It's time to keep moving. Abraham, Eugene and Rosita convinced the rest of the group to head to Washington, but there's still some mistrust between them.
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.
I think Eugene's full of shit and that he's telling everyone that he knows what's going on, so they'll keep protecting him. I think he's also lying about what's waiting for them in Washington.
Again, Eugene's lying about talking to people on the walkie talkie. He's making all this crazy shit up to stay alive, since he's useless as a fighter and knows they'll kill him as soon as they find out about his lies.
Really? Rick and his group don't know what a herd is? So I'm supposed to just assume they've never heard of a herd of animals? What kind of morons are Rick and his group?
I'm with Andrea, shoot Eugene. We both know that he's lying his ass off, and it would be one less person they'd have to feed. So yeah, go ahead and kill the useless piece of shit.
So, because Eugene knows a few tricks to get rid of a headache, you believe the bullshit he's sprouting, Abraham? Come on, use your fucking head and be smart.
Who. When Abraham and Dale were arguing and fighting, I was hoping that Dale would kick Abraham's ass, if nothing more than to just get his ass to calm the fuck down.
Wow, Abraham really has a mouth on him. I know they use a good bit of profanity in this comic series, but it seems like every other word out of his mouth is a profanity. Yikes.
Oh damn, the shot that was fired was heard by the zombies, and now there's going to be a zombie herd trying to overrun the farm. I hope they don't lose so many people this time.
Abraham sort of reminds me of Michonne. I like how he can defend himself and kick some serious ass. He and Michonne need to teach the others how to defend themselves.
If I were Rick and his group, I'd go with Abraham and his small group. There's power in numbers and you guys can use as many people as you can get.
Good idea. Put it up to a group vote and whichever option has more votes, that's what you do. I don't see what's wrong with taking a group vote each time something comes up.
I get that Maggie's upset and angry about losing her family, but she shouldn't be taking it out on Glenn. He loves her and is willing to do whatever she wants, so she should chill the fuck out.
I liked Rick and Carl's conversation, but I don't like that Rick basically scared the shit out of his son with everything he was telling him. Sure, Carl needs to be on his guard, but the poor kid doesn't need to be scared of everyone and everything.
Also, I'm not a fan of Glenn and Maggie riding on horses as they leave the farm to head to Washington. I think they'll be the ones in the most danger if the group comes across a herd.
They have no shelter like a car or the truck, if they get attacked by zombies. From what I could tell, it also looks like they have no weapons, which is just plain ridiculous.
After Eugene’s bombshell revelation last issue, I was eager to dig deeper into this issue and see if he’d finally give a clearer answer. There's a feeling of suspense hanging over this installment, with Abraham, Rosita, and Eugene’s arrival sparking new dynamics in the group. This chapter also continues to explore the tensions within Rick’s group and their struggles with trust, grief, and survival, giving it an emotional weight that feels as raw as ever.
The issue opens on an intense note, with Eugene elaborating on his work before the outbreak. He tells the group he was involved in a top-secret government project focused on mapping the human genome, with a plan to develop region-specific diseases. This ambitious goal, according to Eugene, inadvertently led to the zombie plague. His claim is that he possesses crucial information that, once shared with Washington officials, could lead to a cure. It’s a tantalizing idea, yet his vague and almost evasive tone leaves Rick and the others unsure about whether to believe him fully. His mysterious demeanor keeps the group (and us) guessing, stirring curiosity and a slight edge of suspicion.
Rick, curious but cautious, asks Abraham to explain what he meant by "a herd," a term he’s used before. But before he can respond, Andrea jumps in, demanding Eugene tell the group everything he knows. Abraham, showing his military reflexes, quickly disarms her. He tries to calm the situation by sharing what he knows about "herds," explaining them as massive groups of zombies that move together, almost like a migrating swarm, which makes them especially deadly. He points out that Eugene’s knowledge is classified, a word he emphasizes as if it's the last line of defense against further questioning. This evasiveness makes Eugene an enigma—he’s claiming insider knowledge, yet he’s unwilling to fully disclose anything that might help build trust.
The tension escalates when Dale, clearly frustrated, calls Abraham out for speaking harshly to Andrea. Abraham, already on edge, snaps back in anger, revealing he had once had a family—an eight-year-old son, a six-year-old daughter, and an ex-wife—before the apocalypse took them. This brief but vulnerable admission adds layers to Abraham’s character, showcasing the hurt beneath his hardened exterior. His anger, though intense, is rooted in the grief and trauma he’s endured. Rosita steps in to help him regain composure, and Abraham, visibly exhausted, asks if they can stay the night. Though reluctant, the group agrees, and they head to the farmhouse.
