The Dark Tower: Battle of Jericho Hill

Last updated
The Dark Tower: Battle of Jericho Hill
Battleofjericho1.jpg
Cover of The Dark Tower: Battle of Jericho Hill #1 (Dec., 2009)
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
Schedule"Monthly"
Format Limited series
Publication dateDec., 2009 - Apr., 2010
No. of issues5
Creative team
Created by Stephen King
Written by Robin Furth (adaptation)
Peter David (script)
Artist(s) Richard Isanove, Jae Lee

The Dark Tower: Battle of Jericho Hill is a five-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. [1] [2] [3] It the fifth comic book miniseries based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Richard Isanove and Jae Lee. Stephen King is the Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on December 3, 2009.

Contents

The series tells the developments leading to the final battle between the gunslingers of Gilead and the forces of John Farson's rebellion.

Preceded byFollowed by
The Dark Tower: Fall of Gilead The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins

Publication dates

Plot

Gilead has fallen to John Farson and his forces. Roland Deschain and Gilead's few remaining survivors manage to escape the city through a secret exit. Not long after, a massive earthquake strikes and further damages the city. Alain informs the survivors it is no normal earthquake but rather a beamquake, meaning one of the six beams holding up the mythical Dark Tower has broken. Gilead was rumored to rest on the Eagle-Lion Beam and its destruction broke the beam. Roland decides as the leader of Gilead's survivors it is their mission to find the Dark Tower and use its power to set things right.

However, Roland and his ka-tet are uncertain which direction to travel along the beam. For nine years they wander unable to locate the Dark Tower as reality seems to be coming apart, time and space no longer being constant. In addition Roland has learned that the Crimson King is working to break the remaining five beams holding The Dark Tower. Unable to find The Dark Tower the ka-tet takes the fight directly to John Farson, by forming a resistance group and destroying several of his military installations.

The war between Roland and Farson take a turn when Randolph, member of Roland's ka-tet, loses his wife and his son is taken by a slow mutant. It is later revealed that this slow mutant was acting under orders from Marten. Marten is holding Randolph's family to force him to betray the resistance. Randolph leads Sheemie into a trap. Marten decides to keep Sheemie alive as his abilities make him too valuable.

After several more setbacks the ka-tet begins to suspect a traitor and attempts to keep sensitive information among the most trusted men. However, a mission to destroy a weapons cache ends in an ambush due to a false scouting report from Randolph. Alain is the only member to escape the ambush and realizes that Randolph is the traitor. As Alain is returning to camp, Roland and Cuthbert mistake him for an enemy soldier and Alain is fatally wounded. Alain is able to tell his friends that Randolph is the traitor before dying.

Roland and Cuthbert return to camp aware that it is only a matter of time before John Farson attacks their camp. Despite Randolph's helping Marten his wife and son are killed anyway. Out of despair for this family and betraying his friends, Randolph commits suicide. His last request is have his son buried with Alain so a true gunslinger will be able to take him to the clearing.

John Farson's army attacks the resistance encampment on Jericho Hill. The resistance is unable to retreat and is outnumbered by thousands. The ka-tet decides to fight on rather than ask for mercy. Early in the battle, Aileen is impaled by a spear and left for dead. Cuthbert is wounded next, but continues to fight. Jamie DeCurry is killed by taking a bullet for Roland. The twelve remaining gunslingers go on one final charge against Farson's army. Cuthbert blows the Horn of Eld and is killed by an arrow shot by Marten. Eventually all the gunslinger are shot down, including Roland.

Roland and the other gunslingers are thrown into a pile and left for dead. Sometime later, Roland stands up, wounded but alive and more determined than ever to reach the Dark Tower. [4]

Collected editions

The entire five-issue run of Battle of Jericho Hill was collected into a hardcover edition, released by Marvel on August 18, 2010 ( ISBN   0785129537). A paperback edition was later released on May 9, 2012 ( ISBN   0785129545). The series was also included in the hardcover release of The Dark Tower Omnibus on September 21, 2011 ( ISBN   0785155414).

On October 9, 2018, Gallery 13 republished the original hardcover collection as Stephen King's The Dark Tower: Beginnings - The Battle of Jericho Hill (Book 5) ( ISBN   1982108290). On October 23, 2018, this edition (along with Books 1-4) was included in the boxed set Stephen King's The Dark Tower: Beginnings - The Complete Graphic Novel Series ( ISBN   1982110201).

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger</i> Fantasy novel by American author Stephen King

The Gunslinger is a dark-fantasy novel by American author Stephen King. It is the first volume in the Dark Tower series.

<i>The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass</i> 1997 fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King

Wizard and Glass is a fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King. It is the fourth book in The Dark Tower series, published in 1997. Subtitled "Regard", it placed fourth in the annual Locus Poll for best fantasy novel.

<i>The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands</i> 1991 fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King

The Waste Lands is a dark fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King. It is the third book of The Dark Tower series. The original limited edition hardcover featuring full-color illustrations by Ned Dameron was published in 1991 by Grant. The book was reissued in 2003 to coincide with the publication of The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roland Deschain</span> Fictional character and the protagonist of Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series

Roland Deschain of Gilead is a fictional character and the protagonist of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. He is the son of Steven and Gabrielle Deschain and is descended from a long line of "gunslingers", peacekeepers and diplomats of Roland's society.

<i>The Dark Tower</i> (series) Series by Stephen King

The Dark Tower is a series of eight novels and one short story written by American author Stephen King. Incorporating themes from multiple genres, including dark fantasy, science fantasy, horror, and Western, it describes a "gunslinger" and his quest toward a tower, the nature of which is both physical and metaphorical. The series, and its use of the Dark Tower, expands upon Stephen King's multiverse and in doing so, links together many of his other novels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randall Flagg</span> Fictional character created by Stephen King

Randall Flagg is a fictional character created by American author Stephen King, who has appeared in at least nine of his novels. Described as "an accomplished sorcerer and a devoted servant of the Outer Dark", he has supernatural abilities involving necromancy, prophecy, and influence over animal and human behavior. His goals typically center on bringing down civilizations through destruction and conflict. He has a variety of names, usually with the initial letters "R. F." but with occasional exceptions, such as Walter o'Dim and Marten Broadcloak in The Dark Tower series.

<i>The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower</i> 2004 novel by Stephen King

The Dark Tower is a fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King. It is the seventh and final book in his Dark Tower series. It was published by Grant on September 21, 2004, and illustrated by Michael Whelan. It has four subtitles: REPRODUCTION, REVELATION, REDEMPTION, and RESUMPTION – all but the second of these having been used as subtitles for previous novels in the series.

<i>The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born</i>

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born is a seven-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It is the first comic book miniseries based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove. Stephen King serves as Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on February 7, 2007.

<i>The Dark Tower</i> (comics)

The Dark Tower, first published in 2007, is a series of comic books based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. Overall, it is plotted by Robin Furth and scripted by Peter David. Stephen King serves as Creative and Executive Director of the project.

<i>The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home</i>

The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home is a five-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It is the second comic book miniseries based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove. Stephen King serves as Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on March 5, 2008.

<i>The Dark Tower: Treachery</i>

The Dark Tower: Treachery is a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It is the third comic book miniseries based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove. Stephen King serves as Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on September 10, 2008.

<i>The Dark Tower: The Sorcerer</i>

The Dark Tower: The Sorcerer is a one-shot comic book published by Marvel Comics. It is the first non-sequential comic book limited series based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted and scripted by Robin Furth, with illustrations by Richard Isanove. Stephen King is the Creative and Executive Director of the project. The issue was published on April 15, 2009.

<i>The Dark Tower: Fall of Gilead</i>

The Dark Tower: Fall of Gilead is a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It is the fourth comic book miniseries based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Richard Isanove and Dean White, with additional cover art by Jae Lee. Stephen King is the Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on May 13, 2009.

<i>The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins</i>

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins is a five-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It is the sixth comic book miniseries based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Richard Isanove and Sean Phillips. Stephen King is the Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on May 19, 2010.

Many of the novels and short stories written or co-written by Stephen King take place in a multiverse created by the author.

<i>The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Battle of Tull</i>

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Battle of Tull is a five-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It is the eighth comic book miniseries based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano, and Richard Isanove. Stephen King is the Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on June 1, 2011.

<i>The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Man in Black</i>

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Man in Black is a five-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It is the tenth comic book miniseries based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Alex Maleev and Richard Isanove. Stephen King is the Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on June 20, 2012.

<i>The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - Evil Ground</i> American comic book by Robin Furth, Peter David and Richard Isanove

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - Evil Ground is a two-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It is the third non-sequential comic book limited series based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Richard Isanove and Dean White. Stephen King is the Creative and Executive Director of the project. The first issue was published on April 3, 2013.

<i>The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - So Fell Lord Perth</i> American comic book by Robin Furth, Peter David and Richard Isanove

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - So Fell Lord Perth is a one-shot comic book published by Marvel Comics. It is the fourth non-sequential comic book limited series based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. It is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by Peter David, and illustrated by Richard Isanove. Stephen King is the Creative and Executive Director of the project. The issue was published on August 7, 2013.

References

  1. "The Dark Tower: Battle of Jericho Hill". stephenking.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  2. "Marvel Comics Solicitations for November, 2009". cbr.com. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  3. "Marvel Comics: The Dark Tower: Battle of Jericho Hill". marvel.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  4. 'Peter David and Robin Furth. 'The Dark Tower:Battle of Jericho Hill