GUNSLINGER '88: ROLAND
Cover illustration for Stephen King
I was asked to do a cover for the trade paperback edition of The Gunslinger by Stephen King. I'd done the dust jacket and all the interior illustrations for the limited edition, but this was the first mass market edition.
The background of this painting is a peculiar mustardy color that reflects the dusty, oppressive feeling of the book to me. I also thought it might go well with a gold foil type.
At any rate, the art director at the book company didn't agree and changed the design of the cover. He sent the painting to a retouch lab to take out the entire background and replace it with the sky from THE GUNSLINGER ON THE BEACH.
So although the cover is all my art, there is no such painting in existence.
Additional images from GUNSLINGER ‘88: ROLAND
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Firstly, this series by King is my favorite collection of words, stories, or writing, of all I have ever encountered (except, possibly, The Holy Bible), and while my favorite book in all of literature is the fourth volume, Wizard and Glass, it was this original plume version of The Gunslinger that best set the tone of the landmark tome, and (if you would indulge one more section of this near run-on sentence) your artwork was distinctly pivotal in defining that tone ... at least for me. I received my copy as a high school graduation gift in '90, and today at 53, it is still my most prized possession – loose leafs and all. I am grateful for your part and service to the cultivation of my imagination and the pure enjoyment that The Dark Tower has brought me for 30+ years.
Secondly, the earlier commenters are so correct that this is a fascinating insight into what I find to be a bizarre revelation about the image that I've probably actually had dreams about. It is to your credit that you would share this factoid about something that I can only imagine was—. Well, were you pissed about it at the time? Or, maybe it was such a big deal to do a King cover that you didn't mind at all? Having no frame of reference for how things are done at this level of the literary machine, I don't even know how bold (common or rare) this move would have been.
Finally, two notes on the cover itself... First, I see they also did a horizontal flip of the sky and tower portion ... to benefit the symmetry (that's probably not the right word for it) of the whole thing, I guess. And lastly, a question (that I've wondered for many years): [oo, i'm tingly! and i wonder if you've been asked this before!] The gun belts. Why are they both set in the same direction – the buckles, the clasps, the bullet slots are going the same way or are on the same side – when the two holsters will rest on either hip?
I imagine most people bother you with the fact that the book says the guns hang low on the hips with the belts crossing in the center, which would suggest the side of each belt opposite each gun would rest high on each hip (higher than you have them, perhaps). But that's not my bag, man – I'd call that poetic license. But the way they're going the same direction does seem like a mistake or an oversight or something. I must eagerly add that this has NOT impeded my enjoyment, by even a single measure! I guess I'm wondering if there was a reason, something that you thought of or encountered (that not being an artist, myself, I cannot imagine), that prompted you to do it as you did.
In any case, it is such a pleasure to see you here. I thank you, again, for your service.
Constant Reader #0095009710
"Gunslinger '88: Roland" is my favorite Dark Tower painting! I wish I could own the original. Some years ago, I had inquired with Audrey Price about its status. She informed me it was no longer in Michael's possession :(