Glenn has been shot in his leg by Albert, one of the Hunters. Eugene cleans his wound and tries to stop the bleeding. Maggie asks if he needs peroxide, and he says yes. Eugene orders Gabriel to go get tea bags. Meanwhile, Rick tells Abraham to stay away from windows, but Abraham thinks that Hunters were just trying to scare them. Rick asks what they're after, and Abraham points at Dale, who's other leg has been removed. Andrea wonders why won't he wake up. Morgan takes Carl and Sophia into another room, and Gabriel arrives with a couple of tea bags. Eugene also needs a lit candle. He seals the wound, and tells Maggie to cover it with a bandage, while he goes to look after Dale. Maggie thanks him.
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.
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.
In The Walking Dead Issue #65, the tension escalates as Rick and his group face off against the Hunters, a group of ruthless cannibals. The story picks up immediately after Dale’s shocking return to the church in the previous issue, where he was missing one leg, a grim testament to the brutality of the Hunters. This issue gives readers a deeper dive into both the Hunters’ twisted nature and Rick’s fierce determination to protect his people.
As the issue begins, Glenn is struggling with a gunshot wound to his leg, courtesy of Albert, one of the Hunters. Eugene jumps into action, trying to stop the bleeding while also keeping Glenn calm. Maggie, clearly distressed, assists by fetching necessary supplies like peroxide and tea bags at Eugene’s instruction. He keeps his calm, insisting that Glenn will recover with proper care, a rare moment of optimism in an otherwise bleak setting.
Dale, barely conscious after his horrific ordeal, finally wakes up. He’s in rough shape, and Andrea is by his side, filled with concern. They share a tender, emotional moment where Andrea confesses her love for him, despite the complexities in their relationship. Dale admits to Andrea that he hadn’t wanted her to see him in a weakened state, bitten and on the brink of becoming one of the “roamers.” This confession is especially raw, with Dale’s attempt to shield Andrea revealing both his vulnerability and his lingering guilt. Despite the age difference and the controversies surrounding their bond, this scene reinforces the depth of their connection—a reminder that, even in a world as dark as theirs, love and loyalty still hold meaning.
Rick, fully aware of the threat the Hunters pose, comes in to question Dale. Dale reveals the horrifying truth: these people aren’t just cannibals—they specifically targeted and ate his leg. He warns Rick and the others that the Hunters are ruthless and capable of anything. Rick listens, and though he’s visibly shaken by what he hears, he also seems more determined than ever to stop the Hunters. Rick realizes that running away would only give the Hunters more opportunities to stalk them. He forms a plan to go after them directly, ensuring they have no place left to hide.
Rick, Abraham, Michonne, and Gabriel set out, leaving the others behind in the church. They comb through the nearby area, but the Hunters are nowhere to be found at first. As they search, Andrea’s unease grows; she worries that they’re making a mistake, that they’re walking into a trap. This only heightens the tension, as every moment spent in the open feels like an invitation to attack. Zombies arrive as well, adding another layer of peril to an already precarious situation.
Meanwhile, at the Hunters' camp, Chris, the sadistic leader, discusses their dwindling food supply. The fact that he’s still eating what’s left of Dale’s leg, despite knowing Dale was infected, speaks to just how desperate and depraved these people have become. Chris is almost nonchalant as he explains to his group that humans are easier prey than animals—humans are slower, more trusting, and ultimately much easier to catch. He even reveals that the Hunters went so far as to cannibalize their own children when food ran out. This horrifying revelation adds a chilling depth to their characters, showing that these aren’t simply villains of circumstance but people who have long abandoned any semblance of humanity.
Just as Chris smugly contemplates capturing another victim, Rick’s group ambushes them. Rick emerges from the forest, surprising the Hunters and immediately putting them on the defensive. He demands they surrender, claiming he has the upper hand, though Chris initially doubts this. Rick, ever the tactician, calls Andrea’s name and instructs her to shoot. Andrea’s marksmanship doesn’t disappoint as she blasts off part of Greg’s ear, terrifying the Hunters and proving Rick isn’t bluffing. Abraham and Michonne reveal themselves, adding to the Hunters’ realization that they’re hopelessly outgunned.
In a darkly satisfying twist, Rick contemplates giving the Hunters a taste of their own medicine. He taunts them, suggesting they could exact their revenge by taking a piece of the Hunters in turn. This moment exemplifies how much Rick has changed—he’s no longer the man he was at the beginning of their journey, and his experiences have brought out a ferocity and ruthlessness that are both terrifying and inspiring. He’s prepared to do whatever it takes to protect his group, even if it means making their enemies fear him as much as they fear the zombies.
This issue is both intense and profoundly unsettling. Seeing Dale back in Andrea’s arms was a touching but bittersweet moment. Despite all they’ve been through, Andrea finally confesses her love, and Dale’s realization that his time is running out makes it even more poignant. The age gap between them, which initially felt a bit odd, somehow fades into insignificance given the circumstances. In a world where survival is fleeting, finding love and companionship, no matter the obstacles, feels deeply significant.
The Hunters, however, stand out as some of the most abhorrent villains introduced in The Walking Dead. Learning that they had even cannibalized their own children was shocking, pushing them beyond mere survivalists into the realm of monsters. They embody the worst aspects of what humans can become when stripped of morality. The Hunters' behavior challenges the notion of humanity and survival in a way that even the zombies do not—they represent a line that most of Rick’s group, despite all their losses, would never cross.
The final moments of the issue are brilliantly executed. Rick’s unyielding response to the Hunters feels like the culmination of his journey from a hopeful leader to a hardened warrior. He’s a man who’s seen his fair share of horror and won’t back down, even if it means stooping to his enemies’ level. His taunting remark about taking a piece of the Hunters himself sends a powerful message: Rick may have lost his innocence, but he’s gained a strength that’s as unbreakable as it is terrifying.
Ultimately, Issue #65 reinforces the themes of survival, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be human. The Hunters have lost all sense of humanity, while Rick, though changed, remains loyal to his group, willing to fight for them in ways that are both savage and commendable. The contrast between Rick’s unyielding loyalty and the Hunters’ cruelty is stark, and it’s this juxtaposition that makes The Walking Dead such a compelling exploration of humanity’s best and worst instincts.
I'm really liking Abraham as a character now. The way he sees things and figures things out. He's a man with a plan and he almost always seems to know what's going on in the enemy's mind.
I agree with Morgan. Take the kids into another room. They don't need to see Dale like he is. They've already seen and dealt with enough shit, especially when they're so young.
Using a candle to seal up a gunshot wound? That's a new one. I've never heard of doing that before. I'd think the wax from the candle would make the gunshot wound infected or worse.
I'm glad that Dale's awake and able to tell Rick at least a little bit of where he was. I'm also glad that Dale told him the obvious, making sure that they all know, these crazy ass people are cannibals.
Is Dale really gonna chew Rick out for the things he's said and done? Rick's kept the group alive, which is a hell of a lot more than Dale's done since this series started. So Dale needs to just shut the fuck up.
I like Rick's plan to go and scope out these crazy people. Although on the other hand, I'm not so sure it's a good idea to split the group up. You think there's only 5 of these people in that group, but you could be wrong and there could be a lot more.
Ugh, and that other group is back to talking about eating people again. It really makes me feel the urge to puke. The guy in charge of this other group is seriously insane, and not in a good way.
What the fuck?! Rick, are you stupid or something? Just walking up to this group of cannibals and announcing yourself like it's no big deal? I'd have stayed in the shadows and just started shooting these fuckers.
The way this Chris guy talks about eating people just makes me sick. Literally and physically. He makes it sound like people are no more than animals, waiting to be killed and eaten.
Seriously? They ate their own children? Ugh, these people, can we even call them people anymore? They just keep getting worse and worse. More disgusting every moment they're around.
Blech. I hope that Rick and his group just kill them. Or, save the bullets and let Michonne just kill all of these psycho cannibals with her sword. It'll be one less thing for Rick and the group to worry about.
This was a good one; Rick, Abraham, Michonne, Andrea and Gabriel go after the Hunters. I think the scene with Andrea shooting the guy's ear off and the other guy's finger off was pretty sweet, Andrea has to be my favourite character by far (which means she'll probably die, of course). It was kinda eerie hearing what kicked off the Hunters cannibalistic way of living; hearing them start with the children, then loners or small groups, keeping them alive for as long as possible so they have a fresh source of meat, it's just gnarly man! Interested to see what happens to the Hunters next, now that they are disarmed and out-numbered. x
Another great issue. The story writing has gotten so good and character development is phenomenal. It's amazing how Rick's character has changed and developed over time. I can't say enough good things about this comic.