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Lori is finally giving birth!
However our crew needs to stock up on supplies and get some gas for the generator.

36 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

10 people are currently reading
200 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 - 25 of 25 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 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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October 26, 2024
This issue starts with a pulse-pounding continuation of the group's encounter with strangers, setting up an intense showdown in the store and exploring themes of trust, survival, and the constant fragility of their circumstances. With so much at stake, the tension is sky-high, especially with Lori in labor back at the prison and Glen’s fate hanging in the balance. There's a sense that anything could happen, and the group’s vulnerability is clearer than ever.

The tension kicks off immediately as Bruce, Sam, and other Woodbury soldiers confront Glenn, Tyreese, Michonne, Andrea, Maggie, and Axel at the store. Hiding in plain sight is no longer an option; Glenn steps forward to confront Bruce, hoping to defuse the situation before violence erupts. But diplomacy fails brutally as Bruce recognizes Glenn and shoots him right in the chest. In a split second, the scene erupts into chaos as Maggie's scream pierces the air, and Andrea, cool under pressure, returns fire, hitting Bruce in the neck. Tyreese and Michonne quickly take charge, eliminating the other attackers with deadly precision, while Andrea corners Sam, demanding he drop his gun. Sam, though visibly rattled, reacts by raising his weapon in a desperate act of defiance, prompting Andrea to fire, taking him down.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Tyreese offers Andrea a much-needed moment of reassurance, grounding her after the harrowing fight. The dust settles, and the group rushes to Glenn, who is still conscious, but he’s struggling to breathe. Despite his insistence that he’s okay, Tyreese recognizes the gravity of his injuries, and Glenn is taken back to the RV to rest while the group gathers their supplies and prepares for the journey home. They have narrowly escaped what could have been a disastrous encounter, and the emotional toll is evident as they try to process what just happened.

Back at the prison, the stakes shift as Lori goes into labor. Rick and Hershel support her, with Rick immediately organizing help by asking Billy to find Carol to watch over the kids. Alice, who has been preparing for this moment, signals that the generator needs fuel to power the medical equipment. Rick is ready to dash out to refill it, but Lori’s panicked plea keeps him by her side, giving Hershel a chance to take over in his stead. In a bold display of courage, young Billy volunteers to go in his place. He manages to find Dale and urges him to help with the generator, a crucial task given the precarious state of Lori’s labor. They race to the parking lot, but as they’re gathering fuel, Dale is attacked by a zombie. Billy manages to save him, apologizing profusely in his panic, but Dale brushes it off—only to be bitten moments later by a lurking walker.

Dale’s injury escalates the urgency. In a harrowing sequence, he hits his head on a car and collapses, leaving Billy momentarily paralyzed by guilt and fear. Finally, he bolts, plowing his way through a horde of zombies. Just as all seems lost, he is spotted by Andrea and Axel, who rush to his side. They’re stunned to see Dale crawling on the ground, visibly injured, yet determined to get him back inside. With Andrea’s support, they manage to lift Dale, racing against time to return him safely to the infirmary.

Meanwhile, in the prison’s makeshift hospital, Alice successfully delivers Lori’s baby girl, bringing a flicker of hope to an otherwise dire day. Despite the unimaginable chaos and losses, new life arrives, symbolizing resilience and the will to continue fighting for a better future.

This issue was relentless. I was floored by the brutality and suddenness of Glenn being shot—it felt like a gut punch. Even with the armor, I couldn’t shake the dread of his injury, and the idea of losing him weighed heavily throughout. The group acted swiftly, taking down the threat with brutal efficiency, but Glenn’s condition added a layer of tension to an already chaotic situation.

The scene at the prison was a whirlwind, particularly Billy’s frantic attempt to fuel the generator. Dale’s bite was a gut-wrenching blow. Watching a character who has survived so much get attacked in such a vulnerable moment was brutal, and it leaves the future uncertain, especially with Dale being such a core member of the group.

On the other hand, Lori’s delivery of her baby girl was a much-needed glimmer of hope, a poignant reminder of the stakes they’re all fighting for. Despite the losses and trauma, life goes on, and their new arrival brings a sense of purpose and warmth in a world that has become so cold and unforgiving.

Overall, this issue perfectly balances action and emotional beats, illustrating the highs and lows of survival in a way that’s both brutal and beautiful. It leaves me with a lingering sense of dread, yet a glimmer of hope, eager to see how the group will cope and rebuild in the face of these mounting threats.
Profile Image for Kelsie.
296 reviews24 followers
November 12, 2018
Ooooh boy was this a busy issue.
Glenn gets shot by one of the Woodbury guys, luckily his riot gear saved his ass (but seriously, what did he expect going out to greet the people that nearly killed Michonne & Rick? Sometimes these characters are just asking to be straight up killed). Andrea and Michonne then take out the rest of Woodbury lot, with Andrea feeling a bit guilty afterwards.
Lori ends up going into labour, whilst she's doing that Billy & Dale have to keep the generator going only for Dale to get chomped into by a zombie in the process, I hope he gets his leg cut off, we can't lose Dale!!!!!
Andrea & Co. come back just in time with the gas & Lori pops out a baby girl.
Although as someone who already knows what's about to go down, I cant say that it's all happy happy, let's clap our hands.
Shit's about to go down, yo.
x
59 reviews
January 21, 2023
Sparatoria tra i nostri e il gruppo del governatore che si risolve nel migliore dei modi, vittoria totale , amche se glenn è ferito
Ehi, è nata la bimba , una bella notizia in un mondo distrutto (ma sto generatore, alla fine lo hanno usato?)
Ora. Con dave ferito , perderà la gamba? Morira? Che succede?
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,736 reviews14 followers
August 20, 2019
Judith finally arrives, and in a much less dramatic fashion than on the tv series. The raiders are attached by the Woodbury soliders, and prove they can take care of themselves. A bit of action on the homefront and quick thinking is neeeded - are what makes me really enjoy this series.
Profile Image for Burton Olivier.
2,054 reviews13 followers
June 23, 2022
Honestly, I enjoyed the "filler" issue before this one more.
Profile Image for M. Ashraf.
2,399 reviews132 followers
February 16, 2025
The Walking Dead
Issue#39
Volume#07
Robert Kirkman

A gun fight at Walmart
Lori goes into Labor
Dale is bitten
We have a new baby girl
Profile Image for Sheldon.
741 reviews14 followers
May 22, 2022
A dark issue in terms of content but also atmosphere, all of which survives the colourisation process intact. Plenty of action this issue as Kirkman and Adlard never let up on the gas.
Profile Image for Tiffany Fox.
404 reviews10 followers
May 11, 2015
Volume: The Walking Dead
Title: The Calm Before, Pt. 3
Creator/Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Colorist: Cliff Rathburn
Cover: Cliff Rathburn, Charlie Adlard
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher/Date: Image/ 7/25/2007
Length/Format: 32/ Digital Comic
Issue#: 39

Lori is finally giving birth! However our crew needs to stock up on supplies and get some gas for the generator.

Previously. Tyreese, Andrea, Axel, and Michonne along with newlyweds Glenn and Maggie set out to find the national guard station that was said to house weapons and supplies that would be very useful. While they did find some supplies there, it wasn't as much as they'd hoped for --aside from a new vehicle. On the way back, they decided to stop at a department store for more supplies. While inside, they noticed their presence had been discovered -- they were not alone.

The Best.
The group effectively takes care of the group from Woodbury between Andrea with her rifle, and Michonne with her sword.
Lori is having the baby and the group is almost out of gas so Dale and Billy go out to get more.
Alice delivers Rick and Lori's baby and it ends up being a girl.
The Worst.
Glenn was shot when he was trying to talk to the group from Woodbury, his riot suite protected him from the shot but he probably has a few broken ribs.
Dale gets bit after Billy freezes and Dales takes over with keeping guard. The group comes back from the scouting and finds Billy crying on the ground. While he is trying to explain to them whats going on, Dale crawls into the headlights and they see that he has been bitten and wants to be carried inside.
The Differences.
The group never hears about the national guard station so they instead go searching in Rick's old town for the weapons he left behind when he went looking for Lori and Carl.
Dale does get bitten but not at the prison, instead at Hershel's farm and dies from the bite.
Lori ends up having a baby girl but only has Maggie and Carl to help her. Alice doesn't exist in the TV series. Lori ends up dying from child birth.
Those Remembered. The group from Woodbury that came to investigate the Wal-mart after the national guard station was blown up and walkers.

Recommend. I recommend to anyone who is a fan of Robert Kirkman and the Walking Dead Universe. As well as, horror dramas, zombies, apocalypse style stories, Charlie Adlard, Rus Wooton, and Cliff Rathburn.

originally posted: http://tiffanyfoxbooks.blogspot.com/2...
Profile Image for Laina.
237 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2016
Oh Glenn, don't be stupid, honey. Those guys are gonna shoot you and think nothing of it. You're only putting yourself in danger and no one wants that for you.

Oh shit! Glenn was shot at. I hope he ends up being okay. I am glad that Andrea killed the guy who shot Glenn. She should have killed the other guy, too.

Whoo! Andrea's on a roll. She is kickass with that gun. She needs to keep a gun by her side at all times. It is not like there is not plenty for her to shoot.

Whoo! Glenn is alive! Thank God. He and Maggie are my favorite characters in the series so far. I would be disappointed if we lost either of them so soon.

Good thing they are getting the hell away from that Wal-Mart. The sooner the group gets back to the prison, the safer they will be, I hope. Always hope, but never really know.

It is about time Lori had the damn baby. I was getting sick and tired of listening to her bitch about being pregnant, and about everything and everyone else.

Not a fan of all the pregnancy, birthing talk. I do not have any kids and the stuff they are talking about kind of grosses me out. Glad there are not pictures of the birth.

I cracked up when Dale told Billy to slow down and called him a 'little shit'. Dale always makes me laugh. Oh crap, Dale and Billy are gonna go get gas from the car's in the parking lot.

Oh crap! Was that Dale being bitten by a zombie? That fucking SUCKS! I actually LIKED Dale! And now Andrea is gonna lose her shit like Rick did recently.

Oh crap, poor Dale! He is alive, but they bit his leg. Maybe Rick or someone else can cut it off, in the hopes that it will keep from spreading to the rest of Dale's body.

I hate Lori, so I do not care too much about her being in labor. Glad that it looks like the baby is okay, and hope that it is. Maybe I will get lucky and the baby will live, and Lori will die soon.

Loved this issue and can not wait to read more.
55 reviews
July 14, 2014
This issue was quite action packed! Michonne is bad *ss as usual. Andrea is pretty darn awesome too. It should be interesting to see if/how she changes from this issue. I especially liked the alternating views of life and death around the same time. I liked seeing a bit more from one of the other, younger characters, who usually has little to do. Though I partially agree with this person's statements of "I f'ed up," there were certainly ways that the whole scenario could have been avoided with some forethought by some of the more, seemingly, intelligent characters. Nevertheless, it's a very good issue, though, not game changing enough to give this 5 stars. I wish I could give it 4.5 stars.
Profile Image for Pau Vilchez.
183 reviews5 followers
July 11, 2016
Lori finalmente está dando a luz!
Sin embargo nuestro equipo necesita para abastecerse de suministros y obtener un poco de gas para el generador.

*Atención por si os preguntais, que no creo, como valoro tan bien los cómics y soy mucho más exigente en los libros es porque los valoro de forma diferente, logicamente. En los cómics, valoro dibujos, texto y la historia que nos explica. En cambio, en un libro solamente puedes valorar la historia (Y todo lo que incluye:personajes...)
Profile Image for John.
450 reviews7 followers
December 2, 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 Ariana.
488 reviews
August 22, 2014
Es una lastima que la felicidad no dure tanto. En un mundo post-apocalíptico no puedes esperar más nada que las tragedias, no me permitiría ser feliz si después de la calma viene la tragedia. De todas formas Rick esta hecho para sufrir...
Profile Image for Anthony Valletta.
Author 1 book9 followers
September 9, 2016
After a slow previous issue, this one picks up the pace with a climax cumulating with two game changing events.
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