Maturin is the overarching protagonist of the Stephen King multiverse.
He serves as the unseen overarching protagonist of the novel IT, its miniseries, and its film adaptations of the same name, and the overarching protagonist of The Dark Tower series. He is also a mentioned character of the novel 11/22/63 (novel).
He was the turtle and one of the twelve Guardians of the Beams that held up the Dark Tower. Maturin guarded one end of the Beam that was guarded on the other end by Shardik.
Quick Answers
What role does Maturin the Turtle play in Stephen King's multiverse?
How does Maturin the Turtle connect the novel IT and The Dark Tower series?
What is the significance of Maturin being a turtle in the Stephen King multiverse?
What is the Beam that Maturin guards in The Dark Tower series?
Is Maturin considered a god in Stephen King's universe?
Physical appearance[]
Maturin resembles an ethereal sea turtle made of cosmic energy.
Biography[]
A Turtle of massive size with an ancient appearance, Maturin existed long before the creation of the mainstream universe in Stephen King's novels. By nature, Maturin was kind, wise, loving, gentle, compassionate, benevolent, and had a very grandfather-like demeanor when he spoke to humans. Maturin was said to be constantly withdrawn into his shell, sleeping and rarely ever coming out for anything. One of the occasions that Maturin did come out of his shell was when he had a stomachache which caused him to vomit out the mainstream universe, after which he promptly retreated back into his shell. Because of that, It (a creature that existed in the void within the Macroverse and was an adversary of Maturin, also described by the latter as his "brother") considered the Turtle to be old, lazy, and stupid. However, given his vast amount of wisdom, power, and the aid, Maturin provided to those in need of it, It's perceptions of him seemed to be false.
In It, Maturin seemed to serve largely as a spectator to the events that unfolded in the battle between It and the Losers' Club. Maturin only involved himself and advised the young Bill Denbrough during the Ritual of Chüd in 1958, while Gan provided the Losers with most of their strength. Maturin initially politely introduced himself to Bill, and upon his plea for help simply stated that he “took no stand” in the matters at hand. However, after considering his “brother” with some disdain and contempt, Maturin swiftly provided great council and advice to the young man, assuring that It was ultimately afraid of Bill, human potential, and of the Turtle himself. Maturin ultimately urged Bill to battle the monstrous being with his willpower, mental strength, and internal faith and belief. With the Turtle’s encouragement and support; Bill overpowers and badly wounds It; forcing It into retreat. Before once again retreating into his colossal shell for another untold lengthy slumber, Maturin compliments Bill on his victory, but sagely cautions him to finish It off once and for all, as he may not get another opportunity to do so.
In the Novel[]
When the Losers faced It once again as adults 27 years later, It gleefully told Bill that Maturin was dead; having choked to death on a galaxy or two some time ago. When the Ritual of Chüd started again in 1985, Bill was presented with the gargantuan corpse of the Turtle, and saw to his horror that It did not lie.
IT (2017) and IT Chapter 2 (2019)[]
While Maturin does not make an appearance in either of the movies, there are allusions/nods to his existence in the films:
It (2017)
- Beverly has a turtle sticker on one of her school books
- Before Bill encounters IT in his flooded basement, he goes into Georgie's room and picks up a Lego turtle
- When the kids are swimming in the quarry, they argue and attempt to look for a turtle under the water.
IT Chapter 2 (2019)
- The exterior shot of adult Ben's house has a turtle statue.
- When Ben is in the classroom during summer school, there is a turtle on the desk.
- Maturin is actually what we call the root that Mike takes from the Native Americans as part of his journey to help guide his path on how to ultimately defeat Pennywise.
Personality[]
By nature, Maturin is kind and benevolent, having a very grandfather-like demeanor when speaking to humans. Maturin is said to be constantly withdrawn into his shell, sleeping and rarely ever coming out for anything. One of the occasions he did come out of his shell was when he had a stomachache which caused him to vomit out the mainstream universe, after which he promptly retreated back into his shell. Because of this, It (a creature that existed in the void within the Macroverse and was an adversary of Maturin) considered the turtle to be old, lazy, and stupid. However, given his vast amount of wisdom, power, and the aid he has provided to those in need of it, Its perceptions of the turtle seem to be false.
Gallery[]
_Maturin_reference.PNG "It (2017) Maturin reference.PNG (478 KB)")
Appearances[]
- It
- The Waste Lands
- Song of Susannah
- The Dark Tower
- 11/22/63 (novel) (Mentioned)
- It: Chapter Two (2019 film) (Mentioned)
Trivia[]
- Despite being one of the most important characters of the Stephen King mythos, Maturin was omitted in the TV mini-series of It.
- It has been confirmed that Maturin will appear in the 2-part It adaptation, but won't have a clear connection as it did in The Dark Tower series.
- An extinct species of turtle called Peltocephalus maturin found in the Amazon Rainforest was named after the character.