Stephen King's epic Dark Tower' becomes a comic book series
Left Field Hobbies chosen for first release MILFORD - World fantasy award-winning writer Stephen King, master of modern horror, joins forces with Marvel Comics this month to launch a ground-breaking new comic book series adapted from King’s magnum opus, “The Dark Tower.” To celebrate the launch of this new comic book series, Marvel Comics will offer a first-ever midnight release of “The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #1,” Tuesday night, Feb. 6. James Rogers, owner of Milford’s Left Field Hobbies said, “We were very fortunate to be chosen as one of the premier stores allowed to run this event. This will allow all fans of Stephen King in the tri-state area to get their hands on the book as early as possible. This is a first; a comic book has never had a midnight release before its very exciting.” Only 140 retailers across the country were chosen to open at midnight on Tuesday (effectively 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7) so Stephen King fans can get their hands on the debut issue. Rogers said the store will offer refreshments for the midnight event. Early shoppers will also have an opportunity to acquire “variant” - one of 25 - covers of the #1 issue, which are certain to become collectors’ items. Marvel’s senior vice president of Sales, David Gabriel, said, “As the first visualization of “The Dark Tower” characters and stories in the sequential arts medium, these midnight openings provide fans with the same first chance, gotta-be there-the-second-it-comes-out opportunity that Harry Potter fans have enjoyed at mass market bookstores.” The series will expand the saga of King’s epic hero, Roland Deschain, whose quest to save the dark tower is captured in seven best-selling novels published over the course of 25 years. King’s unparalleled storytelling power will inform new stories that delve into the life and times of the young Roland, revealing the trials and conflicts that lead to the burden of destiny he must assume as a man, the last Gunslinger from a world that has moved on. The comics will work in conjunction with the novels, further supplementing and defining the saga’s mythology under the direction of the acclaimed author himself. “As a lifelong fan of Marvel comic books, and as an adult reader who’s seen comics come of age’ and take their rightful place in the world of fantasy and science fiction, I’m excited to be a part of Roland’s new incarnation,” said King. The series will be illustrated by Eisner-award winning artist Jae Lee. King continued, “I love Jae Lee’s work, and I think this is going to be a dynamite partnership. Frankly, I can’t wait.” “Stephen King is a true literary master. We are thrilled beyond words to have him join Marvel on this exciting project. The millions of Dark Tower’ fans are in for a real treat, and I’m sure many more will soon be hooked on this epic series through this historic comic project,” said Joe Quesada, Marvel Entertainment’s editor-in-chief, and chief creative officer for Publishing. Left Field Hobbies is located at 115 Mill Street in Milford. For more information call 570-409-0202 or visit www.leftfieldhobbies.com .