What do you think?
Rate this book
Stephen King's The Dark Tower #4
Fall of Gilead
A horrified Steven Deschain learns that the deadly seeing sphere called Maerlyn's Grapefruit has been stolen from his chambers! Far worse, when he enters his wife's room to arrest her for the theft, his son Roland is standing over her body with a gun in his hand. The youngest gunslinger has perhaps committed the most hideous crime of all! Continuing the epic saga based on the best-selling Dark Tower novels by the master Stephen King.
Collects Dark Tower: The Fall of Gilead #1-6, and Sorcerer.
Collects Dark Tower: The Fall of Gilead #1-6, and Sorcerer.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published February 17, 2010
115 people are currently reading
3621 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,641 books1,371 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
June 26, 2023
The Fall Of Gilead #1-6 sees the series strike out from the books big time as the graphic novel lays down the oft spoken of Fall of Gilead. And Robin Furth, Jae Lee etc. excel themselves in this amazingly fantastic and heartbreaking volume, 10 out of 12, Five Star read. This series and a welcome broadening of the Dark Tower franchise.
2012, 2015 and 2021 read
2012, 2015 and 2021 read
July 11, 2018
This series is awesome, do ya kennit?
Such a creative and well written story combining legends of the past, the peril of the present, and the hopelessness of the future in Stephen King’s Dark Tower Universe. This volume completes the path from the innocence of youth to the responsibility of adulthood for our protagonist, Roland, and his group of friends. Some of this story you know from The Dark Tower novels, but this graphic novel series is now really starting to expand on stories that King only hinted at.
I didn’t do any research into this, but I felt like the artwork changed in this volume. It still had the same feel, but I felt like the characters looked different than in the earlier volumes and, in general, it has become more impressionistic. I am thinking the main artist might have changed? I still think the art is great, but I did not like it quite as much as I did earlier.
King fans, graphic novel fans, fantasy fans, western fans, Arthurian legend fans, and people who like things that are good should all check this series out!
Note: The volume I read includes The Dark Tower: The Sorcerer as a prologue.
Such a creative and well written story combining legends of the past, the peril of the present, and the hopelessness of the future in Stephen King’s Dark Tower Universe. This volume completes the path from the innocence of youth to the responsibility of adulthood for our protagonist, Roland, and his group of friends. Some of this story you know from The Dark Tower novels, but this graphic novel series is now really starting to expand on stories that King only hinted at.
I didn’t do any research into this, but I felt like the artwork changed in this volume. It still had the same feel, but I felt like the characters looked different than in the earlier volumes and, in general, it has become more impressionistic. I am thinking the main artist might have changed? I still think the art is great, but I did not like it quite as much as I did earlier.
King fans, graphic novel fans, fantasy fans, western fans, Arthurian legend fans, and people who like things that are good should all check this series out!
Note: The volume I read includes The Dark Tower: The Sorcerer as a prologue.
January 29, 2020
Wow. Just wow. The title says it all if you are familiar with The Gunslinger. With the Dark Tower, entire.
We never did get the actual tale, just some horrific tidbits, personal tragedies, and the basic idea that the last beautiful city of Mid-World had finally fallen. The last bastion of order and justice.
Well, THIS is the graphic illustration of that glorious fall.
We all see the face of Roland's father in his last moment. We do not forget the faces of the fallen.
Gorgeous art, as always, and the last stand is almost too painful to bear. I'm SO GLAD I got to see it. These comics are doing serious justice to the full story.
We never did get the actual tale, just some horrific tidbits, personal tragedies, and the basic idea that the last beautiful city of Mid-World had finally fallen. The last bastion of order and justice.
Well, THIS is the graphic illustration of that glorious fall.
We all see the face of Roland's father in his last moment. We do not forget the faces of the fallen.
Gorgeous art, as always, and the last stand is almost too painful to bear. I'm SO GLAD I got to see it. These comics are doing serious justice to the full story.
February 20, 2011
3.0 stars. First, let me say that I think the Dark Tower series is among the best fantasy works ever written. Also, being a fan of the graphic novel format, I was thrilled to hear that Marvel was doing a set of graphic novels that would “fill in” certain aspects of the Dark Tower series that were mentioned but not dealt with specifically in the novels. Therefore, I think it is fair to say that I someone to whom these books should definitely appeal.
That said, my overall impression of the book is that…I liked it. I didn’t “really” like it and I certainly didn’t think “it was amazing” though I was certainly expecting the former and hoping for the latter when I began the story. Before I mention the reasons why I did not rate this higher, I want to mention several aspects of the graphic novel that I thought were very good to exceptional (some of what follows may contain spoilers for those of you completely unfamiliar with the Dark Tower series, but I am assuming you are familiar with the background of the story from the novels).
First, the handling of the character of Cort was exceptional, especially his dialogue after he is injured. I thought this portion of the story was 5 star worthy. Along those same lines, I think the basic handling of each of the characters was good in so far as they resemble the characters that King created. In addition, I thought the reference to Arthur Eld and the defenses he incorporated into the building for Gilead was very good (and the kind of thing that the graphic novel series needed to do more of as I will discuss below). Finally, I thought the artwork showing the initial siege of Gilead was well done and gave a very good impression of the size of the Good Man’s army.
So why only three stars? It is because after reading this graphic novel, the reader doesn’t KNOW much more than they knew after reading the novels, which in my opinion is a wasted opportunity. These graphic novels provided a means to “expand” and provide new details about a pivotal event in the history of the Dark Tower while remaining true to the canon established by the novels, similar to the better examples of tie-in books set in well established universes (e.g., Star Wars, Star Trek, etc.). For example, I was hoping for more background (maybe even a history) of John Farson (i.e., the Good Man) or some new and memorable character that was never mentioned in the books or some other fresh insight into the world of the Gunslinger. The reference to Arthur Eld and the defenses of Gilead (mentioned above) is a prime example. That was a brand new “fact” that added to the story without contradicting anything from the novels. MORE PLEASE!!!
Being a big fan of the series, this lack of new information is what disappointed me the most about this graphic novel. The writing and the artwork are good for what is there, I was just a little disappointed by what was NOT there.
That said, my overall impression of the book is that…I liked it. I didn’t “really” like it and I certainly didn’t think “it was amazing” though I was certainly expecting the former and hoping for the latter when I began the story. Before I mention the reasons why I did not rate this higher, I want to mention several aspects of the graphic novel that I thought were very good to exceptional (some of what follows may contain spoilers for those of you completely unfamiliar with the Dark Tower series, but I am assuming you are familiar with the background of the story from the novels).
First, the handling of the character of Cort was exceptional, especially his dialogue after he is injured. I thought this portion of the story was 5 star worthy. Along those same lines, I think the basic handling of each of the characters was good in so far as they resemble the characters that King created. In addition, I thought the reference to Arthur Eld and the defenses he incorporated into the building for Gilead was very good (and the kind of thing that the graphic novel series needed to do more of as I will discuss below). Finally, I thought the artwork showing the initial siege of Gilead was well done and gave a very good impression of the size of the Good Man’s army.
So why only three stars? It is because after reading this graphic novel, the reader doesn’t KNOW much more than they knew after reading the novels, which in my opinion is a wasted opportunity. These graphic novels provided a means to “expand” and provide new details about a pivotal event in the history of the Dark Tower while remaining true to the canon established by the novels, similar to the better examples of tie-in books set in well established universes (e.g., Star Wars, Star Trek, etc.). For example, I was hoping for more background (maybe even a history) of John Farson (i.e., the Good Man) or some new and memorable character that was never mentioned in the books or some other fresh insight into the world of the Gunslinger. The reference to Arthur Eld and the defenses of Gilead (mentioned above) is a prime example. That was a brand new “fact” that added to the story without contradicting anything from the novels. MORE PLEASE!!!
Being a big fan of the series, this lack of new information is what disappointed me the most about this graphic novel. The writing and the artwork are good for what is there, I was just a little disappointed by what was NOT there.
March 31, 2015
You know how every Potterhead in the world wants more backstory? How we’re all just dying for some tales filled with the shenanigans of James, Sirius, Lupin and of course, Pettigrew too? Well, I have been saying for years that someone needs to write Harry Potter graphic novels. Because, why the fuck not? Exactly.
Anyway, what does this have to do with the Dark Tower Series? Not a lot, but my brain works in a strange way.
Basically this graphic novel gives you a whole lot of background. My favorite part of Roland’s story is that it doesn’t start with Roland. There’s this incredibly alluring backstory about his father and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father. It’s true. I swear. The line of gunslingers traces back to Arthur Eld. And of course, our antihero, Roland, is of that exact bloodline.
BUT in this particular book we get to find out what a complete badass Roland’s father is. Steven Deschain is doing all that he can to ensure the safety of his people. He defends Gilead with the last ounce of his being and makes Roland look like a tic turd in comparison. (I know, it’s almost blasphemy, but it’s true!)
Yes, that is in fact a sword sticking out of his back while he destroys thatman’s coward’s face. He just is that awesome.
When John Farson comes knocking on the doors Gilead he comes prepared. Reason number 7396713 why I could never be a gunslinger:
If I saw this guy storming my gates I would pee my pants, cry and then do just about anything to save my own life. (I’m a coward, what can I say?)
The infamous Horn was introduced. This horn brings nothing but sadness, I can promise you that. Dark Tower Junkies like myself know exactly what this horn means and where it was last seen. Here we get to see it used by the great Steven Deschain and later in the hands of his son, Roland.
Stop wasting your time on other comics. They suck. Read these. (But only if you’ve read the DTS! This puts everything into chronological order and will spoil the fun of discovery in the whole series IF you plan on reading the DTS, which I strongly recommend that you doooooooo.)
**PS. I meant to include this- while these are great you have some major discrepancies since the release of Wind Through the Keyhole was published. I am going to take it with a grain of salt like I do with book-to-movie adaptations and not fault the King for this oversight...this time.
Anyway, what does this have to do with the Dark Tower Series? Not a lot, but my brain works in a strange way.
Basically this graphic novel gives you a whole lot of background. My favorite part of Roland’s story is that it doesn’t start with Roland. There’s this incredibly alluring backstory about his father and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father. It’s true. I swear. The line of gunslingers traces back to Arthur Eld. And of course, our antihero, Roland, is of that exact bloodline.
BUT in this particular book we get to find out what a complete badass Roland’s father is. Steven Deschain is doing all that he can to ensure the safety of his people. He defends Gilead with the last ounce of his being and makes Roland look like a tic turd in comparison. (I know, it’s almost blasphemy, but it’s true!)
Yes, that is in fact a sword sticking out of his back while he destroys that
When John Farson comes knocking on the doors Gilead he comes prepared. Reason number 7396713 why I could never be a gunslinger:
If I saw this guy storming my gates I would pee my pants, cry and then do just about anything to save my own life. (I’m a coward, what can I say?)
The infamous Horn was introduced. This horn brings nothing but sadness, I can promise you that. Dark Tower Junkies like myself know exactly what this horn means and where it was last seen. Here we get to see it used by the great Steven Deschain and later in the hands of his son, Roland.
Stop wasting your time on other comics. They suck. Read these. (But only if you’ve read the DTS! This puts everything into chronological order and will spoil the fun of discovery in the whole series IF you plan on reading the DTS, which I strongly recommend that you doooooooo.)
**PS. I meant to include this- while these are great you have some major discrepancies since the release of Wind Through the Keyhole was published. I am going to take it with a grain of salt like I do with book-to-movie adaptations and not fault the King for this oversight...this time.
February 23, 2024
This fourth volume in Marvel's long-running series of associational volumes to King's Dark Tower books is yet another excellent addition to the mythos. The art is not as great as the previous books, but it still captures the flavor of the world. The story is again by long-time King associate Robin Furth and adapted by Peter David. It picks up the story as it left off and advances it, but there's no resolution, so one should have the whole set available to read. It's set in Roland's younger days and gives great background information on the characters and world. Dark Tower fans will treasure it.
October 26, 2019
"The Fall of Gilead" is a very dark comic. It picks up at the conclusion of the previous volume. Roland is distraught at his actions and Farson's trap springs. Though to be fair it was more of an ambush. I am rather surprised at the lack of internal security for Gilead. Their system was penetrated by Farson's men.
While the story is uniformly excellent and adds great depth to the Gunslinger's back story, I have to say I am less than impressed with his cuckold father. Steven Deschain is not to my liking. Not only made a fool of by Martin and his wife once, he manages to do it again (this time on an epic scale) and, IMHO 75% responsible for the fall. The remaining 25% must go to Farson and his masterful pre-emptive decapitation strike.
The Fall of Gilead is dark in tone and tale. The good days are over and Farson's dark forces have arrived. A great addition to the lore and count me in for the next volume. Well done!
While the story is uniformly excellent and adds great depth to the Gunslinger's back story, I have to say I am less than impressed with his cuckold father. Steven Deschain is not to my liking. Not only made a fool of by Martin and his wife once, he manages to do it again (this time on an epic scale) and, IMHO 75% responsible for the fall. The remaining 25% must go to Farson and his masterful pre-emptive decapitation strike.
The Fall of Gilead is dark in tone and tale. The good days are over and Farson's dark forces have arrived. A great addition to the lore and count me in for the next volume. Well done!
October 14, 2021
I think this is probably my favourite graphic novel out of this entire series so far. They’ve all been beyond amazing but this one just took it to another level for me. The illustrations truly brought the story to life EXACTLY how I had imagined it. It was like seeing what I had imagined so many times while reading the novels directly put on paper, swiped right from my imagination. If that doesn’t tell you how perfect this adaptation is and how much I loved it then I don’t know what will! I especially enjoyed how damn true it stays to the novel, not once did I find myself thinking “that’s not how it goes” and that’s quite remarkable. I truly couldn’t come up with a single complaint, this graphic novel really is perfection. Dark Tower junkies, you definitely want to get in on this!
August 14, 2014
NOTE: the first part of this review is about the series, in general, and the last part covers this particular volume.
FROM MY REVIEW OF THE FIRST GRAPHIC NOVEL
I never got into the novel series but after reading this particular graphic novel I just might give it another try. This volume focuses on the Gunslinger before he became a legend in this post apocalyptic Spaghetti Western Fantasy tale. It covers the legends of his home realm life, how he earned his guns at an early age and his first mission which led to him meeting his first love.
King was creatively involved in the making of this graphic novel. I suspect this will be a spoiler on some level if I ever reach book four of the novel series but that's all right as I wasn't going to give King's series another chance until I picked this piece up.
The tone is dark, gritty and at times brutal and women don't have many options unless they hold a great deal of power. The artwork was impressively done with tight facial shots, focus on shadows and some nice running scenes sometimes all completed on one page. There's a nice map in the back to give you an idea of the overall world which I found very helpful as this was my first time experiencing the world. King was creatively involved in the making of this graphic novel. I suspect this will be a spoiler on some level if I ever reach book four of the novel series but that's all right as I wasn't going to give King's series another chance until I picked this piece up.
BOOK FOUR
In this installment Roland (the future gunslinger) and his pals (known as a ka-tet which is something like blood brothers who will die for you) take a backseat as the older characters of Gilead try to stop the impending doom. As you might guess by the title things get bad and then worse and Gilead obviously falls but most of our beloved characters escape (that isn't a spoiler as there are more books in the series and the characters are portrayed on most of the front covers, people).
The first issue topped the March comic sales figures, with an estimated 123,807 sold, 20,000 more than the next comic, New Avengers.
CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus; ARTWORK: B plus to A minus; SETTING/TONE: B plus to A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus to A minus; WHEN READ: mid May 2012.
FROM MY REVIEW OF THE FIRST GRAPHIC NOVEL
I never got into the novel series but after reading this particular graphic novel I just might give it another try. This volume focuses on the Gunslinger before he became a legend in this post apocalyptic Spaghetti Western Fantasy tale. It covers the legends of his home realm life, how he earned his guns at an early age and his first mission which led to him meeting his first love.
King was creatively involved in the making of this graphic novel. I suspect this will be a spoiler on some level if I ever reach book four of the novel series but that's all right as I wasn't going to give King's series another chance until I picked this piece up.
The tone is dark, gritty and at times brutal and women don't have many options unless they hold a great deal of power. The artwork was impressively done with tight facial shots, focus on shadows and some nice running scenes sometimes all completed on one page. There's a nice map in the back to give you an idea of the overall world which I found very helpful as this was my first time experiencing the world. King was creatively involved in the making of this graphic novel. I suspect this will be a spoiler on some level if I ever reach book four of the novel series but that's all right as I wasn't going to give King's series another chance until I picked this piece up.
BOOK FOUR
In this installment Roland (the future gunslinger) and his pals (known as a ka-tet which is something like blood brothers who will die for you) take a backseat as the older characters of Gilead try to stop the impending doom. As you might guess by the title things get bad and then worse and Gilead obviously falls but most of our beloved characters escape (that isn't a spoiler as there are more books in the series and the characters are portrayed on most of the front covers, people).
The first issue topped the March comic sales figures, with an estimated 123,807 sold, 20,000 more than the next comic, New Avengers.
CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus; ARTWORK: B plus to A minus; SETTING/TONE: B plus to A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus to A minus; WHEN READ: mid May 2012.
March 1, 2015
I'm so glad these exist.
January 2, 2017
That ending!! Gah!!!
I wanted to take away a star due to the absence of Jae Lee's illustrations, but hot damn -- that was an excellent volume. So, five stars it is.
I love the relationship between Alain and Cuthbert. They're my favourites. They are always giving each other shit, and it. is. hilarious.
This wasn't a pleasant book by any means, but it was just so good. I'm glad I'm reading the graphic novel, opposed to the novel, because I don't think my little hardened heart could handle the 'feels' that would inevitably overwhelm me in the novel. {I'm serious; I had to stop reading The Hero of Ages because of that same reason.} #sadbuttrue
I wanted to take away a star due to the absence of Jae Lee's illustrations, but hot damn -- that was an excellent volume. So, five stars it is.
I love the relationship between Alain and Cuthbert. They're my favourites. They are always giving each other shit, and it. is. hilarious.
This wasn't a pleasant book by any means, but it was just so good. I'm glad I'm reading the graphic novel, opposed to the novel, because I don't think my little hardened heart could handle the 'feels' that would inevitably overwhelm me in the novel. {I'm serious; I had to stop reading The Hero of Ages because of that same reason.} #sadbuttrue
August 7, 2019
Oh! Oh! Oh! Ich will das alles gar nicht wissen! All diese Hoffnungen und all das Leid. Und trotzdem greife ich immer wieder zu einem neuen Band, weil ich nicht von dieser Welt lassen kann.
February 7, 2019
Not too much to say here. We get to see Gilead before it's fall. Constant Readers know about some of the events if you have read the other Dark Tower books. We have Roland reeling from killing his mother and Cort on his deathbed.
Oh Roland. He is really a tragic figure. I know that King took inspiration from the Tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table when writing the Dark Tower. You just see more similarities in the comics than the books when you read about Maerlyn, and Stephen Deschain and his wife, Gabrielle Deschain. I am starting to see Roland a more of a Galahad at times with him and his quest for the Dark Tower.
We get Roland, Cuthbert, and Alain still doing what they can to stand by Roland and Gilead. We also have the character of Aileen Ritter who would be a gunslinger except for her being born a girl and not a boy. And we follow along with Sheemie too.
I don't have much to say besides I really enjoyed this installment. We know what what the Gunslingers are going to go and though you wish it could be different, it is not meant to be. We also get some backstory on the Man in Black and I maybe get the skin crawls. Reading this on my Kindle was fine. I was able to zoom in on panels. I just wish that Amazon had set it like it did the one shot comics I was reading where the panels zoom in automatically for you and then zoom out when you get to the last one on the page.
The illustrations are a bit darker in this one I have to say. It was hard to read people's faces here and there.
The comic flow was a bit haphazard at times before we get to the endpoint.
Looking to read "Battle of Jericho Hill" next.
Oh Roland. He is really a tragic figure. I know that King took inspiration from the Tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table when writing the Dark Tower. You just see more similarities in the comics than the books when you read about Maerlyn, and Stephen Deschain and his wife, Gabrielle Deschain. I am starting to see Roland a more of a Galahad at times with him and his quest for the Dark Tower.
We get Roland, Cuthbert, and Alain still doing what they can to stand by Roland and Gilead. We also have the character of Aileen Ritter who would be a gunslinger except for her being born a girl and not a boy. And we follow along with Sheemie too.
I don't have much to say besides I really enjoyed this installment. We know what what the Gunslingers are going to go and though you wish it could be different, it is not meant to be. We also get some backstory on the Man in Black and I maybe get the skin crawls. Reading this on my Kindle was fine. I was able to zoom in on panels. I just wish that Amazon had set it like it did the one shot comics I was reading where the panels zoom in automatically for you and then zoom out when you get to the last one on the page.
The illustrations are a bit darker in this one I have to say. It was hard to read people's faces here and there.
The comic flow was a bit haphazard at times before we get to the endpoint.
Looking to read "Battle of Jericho Hill" next.
September 30, 2017
The backstory I was craving. Gilead falls to John Farson and it's the beginning of the end. Although this isn't a perfect match to SK's Dark Tower series timing because The Wind Through the Keyhole was added later, I don't care. Just excellent.
April 29, 2015
Right where do I start - as with the previous instalments it starts off almost immediately from the end of the previous book. However there are links and loops that do not make sense unless you have read the previous book (and likewise there are certain people and events that at the time see disjointed, suddenly fall in to place).
This makes for both a clever series of twists to the story but for me is playing a dangerous game. Yes I acknowledge the storyline and its subtlety and clever design but at the time I thought it was sloppy penmanship and a lack of care, If I hadn't the next volume at hand I could have taken a dim view on it. As it is I am impressed and now a little more cautious incase I might miss a similar play.
As for the story - well again no spoilers but I will say that this is the book where it all changes. Those familiar with the story of the gunslinger will know that many more events have to happen to form the foundations of the man we meet in Stephen Kings books. This book certainly marks the passage of some of those events and the are truly monumental.
This makes for both a clever series of twists to the story but for me is playing a dangerous game. Yes I acknowledge the storyline and its subtlety and clever design but at the time I thought it was sloppy penmanship and a lack of care, If I hadn't the next volume at hand I could have taken a dim view on it. As it is I am impressed and now a little more cautious incase I might miss a similar play.
As for the story - well again no spoilers but I will say that this is the book where it all changes. Those familiar with the story of the gunslinger will know that many more events have to happen to form the foundations of the man we meet in Stephen Kings books. This book certainly marks the passage of some of those events and the are truly monumental.
July 17, 2015
I am absolutely loving the background story! The Dark Tower epic is so consuming and King seems to be finished with it, so these are the only other sources we are likely to get. Thinking about that, I want to give this five stars, but then I think about the illustrations...
I have no problem with the actual work. Jae Lee is a favorite of mine. When he is at Comic Con I make it a point to see him. He's kind of quiet and a bit awkward, but not on the page! My problem is not with the quality, but rather with the depictions. First, Susan looked liked a Disco Queen. Now, Steven (with a "v", take note) looks more like Danny Trejo than Clint Eastwood. I know it's unfair to hold Lee to the images I have in my mind, but I really dislike the way he portrays Steven. That's not him!
Line for line, panel for panel, the work is beautiful. I find no fault. His interpretation? That I find lacking.
I have no problem with the actual work. Jae Lee is a favorite of mine. When he is at Comic Con I make it a point to see him. He's kind of quiet and a bit awkward, but not on the page! My problem is not with the quality, but rather with the depictions. First, Susan looked liked a Disco Queen. Now, Steven (with a "v", take note) looks more like Danny Trejo than Clint Eastwood. I know it's unfair to hold Lee to the images I have in my mind, but I really dislike the way he portrays Steven. That's not him!
Line for line, panel for panel, the work is beautiful. I find no fault. His interpretation? That I find lacking.
June 5, 2015
This is the fourth graphic novel in the eleven book graphic novel series based off of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. This was a well done continuation of the series; I continue to enjoy the excellent artwork and complex plot. Just FYI there are spoilers ahead for those who haven’t read the previous graphic novels in this series.
Steven Deschan has discovered that Maerlyn’s Grapefruit has been stolen and is on his way to visit his wife when he finds his son Roland standing over her dead body. What follows is one betrayal after another as the elder members of Gilead struggle to save the city from both Martin’s and Farland’s (the Good Man’s) machinations.
This was a well done graphic novel. This whole series has a very spaghetti western feel to it but is set in a sort of post-apocalyptic fantasy world. The whole thing is very gritty and dark in tone.
I continue to really enjoy the illustration in this series. The illustration is very detailed and full of wonderful rich colors and is just a joy to look at.
The plot was not all that surprising and was pretty predictable, but it advanced at a good clip. This book focuses more on the elders of Gilead and on their struggle to stop the treachery there. Needless to say there is a high death count.
I have to comment on Aileen; in this book she decides that she will join the boys as Gunslingers. In order to facilitate that decision she cuts her hair short; which okay whatever. However in addition to losing her hair she also loses all personality. She is mostly huddling in the background of the story which seems very uncharacteristic when compared to her earlier boldness. Even the way she is drawn is just...less. Her facial features have lost a lot of their sharpness and definition throughout.
You don’t see nearly as much of Roland and his ka’tet until later in the book.
Things end on a pretty down note, so I am curious to see how the story continues in book 5, Battle of Jericho Hill.
Overall this was a good continuation of this series. The plot makes a lot of progress, although it is fairly predictable. I am eager for the story to focus more on Roland, his ka-tet, and Aileen. I would recommend this graphic novel series to those who enjoy dark and gritty fantasy.
March 19, 2011
Blood, betrayal,hatred, murder, seeming futility...this isn't what I'd call a "feel good book". But then none of the Dark Tower books are...and it's really not Mr. King's forte (yes I know, but it's based on Stephen Kings Dark Tower.
You get to know a little more about Martian Broadcloak, Randall Flagg...the Walkin' Dude o whatever you choose to call him and maybe finally fill in a few of the gaps in the story. The Dark Tower is interesting to me because of the way a lot of traditional myth has sort of been folded into it.
Can't say I "like it" but it's interesting.
Also some decent art. The "Variant cover" for "Fall of Gilead #1 in the back of the book is interesting, it looks a little like Indiana Jones as a Gunslinger...not intentional I don't suppose. As I said though, interesting paintings.
You get to know a little more about Martian Broadcloak, Randall Flagg...the Walkin' Dude o whatever you choose to call him and maybe finally fill in a few of the gaps in the story. The Dark Tower is interesting to me because of the way a lot of traditional myth has sort of been folded into it.
Can't say I "like it" but it's interesting.
Also some decent art. The "Variant cover" for "Fall of Gilead #1 in the back of the book is interesting, it looks a little like Indiana Jones as a Gunslinger...not intentional I don't suppose. As I said though, interesting paintings.
August 11, 2013
The fall of Gilead is another step along the path leading to The Dark Tower and the Gunslinger, the first novel of Stephen Kings series. In the Marvel comic series so far and for one more comic we see what happens in Roland's life up to his first introduction in the first novel, the search for the man in black and the short lived meeting of the boy Jake.
The fall of Gilead takes on much darker tone than the novels and the comic series so far and the overwhelming feeling of loss takes precedence, we all know at some point Roland's going to end up on his own and the events that befall him as we slowly get there are a joy to read.
Finally the tension built in the previous books is released as the Good Man John Farson and his mutant army arrive at the gates of Gilead. With traitors rife throughout, the plot certainly doesn't suggest a happy ending, its an ending filled with inevitable tragedy but you need to see it to better understand why Roland dedicates his life to finding the Dark Tower.
The fall of Gilead takes on much darker tone than the novels and the comic series so far and the overwhelming feeling of loss takes precedence, we all know at some point Roland's going to end up on his own and the events that befall him as we slowly get there are a joy to read.
Finally the tension built in the previous books is released as the Good Man John Farson and his mutant army arrive at the gates of Gilead. With traitors rife throughout, the plot certainly doesn't suggest a happy ending, its an ending filled with inevitable tragedy but you need to see it to better understand why Roland dedicates his life to finding the Dark Tower.
June 1, 2013
This adds to the existing lore on the Fall of Gilead. We get very little of the actual taking of Gilead from the books so a lot of this is new material. Again, this one will appeal to the hard core Dark Tower fans. I am starting to get a little impatient to get to the older Roland as we see him in the first Dark Tower book The Gunslinger.
But this was a lot better paced than the previous instalment.
4 stars
But this was a lot better paced than the previous instalment.
4 stars
January 31, 2021
Pure misery, even GRR Martin could learn thing or two from this book. With each page things are getting worse and heroes are sinking deeper into the mud. You know it won't end good, but still, it leaves mark on you and you'll understand coldness of Roland you meet on first pages of Gunslinger. And I suppose things are far from end...
May 12, 2024
I don't know about this one, I had to stop and read it several times. Fall of Gilead just failed to hold my attention.
December 1, 2025
I know that this volume is named “Fall of Gilead”.
I also know, from having read the Dark Tower series that there is no more Gilead, and Roland has been on his own, chasing the “man in black” through the desert, right as “The Gunslinger” begins.
So, this story should not have been a surprise of any kind.
And yet, it was…
and it wasn’t as much the fact that Gilead Falls, as I’m told that before I even begin reading, it was in the how it falls. In how it all crumbles.
A gut wrenching tale that really dig deep into what Roland lived through, his acute sense of loss (plus yet another curse of ka, that we all know if coming soon…) and explains the way he is with Eddie, Suzanna and Jake in the beginning of the book series.
While originally, Roland was off-putting to me. I didn’t really like him, but having seen what his life has been, I can’t help but feel for him. I know I’ll read the next part soon, but I feel like I need a little freak here…I wish Roland gets one too.
I also know, from having read the Dark Tower series that there is no more Gilead, and Roland has been on his own, chasing the “man in black” through the desert, right as “The Gunslinger” begins.
So, this story should not have been a surprise of any kind.
And yet, it was…
and it wasn’t as much the fact that Gilead Falls, as I’m told that before I even begin reading, it was in the how it falls. In how it all crumbles.
A gut wrenching tale that really dig deep into what Roland lived through, his acute sense of loss (plus yet another curse of ka, that we all know if coming soon…) and explains the way he is with Eddie, Suzanna and Jake in the beginning of the book series.
While originally, Roland was off-putting to me. I didn’t really like him, but having seen what his life has been, I can’t help but feel for him. I know I’ll read the next part soon, but I feel like I need a little freak here…I wish Roland gets one too.
June 15, 2024
This one has been my favorite in the series so far! Wow!
June 26, 2017
Oh this series is fantastic. I wish there was enough time left in the day to binge the final volume. The Fall of Gilead is epic. It's painful to experience what I've known from the beginning is going to happen. For it has to happen, else Roland's quest for the Dark Tower can't begin.
I've so much enjoyed getting to see more in depth into his past and how he became the character I loved. This story begins with the Sorcerer excerpt, which was quite interesting. It's the first deep glimpse into Marten and his past. That was fascinating. The story then goes right back to where Treachery ends with heartache. It's painful to see Steven discover Gabrielle's intentions and how Roland was manipulated. But alas, heartache for the reader is inevitable (I mean, the title is pretty indicative of what's to come). The heroes battle incredible odds. They face enemies at every turn. We're all set up for the final volume. I can't (and yet I can) wait to see how it unfolds.
Review from previous volumes:
Gunslinger Born Review
The Long Road Home Review
Treachery Review
I've so much enjoyed getting to see more in depth into his past and how he became the character I loved. This story begins with the Sorcerer excerpt, which was quite interesting. It's the first deep glimpse into Marten and his past. That was fascinating. The story then goes right back to where Treachery ends with heartache. It's painful to see Steven discover Gabrielle's intentions and how Roland was manipulated. But alas, heartache for the reader is inevitable (I mean, the title is pretty indicative of what's to come). The heroes battle incredible odds. They face enemies at every turn. We're all set up for the final volume. I can't (and yet I can) wait to see how it unfolds.
Review from previous volumes:
Gunslinger Born Review
The Long Road Home Review
Treachery Review
December 16, 2015
Another awesome installment of this series. I really love these graphic novels, and I love the extension of the Dark Tower story told through them.
The artwork is fantastic in these, and I love the tone and the wry humor that comes through the narration. There's a distinct tone to these that doesn't exist in the books, and I really enjoy that.
I also loved that there was more of Cuthbert in this one... He had some great bits. Real funny stuff that had me giggling out loud a few times.
Definitely recommend this series.
The artwork is fantastic in these, and I love the tone and the wry humor that comes through the narration. There's a distinct tone to these that doesn't exist in the books, and I really enjoy that.
I also loved that there was more of Cuthbert in this one... He had some great bits. Real funny stuff that had me giggling out loud a few times.
Definitely recommend this series.
September 27, 2015
5 Stars!
Blood was spilled. Blood flowed.
Everyone's hands got bloody on this one. We get the details of the fall of Gilead, and not the hinted at details from the series. There is a lot of back-stabbing, cutthroats, and liars; and it was not pretty. The graphic novels really enhance the awesome book series. You get more in-depth characterizations; and Cuthbert and Alain aren't just faceless names; but fully fleshed characters.
I need to get the next book; quick.
Blood was spilled. Blood flowed.
Everyone's hands got bloody on this one. We get the details of the fall of Gilead, and not the hinted at details from the series. There is a lot of back-stabbing, cutthroats, and liars; and it was not pretty. The graphic novels really enhance the awesome book series. You get more in-depth characterizations; and Cuthbert and Alain aren't just faceless names; but fully fleshed characters.
I need to get the next book; quick.
July 31, 2023
Oh my gosh, this installment was harrowing. I am so glad that Robin Furth knows this story of the tower so well and was able to put together such a seamless spin-off series. Next up, the Battle of Jericho Hill, that fabled day that Roland talked about several times throughout the series but never actually tells us what happens, the one I have been looking most forward to and if it is anything as good as the rest of these comics have been we're in for a wild ride!
November 20, 2014
This book is the best in the series so far, in terms of plausible new material & plotline. I still like the artwork & I still don't like the narrative style, the endless rhetorical questions & the "Do you kennit's?" This book really bothered me for some reason; am I getting soft in my old age? The panel of women & children asking if it's all over while the treacherous gaurds reply, "Yes. For you it is," stayed with me for a long time after reading. Which is silly because, hey, it's the fall of Gilead after all & people die.
But really, what is with the hatin' on pregnant women? Of course Susan dies while with child, and in Treachery some woman gets her baby cut out of her (how this serves to further the plot I don't remember). In this book, a woman gets stabbed in the baby (how this serves to further the plot I'm not sure). Did these atrocities really need to take place specifically in this way? Am I just the biggest wuss ever?
But really, what is with the hatin' on pregnant women? Of course Susan dies while with child, and in Treachery some woman gets her baby cut out of her (how this serves to further the plot I don't remember). In this book, a woman gets stabbed in the baby (how this serves to further the plot I'm not sure). Did these atrocities really need to take place specifically in this way? Am I just the biggest wuss ever?
November 20, 2019
I can't reiterate enough how much I enjoy these prequel graphic novels! If the whole Dark Tower series were in graphic novel form (they've only gone up to The Drawing of the Three) then I would choose those over the novels. But I will settle for the prequels and will be stopping after Battle of Jericho Hill. The tale is almost told and it's getting very dark. Well, it's always been dark but it's getting darker and sadder!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews