The Man In Black

In The Dark Tower Series...

Walter O’Dim is a man of many identities. Self-trained as a sorcerer, he has the ability to change his appearance on a whim; this is a great advantage in his dark dealings. Working as an undercover agent for the Crimson King in Gilead, he is known as Marten Broadcloak. He stays in contact with the Red King by use of a jagged piece of smoky quartz.

Broadcloak serves as the sorcerer and advisor to the Lord of Gilead, Steven Deschain. This is a task given to him by the Crimson King in an attempt to cause the destruction of the Line of Eld, the Dark Tower and, ultimately, the White. In his position, O’Dim also has the opportunity to aid John Farson in his plans to overthrow Steven Deschain as Lord of Gilead. Both tasks, he believed, would lead to the same eventual outcome.

Walter O’Dim’s overall plan was put into motion when he, Marten Broadcloak, adviser to the Lord of Gilead, began having relations with the Queen of Gilead, Gabrielle Deschain. Two years Marten and Gabrielle carried on this way.

The crescendo came when Roland learned of his mother’s sins and father’s cuckolding. The news filled him with a rage, as Marten had hoped, and Roland foolishly opted to take his test of manhood. Broadcloak believed that the fourteen-year-old Roland Deschain would fail the test and be exiled to the west; or, even better yet, killed. To Broadcloak’s dismay, Roland passed his test and became to youngest Gunslinger apprentice to win his nickel-plated guns; besting his father’s earlier record by two years.

After passing his test and receiving his guns, Roland set off to kill Marten; however, his father, Steven, stopped him. Fearing for his son’s life, Steven Deschain issued a warrant for Marten Broadcloak’s arrest, his treachery now revealed. Turning the palace guards to dogs, Broadcloak was able to escape and flee Gilead. Although his alliance with John Farson had been discovered, his true devotion to the Outer Dark and the Crimson King was still unknown. Walter O’Dim swore, one day, to kill Roland Deschain.

In Other Literature...

The Stand- One of his apperances in King's multiverse has him leading a city of outcasts in Las Vegas, Nevada. His agenda is to rise up and rule over the survivors of  "Captain Tripps", the deadly virus that decimates the population of the world.

The Eyes of the Dragon- An evil wizard who causes trouble through Delain, a medieval country.