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There's no time for hesitation, and the possibility to have the horrors Rick and the group endured in Woodbury, being brought to the prison, force Rick to take drastic decisions. And be ready for the worst.

33 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

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About the author

Robert Kirkman

2,778 books6,965 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 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Artrix.
121 reviews15 followers
March 1, 2024
Este Rick está más tocado psicológicamente más que el de la serie, aquí deja clara su confusión con la moralidad de lo que está bien y está mal, me ha encantado esa conversación con su mujer acerca de que siente que está perdiendo esa humanidad y ya no le importa matar a quien sea por ver a su familia bien.

Y a su vez demuestra impotencia porque eso le da miedo, le da miedo de volverse en algo malo, en un monstruo peor que los propios caminantes.

No sé, me parece espectacular y bastante realista de lo que puede llegar uno por sobrevivir por los suyos. Porque este tipo de historias su fuerte no es la sagre y lo gore, son este tipo de conversaciones.
October 24, 2024
After the intense and dramatic revelation in the last issue, I was eager to see what Rick would do next. The tension surrounding Martínez's betrayal had reached its peak, and I was anxious to know if Rick could stop him in time. The question of whether Rick would let his emotions take over or keep a level head added a palpable sense of dread to the opening moments of this issue.

As soon as Rick realizes that Martínez is heading back to Woodbury, a sense of urgency takes over. Rick’s instinct to protect his people is immediate and fierce. He’s not thinking about Carl or the others right now—his only focus is stopping Martínez from leading the Governor back to the prison. This is the Rick we’ve seen growing ever more ruthless, the leader who has learned that sometimes doing the “right” thing means getting your hands dirty. But it’s hard to ignore the emotional cost of that transformation.

In a telling moment, Rick asks Tyreese to watch Carl while he goes after Martínez. Carl, clearly feeling the distance growing between him and his father, wonders aloud if Rick even cares about him anymore. Tyreese reassures Carl, explaining that Rick’s actions are driven by a need to protect everyone. It’s a heartbreaking moment—Carl is still just a kid, and he can’t fully understand the weight of responsibility on his father’s shoulders. The fear of losing Rick emotionally mirrors the physical losses they’ve all endured, and it’s a subtle but important thread in Carl’s ongoing development.

As Rick takes Dale’s RV and speeds off after Martínez, the tension escalates. The chase scene is brief but brutal. In a moment of desperation, Rick rams the RV into Martínez, knocking him down. Martínez, still clinging to life, drops his gun. The image of Rick towering over him, bloodied and enraged, sets the stage for one of the most morally complex moments we’ve seen from Rick so far. The conversation that follows is chilling—Martínez, gasping for breath, tries to explain himself. He wasn’t trying to betray them out of malice, he says. His people deserve to live, too. And while his words may ring true, Rick’s anger blinds him to any possible reasoning.

Rick’s response to Martínez is laced with fury and disgust. He recalls the horrors that The Governor inflicted on him and Michonne, reminding Martínez that people died for his amusement. It’s a sobering reminder of the cruelty of the world they’re living in—a world where humanity is often worse than the undead. Martínez’s retort, implying that Rick is becoming no different from The Governor, lands like a punch. The line, "I think I'm getting the idea," is particularly haunting because, in that moment, we see the blurred line between survival and savagery.

And then, in a move that feels both shocking and inevitable, Rick strangles Martínez to death. It’s a cold, methodical act of murder. Rick leaves Martínez to reanimate, not even granting him the mercy of a final death. This moment cements Rick’s moral descent. He’s no longer the man who once agonized over killing living people. Now, he’s driven by a singular need to protect his group at any cost—even if it means becoming the very thing he despises.

While Rick is off on his mission, life at the prison moves forward. Hershel asks Lori if she’s worried about Rick, but Lori, in a moment of quiet strength, says that she’s trying not to be. She knows that worrying won’t help her or the baby. It’s a brief but telling moment that highlights Lori’s evolving character. She’s had to adapt to the harsh reality of their world, and though she’s still emotionally connected to Rick, she’s learning to cope with the constant threat of danger in a different way.

