Stephen King, a literary titan with over 65 novels and numerous collections to his name, is known for his consistent hardcover releases. Yet, even his most ardent fans have long noted a few missing pieces in their collection: standalone hardcover editions of two seminal works published under his pseudonym, Richard Bachman. Thankfully, King’s publisher, Scribner, has now filled this void with two exciting new releases. Fans can now finally own The Running Man and The Long Walk in their own dedicated hardcover formats.
The Long Walk’s new hardcover edition debuted on October 7, priced at $29, followed by The Running Man today, October 14. These highly anticipated reissues coincide with new film adaptations. The first-ever adaptation of The Long Walk is currently in theaters, while the second adaptation of The Running Man is set to premiere on November 14. Unlike most of King’s works, which typically transition from hardcover to paperback, these two classics had a unique publishing history, bypassing the initial hardcover release.
So, why the delay in standalone hardcover editions? The answer lies with Richard Bachman. Between 1977 and 1982, King used this pseudonym to publish four novels: The Long Walk (1979), The Running Man (1982), Rage (1977), and Roadwork (1981). These were originally released as paperback originals, as “Bachman” was an unknown author. King’s true identity was revealed after the 1984 release of Thinner, the fifth Bachman novel, which did receive a standalone hardcover. The first four Bachman novels were eventually gathered into a hardcover omnibus in 1985.
Today, this omnibus, The Bachman Books, is no longer sold because Rage, a controversial novel depicting a school shooting, has been permanently taken out of print. While The Running Man, The Long Walk, and Roadwork have remained available in trade and mass market paperback, it’s a fantastic development that two of these foundational Bachman Books are finally getting the hardcover treatment they deserve.
The Long Walk & The Running Man: Adaptations and Collecting Editions
If you haven’t yet preordered the 4K Blu-ray edition of The Long Walk, now is the perfect opportunity. Amazon offers an exclusive Limited Edition Steelbook, currently discounted to just $26.83 (originally $35). While a release date is still pending, this is currently the only 4K Blu-ray version available and is surprisingly more affordable than the standard Blu-ray edition. The striking steelbook features Mark Hamill’s character, with the artwork transforming once the transparent slipcover is removed.
The 2025 adaptation of The Running Man is expected to be available for preorder on November 14, coinciding with its theatrical premiere. For those who enjoy the original, the 1987 adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger received an excellent 4K Blu-ray restoration in 2022. You can grab the standard 4K Blu-ray with a slipcover for $20 or the Limited Edition Steelbook for $40.
The Running Man (1987) Editions:
- 4K Blu-ray — $20 (
$26) - 4K Steelbook Edition — $40
- Blu-ray — $15
- DVD — $10.46
Stephen King as Richard Bachman: A Look Back
Beyond the initial four Bachman Books and Thinner, King revisited his alias in 1996 with The Regulators, a novel intricately linked to Desperation, both set in parallel universes and intended to be read in tandem. For the best experience, it’s often recommended to read Desperation first.
King’s most recent Bachman novel, Blaze, was published in 2007. This manuscript was originally penned in the 1970s and was a contender for his second published novel, but his publisher ultimately chose ‘Salem’s Lot instead—a decision that proved fruitful, as ‘Salem’s Lot became a cornerstone of the vampire horror genre. Blaze is a concise crime novel that offers a worthwhile read, though it stands distinct from King’s later crime fiction. With these new releases, five of the six currently in-print Bachman novels now boast hardcover editions. Roadwork remains in print but has not yet received a standalone hardcover. Rage, however, will only ever be found in older editions of The Bachman Books collection, which can be quite costly. Hardcover editions of Thinner, The Regulators, and Blaze are out of print but generally accessible at reasonable prices through resellers.
Richard Bachman Hardcover Novels:
- The Long Walk (1979)
- The Running Man (1982)
- Thinner (1984)
- The Regulators (1996)
- Blaze (2007)
Richard Bachman Paperback Novels:
Trade paperback editions of the Bachman novels are widely available and affordable. A 2012 UK edition of The Bachman Books, featuring The Long Walk, Roadwork, and The Running Man, can also be found for around $25.
- The Long Walk — $15.67 (
$19) - Roadwork — $12.89 (
$18) - The Running Man — $13.48 (
$19) - Thinner — $10.56 (
$19) - The Regulators — $12.19 (
$20) - Blaze — $10.72 (
$19) - The Bachman Books (3 Novels) — $25
For those looking to expand their collection of Stephen King’s hardcover novels and short story collections, a comprehensive Amazon hub provides dozens of options. Many of King’s best works are still being printed in hardcover decades after their initial release, even if some older editions are only available through resellers.