The following morning, Abraham approaches Andrea to apologize for his actions. It’s a surprisingly soft moment, revealing that he does feel remorse and recognizes the group’s reluctance to accept outsiders without trust. But when he spots a small group of roamers (zombies) near the farm’s fence, he springs into action. With only a pitchfork, he swiftly takes down five roamers, showing his impressive skill and fearlessness in dealing with these threats. Afterward, he addresses the group with a powerful, slightly ominous message: the farm is not safe. Using a vivid analogy about being found in the woods, he explains that staying in one place only increases their danger, since zombies, like a relentless tide, are always moving and searching for human prey. He ends with a bold ultimatum—either the group joins him and leaves within a few hours, or he, Rosita, and Eugene will head out alone.
Dale turns to Rick, hoping he’ll offer some guidance. But Rick, drained and uncertain, refuses to make any more decisions for the group. Dale is shocked by Rick’s sudden unwillingness to lead, as this marks a significant change in Rick’s usually confident leadership. It’s clear the recent losses and emotional burden have left Rick in a vulnerable state, struggling with self-doubt and guilt over past decisions. Dale, realizing he can’t rely on Rick’s judgment right now, goes to consult with the others about the choice before them.
Meanwhile, Glenn and Maggie are also facing their own struggles. Maggie, standing on the land that once held so many memories of her family, tells Glenn she’s ready to leave the farm behind, insisting she has no family left. Glenn, visibly saddened by her words, thought the memories of her father and siblings would encourage her to stay. But Maggie’s grief runs deep, and her determination to leave signifies that she’s ready to move forward, even if that means letting go of the past entirely.
The group begins loading Abraham’s truck, preparing to head for Washington. Michonne announces she’s riding with Rick and Carl in their car, adding a slight glimmer of comfort for Carl, who clearly admires her strength. Rick seizes this moment alone with his son to have a serious conversation, reminding him to remain vigilant around the new group. Rick, fully aware of the dangers posed by both the dead and the living, warns Carl never to let his guard down, no matter how “safe” things might seem. This advice is blunt and perhaps unsettling for a child, but in Rick’s eyes, it’s essential. It’s a fatherly moment, yet also one steeped in the grim reality of their world.
As the group hits the road, the weight of this new journey to Washington hangs heavy. Rick’s leadership may be on pause, but the responsibility for Carl’s safety—and the uncertainty of Abraham, Rosita, and Eugene’s intentions—adds to his mental burden. The group is venturing into unknown territory with only a vague promise of answers to the outbreak, trusting in an enigmatic trio that could either be their salvation or their undoing.
This issue is packed with psychological tension, especially surrounding Eugene’s “revelation” about the outbreak’s origins. There’s a question that lingers in my mind: Can Eugene really be trusted? His air of secrecy and reluctance to reveal more about the outbreak keeps his character intriguing yet suspicious. Part of me wonders if this is a tactic to manipulate Rick’s group for protection, using the allure of a “cure” to gain their trust.
Abraham’s introduction is memorable; he’s fierce, straightforward, and his military experience gives him an edge that’s both intimidating and reassuring. In a world where survival is often about strength and skill, he seems like someone you’d want on your side. Watching him take down the roamers so swiftly was almost awe-inspiring—it’s clear he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Rick’s talk with Carl is heartbreaking yet necessary. He’s trying to prepare his son for the harsh realities they face, but it’s a bittersweet moment, as it highlights just how much Carl’s childhood has been taken from him. Rick’s weary, guilt-ridden state throughout this issue feels palpable, and it’s tough to see him struggle with self-doubt. His vulnerability here adds depth to his character, reminding us that even the strongest leaders can be worn down by loss and the constant fight for survival.
Ultimately, this issue serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of survival—mentally, emotionally, and physically. It marks a turning point for the group, who are choosing to leave the familiar behind for the uncertain hope of Washington. The suspense surrounding Eugene’s “classified” information and the tension between trusting or doubting Abraham’s group make this chapter a compelling setup for whatever lies ahead. This journey is a gamble, but the group is running out of options, and the stakes have never been higher.
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.
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.
Abraham and Eugene discuss (well, loud talk) about what they are all about which leads to Andrea and the rest feeling a little uneasy with these new people. Eugene apparently knows how to end all these undead nightmares (well if you've watched the show, you know what that's all about), so they gotta get to Washington. They rest up on it and the group decide to go with Abraham, get away from Hershel's farm as it's basically an unsafe place to live in (well it faired better than the show's farm). So the issue ends with all the group going, with Maggie and Glenn follow via horse ... horse? As someone who used to do horse riding, those horses aren't going to keep up with a truck and car all the way to Washington but hey fantasy. Also please tell me Rosita actually has more to say, as she was basically a mute this issue, butting in only once. x
The group learns about herds. Also a good piece of advice is given about staying in one place. Mggie isn't as strong as I thought she was, but hope to see her impove. This seems to be tying into the speculation with the 2nd half of season 5. The group decides to the join Abraham, Rosita, and Eugene.
I'm reading the comics to fill in for TWD lull. Unfortunately, number 54 in the series like two others will not download completely and you're stuck in the middle of the comic. Of course Amazon has nowhere to report this, nor a way to download again.