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Maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel after all, but before returning to the prison they call home, Michonne needs to settle the score with the Governor.

37 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2006

12 people are currently reading
245 people want to read

About the author

Robert Kirkman

2,778 books6,964 followers
Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.

Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.

In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.

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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile.
2,454 reviews934 followers
July 8, 2020
Being a huge fan of the show, I wanted to see how the original writing started and how the show writers followed and deviated from the comics. My dislikes were that the comics are much more crude, crass, and unnecessarily violent. I did like the change in relationships and how people worked together differently, and the comics have a different creepiness feel than you get watching it on TV. Overall, I prefer the show, and probably will not finish out the comic book series.
Profile Image for Jade.
358 reviews
April 10, 2017
Good old cliff hangers! I liked doctor Stevens as well, but ah guess everybody dies in this story
October 24, 2024
The tension from the previous issue had me eagerly flipping through this one to find out what would happen next. The cliffhanger involving Martinez’s surprising alliance with Rick set the stage for a high-stakes escape attempt. The horrors of Woodbury, combined with the looming presence of the Governor, have me on edge, especially with the fate of Rick, Glenn, Michonne, and the others still hanging in the balance.

The issue kicks off with Martinez telling Rick, “We’re escaping.” There’s a sense of urgency, but Rick, still suspicious of Martinez, initially resists, telling him to let go. Martinez, however, insists they need to move quickly before anyone realizes they’re gone. Rick’s first question is about the guards outside his room, and Martinez cryptically replies that "we took care of them." The mystery deepens when Martinez reveals that "we" includes Glenn, whom he had freed from his cell.

This moment is both a relief and an emotional one, as Glenn is overjoyed to see Rick alive, having assumed the worst after their violent capture. The loyalty Glenn expresses is touching—he reveals he wasn’t even questioned by the Governor but swears he wouldn’t have given away the group’s location, not even under duress. However, the mention of Michonne’s screams shakes him. Despite his unwavering loyalty, Glenn admits that hearing her suffer might have broken him.

Rick, ever strategic, suddenly remembers that he was wearing a prison uniform when captured, potentially tipping the Governor off to the prison’s location, their safe haven. The realization adds another layer of urgency to their escape.

Meanwhile, back in Woodbury, the Governor is seething over Michonne’s arena victory—her execution of Eugene has left him with a mess to clean up. In his fury, he stops Bruce and Gabe from entering Michonne’s cell, opting to “sleep on it,” showing a rare moment of hesitation. This brief pause in his otherwise sadistic mindset makes me wonder what’s going on in his head.

The real action picks up when Alice, who had previously shown a willingness to help, catches up with Rick, Glenn, and Martinez, asking if she and Dr. Stevens can join the escape. Rick is quick to accept—he knows that Stevens and Alice’s medical knowledge would be invaluable, especially with Lori being pregnant. The group’s next mission: freeing Michonne.

Thanks to Glenn’s knowledge of Woodbury’s layout, they manage to locate Michonne’s cell. Martinez efficiently handles Gabe by knocking him out, making way for the group to free her. Michonne’s initial reaction, mistaking Rick for the Governor, is a heart-wrenching reminder of the trauma she’s endured. Her relief upon realizing she’s being rescued is palpable, but in typical Michonne fashion, she quickly regains her composure and is ready to move.

The arrival of Dr. Stevens brings a moment of levity as Martinez prepares to knock him out, only to realize he’s an ally. Stevens agrees to join the escape but insists on gathering some crucial medical supplies first. This small act of humanity—making sure they’re prepared to treat the group once they reach safety—highlights the doctor’s deep compassion, which makes his later fate all the more tragic.

As they weave through the streets of Woodbury, the group encounters a woman, Marianne, desperate for Stevens to examine her sick son. But with time running out, Stevens brushes her off, telling her to bring the boy by later. This small scene carries significant weight—it’s a stark reminder that while Rick’s group is escaping one nightmare, the people of Woodbury remain trapped in their own, with sickness and danger lurking at every turn.

Martinez helps the group over the wall, their freedom within sight. But just as the tension begins to ease, disaster strikes. A lurker sneaks up on Stevens, biting him in the neck. The scene is gut-wrenching, made worse by Alice’s anguished reaction. In his final moments, Stevens maintains his calm, comforting Alice and urging her to continue without him. His death is a bitter blow, especially considering the potential he had to contribute to Rick’s group. The loss of Stevens is both tragic and ironic—he saved so many lives, but couldn’t save his own.

Meanwhile, Michonne makes it clear she’s not leaving just yet. Her mind is set on exacting revenge on the Governor. With Alice pointing her in the right direction, Michonne stalks off, determined to settle the score. As the group flees, Michonne’s decision to stay behind is both reckless and cathartic. We know what the Governor put her through, and her need for retribution is understandable. Her departure injects a sense of anticipation into the next issue. The Governor, in his eerie calmness, is feeding Penny when there’s a knock at the door, and Michonne bursts in. The Governor’s chilling words, “This should be interesting,” promise a showdown for the ages.

This issue masterfully balances moments of tension, action, and heartbreak. The reunion between Rick and Glenn, the growing camaraderie with Alice and Dr. Stevens, and the gut-wrenching loss of Stevens all contribute to an emotional rollercoaster. Stevens’ death hit me harder than I expected—just when I began to truly appreciate his character, his life was cut short.

The Governor’s brutality remains ever-present, but Michonne’s unrelenting determination to make him pay offers a glimmer of hope. It’s a risky move on her part, but knowing Michonne, she’s not one to leave loose ends.

Martinez’s role in helping Rick escape is a welcome twist, especially since his TV counterpart was much more loyal to the Governor. His actions in the comic suggest a man torn between survival and morality, and I’m curious to see how his character will evolve moving forward.

As for Michonne, her decision to stay behind sets the stage for what could be one of the most intense confrontations in the series. I can’t wait to see how her vendetta against the Governor plays out in the next issue.

Ultimately, Issue #32 is a fantastic blend of plot advancement and character moments. The emotional weight, combined with the growing tension, makes this one of the standout issues of the Woodbury arc. Here's hoping Michonne gets her revenge!
Profile Image for Michael Sorbello.
Author 1 book317 followers
November 19, 2020
This is a review of the entire series.

Rick Grimes is a strong-willed deputy who missed the end of the world because he was in a coma for a month after getting shot in the line of duty. Shaken, starving and confused, Rick escapes the horror of the abandoned hospital only to be met with something far more terrible. Not only has the world ended, but the dead have learned to walk and to kill without mercy. After learning that his wife and son have fled to Atlanta from a single survivor and his son, Rick goes on a journey to reunite with his family and search for more survivors.

Rick quickly has to come to terms with the fact that the world has ended and only a select few survived. The dead have risen from their graves and they prey on the living. In a world where every minute feels like hours, where there's no such thing as law and order, where finding a small meal is a tremendous task, the walking dead are quite possibly the least threatening thing for the survivors to have on their breaking minds. Humanity is pushed to the brink of destruction, forcing them to embrace their cruel and primal nature in order to survive. Sometimes you have to be more concerned about who you let into your community so they don't kill you in your sleep and steal everything you once cared about. Rick has no choice but to abandon the ways of law and order that he's upheld as an officer for so long in order to protect the few loved ones he has left. He has to become a monster to protect his crew or risk being devoured by those who became more monstrous than him and even the walking dead.

Despite zombies running the world and having the series named after them, what really sets this series apart from the average zombie apocalypse tale is the focus on realism and the daily struggles, flaws and depth of the characters. There's plenty of badass zombie killing action, but the action often takes a back seat to give the characters plenty of times to share their extremely tragic yet endearing stories, grow through mutual suffering and learn to adapt to a world that has left them to die. Even after the world has ended, many people still can't see eye to eye. They turn on each other and kill each other when they should come together. Others form alliances in spite of their differences and try to rebuild over the corpse of everything that was lost. The daily human drama and conflict is more intense than any monster apocalypse could hope to be.

We watch Rick struggle to balance his old moral code with the many necessary evils he has to commit in order to survive and make the world a better place for the ones he holds close. We watch people like Glen, Dale and Maggie attempt to find love in spite of having every reason to be filled with fear, hate and self-loathing. Characters like Michonne have to learn how to forgive themselves and convince themselves they deserve to be loved despite all the blood on their hands. We watch the weak like Carl and Andrea become strong and sometimes the strong become evil like The Governor. Even monsters like the wicked yet oddly lovable Negan are given the chance to find new ways of redeeming themselves by struggling alongside the other survivors that have all been changed by the horrors of the fallen world.

The pacing is extremely slow and I can understand why that may be a turnoff for a lot of people, but I eventually learned to enjoy watching the characters grow, overcome their trauma, find meaning in life and learn to love again. The characters are forced to do many terrible things to survive and it haunts them every waking moment. The ways they overcome these regrets is very realistic, human and hopeful. The slow pacing really gives the feeling that we're living beside these people. The way every tiny detail of their lives and who they are is explored makes them feel very real and believable.

When I first started reading the series, I wasn't expecting it to have such an uplifting ending. It seemed so bleak and nihilistic for a long time and things would go horribly wrong even when they seemed to be going so well, but the finale channels all the pain, suffering and betrayal of the previous volumes and tops it off with a very touching and inspiring finish. This was never a story about hopelessness. It's about learning to appreciate the little things, learning to forgive yourself and learning to move on even when it's hard. When everything seems lost there's always more to be found, even when we believe otherwise because we convince ourselves that we don't deserve to be happy ever again. Instead of dwelling on what was lost, strive to try and make things better than they were before.

I've never been a huge fan of zombie apocalypse stories, but The Walking Dead had enough heart and strong social commentary to make me stick by the characters until the end and I enjoyed every moment of their long trial.

***

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Profile Image for Sheldon.
741 reviews14 followers
February 8, 2022
Rick’s right; best thing they can do was to move out of Michonne’s way. It’s crazy how quickly the Doctor gets introduced then exits the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kelsie.
296 reviews24 followers
October 27, 2018
Martinez helping get Rick, Glenn, Michonne, Alice & Doctor Steven's out seems a little too fishy. If he's genuine then sweet but I don't know, I feel it's a bluff, maybe The G want's him to find where the prison is & get the lay of land before reporting back.
I'm so damn cynical, but there's my feelings on it.
And goodbye Dr. Stevens, (still don't know if that's meant to be Milton), but he wasn't exactly the best developed so yeah, guess he's gotta go.
x
Profile Image for Kaoyi .
266 reviews
March 15, 2018
He soltado lágrimas con una muerte que no me esperaba que sucediera tan pronto, me caía bien ese personaje y ahora Alice está destrozada.

¡Vamos Michonne , dale una lección a ese capullo psicópata!
Profile Image for M. Ashraf.
2,399 reviews132 followers
February 16, 2025
The Walking Dead
Issue#32
Volume#06
Robert Kirkman

The trying to escape Woodbury
And Michonne Confront the Governor in his office, this should be fun
Profile Image for Laina.
237 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2016
I would NOT trust anything that Martinez is saying. All of this that is happening with him is happening WAY too easily, and there HAS to be a catch. I think Martinez is actually working for the Governor and lying to Rick and the others.

Yes Glenn, you are right. They DID do all of that crazy shit, just to fuck with you. The Governor is psycho and he gets his jollies by making other people's lives a living hell.

Martinez is laying it on WAY too thick with Rick and Glenn. Every word he says, makes me think that he is lying more and more, and he is just trying to get a hold of the prison and all the supplies for the Governor.

The Governor is acting like a damn child, going around and throwing a temper tantrum. He needs to stop acting like a damn spoiled brat and get a fucking grip and move the hell on.

I STILL do not trust Martinez to get Rick and the rest out of Woodbury safely. I know he is only going with them to get to the prison, but I have a feeling that once they set Martinez on the right track to the prison, he will try and kill them.

So basically, Martinez killed Gabe on the Governor's orders, just so that he could help Rick and the others break out, so that the Governor could get ahold of the prison. Gabe never stood a chance. As I said before, the Governor is insane.

I agree with Michonne. Do NOT fuck around and get the HELL out of dodge while the getting us still good. Run from the damn place if you have to.

Again, all of this is happening WAY too easily and if Rick and the rest of them do not realize that, then they are dumber than I thought they were. It is a setup, them getting free, all of it.

I think it is a DUMB idea for Michonne to leave the group that is leaving Woodbury. If she is going after the Governor for what he has done to her, now is a bad time to do it. Michonne should go back to the prison with the others, come up with a plan, and THEN attack the Governor.

Do not be relieved just yet, Alice. I doubt any of you are going to get out of their without SOME kind of issue. All of this has gone down WAY too easily, which is why I think something bad is going to happen soon.

So wait, a zombie is just walking around free and clear? I do NOT understand that. I know the Governor and his group are crazy, but it is still dangerous to let the zombies get too close to the wall.

I do not believe anything that Martinez is saying. I think all that is coming out of his mouth if a bunch of lies and bullshit. I hope that Rick kills him soon and we do not have to listen to his lies anymore.

It still grosses me out that the Governor kept his daughter around even after she turned into a zombie. And every single time he tries to feed her parts of what used to be a person, I feel a little sick.

I knew it was Michonne that was beating on the Governor's door. Hopefully she will kill him and take out his daughter as well, so we can be done with this ass already.

Oh man, what a way to end it! They should have SHOWED the fight between Michonne and the Governor in this issue!

Loved this issue and can not wait to start reading the next one.





Profile Image for Tiffany Fox.
404 reviews10 followers
April 22, 2015
Volume: The Walking Dead
Title: This Sorrowful Life, Pt. 2
Creator/Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Colorist: Cliff Rathburn
Cover: Charlie Adlard; Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher/Date: Image/ 11/1/2006
Length/Format: 28/ Digital Comic
Issue#: 32

Maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel after all, but before returning to the prison they call home, Michonne needs to settle the score with the Governor.

The Best. Martinez is getting Rick, Glenn and Michonne out of Woodbury. Alice and Doctor Stevens end up going with the group. Michonne breaks into the Governor's place almost breaking down his door.

The Worst. Michonne decides she can't leave yet, without "visiting" the Governor. I'm seriously worried about this. She has been through a lot and I'm surprised she is still able to stand with everything he did to her. Doctor Stevens gets bitten by a walker as soon as they make it over the wall. The Governor is still trying to feed Penny more human parts again.

The Differences. Doctor Stevens dies in the TV series as well, but not because he is trying to escape from the Governor and Woodbury, but because the Governor catches him trying to help Andrea. He isn't bitten, but stabbed and turned into a walker.

Those Remembered. The walkers right outside the wall. Doctor Stevens, having just found his freedom from Woodbury and the Governors grasp, turns to find himself in a walkers grasp. The one thing that I didn't like about this was the factor Alice and the group left the Doctor as a walker. He hadn't turned yet, but all it takes is one bite!

Recommend. To any fans of The Walking Dead Universe, horror dramas, zombies, and apocalypse style stories.

Originally posted: http://tiffanyfoxbooks.blogspot.com/2...
Profile Image for Joseph Gagnon.
497 reviews22 followers
April 14, 2016
So far, this volume is going much better than the previous two. Nothing had brought me back to how awesome issue 14 was, but this bridge issue wasn't bad. I say bridge, because all that really happens in this issue is an escape. Rick, Glenn, Alice, and Martinez have made it outside of the town, and are now on their way back to the prison. Dr. Stevens tried to go with them, but he got bit right as they hopped the walls. Poor guy.

It looks like they are going to be able to give the prison that warning before the Governor and his men show up ... if the Governor lives that is. Michonne was with the rest of them up until the wall. Then she turned back to head for the Governor's place. She has some unfinished business with him. And I REALLY want to see that. After the disturbance he caused in my mind yesterday, I would really like to see justice served.

Honestly, I don't think either Michonne or the Governor are going to die in this face off. Both seem like long range characters. I feel like both of them are so potent that they have to still be part of the series today. I think Michonne might kill the Governor's living-dead daughter. That might hurt him well. To be completely frank, I REALLY hope she cuts off his dick, shoves it in his mouth, and cauterizes the wound with fire. Sorry for that graphic image kids, but he deserves worse.

Read more commentary and add your own here: http://www.rjspindle.com/content/the-...
Profile Image for John.
450 reviews7 followers
November 15, 2015
Great! If you are enjoying these particular comics with the governor, I recommend reading, "The Walking Dead, The Governor Series". That series gives you much more background and depth into the governor and what goes on in Woodbury. Really enjoy seeing the differences between the show and the comics.
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,736 reviews14 followers
May 14, 2019
This is exciting because it really good guys escaping prison, although Michonne goes back for revenge even if it kills her. The tv show plays it out quite a bit differently, but I can see where the inspiration came from.
Profile Image for Pau Vilchez.
183 reviews5 followers
June 27, 2016
Tal vez había una luz al final del túnel, después de todo, pero antes de regresar a la prisión que llaman hogar, Michonne tiene que ajustar cuentas con el gobernador.
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