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In the vast and eerie world of Stephen King's multiverse, "The Talisman" is something special -- a boy's quest to save his mother, and his journey into another world where magic reigns.
And that magic begins to bloom like a black rose in "The Talisman: Road of Trials," the first comic book collection adapted from King and Peter Straub's epic fantasy. Vivid, shadowy and hauntingly visceral, this story gives an eerie, dark edge to the everyday world. The first part is kind of fragmented, but it does an excellent job of introducing Jack (and readers) to the Territories.
Jack and his mother Lily are on the run, driving from place to place so they can get away from a sinister man known only as Uncle Morgan. When they stop at a deserted beach resort, Jack befriends a kindly old man named Speedy -- and not only does Speedy know about Jack's "daydreams," but he also knows the true reason Lily is dying.
To save his mother, Jack has to go on a journey into a strange otherworld knows as the Territories, populated by "twinners" (sort of a other-world doppelganger who lives and dies alongside the person in our world). Jack manages to "flip" into the Territories and begins his journey to recover the Talisman, but he soon discovers that horrendous enemies are following him -- both in the Territories, and in our world....
The first volume of "The Talisman Road of Trials" is all about setting up the story -- plot threads are set up, characters are introduced, and the preteen hero begins his quest. It's a bit fragmented in plot, but when Speedy and Jack start talking by the broken carousel the story really begins to take focus.
Robin Furth does an excellent job adapting King and Straub's prose into fast pared-down dialogue, rife with creepy moments ("It's so fresh it hardly knows it's dead!"), some gruesome carnage, and a feeling of urgency that builds throughout the story, getting stronger all the time. While it's not terribly horrific yet, there's some creepy moments as well (Jack getting assaulted by goat-men or snarling trees).
Tony Shasteen and Nei Ruffino paint the story in lots of neglected houses and shops, pale sandy shades, stark shadows and bleak light... except in the "twinner" world, which is bright and colorful. Think an opal sun, glowing golden beds, sunlit green fields and blackberry vines.
Jack is a preteen hero that you don't often see, especially in a book intended for adults -- he's mature and intelligent without seeming like a mini-adult. He's quietly desperate to save his mom, and haunted by weird voices and strange occurrences. Speedy is a pretty intriguing figure, and in the prequel we see more about Jack's father -- not only could he flip, but he was deeply entwined in the Territories.
"The Talisman: Road of Trials" is blessed with shadowy, vivid artwork, and a powerful story that touches on one of the deepest human fears -- losing the people we love.
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Top reviews from India
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Top reviews from other countries
- NathanReviewed in the United States on 18 October 2011
WHY OH WHY?
Verified Purchase - Annie A.Reviewed in Canada on 23 January 2019
Graphic Novel, not book...
Verified Purchase -
MicheleReviewed in Italy on 8 May 2015
Bellissimo
Verified Purchase - S A HowellReviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 May 2020
Good addition to SK collection
Verified Purchase - DannyReviewed in Belgium on 26 July 2024
Fine book
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