The Sailor

Stephen King's The Dark Tower #16

by Peter David, Robin Furth (Contributor), Juanan Ramirez (Contributor)

JAKE CHAMBERS RETURNS AS STEPHEN KING'S DARK FANTASY EPIC CONTINUES! Haunted by the specter of a boy he let fall to his death, ROLAND is tortured by despair. But the boy never existed, and Roland's guilt is madness. Or is it? As timelines converge and reality shatters, JAKE CHAMBERS becomes the focus of Roland's quest...and may be the key to the survival of the Ka-tet! COLLECTING: DARK TOWER: THE DRAWING OF THE THREE - THE SAILOR 1-5

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, Westerns, Graphic Novels Comics

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2017

About the author

aka 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.

Reviews

[Tina Haigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one is my favorite of the whole series so far. I am enjoying seeing the more human side of Roland and this one deals with a paradox which has always been a subject that fascinates me. This series just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait for the next issue to come out :)

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least the covers are good on this volume with Jay Anacleta. The art was better than the two Odetta books, but it still looked like a second rate indie artist at best drew it. A subpar telling of Jake's story without all the drama.

[Lukas Sumper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid end to a great series, I know it's kind of not finished but being the last book published and since there was no news for the last 3 years it is safe to assume this was the last one. 16 books is no small feat and I am happy for every last one of them.

Sure the art change was heavy yet again but it was by no means bad, maybe not a perfect fit for the dark tower but it did not distract from the story. And the story was good, compared to the others in the middle field while moving fast without fillers. It seemed they knew the series was coming to an end trying to wrap up so to speak. I stick by my guns saying this whole series is a must read for fantasy fans, so give it a try!

Sad to see it coming to an end.. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars

[Alondra Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I just love all things Dark Tower. I miss these characters and this world, and love the visuals that this graphic novel series brings.

The graphic novels truly give us a little more backstory than Sai King did in the original DT series. More info on Susan Delgado, the relationship of Roland's parents; Odetta/Detta/Susannah. Eddie's story was probably the most interesting, and poor Jake.

This has been a wonderful graphic novel series; and a great way to introduce yourself to Roland and his ka-tet.


Original Post: YYyeesss; finally, finally; I have a copy... bbittcchh, I've been waiting so long...

*weeps uncontrollably*

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fifth volume of Marvel's The Drawing of the Three series, which was based on King's second prose novel in The Dark Tower series. It's the sixteenth and final overall book in their Dark Tower series. The series was not exactly an adaptation, but a close-up of the other members of Roland's group and their various origins and development. This one wraps up the story fairly well, as we see Jake a final time and revisit Roland and his companions. I preferred the earlier books that seemed more central to the overall series with a much wider sweep and more intricate plots. This one is well enough written by Furth and David, just as the earlier books were, but it seemed obvious that they knew the series was cancelled and their ride had ended, and Marvel had lost interest. The art, unfortunately, was not to my liking. It seemed better than the two previous Odetta books, but I felt that it wasn't very well executed and didn't even try to resemble any of the earlier continuity. It's an interesting book for King's proverbial Constant Readers, but not essential.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish this series had continued. The Dark Tower comic series is one of my favorite comic series I think of all time. I liked the art on this volume more than I did on the previous, but really the earlier Gunslinger stories had the superior art.

Maybe one day this series will get picked back up. It's a shame things had to end here.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

This used to be a premiere title. At this rate, by the time they finish up in 40 or 50 years, they'll have kindergartners drawing this with crayons. Artwork sucks.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sailor continues the thrilling graphic novel adaptation, focusing on Eddie, Susannah, and Roland as their perilous journey along Mid-World’s shifting landscapes intensifies. The story blends tense action, mysterious new characters, and glimpses into the broader, haunting mythology of the Dark Tower, keeping the stakes high and the suspense constant.

