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The Walking Dead (Single Issues)
The Walking Dead #68
Another stranger is encountered on the way to Washington. The information this man brings could change everything for the survivors.
24 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 2009
6 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,778 books6,966 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
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.
***
My Social Media
My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
My Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/michael_sor...
My Wattpad Account: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Michael-...
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November 9, 2020
Ooph, it's been a while since I last read one of these comics but luckily I pretty much remember what happened last time, Aaron turned up.
So the group are a little wary and to be fair that's pretty understandable. I mean Aaron seems like a stand up fella but does that mean he's hiding something? (probably not) He's offering Rick's group a chance to be part of a community as long as they agree to pull their weight and help out. Of course Rick is all *side eyeing* but the rest of the group are like 'screw it, we hungry'. To be honest I think if I were starving in an apocalypse, I would also just go with a group as long as I got food. The promise of food and I'm yours *heart eyes*.
We also briefly got to meet Eric. So I guess that means we're off to Alexandria where the real fun begins.
x
So the group are a little wary and to be fair that's pretty understandable. I mean Aaron seems like a stand up fella but does that mean he's hiding something? (probably not) He's offering Rick's group a chance to be part of a community as long as they agree to pull their weight and help out. Of course Rick is all *side eyeing* but the rest of the group are like 'screw it, we hungry'. To be honest I think if I were starving in an apocalypse, I would also just go with a group as long as I got food. The promise of food and I'm yours *heart eyes*.
We also briefly got to meet Eric. So I guess that means we're off to Alexandria where the real fun begins.
x
October 31, 2024
Following the intense reveal of Aaron’s arrival at the end of the previous issue, we’re left questioning the newcomer’s intentions. In a world where trust is a luxury, can Rick and his group afford to believe that Aaron’s promises of safety and a "Safe-Zone" are genuine? This issue focuses on navigating those questions and brings forward the complex tension between suspicion and hope, which is crucial in the series.
The story begins with Aaron, who has been observing Rick’s group from a distance, attempting to introduce himself as a potential ally. Although he claims not to have any bad intentions, Rick’s reaction is swift and unforgiving—he punches Aaron, knocking him out. This defensive move is more than just self-protection; it’s a calculated response shaped by past betrayals and losses. Rick’s previous encounters with other survivor communities—like his brutal experience with The Governor—fuel his mistrust, making him hyper-vigilant and protective.
After Aaron regains consciousness, he explains his purpose: he’s a recruiter, scouting for potential new members for his community, which he calls a Safe-Zone. The idea of a Safe-Zone with around 34 members surprises Rick, and there’s an undeniable allure to the possibility of finding security after the constant threats they’ve faced. However, Rick’s questions reveal his doubt, probing Aaron for details. Before their conversation can continue, they’re interrupted by a new threat—zombies emerging from the forest.
As the group fights to defend themselves, Carl courageously protects Sophia from an approaching zombie, showcasing his growth and resilience. Despite their dire circumstances, Glenn makes the snap decision to untie Aaron and give him a gun, trusting that he’ll help them fend off the undead. This small but significant moment exemplifies the precarious balance between trust and survival; Glenn’s impulsive act may have been necessary, but it also pushes Rick’s patience. Though Rick questions Glenn’s choice, Aaron hands the weapon back, attempting to establish his good intentions.
After the skirmish, the group debates what to do next. Aaron insists they should come with him to the Safe-Zone, a suggestion met with mixed reactions. Michonne, who has been among the most distrustful of outsiders, surprises the group by endorsing Aaron, stating that he is nothing like The Governor. Her opinion sways several other members, and by morning, the majority decide to give Aaron’s community a chance.
During a morning conversation, Rick checks in with Andrea, sensing she may have reservations. Instead, Andrea opens up about her losses and reaffirms her loyalty to the group, declaring she would follow them to any fate. This scene provides a quiet moment of solidarity, reinforcing that even if they’re skeptical of outsiders, their bond is unbreakable.
On the road, they encounter a man in a truck, who Aaron identifies as his partner, Eric. Although this unexpected arrival unsettles the group, Aaron assures them that Eric is part of his team. Eric introduces a piece of technology—a sonic detector—that allowed them to track Rick’s group from a distance. This revelation adds a layer of sophistication to Aaron and Eric's operation, giving weight to Aaron’s claims about the Safe-Zone.
As they prepare to leave, Rick pulls Abraham aside, admitting that his own instinct to trust Aaron scares him. The group’s vulnerability is evident, especially since Aaron’s promises of a safe haven sound almost too good to be true. Rick, still cautious, orders Abraham to be prepared for betrayal, acknowledging the cruel irony that something promising hope often hides a darker truth. This unspoken bond between Rick and Abraham—grounded in their shared experiences and leadership instincts—adds depth to the issue’s conclusion, as they continue forward with wary optimism.
