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The Way Station
Stephen King

The Way Station

Quick Answer

"The Way Station" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the Collections.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

There are multiple ways to approach this series. Our recommended order is optimized for first-time readers.

❓ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Verdict Insight: While this novella provides deeper world-building, it is a standalone story and can be read at any stage.

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2019128 ppNovellaOptional Side StoryWikidataSource
<b>Enter once more the world of Roland Deschain—and the world of the Dark Tower—presented in a stunning graphic novel form unlocking the doorways to terrifying secrets and bold storytelling as part of the dark fantasy masterwork and magnum opus from #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Stephen King.</b><br><br>“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” With these unforgettable words, millions of readers were introduced to Stephen King’s iconic character Roland Deschain of Gilead. Roland is the last of his kind, a “gunslinger” charged with protecting whatever goodness and light remains in his world—a world that “moved on,” as they say. In this desolate reality—a dangerous land filled with ancient technology and deadly magic, and yet one that mirrors our own in frightening ways—Roland is on a spellbinding and soul-shattering quest to locate and somehow save the mystical nexus of all worlds, all universes: the Dark Tower.<br> <br>Now, in the graphic novel series adaptation <i>Stephen King's The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger</i>, originally published by Marvel Comics in single-issue form and creatively overseen by Stephen King himself, the full story of Roland’s troubled past and ongoing saga is revealed. Sumptuously drawn by Richard Isanove, Sean Phillips, Luke Ross, Michael Lark, and Laurence Campbell, plotted by longtime Stephen King expert Robin Furth, and scripted by <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Peter David, <i>The Gunslinger</i> adaptation is an extraordinary and terrifying journey—ultimately serving as the perfect introduction for new readers to Stephen King’s modern literary classic <i>The Dark Tower</i>, while giving longtime fans thrilling adventures transformed from his blockbuster novels.<br> <br>Roland has barely escaped the frightening and deadly trap set for him by the elusive Man in Black in the sleepy little town of Tull—a place centered in the apotheosis of all deserts, and where the sinister sorcerer’s power had taken hold. Leaving death and despair in his wake, Roland soon arrives at a mysterious way station
and meets a young boy, Jake Chambers, who has seemingly appeared out of nowhere from another place and time. But who is this sophisticated child, and what is his connection to Roland’s quest and the Man in Black himself?
Next Recommended Book

The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift

Book # of 241 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

medium Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Collections conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Way Station?

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Can I read The Way Station before other books in the series?

Yes. The Way Station is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is The Way Station required reading for the Collections?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after The Way Station in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Way Station is The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift (Book #null).