Graphic Novel Review – The Long Road Home (Dark Tower Graphic Novel Series, Book 2) by Stephen King, Peter David , Robin Furth, Jae Lee, and Richard Isanove (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel
Length: 160 pages
Publisher: Marvel
Release Date: October 7, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0785127093
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Dark Tower graphic novel series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5 stars

This is the 2nd book in the Dark Tower graphic novel series. There are a total of eleven books in this series. I didn’t like this book quite as much as the first book, but still really enjoyed the illustration throughout.

Roland, Cuthbert, and Alain are fleeing the Big Coffin Hunters in an effort to get home in one piece. However when Roland’s mind gets taken over by the big grapefruit-like globe that they stole from the Coffin Hunters he goes on a strange metaphysical journey of sorts. Meanwhile while Roland is off in lala land the rest of the ka-tet is struggling to escape from both the Big Coffin Hunters and other strange beasts. Additionally we follow Sheemie’s story as he gets a bit lost and undergoes horrible torture to gain great power.

This book was a bit more scattered than the first one. We alternate between Roland, Sheemie, and Cuthbert/Alain. While some interesting things happen in this book I missed Roland and would have liked to see more of him in this story.

We do get to meet the Crimson King which was intriguing (and kind of disturbing). This almost seemed like a transitional volume; like it was setting up things for the next part of the story. However, after the first book the story in The Long Road Home seemed a bit anti-climatic.

I continue to really enjoy the illustration throughout. I love colors and the detail in the illustration.

Overall I enjoyed this second installment in the Dark Tower graphic novel series. The whole thing has this very fantasy post-apocalyptic western feel to it that I really enjoyed. I do think that this installment was a bit weaker than the first one. I would definitely recommend this graphic novel series to those who enjoy gritty fantasies.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge