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The Walking Dead (Single Issues)
The Walking Dead #52
We finally find out what had happened to Michonne when she meets up with Rick and Carl. They go out on the road to find some suitable shelter, and end up stuck in their car for a night.
29 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
7 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,778 books6,965 followersRobert 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.
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 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 27, 2024
After the emotional intensity of the last issue, I was hoping for a bit of calm—a pause that would give Rick and Carl a chance to catch their breath. But in The Walking Dead, safety is always fleeting. This issue brings a blend of relief and thrill, introducing familiar faces and rekindling hope amidst the bleakness. With Rick and Carl still grappling with the brutal losses they've faced, I was curious to see how the addition of other survivors would shift the emotional weight of their journey.
The story picks up with Rick and Carl on the move, adjusting to their solitary survival routine. The burden of preparing Carl for life without him weighs heavily on Rick’s mind. With a quiet determination, Rick tries to teach Carl skills that will help him survive, even if he’s forced to face the world alone. In a small but poignant moment, Rick even attempts to teach Carl how to drive, hoping this skill might one day save his life if Rick isn’t there. However, Carl’s young age and inexperience make it an unsuccessful attempt, hinting at the immense weight Carl is still too young to bear, yet unable to escape.
Leaving Carl alone to scavenge for gas—a nerve-wracking decision under the circumstances—Rick steps away. The danger of being alone quickly becomes real when Carl is attacked by a lone walker. But, just when it seems things might go south, Michonne arrives in time to save him. The relief is palpable; seeing Michonne again feels like a small victory. Carl, overcome with emotion, hugs her tightly, expressing the relief and affection he feels for her as a protector and friend. Her return is a moment of warmth, a reunion that symbolizes resilience and the importance of human connections amid chaos.
Rick, struggling with his emotions, begins to tell Michonne about the horrific losses they endured, including Tyreese’s brutal death, but she cuts him off—she already knows. They share a quiet understanding, acknowledging their grief without dwelling too long in the pain. It’s a mutual respect, one that speaks to the depth of their experiences together.
As they talk, Rick reveals his plan to return to Hershel's farm, a place that once felt like a haven. Michonne listens and then tells him she’s been following trails, hinting that Andrea may have survived the escape from Woodbury. This news lights a small spark of hope in Rick, and as they set out, Michonne hints that another unnamed survivor from the prison may have also made it out alive. Their journey is punctuated by danger, however; a walker lunges at Rick, but Michonne swiftly decapitates it, showing her impressive skill and unyielding will to protect those she cares for. Rick offers Michonne a place in their group, though she doesn’t even have to ask—she’s already part of their family in his eyes.
The three continue their trek, sharing small but meaningful moments of camaraderie and survival. At one point, Carl stops to relieve himself, and Rick reminds him to stay close, reinforcing the danger that lurks even in the most routine activities. Michonne, always direct, asks Rick if he thinks Axel, Hershel, or Lori might have somehow survived. It’s a painful question, and Rick confirms that he doesn’t believe so, acknowledging the finality of their loss. Michonne’s quiet apology speaks volumes, a reminder that each loss is felt by all of them.
As darkness falls, Rick’s frustration mounts. They’re lost, and his doubts start to surface, underscoring the toll that leadership has taken on him. Michonne’s steady voice reminds him to stay calm, cautioning him not to disturb Carl. She reassures Rick that his plan to find Hershel’s farm is the right call, even if the road is tough. She encourages him to have confidence, reminding him that survival is a series of difficult choices. Her words are grounding for Rick, who often shoulders guilt for every loss. At her suggestion, they decide to sleep in the car, a makeshift shelter for the night that feels safer than wandering in the dark.
The next morning, Michonne presses Rick for more details about what happened to their group. He recounts the horrifying moments when the Woodbury tank plowed through their defenses and when the Governor murdered Tyreese. Rick’s sense of responsibility weighs heavily on him, and he blames himself for Lori’s death and the devastation that followed. Michonne’s quiet support is a comfort, an unspoken reminder that they’re all carrying scars and shared losses.
Their somber conversation is interrupted by the unexpected sound of horse hooves. Rick instinctively raises his gun, prepared for a new threat, only to find Glenn and Maggie approaching. Glenn’s familiar face brings a rush of relief and happiness, and his playful comment—asking Rick if he’s really going to shoot him—breaks the tension, marking a rare moment of levity. The reunion is bittersweet, a reunion of survivors who understand the pain of loss and the hope that comes with finding one another again.
This issue felt like a powerful exploration of Rick and Carl’s evolving relationship against the backdrop of unimaginable hardship. The arc in Volume 9 has captured the delicate balance between vulnerability and resilience in their father-son bond. Rick’s attempts to teach Carl survival skills reflect his deep-seated fear that he may not always be there to protect him, a heartbreaking reality that he’s forced to confront daily. Carl’s innocence and bravery shine through, reminding us that even amid horror, there’s a strength in him that’s still taking shape.
Michonne’s reappearance was a balm for both Rick and Carl, bringing stability and courage back into their lives. Her arrival felt like a rekindling of hope, the reminder that they’re not alone in their struggle. The relationship between Rick and Michonne is rich with unspoken understanding, and I feel like it may grow even deeper as they continue to rely on each other. Michonne’s presence grounds Rick, offering him the strength he often doubts in himself. Their dynamic is one of mutual respect, and it’s easy to see that their friendship is built on shared pain and trust.
Seeing Glenn and Maggie safe was another welcome relief. It’s heartening to know that they survived, though I’m still anxious about the fate of Dale, Andrea, the twins, and Sophia. This issue was an emotional journey, showing how vital connection is for survival—not just physically but mentally. Each survivor’s return adds a layer of resilience, and with every familiar face, the weight they all carry becomes just a bit lighter.
This issue brought both relief and unease, a testament to The Walking Dead’s ability to explore humanity in a way that feels raw and real. I’m hopeful but nervous for what lies ahead, knowing that peace is often short-lived in this world. But for now, this small reunion is enough to keep hope alive.
The story picks up with Rick and Carl on the move, adjusting to their solitary survival routine. The burden of preparing Carl for life without him weighs heavily on Rick’s mind. With a quiet determination, Rick tries to teach Carl skills that will help him survive, even if he’s forced to face the world alone. In a small but poignant moment, Rick even attempts to teach Carl how to drive, hoping this skill might one day save his life if Rick isn’t there. However, Carl’s young age and inexperience make it an unsuccessful attempt, hinting at the immense weight Carl is still too young to bear, yet unable to escape.
Leaving Carl alone to scavenge for gas—a nerve-wracking decision under the circumstances—Rick steps away. The danger of being alone quickly becomes real when Carl is attacked by a lone walker. But, just when it seems things might go south, Michonne arrives in time to save him. The relief is palpable; seeing Michonne again feels like a small victory. Carl, overcome with emotion, hugs her tightly, expressing the relief and affection he feels for her as a protector and friend. Her return is a moment of warmth, a reunion that symbolizes resilience and the importance of human connections amid chaos.
Rick, struggling with his emotions, begins to tell Michonne about the horrific losses they endured, including Tyreese’s brutal death, but she cuts him off—she already knows. They share a quiet understanding, acknowledging their grief without dwelling too long in the pain. It’s a mutual respect, one that speaks to the depth of their experiences together.
As they talk, Rick reveals his plan to return to Hershel's farm, a place that once felt like a haven. Michonne listens and then tells him she’s been following trails, hinting that Andrea may have survived the escape from Woodbury. This news lights a small spark of hope in Rick, and as they set out, Michonne hints that another unnamed survivor from the prison may have also made it out alive. Their journey is punctuated by danger, however; a walker lunges at Rick, but Michonne swiftly decapitates it, showing her impressive skill and unyielding will to protect those she cares for. Rick offers Michonne a place in their group, though she doesn’t even have to ask—she’s already part of their family in his eyes.
The three continue their trek, sharing small but meaningful moments of camaraderie and survival. At one point, Carl stops to relieve himself, and Rick reminds him to stay close, reinforcing the danger that lurks even in the most routine activities. Michonne, always direct, asks Rick if he thinks Axel, Hershel, or Lori might have somehow survived. It’s a painful question, and Rick confirms that he doesn’t believe so, acknowledging the finality of their loss. Michonne’s quiet apology speaks volumes, a reminder that each loss is felt by all of them.
As darkness falls, Rick’s frustration mounts. They’re lost, and his doubts start to surface, underscoring the toll that leadership has taken on him. Michonne’s steady voice reminds him to stay calm, cautioning him not to disturb Carl. She reassures Rick that his plan to find Hershel’s farm is the right call, even if the road is tough. She encourages him to have confidence, reminding him that survival is a series of difficult choices. Her words are grounding for Rick, who often shoulders guilt for every loss. At her suggestion, they decide to sleep in the car, a makeshift shelter for the night that feels safer than wandering in the dark.
The next morning, Michonne presses Rick for more details about what happened to their group. He recounts the horrifying moments when the Woodbury tank plowed through their defenses and when the Governor murdered Tyreese. Rick’s sense of responsibility weighs heavily on him, and he blames himself for Lori’s death and the devastation that followed. Michonne’s quiet support is a comfort, an unspoken reminder that they’re all carrying scars and shared losses.
Their somber conversation is interrupted by the unexpected sound of horse hooves. Rick instinctively raises his gun, prepared for a new threat, only to find Glenn and Maggie approaching. Glenn’s familiar face brings a rush of relief and happiness, and his playful comment—asking Rick if he’s really going to shoot him—breaks the tension, marking a rare moment of levity. The reunion is bittersweet, a reunion of survivors who understand the pain of loss and the hope that comes with finding one another again.
This issue felt like a powerful exploration of Rick and Carl’s evolving relationship against the backdrop of unimaginable hardship. The arc in Volume 9 has captured the delicate balance between vulnerability and resilience in their father-son bond. Rick’s attempts to teach Carl survival skills reflect his deep-seated fear that he may not always be there to protect him, a heartbreaking reality that he’s forced to confront daily. Carl’s innocence and bravery shine through, reminding us that even amid horror, there’s a strength in him that’s still taking shape.
Michonne’s reappearance was a balm for both Rick and Carl, bringing stability and courage back into their lives. Her arrival felt like a rekindling of hope, the reminder that they’re not alone in their struggle. The relationship between Rick and Michonne is rich with unspoken understanding, and I feel like it may grow even deeper as they continue to rely on each other. Michonne’s presence grounds Rick, offering him the strength he often doubts in himself. Their dynamic is one of mutual respect, and it’s easy to see that their friendship is built on shared pain and trust.
Seeing Glenn and Maggie safe was another welcome relief. It’s heartening to know that they survived, though I’m still anxious about the fate of Dale, Andrea, the twins, and Sophia. This issue was an emotional journey, showing how vital connection is for survival—not just physically but mentally. Each survivor’s return adds a layer of resilience, and with every familiar face, the weight they all carry becomes just a bit lighter.
This issue brought both relief and unease, a testament to The Walking Dead’s ability to explore humanity in a way that feels raw and real. I’m hopeful but nervous for what lies ahead, knowing that peace is often short-lived in this world. But for now, this small reunion is enough to keep hope alive.
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.
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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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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December 12, 2015
Great! I'm really enjoying these comics. It's cool to see the differences between the TV series and the comic.
December 17, 2022
Nice to have a lighter issue
October 19, 2019
Michonne comes to save the day. That my gurl. I was getting a bit bored of just Rick and Carl, so I'm glad she's turned up again. I didn't like it in the TV show and I sure as hell don't like it in the comics, but everyone splitting up then reuniting again is kinda annoying but hopefully we'll get everyone reunited by the end of the next issue.
Glad to see a scary ass Glenn show up at the end with Maggie (sorry, that illustration was creepy), I guess we're going back to Hershel's farm.
x
Glad to see a scary ass Glenn show up at the end with Maggie (sorry, that illustration was creepy), I guess we're going back to Hershel's farm.
x
June 7, 2019
Reunions occur. Rick begins to doubt himself. Again, not much happening here, but it is building up. I would even say a bit more about character building which for me is what this series is about.
October 8, 2019
Yay we meet some old friends
December 26, 2021
I was hooked the first couple pages, love the art and especially the zombies and the post apocalyptic setting 😻🤩🧟♂️🔥🔫
June 19, 2025
Michonne is back.🥷🏾
January 2, 2017
guess who's back glenn is back tell a friend
May 12, 2016
Carl's driving had me both laughing and wincing. I'm glad that Rick's trying to teach him how to drive and other things in case they get separated or if Rick dies. It'll mean that Carl will be able to survive a little longer if he can take care of himself.
Whoo! I was worried for a moment that Carl was gonna get bitten. I'm glad that Michonne was able to find Rick and Carl, and was able to save Carl from that zombie. It was a pretty close call.
I'm so glad that Michonne's with them now. She can kick ass real well, and it means there's another adult around if something happens to Rick and he gets sick again. I don't like Carl being alone.
Aww, poor Carl. He needed the bathroom and ended up having to go use it in the trees. He was really lucky there weren't any zombies lurking around while he did his business.
I get that Rick's worried and pissed off that they're lost while trying to find Hershel's farm, but he needs to chill the fuck out. He's gonna scare and upset Carl, and that's the last thing they need.
Glad that they made it through the night without trouble from zombies. Now, I wonder what they're gonna do next. There's no telling how long it'll take for them to find the farm.
FUCKING AWESOME! It's Glenn and Maggie! I'm so happy that they were able to find Rick, Carl and Michonne!
Whoo! I was worried for a moment that Carl was gonna get bitten. I'm glad that Michonne was able to find Rick and Carl, and was able to save Carl from that zombie. It was a pretty close call.
I'm so glad that Michonne's with them now. She can kick ass real well, and it means there's another adult around if something happens to Rick and he gets sick again. I don't like Carl being alone.
Aww, poor Carl. He needed the bathroom and ended up having to go use it in the trees. He was really lucky there weren't any zombies lurking around while he did his business.
I get that Rick's worried and pissed off that they're lost while trying to find Hershel's farm, but he needs to chill the fuck out. He's gonna scare and upset Carl, and that's the last thing they need.
Glad that they made it through the night without trouble from zombies. Now, I wonder what they're gonna do next. There's no telling how long it'll take for them to find the farm.
FUCKING AWESOME! It's Glenn and Maggie! I'm so happy that they were able to find Rick, Carl and Michonne!
August 4, 2014
This was a cute issue, with bringing the crew back together. There were some very cute moments with Carl, reminding us that he's just a kid, even if he has to grow up quickly.
August 23, 2014
michonne no es uno de mis personajes favoritos pero me alegro de que estuviera viva.
April 3, 2015
FINALLY!! Something to look up to...
June 15, 2016
YAAAAAAAAAS
December 13, 2022
"Let's not talk about the prison..."
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews