This Stephen King Series Would Be The Perfect Prequel to The Dark Tower

by

This Stephen King Series Would Be The Perfect Prequel to The Dark Tower

Key Takeaways

  • The Talisman and Black House books connect directly to The Dark Tower series through shared characters and locations.
  • Netflix is adapting The Talisman, with a plan for a possible third book in the franchise by Stephen King and Peter Straub.
  • The epic scope of The Dark Tower franchise requires a prequel, and The Talisman and Black House would deepen its mythology.

As a seasoned gamer and avid reader of Stephen King’s works, I can confidently say that the interconnected universe he has crafted is nothing short of extraordinary. The Dark Tower series, with its blend of genres, has been a staple in my literary journey, much like how the MCU has dominated my screen time.

In today’s world, where franchises such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and DC Universe (DCU) have gained massive following and expanded significantly, there’s a growing demand for interwoven narratives across media. Finding fresh stories and series that captivate audiences isn’t always straightforward, but many production companies are turning to authors from the literary world and their successful publications to adapt these tales for our screens. Thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, this process is more common now than ever before. A notable author whose works have garnered increased attention recently is Stephen King.

Known for his chilling classics like ‘Carrie’, ‘Salem’s Lot’, and ‘The Shining’, this horror maestro has a rich literary career, with these titles barely scratching the surface. However, the work he and his dedicated fans regard as his greatest achievement is the ‘Dark Tower’ series, an epic blend of fantasy, action, western, science fiction, and horror. This series tells the story of a solitary Gunslinger on a mission to halt the collapse of the Dark Tower, the central pillar of all universes. Several of Stephen King’s works have links to the ‘Dark Tower’ series, but none more so than ‘The Talisman’ and ‘Black House’, collaborative works with the late Peter Straub. These books would serve as an ideal prelude for a potential TV adaptation of ‘The Dark Tower’.

The Talisman and Black House, Explained

The novel “The Talisman”, published in 1984, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Jack Sawyer who resides with his mother in a hotel room. When his mother is diagnosed with cancer, he learns about an artifact called The Talisman which holds the power to heal her. His mission to acquire it takes him through both the real world and an otherworldly realm known as The Territories. A man named Speedy Parker guides him on how to harness his innate ability to move between these realms. Alone in his quest, Jack encounters adversaries who will go to extreme lengths to seize the power promised by the Talisman. Throughout his journey, he gains and loses influential allies, confronts his past memories connected to his father’s death, and uncovers secrets about the events that transpired years before.

Speedy shares with Jack before his trip that he’s special because his world and the Territories are linked through individuals and their “doubles,” or alter-egos from another reality. When one of them perishes, the other acquires the power to traverse both dimensions. Parker’s double is a former gunslinger named Parkus, while Jack’s mother is the double of the Queen of the Territories. Jack is chased by Morgan, an unscrupulous sorcerer from the Territories who was once Jack’s father’s business partner and desires the Talisman for sinister goals.

In a subsequent timeline, the story unfolds as Jack, who had once repressed his past in The Territories, matures into an adult. Now a renowned homicide detective, he settles in Wisconsin where he eventually retires. However, a serial killer emerges from the small town he calls home, compelling him to come out of retirement when the murderer claims a fourth victim. As it turns out, this case is linked to the very land Jack explored as a child, triggering his forgotten memories and his ability to traverse different realms once more. Parkus alerts Jack that this murderer serves the Dark Tower series’ antagonist, the Crimson King, and is being used to find children with psychic talents that can potentially bring down the Dark Tower. It falls upon Jack and his allies to thwart the killer and the Crimson King’s nefarious schemes involving these gifted young ones.

The Talisman/Black House Connection to The Dark Tower

This Stephen King Series Would Be The Perfect Prequel to The Dark Tower

As a devoted reader, I’ve discovered numerous links between these two captivating novels and Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” saga. The Territories, the dimension in question, is directly linked to the ominous Dark Tower itself. In the chilling narrative of “Black House,” we find a small town that shares an uncanny connection with the supernatural realm where the malevolent Crimson King keeps his captive children, destined to bring about the downfall of the Dark Tower. Interestingly, Speedy Parker’s counterpart is Parkus, a former gunslinger who once served in the order of the world’s protectors – the Gunslingers. This esteemed group is none other than the knights sworn to safeguard the realm surrounding the enigmatic Dark Tower, and Roland, the last surviving Gunslinger from King’s “Dark Tower” series, serves as the protagonist of that epic tale.

In the story “Black House”, it is clear that the Crimson King orchestrates the actions of the serial killer. Upon revisiting the Territories in “Black House”, there is a mysterious tent in the background, which fans of the “Dark Tower” series will recall as belonging to the Little Sisters of Eluria, a group of vampires encountered by Roland in the short story collection “Everything’s Eventual”. These are just a few examples of the intricate connections between these tales, making them ideal for a prequel to Mike Flanagan’s forthcoming “Dark Tower” series.

At present, Netflix is collaborating with The Duffer Brothers in an attempt to adapt “The Talisman” into a live-action series. Concurrently, following Peter Straub’s demise, Stephen King expressed his intention to write a third book for the franchise. This opens up possibilities for both stories to unfold. Given the grand scale of the “Dark Tower” saga, a prequel seems fitting to expand on intricate details within its mythology. “The Talisman” and “Black House”, under the direction of Mike Flanagan, could serve this purpose for the King-centric universe. Additionally, this spinoff could provide further insights into the Crimson King’s schemes and influence, paving the way for Roland the Gunslinger and his companions as they embark on their journey towards the Dark Tower.

Read More

2024-10-23 02:04