ByFurious
Dandelo is an emotional vampire who emerges as a chilling presence late in the Ka-tet’s journey, making his debut in the final book. Disguised as Joe Collins, a charismatic comedian, he wields humor as a deadly tool, feeding off the life force of his victims through their laughter, while also distracting them with it. Beneath the charm lies an emotional vampire, thriving on manipulation and cruelty.
Dandelo’s background was shrouded in deception, rooted in his claim to have been a stand-up comedian before arriving in All-World. He used this guise to lure unsuspecting prey, blending humor and charm to disarm his victims, trap them, and feed on their vitality. At some point after arriving in All-World, he took up residence at a cottage on Odd Lane, tucked away in the White Lands of Empathica (though he denies knowing what “Empathica” is), which served as a perfect lair for his predatory acts. It was there that Patrick Danville, an artist crucial to Roland’s quest, became his prisoner. To ensure Patrick could not resist or alert others, Dandelo cruelly removed his tongue, leaving him unable to speak.
Before encountering Roland, Susannah, and Oy, Dandelo also made several trips to the Dark Tower itself, which is only a few days from his hut. While there, he took at least one Polaroid photo that he tacked to his wall. Six months prior to his meeting with the group, he also weathered a storm that was conjured up as the Crimson King passed through the town, a fact he lies about.
Some time before encountering Dandelo disguised as Joe Collins, Susannah has a dream where Eddie and Jake warn her, from beyond the grave, to “Watch out for Dandelo.” This warning was enough to prepare her for encountering the disguised vampire, and also indicates that Eddie and Jake would’ve been more canny to his illusions.
Hints about Dandelo’s origins tied him to a lineage of monstrous entities within Stephen King’s multiverse. Similarities to creatures like It/Pennywise and the vampires from Doctor Sleep point to a shared ancestry of predators feeding on human emotions within Stephen King’s work. This link elevates Dandelo from a singular threat to a piece of a larger cosmic conflict, with implications stretching beyond Roland’s journey to the multiverse as a whole.
Dandelo appeared as an older man with a modest, well-groomed look that gave no hint of his true nature. Nearly everything about his appearance had clearly been cultivated to seem unremarkable and genuine. His lined face carried a softness, with silver hair neatly combed back and a trimmed beard framing his jaw. His eyes, crinkled at the corners, were deceptively “warm”, and calm, measured movements reinforced his approachable demeanor. A soothing voice, often paired with a chuckle or smile, added to his unassuming charm. Dressed in simple, tidy clothing, he exuded a quiet familiarity, as though he belonged wherever he happened to be.
Of course, this was all a charade, manufactured in order for Dandelo to pass himself off as Joe Collins, an average comedian, thus hiding his true nature. But even with this in mind, he was able to fool Susannah and Roland for some time, indicating that his deception was quite deft. But this illusion was not perfect, and keen perception could see through it; it is specifically noted that Eddie would’ve been able to see through Dandelo’s illusions and personality with ease, if he had been there, and that Susannah was able to tell something was “off-key” about Joe Collins almost immediately.
After Dandelo is dead, it is reveal that his true form is bug-like and misshapen, with a chitinous shell, and is described as “worse than Modred.”
A master of deception, Dandelo is a cunning and manipulative predator whose affable and humorous facade makes him appear trustworthy and harmless to others. As a psychic vampire, he feeds on the emotions of his victims, thriving particularly on laughter. His charm and wit are so convincing that even the most cautious individuals are drawn in, unaware of the lurking danger. Every interaction feels genuine, calculated to lower defenses and create a false sense of security.
Beneath the surface, Dandelo’s cruelty is chilling and deliberate, and prone to lying. His lies are often ornate and devious, and sometimes without obvious purpose, as he demonstrates when he recounts his supposed history in the American Midwest. Though he lies often, his penchant for detail makes his lies seem true (fully convincing Roland and leaving Susannah only somewhat uneasy).
This meticulous attention to detail extends to his surroundings, which others perceive as welcoming and ordinary, further reinforcing his mask of normalcy. Behind the unassuming persona, though, lies a ruthless, sadistic force, reveling in the suffering he inflicts. For Dandelo, causing suffering is more than just a matter of survival — though he does need it to survive — it is also enjoyable.
Many of Dandelo’s abilities center around using manipulation and deception in order to feed off of the emotions of his victims. His most notable power, that of “illusion “glammer,” allows him to alter reality as perceived by his victims, creating an environment that feels safe and inviting. He makes his run-down house appear spotless, concealing wear, stains, and the stifling heat his species seems to prefer. Even Patrick Danville’s screams are masked as the sound of wind, ensuring his presence remains hidden. These illusions extend to himself, as he uses them to appear younger, healthier, and even more personable, tailoring his appearance to suit the expectations of his prey.
Emotion manipulation is Dandelo’s primary weapon. He uses telepathic abilities to draw laughter from his victims, even forcing Roland to laugh at jokes requiring knowledge he couldn’t possibly have. Dandelo’s humor isn’t mere performance — it’s a predatory act, allowing him to feed on his victims’ life force while they are distracted by his charm. The word “Bing!” often punctuates his jokes, possibly as a trigger for his power. This emotional feeding visibly rejuvenates him, making him appear decades younger after even brief encounters.
Despite his strengths, Dandelo’s abilities come with limitations. His illusions follow specific rules — he cannot conceal truths he does not know, as shown when Susannah discovers a note from Stephen King hidden in the bathroom. Similarly, his own identity leaks through in subtle ways, such as the anagram “Odd Lane” revealing his name. These weaknesses, combined with his mortal vulnerability to conventional weapons, ultimately lead to his demise at Susannah’s hands.
Dandelo’s most significant relationship is with Patrick Danville, an artist of great importance to Roland’s quest. Captured and held prisoner in Dandelo’s cottage, Patrick became a steady source of sustenance for the psychic vampire. To ensure Patrick’s compliance and silence, Dandelo cruelly mutilated him by removing his tongue, stripping away not only his voice but also much of his ability to resist. This captivity demonstrated the full extent of Dandelo’s sadism, as he sustained himself by emotionally and physically tormenting Patrick. Their relationship, defined by cruelty and exploitation, underscores Dandelo’s role as a predator within the story.
Dandelo also had a close relationship with the horse Lippy, a loyal and grotesque companion. Lippy was part of Dandelo’s illusions, and while it is never explained the true nature of Lippy, it is likely that she was dangerous in some way, as Roland does make sure to kill her when she reappears after Dandelo’s death.
Dandelo’s connection to the Crimson King is tenuous and hinted at through a story he tells about a violent storm that once swept through his home, forcing him to take shelter in the basement and cower. Dandelo pretended to not be aware that the storm was caused by the Crimson King, but Susannah can tell immediately that he is lying, leaving the possibility of a more meaningful encounter. That said, Dandelo does seem to operate more as an isolated predator, with no clear allegiance beyond his own survival, and so likely isn’t a direct minion to the Crimson King.
While some speculate that Dandelo shares a lineage with creatures like It/Pennywise — either being a similar being or even being one of It’s offspring — Stephen King has clarified that they are not the same being. Regardless, Dandelo’s vampiric nature firmly ties him to the larger web of malevolent, cosmic forces in King’s works.
Dandelo serves as one of the final and most insidious obstacles on Roland Deschain’s journey to the Dark Tower, appearing late in The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower. As a psychic vampire who preys on emotions, Dandelo embodies the recurring series theme of deception and hidden danger. His benign hospitality, disarming humor, and inviting home create a facade of safety, concealing the predator who drains life from his victims through laughter. This encounter emphasizes the idea that threats in Roland’s world often come disguised in the most unassuming forms, making vigilance and insight critical to survival.
Dandelo’s role also underscores the perilous state of the Ka-tet, particularly in the absence of Eddie Dean. While Susannah Dean demonstrates growth by ultimately seeing through Dandelo’s illusions and defeating him, the encounter highlights just how fractured and vulnerable the group has become. Eddie, with his sharp instincts and natural skepticism, would likely have seen through Dandelo’s lies immediately, sparing them from much of the danger. This vulnerability shows that, despite Susannah’s individual growth, the ka-tet is broken, leaving Susannah, Roland, and Oy at greater risk. Dandelo, then, is not just a test of their cunning, but also a grim reminder of how much they’ve lost and how precarious their journey has become.
Susannah’s eventual realization of Dandelo’s true nature also highlights the unique and layered role an author has.The note she finds in Dandelo’s bathroom, left by author Stephen King himself as a token of gratitude for saving his life, serves as more than a simple clue — it’s a tangible manifestation of King’s influence over his own fictional universe. By intervening directly in the narrative (even refering to himself as a “Deus Ex Machina”), King reinforces the notion that the world of the Dark Tower is both constructed and malleable, subject to the whims of its creator while still being bound to the necessities of the plot.
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