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FIVE YEARS OF THE WALKING DEAD! From its humble beginnings five years ago The Walking Dead has grown into an undisputable cult hit. In this special anniversary issue the characters we've grown to love look back on how this world has affected them, what they've gained and what they've lost... and a look ahead at where they go from here.

28 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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About the author

Robert Kirkman

2,621 books7,157 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for John.
451 reviews7 followers
December 18, 2015
Great! Wow, this has to be my favorite issue in the series so far. So well done and climactic. Love seeing the metamorphosis of Rick's character. This was also my favorite scene in the TV Series.
October 28, 2024
After the emotional rollercoaster of Maggie’s survival, I was eager for Issue #57 to bring a different kind of intensity—something that could dive deeper into the group’s dynamics and backstories. With so much focus on survival and forward movement, there’s been little time to truly explore the characters' histories and their emotional struggles. In this issue, I hoped to gain insight into the layers beneath the group’s tough exteriors and uncover what makes each of them tick in a world that constantly threatens to break them down.

Issue #57 opens with Abraham at a breaking point. After nearly killing Rick in Issue #56, he finds himself barely able to hold it together. The weight of his past actions and the toll of survival bear down on him, and he admits to Rosita how close he came to losing control. Rosita, in a moment of tenderness and vulnerability, reassures him that the people he killed in the past left him no choice and that his actions, however brutal, were not his fault. Their shared moment of understanding leads to a kiss—a brief reprieve in their otherwise harsh reality.

The group’s journey brings them to a sudden halt as they come upon a wreck blocking the road. Abraham’s strength and determination shine through as he clears the path with his truck, with Rick lending a hand. Although Rick attempts to talk to Abraham afterward, it’s clear that Abraham is still wrestling with his emotions, and he shuts Rick down by driving off before any real conversation can unfold.

As the group stops at a gas station to discuss the best route to Washington, D.C., Rick proposes a detour to his hometown. His plan is to take the interstate, check on supplies at the local police station, and revisit some “old friends.” There’s an underlying tension in this decision—it feels like Rick is searching for some semblance of his past life, a way to ground himself in the chaos, and perhaps even seeking a sense of closure. Abraham agrees, and as Rick prepares to leave, Michonne steps up, suggesting that she accompany him to provide support. Rick, however, insists she stay with the group to protect them, noting that her presence will reassure him of their safety. Michonne reluctantly agrees, adding that if they don’t return within three days, she’ll come searching.

The journey ahead is dangerous, and the night takes a horrific turn when Rick, Carl, and Abraham are ambushed by three bandits. These men aren’t just after supplies; their cruelty escalates quickly, and when Rick fights back, he’s beaten down. The bandits then threaten Carl in the most vile way, stating their intent to assault him in retaliation for Rick’s resistance. It’s an unimaginable horror, and as one of the bandits strikes Carl and begins to pull down his pants, Rick reaches his breaking point. In a shocking burst of primal rage, Rick bites into the neck of one bandit, killing him instantly. The distraction allows Abraham to seize the moment and eliminate the bandit holding him, shooting him in the head. The third bandit, realizing the tables have turned, tries to flee, begging for mercy. But Rick’s bloodlust is unquenchable; he pursues the man and savagely stabs him repeatedly until he’s utterly spent.

The raw violence of this scene is haunting. Rick’s brutal reaction reveals the animalistic survival instinct that has taken hold of him, and it’s a chilling reminder of how much he has changed. The next morning, Abraham approaches Rick, recognizing the toll such acts take on a person. He tells Rick that nobody remains the same after committing such brutal acts, and Rick responds with a kind of resigned understanding. He explains that he’s learned to fake normalcy, to carry on despite the darkness that now defines his life. This wasn’t the first act that made him question his humanity, Rick confesses, and he doubts it will be the last.

In this moment, the weight of survival becomes too much for Abraham. He breaks down, finally confronting the emotions he’s been repressing for so long. Rick, recognizing the fragility in Abraham’s voice, asks if he’s okay. Abraham, with tears in his eyes, replies that it’s finally time he told Rick about how he lost his family.

This issue delivered everything I had hoped for and more. The emotional depth, the brutal reality of survival, and the fractured relationships all came to the forefront in a way that felt raw and authentic. Rick and Abraham’s complex dynamic was especially compelling. There’s a tension between them, an almost palpable mistrust, but at the same time, there’s a mutual respect. Rick’s need to protect Carl at all costs is painfully clear, especially after the bandit attack. The trauma of losing his wife and daughter has turned him into someone capable of unimaginable violence, and this issue shows the depth of that transformation. He’s not just a father; he’s a survivor who will cross any line to protect what little he has left.

The issue also deepens our understanding of Abraham. His stoic exterior and hardened demeanor are a front, concealing a man haunted by his past. His breakdown and confession to Rick signal a turning point, revealing that beneath his brutal actions lies a man struggling with guilt and regret. Abraham is fighting a battle with his own morality, torn between survival and the remnants of his humanity, and I think this struggle is what could eventually make him one of Rick’s closest allies.

The brutality of the issue—Rick’s savage attack, the threats to Carl, and the bandits' cruelty—was difficult to read, but it felt honest in portraying the depth of trauma these characters endure. The world of The Walking Dead is a place where morality is constantly redefined, and each character’s breaking point inches closer with each confrontation. Kirkman brilliantly captures the agony and desolation of their world, leaving us with characters who are scarred, broken, and yet somehow still pushing forward.

In the end, Issue #57 was a visceral experience that leaves me both horrified and deeply invested in the fates of these characters. Kirkman has a way of peeling back the layers of his characters, revealing their darkest, most vulnerable sides in ways that feel deeply human. And with Abraham’s past now on the brink of revelation, it feels like there’s so much more to uncover. I’m left feeling both dread and anticipation for what lies ahead, knowing that every revelation brings these characters closer to losing themselves entirely.
Profile Image for Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile.
2,497 reviews957 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 2 books323 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.
298 reviews24 followers
October 26, 2019
This was an issue and a half, Rick and Abraham still have this weird pissing competition going on but when they go off with Carl to look for supplies it seems the ice has broken.
What happens to Carl is disturbing to say the least, a bunch of hill-billies wanting to r*pe Carl was shocking to see but not unbelievable, society goes to shit and bad people rise up and do what the hell they want with zero consequences. Well not this time, Rick goes full rabid dog mode and rips the throat out of one hill-billy whilst Abraham shoots the face off the other, Rick goes after the guy who tried to attack Carl whilst Abraham tries to calm Carl. It was all very hectic, it seems that maybe Rick and Abraham can put their difference aside and actually work together, which would be nice to see as this fighting/bickering back-and-forth is kinda tiring.
I think the next issue we get the backstory of Abraham and his family. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is so much better with no Daryl, because the conversation at the end of this issue was between Rick and Daryl in the show, but with Abraham is just has way more meaning and sentiment.
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Profile Image for Melanie.
2,922 reviews14 followers
June 7, 2019
This issues brings about the best in Rick and Abraham. However, I much prefer how it was played out in the TV series because we had the background of both parties.
Profile Image for Erik.
1,238 reviews11 followers
April 4, 2024
Not for the faint of heart
Profile Image for M. Ashraf.
2,456 reviews131 followers
July 11, 2026
The Walking Dead
Robert Kirkman
Volume: #10 - What We Become
Issue: #57

A detour to get extra supply
The are jumped by another group that ended badly for them.
Profile Image for Laina.
237 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2016
I like that Rosita can calm Abraham down and I hope they're together for a long time in the series. I can see Abraham needing to be calmed down a lot.

I don't think it's a good idea for Glenn and Maggie to ride along ahead on the horses. I have a feeling they'll get trapped in a dangerous situation with no escape.

Well, I'm glad to see Rick and Abraham getting along as they discuss Abraham using the truck to move the wreck off the road. Hope they can keep the peace from now on.

I liked Andrea and Dale's conversation about getting two smaller vehicles and ditching the truck. I think it's a good idea because they'd be able to sleep in those vehicles and not be exposed to the elements.

I'm glad that Rick mentioned going to Atlanta. I hope he wants to check on Morgan and Duane, and get some more weapons and supplies. I hope Morgan and Duane are okay, and that there's still some weapons and supplies left.

Seriously, I'm REALLY liking the friendship between Rick and Michonne. I have a feeling they'll eventually hook up, or get together and I'm completely okay with that. I like they're easygoing vibe.

So, who were those assholes that attacked Rick, Abraham and Carl? I'm glad that Rick and Abraham were able to kill those psycho assholes before they raped Carl. Geez, that freaked me out.

I liked Abraham and Rick's conversation at the end and I'm glad that Abraham's finally opening up to Rick and gonna tell the other man about how he lost his family.
55 reviews
September 15, 2014
This issue continues building the inter-relationships with Carl and Michonne, Abraham and Rosita, and especially, Rick and Abraham. But, as usual, we go to the "rape well" to explore savagery. Yes, with a breakdown of society, it's not out of the question that this could happen, but we already did this in a previous arc. I can at least appreciate that in the Letters Section, the author addressed his reasoning for this and that this had been planned for awhile. In any case, keeping some of Rick's savagery off the pages made it more effective.
98 reviews21 followers
March 13, 2015
yeahh back to killing walkers and , urm , people!

anyway trying to rape a little boy? wow okay.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews