Nicolas Michaud

Jacob Thomas May

“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed . . .” With these words, Stephen King began what his most devout fans consider the most important story of his long and amazingly successful career. Spanning eight novels (4,250 pages), 85 comic books, a multi-part movie series, a TV show, over three decades, and millions of fans, The Dark Tower is comparable to the complete works of Tolkien. From the Wastelands of Mid-World to the streets of New York City, and many worlds between, King’s western-style saga details the immortal battle of Good versus Evil, with the sense of wonder and suspense that only King himself could muster. For The Dark Tower and Philosophy, the editors have searched the denizens of the Tower and its Worlds and to tell true they have found the very best wordslingers (watch out Cuthbert, for they can spin a tale, do ya kennit?) to come and help us along the paths of the Beam and get down into the questions that have plagued so many readers for years. What makes Roland tick? Is the Man in Black truly evil? Is Roland? What exactly is the Tower, and why should we defend it? Does Roland have a heart? All these and more will be answered. Readers are invited to sit down by the fire and palaver awhile, as we journey down the path and climb the steps above the crimson field of Can’-Ka No Rey. Whose name will you sing when you reach the Tower? Among the many urgent questions addressed in The Dark Tower and Philosophy: Which world is the Prime World . . . and does it really matter? Is Roland’s journey pointless? Why is Roland the only one concerned about the end of all Universes? “Yes, but not for you Gunslinger.” Is Roland an agent of Free Will or Fatalism? If Roland or Walter is inside someone’s mind, who is that person, really? What is true heroism? Roland and Sacrifice . . . Jake/Eddie/Cuthbert/Alain/Oy . . .? Are Roland and Jake insane? Why should Jake trust Roland? What is the problem with Blaine the Mono and the [Murderous] A.I.? A murderer, betrayer and an adulterer . . . Oh, and now he killed his mother too . . . Is Roland seriously our hero? What are the politics of being a corruption-free gunslinger? Flagg’s offer to abandon their quest and the fact that they refuse it—is Roland’s Ka-Tet committing suicide? Roland’s Ka-Tet’s Excellent Adventure: Is there a problem with time travel? Are Susannah and Mia really different people? Is there a Clearing at the End of the Path . . . or just more Worlds? Is The Void utter nonsense? Why isn't King a fan of Endings? Is Roland immortal? Is that a good thing? Does anyone truly die?

The Dark Tower and Philosophy

Deadpool is the super-anti-hero who knows he's in a comic book. His unique situation and blood-stained history give rise to many philosophical puzzles. A group of philosophical Deadpool fans delve into these puzzles in Deadpool and Philosophy. For instance, if you know that someone is writing the script of your life, can you really be a hero? Is Deadpool really Wade Wilson, or did Wilson have his identity stolen by the monster who is now Deadpool? Are his actions predetermined by the writers, or does he trick the writers into scripting his choices? And what happens when Deadpool breaks into the real world to kill the writers? What kind of existence do literary characters have? How can we call him a moral agent for good when he still commits murder left and right and then left again and then right? Since Deadpool gets paid for his good deeds, can they be truly heroic? And which of the many Deadpool personalities are the real Deadpool? And of course, why does Deadpool love to annoy Wolverine so much? Deadpool challenges us to think outside the box. Deadpool and Philosophy shows us the profound implications of this most contradictory and perplexing comic book character.

My Common Sense Is Tingling

Deadpool and Philosophy

The ivory tower takes on the Dark Tower as philosophers probe King's story of the battle of Good versus Evil.

Jacob Thomas May

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