I really enjoyed this volume. Peter David captures the essence of King’s world while the artwork adds layers of atmosphere and drama. It’s an engaging, fast-paced read that builds beautifully on the previous volumes, perfect for fans of both the novels and the graphic series.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still not sure where the title comes from, but what there is of it is inaccurate. This book chronicles the first section of The Wastelands, rather than being part of the Drawing of the Three. Most of it focuses on Jake, who is living two different timelines at once and going mad (as is Roland). Both Jake and the Ka-Tet in Mid-World are working on remedying the situation though, guiding Jake to join them. There's a lot here that probably doesn't make much sense if you haven't already read the books, but for the most part it works (and it's nice to see it winding through and connecting with earlier Drawing of the Three stories). There isn't a huge amount of action: an opening sequence with a massive bear and the finale, which touches on some uncomfortable themes. And it looks like this may be the last volume of the series released, which leaves comic book readers in a bit of a lurch - either they'll have to switch over to the actual novels (and spend the first few hours rereading what's here if they jump straight to the Waste Lands), or they'll be left without ever getting closure. The art is okay, becoming more generic comic book style and losing much of its uniqueness. It gets the job done, but it doesn't quite capture some of the larger moments very well. The lack of closure is a bit disappointing, especially if this is the last volume being released, but otherwise it does a decent job retelling the story.

[Joe Kessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The five issues in this bound volume unfortunately represent the end of the Marvel comic book adaptations of Stephen King's Dark Tower series -- or at least, there haven't been any subsequent releases since this last sprint came out in 2017. (As Roland would put it: there will be water if God wills it, say thankee sai.) It's not the best place to leave the story in terms of overall resolution, but it does let us see the gunslinger finish gathering his band of ka-tet companions for the larger Tower quest, I suppose. Or everyone except Oy the billy-bumbler, that is.

Despite retaining the Drawing of the Three subheading, this installment adapts the first half of the following novel The Waste Lands, in which Roland, Eddie, and Susannah battle the giant cyborg bear Shardik and Jake re-enters the narrative to make his way out of some mind-bending experiences in New York and eventually join their party in Mid-World. That's a fun plot in the original book, and it translates well enough to the art style here, though it doesn't necessarily add any further dimensions to the material as these comics have sometimes done in the past (to admittedly mixed effect).

It's disappointing that the project stops here, and I'm still not sure why this section wasn't included as part of the Drawing of the Three omnibus, but if you've read this far -- especially if you're a fan of the King books who knows where things develop next -- I do think it's another solid treatment that's generally worth checking out.

[Content warning for gun violence.]

This volume: ★★★☆☆

Overall series: ★★★☆☆

Volumes ranked: The Gunslinger Omnibus > Beginnings Omnibus > The Drawing of the Three: The Sailor > The Drawing of the Three Omnibus

Like this review?
--Throw me a quick one-time donation here!
https://ko-fi.com/lesserjoke
--Subscribe here to support my writing and weigh in on what I read next!
https://patreon.com/lesserjoke
--Follow along on Goodreads here!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
--Or click here to browse through all my reviews!
https://lesserjoke.home.blog

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I thought the previous Volume covered a lot of ground, this one really takes the cake! Breaking with the direct connections to the novel, this Volume of the graphic novel condenses down the first half of the entire next novel, The Waste Lands. Including:
- Roland's insanity
- The encounter with Shardik, the discussion about the Guardians and the Beams
- Eddie and Suse's training as gunslingers
- Jake's dichotomous mind
- The "and that is the truth" essay
- The discovery of the Key and the Rose
- The obtaining of the the "Charlie the Choo-Choo" and "Riddle-De-Dum!" books
- The encounter with the Speaking Demon and the haunted house
- Jake's drawing

WHEW! Never thought so much of the novel could be condensed down so much and still make sense. (Maybe it's only because I've read the novels....)
It has been some years since this Volume came out, and they have never continued the graphic novels for the rest of the novel series. Will they??

Strong recommend, both the graphic novels and the novels.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll always have a soft spot for the whole Drawing of the Three aspect of the Dark Tower series as Roland ended up assembling a new ka-tet by pulling in people from different times of our world. But admittedly there was that sense of confusion when the third door led to the Pusher and in the end Roland just helped to engineer his death and did not get a third person.

The Sailor focuses on the answer to this question which includes the speedy progression of Eddie and Susannah's relationship, their skills as gunslingers and the growing madness eating away at both Roland and the boy Jake back on Earth. I rather enjoyed this part of the books and to see it as a comic was a fun visual experience as well. As always things felt a little faster paced than I would have preferred but on the whole it was a great translation of the story and one that finally gave us a possible visual for the 12 Guardians of the Beams, even if only for a panel.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was the last of the completed series at this point, it is canceled but I hope not lost. This was an epic work started and I want it very much to make it to the end. My best comparison is the Lord of the Ring Movies that were so expensive and long but did the best job ever of recreating what Tolken had written. This comic series has taken what was written, filled out the stories and expanded on the histories, and then put them into chronological order, It is a huge effort and if it is allowed to complete it will be one of the greatest graphic novels ever done. Lose money now and make it back in reprints for the next 50 years. This was a Good Read.

[Jason Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending on a high note

For whatever reason, these authors and artists never got to finish the Gunslinger series. It probably didn’t help that King published the “Wind Through the Keyhole” around this time and gave an interview in which he claimed to have stopped reading the comics. Personally, the previous few volumes felt sloppy. This volume rounds back into shape. I still miss some of the sprawling set pieces of earlier volumes, like the Fall of Gilead, but the clear visuals here serve up the story effectively and add new context to an old tale.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within a story as epic and sweeping as King's The Dark Tower, three are so many favored scenes. For me, Jake's story always resonates - especially that part when both Jake and Roland, in their separate worlds, suffer from the duality of the the dead boy/the live boy. There is simply no way to make both truths work in this or mid-world or anyplace.

This collection of comics focuses on that point in the story, and tells it really well.

[Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

HOLY CRAP, THIS BOOK SUCKED!!! Yes, it was disappointing, but it was more than that. I don't need to bore you with the details of what happens because if you know me you can trust me and skip. This series used to be good, but this is the tipping point. The art work is too cartoonish (I know not a word) and just terrible. If you like terrible and cartoonist than by all means get/borrow it, If not skip!!! I am done with the series. No more

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the last installment(for now?) and as endings go it was pretty decent. Jake Chambers, the boy who dies, alive and mad in New York. Roland, the man who lets boys die, mad with Ka-Tet in Midworld.

So much creativity. I love these books and I am sad that they are ending for now. I wasn't expecting much when I started them, so the amount of wonder was a nice surprise. I hope they make more and I will be looking for them.

[Steve Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ending to The Drawing of the Three graphic novel set. I hope there are some people out there who have not read The Dark Tower books but they are enjoying the comic series.

Maybe one day they will read the novels and get the flushed out story, as it is worth it.

I like the graphic novels as they show an artists envisioning of the characters from the book, Eddie, Odetta/Susannah and more.

[Hans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake's return to Mid-World is a memorable section of the Dark Tower saga. But face it, the idea of crafting the whole DT saga in graphic novel form is crazy; there is so much to cover. So, maybe this section feels both a bit rushed and a bit too long. And the art is too cartoonish to really evoke the terror of passing through that final door.

[Mr. Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. I am so sad Marvel isn't finishing the series.
2. I am so grateful for the sixteen volumes they did.
3. This reread has already been so wonderful.
4. I need nice things like this in life right now.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book that is supposed to involve a demon raping someone they sure censored a lot in this issue. If this series ever continues I wander how the series will handle the pregnancy when there was a sex scene.

[Rural Soul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally the saga ends.

[looneybooks79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read these comics, their source material was already a big hit and a great read... to see them transported to this medium is just extra bonus to me!

[Fiona Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Jake's story! Includes the Bear Guardian of the Beam, and the Rose... you rule Robin Furth

[frogfairie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jonas Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the artwork in this one, but one question... where's the rest? DO NOT STOP HERE, for the love of all that's holy!!

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goes all over the place. Since Roland kills Mort, Jake is alive and goes nuts. Reunited with Roland

[Kimber Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good to be back in Mid-World again. Although there were some small differences from the books, it was still a great ride.

[Shiraz Esat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good artwork and storyline. Excellent comic series that takes you to the end of the beginning, or the beginning of the end.
Excellent refresher on how the ka-tet form.