Meanwhile, Carl and Sophia are playing, offering a rare moment of innocence in the otherwise bleak landscape. Their conversation about Rick’s missing hand is both sad and touching. Carl, ever the pragmatist, tells Sophia that it’s impossible for his dad’s hand to grow back. The scene is a reminder that, while the children have been forced to grow up quickly, they still cling to some semblance of normal childhood behavior. Their brief argument, followed by Carl’s apology, adds a layer of tenderness that contrasts sharply with the violence surrounding them.

Glenn’s storyline in this issue offers a moment of hope amidst the chaos. After finding the ring he was searching for, he approaches Hershel to ask for his blessing to marry Maggie. The interaction between Glenn and Hershel is heartwarming. Hershel, who has been hardened by loss, shows a softer side as he gives Glenn his approval. It’s a small but significant victory for Glenn, and it provides a much-needed glimmer of hope in a world that often feels devoid of it. However, Hershel’s warning about not wanting Maggie to get pregnant adds a somber note, reminding us that even in moments of happiness, the future is uncertain.

When Rick returns to the prison, he’s a man weighed down by his actions. Dale, ever the practical one, tells Rick to clean the zombie gore off the RV. But Rick doesn’t engage. He’s too lost in his own thoughts, too burdened by what he’s just done. This is a man who has crossed a line, and he knows it.

Rick confides in Lori about the murder, revealing the deep internal conflict he’s feeling. He asks her if he’s evil, but there’s no easy answer. Lori doesn’t respond, and it’s clear that neither of them can truly process what Rick has become. This is one of the most emotionally raw moments in the series so far. Rick is grappling with the loss of his moral compass, and it’s clear that the weight of leadership is pushing him to the brink. The quiet tension between him and Lori adds another layer to his inner turmoil. Rick's transformation is unsettling, and it leaves me wondering how far he will go in the name of survival.

The issue concludes with a meeting, where Rick informs the group about the looming threat from Woodbury. The marriage of Glenn and Maggie is announced, but even this moment of joy is overshadowed by the grim reality of the coming battle. As the group steels itself for the inevitable fight, Rick’s final words echo ominously: they all need to be ready. It’s a sobering reminder that in this world, there’s no such thing as peace—only temporary reprieves from the violence.

Issue #36 is a powerful exploration of Rick’s moral decline and the toll that leadership has taken on him. The decision to kill Martínez, while understandable in the context of protecting the group, feels like a turning point for Rick. His justification for the murder is rooted in his fear of losing everything, but it’s hard not to see the parallels between him and The Governor. Rick’s growing ruthlessness is unsettling, and I’m left wondering just how much further he’ll go.

The issue also strikes a delicate balance between the brutality of the world and the fleeting moments of humanity that still remain. Glenn’s proposal to Maggie, Carl and Sophia’s innocent conversation, and Lori’s quiet strength all serve as reminders that even in the darkest times, there are still glimpses of hope.

But beneath it all is a growing sense of dread. Rick’s mental state, the looming threat of the Governor, and the fragility of their makeshift family all add to the tension. This issue left me on edge, not just for the physical battles to come, but for the emotional and psychological toll this world continues to take on its survivors. Rick’s transformation is terrifying, and it makes me fear not just for the group’s future, but for Rick’s own soul.

Overall, Rick's brutal decision to kill Martínez marks a pivotal moment in his moral decline, highlighting the emotional toll of leadership. His growing ruthlessness raises unsettling questions about how far he’s willing to go to protect his group. Meanwhile, moments of humanity—like Glenn’s proposal and Carl's innocent interactions—offer brief glimpses of hope amidst the darkness. The issue leaves a lingering sense of dread, as Rick’s mental state and the looming threat from Woodbury create tension, both in the group's survival and in Rick’s personal journey.
Profile Image for Laina.
237 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2019
Rick has the right idea about taking care of Martinez, though I do also agree with Tyreese, that Rick should bring someone with him and not go alone. Rick needs to stop being stupid and take some backup with him.

Axel's not wrong. When Rick wants to do something, he goes ahead and does it, regardless of if anyone agrees with what he wants to say or do, and damn the consequences.

I feel bad that Carl doesn't think his father loves him. I can understand his confusion, because Rick leaves a lot and spends most of his time gone, than with his family.

I'm glad that Tyreese was able to get Carl to realize that his father loves him and only leaves because he's trying to take care of him (Carl), his mother, and the rest of the people in the group.

Martinez and his lying ass better run. Rick's about to run his ass over with the RV or something and I'm so glad Rick chose to do that. He needs to get rid of the guy somehow.

I can't tell if the guy's lying or not. I tend to think that he's lying his ass off, in which case, I just want Rick to put a bullet through the guy's head ASAP, so Martinez can't get home to Woodbury and spill where the prison is.

So, Martinez is just laying there. Hope that means the loser is dead and that we no longer have to deal with him and his bullcrap. I just hope that if Martinez IS dead, the rest of the group back at the prison, don't jump all over Rick for killing the idiot.

I LOVED the conversation between Glenn and Hershel. It was so sweet and cute when Glenn asked for Hershel's permission to marry Maggie. I'm so glad that Hershel said yes and wished them well.

I like that Tyreese and Axel get along so well, that they feel like they can talk about anything with each other. It's good to know they trust and feel comfortable with each other.

I really love Glenn and Maggie together, though sometimes her dominant personality with Glenn does bug me. I kind of want Glenn to step up and take control, but don't think it's gonna happen.

Rick and Lori's conversation was honest and it was a long time coming. I'm glad that Rick was finally able to explain why he does what he does to Lori, and not have her making him feel bad for doing what needs to be done.

I'm glad that Rick told the rest of the group what had went down, and that they're now making plans to try and defend the prison against the attack they know is coming from the Governor and his community.

LOVED this issue and will be reading the next one ASAP.
Profile Image for Joseph Gagnon.
497 reviews22 followers
April 13, 2016
Martinez is dead. Rick made sure of that. He's also becoming detached. It's been a long time since I've really been interested in Rick's story, but the reflection he has with Lori in this issue really drew me in. I want to see where this goes. I wonder what they are going to do to get ready for the Governor's eventual arrival. I wonder what he's going to look like the next time we see him. I bet he'll have an eye-patch. Would it be funny if he had a hook or something? Haha.

I'll definitely be continuing with this series. I want to know what happens next. I can't expect to like every issue, but it's not about that. The idea and (for the most part) the execution have been very interesting, and sometimes even challenging as a reader. I still don't plan on collecting any back issues, but I can't wait to get caught up and see where the story is now.

Read more commentary and add your own here: http://www.rjspindle.com/content/the-...
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 Rachael Hobson.
485 reviews22 followers
October 19, 2016
This now concludes chapter 6! Chapter 6 included issues 31-36. The story did get a little better. I hated chapter 5 because the governor felt like such a stereotype. I couldn't understand any of his motives. This chapter sort of explains how the governor came to be. We see Rick taking the same path if he isn't careful. I do have to say that this is getting really gory. I couldn't read this without flinching.
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 Kelsie.
296 reviews24 followers
November 6, 2018
Martinez is dead, I knew he was double crossing but I wanted to like him. And when Rick ran him over, I feel his finally words were true, that he did want a better place for his people, AWAY from The Governor.
Rick is being more detached the more he kills. I can understand that I guess, well to an extent. I guess you would become desensitized to killing and getting close to people.
Glenn and Maggie are engaged, I wish Glenn would grow his damn hair back, his egg like head is scaring me.
Rick ended the issue with a hint of a new plot ... they're coming after Woodbury to stop Woodbury coming after them.
x
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,736 reviews14 followers
February 1, 2019
This volume ends somewhat positive and headed back to what I love about the series. Glenn finds what he has been looking for. Rick has a questionable act, and begins to question himself. I like his discussion on humanity and how he has changed over the past several months. How much did the events at Woodbury effect him? What would happen to each of us if we were living in this world. Rick is an upstanding person, but I do agree with his questions.
Profile Image for M. Ashraf.
2,399 reviews132 followers
February 16, 2025
The Walking Dead
Issue#36
Volume#06
Robert Kirkman

End of volume#06
Rick catches Martinez and rams the RV into him
Glenn and Maggie are getting married.
The group should be ready for the fight with the Woodbury survivors.
Profile Image for Kaoyi .
266 reviews
March 18, 2018
En definitiva Rick ha cambiado y haría lo que fuera para proteger a su familia. Creo que las cosas se van a complicar más si cabe, en definitiva amo estos comics.
Profile Image for Tiffany Fox.
404 reviews10 followers
April 27, 2015
Volume: The Walking Dead
Title: This Sorrowful Life, Pt. 6
Creator/Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Colorist: Cliff Rathburn
Cover: Charlie Adlard; Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher/Date: Image/ 3/1/2007
Length/Format: 32/ Digital Comics
Issue#: 36

There's no time for hesitation, and the possibility to have the horror, Rick and the group endured in Woodbury, being brought to the prison, force Rick to take drastic decisions. And be ready for the worst.

The Best. Tyreese sets Carl straight about why Rick goes off all the time because Carl thinks Rick doesn't like him. Carl and Sophia, being mean to each other but still being together. Hershel approves of Glenn wanting to ask Maggie to marry him. Maggie messing with Glenn about needing to think about marrying him. Rick's face at the end is so dark but so full of detail.

The Worst. Rick is going after Martinez alone. Rick runs full force into Martinez with Dale's RV. Rick strangles Martinez after explaining why the people of Woodbury would never be welcome at the prison. Dale thinking it is zombie juice on his RV, and making Rick clean it up.

The Differences. Carl and Sophia aren't together because Sophia isn't apart of the show at this point anymore. Martinez isn't ever apart of the prison, and doesn't get killed by Rick, instead he is killed by the Governor. Dale's RV isn't ever at the prison, neither is Dale.

Those Remembered. Martinez, the Governor's lackey and guard in Woodbury, that was sent to spy and find the location of the prison.

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

originally posted: http://tiffanyfoxbooks.blogspot.com/2...
Profile Image for Sheldon.
741 reviews14 followers
April 14, 2022
Some great dialogue in this issue. Not a lot happens in terms of plot but that gives Kirkman a chance for characters to reflect and let each other know where they are in their head space.

Its nice that Kirkman gives his own personal thoughts what would alternately happen had Rick not done his thing here.
Profile Image for Greta is Erikasbuddy.
856 reviews27 followers
May 11, 2014
Rick takes Dale's RV to go after Martinez.

Rick finds Martinez and clips him with the RV.

Martinez says he doesn't want to tell the Governor about the prison. Only good people.

It looks like Rick strangles Martinez.

Glenn asks for permission from Hershel to marry Maggie. Hershel is quite happy about it.

Maggie accepts Glenn's proposal.

Rick admits to Lori that he killed Martinez.

Rick calls a meeting to discuss Woodbury and the Governor.
55 reviews
July 3, 2014
This issue is more introspective and had some nice moments of bonding between the characters. Of course, the best character development is with Rick, and it's interesting to see how dark he says that he's willing to get. It will be more interesting to see if he's really capable of doing something dark, if push came to shove. All of this is getting us ready for a showdown.
Profile Image for John.
450 reviews7 followers
November 16, 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 Pau Vilchez.
183 reviews5 followers
June 27, 2016
No hay tiempo para dudar, y la posibilidad de tener los horrores Rick y el grupo soportado en Woodbury, siendo llevados a la prisión, Rick obligar a tomar decisiones drásticas. Y estar preparados para lo peor.
Profile Image for Tazitazitazi.
481 reviews28 followers
November 8, 2013
''Maybe we were just fooling ourselves until something happened that was big enough to make us stop and realize how crazy our world really is.''
Profile Image for Anna.
83 reviews15 followers
April 16, 2015
I felt like this was more of a filler comic to the series, it was still good, just not in comparison to the previous ones. The highlight? Glenn. I want one.
Profile Image for Jade.
358 reviews
Read
June 4, 2018
Rick is savage wow
Laurie is still kinda annoying but not as annoying as the tv show
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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