my mind, that further cements his stature as an artist and a professional.

wow
a blog wit a girl

Posted by tarhaun on 2006-12-28 16:14:29

the best
it's the best work i've ever seen, guys, I love you, Mr. King

Posted by black_canary on 2006-12-28 19:29:07

Sure to be a cult-classic.
Having read the Dark Tower series more then once i have often wondered how it would be rendered on film or television, but never had i though of comic book, the most obvious medium to transcribe Mr. Kings epic tale. I'm patiently waiting for the release date to see someone elses visual take on Rolands upbringings.

Posted by Darbguy on 2006-12-29 19:43:24

We'll see
Big fan of the book. I'm psyched for the comic, especially Jae Lee and Richard Isanove's artwork, but wish Stephen King was writing it. What, is he too busy or something?

Posted by comicsrule2006 on 2006-12-30 09:28:29

Dark Tower
I am new to this genre and am very interested in this series. How do I go about subscribing so I don't miss any issues?

Posted by efolson on 2006-12-31 12:20:36

this comic sounds cool ill defenitely wait for the release date

Posted by piedude23 on 2007-01-01 15:43:40

Premonitions
I recently got back into reading comics after a 12 year hiatus. I was at a local gaming store buying comics, (we have several of these, but no actual comic book stores. I wish feverishly for the old days.) and everytime I saw a western-themed comic I thought; "I wonder if there is a Dark Tower comic?" But then I quickly dismissed the thought, assuming I would have seen it by now in my search for new comics to read. Then I turned around with my purchases in hand, walked to the counter, and saw the add-flyer for your project laying on top of the display glass. I look forward eagerly to the release and each following issue.

P.S. No pressure, heh.

Posted by Maebure on 2007-01-02 07:40:22

Array

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About this blog:
The Dark Tower creative and editorial teams give us the behind-the-scenes details on The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born.

About the author:
Stephen King's Dark Tower is adapted for comics by Peter David, Robin Furth, Jae Lee, Richard Isanove, John Barber and a handful of other astute minds. They'll all contribute to the blog.


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