This issue left me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, Aaron’s openness and dedication to his community make him seem genuine. His willingness to hand back the gun, reassure Rick’s group, and introduce them to Eric, all indicate that he’s sincere about his intentions. Yet, the idea of a Safe-Zone feels almost too good to be true. Given everything Rick’s group has been through, it’s hard not to feel apprehensive, questioning whether Aaron’s promises are just a mirage.
The relationship between Aaron and Eric adds another layer to this dynamic. There’s a clear closeness between them, a trust that’s refreshing to see in a world overrun by distrust and suspicion. It makes me wonder if Aaron and Eric’s partnership is a glimpse of what’s possible when survivors support each other. Perhaps they genuinely want to extend that support to Rick’s group. But at the same time, I can’t shake the feeling that there might be more to their intentions than what we’re being told.
In this issue, we see the group’s desperation and exhaustion. They want to believe in the possibility of safety and stability, even if it means trusting someone new. However, Rick’s unease is a constant reminder of the risks involved. This internal struggle between trusting others and preserving the group’s safety resonates throughout the story, capturing the essence of what makes The Walking Dead so compelling.
As they set out toward the Safe-Zone, I’m left with cautious anticipation. Part of me hopes that Aaron’s community is the sanctuary they’ve been searching for, but experience tells me to prepare for the worst. This issue powerfully illustrates the balance between hope and fear, trust and skepticism—a theme that remains central to the series and to the survival of every character in it.
The story begins with Aaron, who has been observing Rick’s group from a distance, attempting to introduce himself as a potential ally. Although he claims not to have any bad intentions, Rick’s reaction is swift and unforgiving—he punches Aaron, knocking him out. This defensive move is more than just self-protection; it’s a calculated response shaped by past betrayals and losses. Rick’s previous encounters with other survivor communities—like his brutal experience with The Governor—fuel his mistrust, making him hyper-vigilant and protective.
After Aaron regains consciousness, he explains his purpose: he’s a recruiter, scouting for potential new members for his community, which he calls a Safe-Zone. The idea of a Safe-Zone with around 34 members surprises Rick, and there’s an undeniable allure to the possibility of finding security after the constant threats they’ve faced. However, Rick’s questions reveal his doubt, probing Aaron for details. Before their conversation can continue, they’re interrupted by a new threat—zombies emerging from the forest.
As the group fights to defend themselves, Carl courageously protects Sophia from an approaching zombie, showcasing his growth and resilience. Despite their dire circumstances, Glenn makes the snap decision to untie Aaron and give him a gun, trusting that he’ll help them fend off the undead. This small but significant moment exemplifies the precarious balance between trust and survival; Glenn’s impulsive act may have been necessary, but it also pushes Rick’s patience. Though Rick questions Glenn’s choice, Aaron hands the weapon back, attempting to establish his good intentions.
After the skirmish, the group debates what to do next. Aaron insists they should come with him to the Safe-Zone, a suggestion met with mixed reactions. Michonne, who has been among the most distrustful of outsiders, surprises the group by endorsing Aaron, stating that he is nothing like The Governor. Her opinion sways several other members, and by morning, the majority decide to give Aaron’s community a chance.
During a morning conversation, Rick checks in with Andrea, sensing she may have reservations. Instead, Andrea opens up about her losses and reaffirms her loyalty to the group, declaring she would follow them to any fate. This scene provides a quiet moment of solidarity, reinforcing that even if they’re skeptical of outsiders, their bond is unbreakable.
On the road, they encounter a man in a truck, who Aaron identifies as his partner, Eric. Although this unexpected arrival unsettles the group, Aaron assures them that Eric is part of his team. Eric introduces a piece of technology—a sonic detector—that allowed them to track Rick’s group from a distance. This revelation adds a layer of sophistication to Aaron and Eric's operation, giving weight to Aaron’s claims about the Safe-Zone.
As they prepare to leave, Rick pulls Abraham aside, admitting that his own instinct to trust Aaron scares him. The group’s vulnerability is evident, especially since Aaron’s promises of a safe haven sound almost too good to be true. Rick, still cautious, orders Abraham to be prepared for betrayal, acknowledging the cruel irony that something promising hope often hides a darker truth. This unspoken bond between Rick and Abraham—grounded in their shared experiences and leadership instincts—adds depth to the issue’s conclusion, as they continue forward with wary optimism.
This issue left me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, Aaron’s openness and dedication to his community make him seem genuine. His willingness to hand back the gun, reassure Rick’s group, and introduce them to Eric, all indicate that he’s sincere about his intentions. Yet, the idea of a Safe-Zone feels almost too good to be true. Given everything Rick’s group has been through, it’s hard not to feel apprehensive, questioning whether Aaron’s promises are just a mirage.
The relationship between Aaron and Eric adds another layer to this dynamic. There’s a clear closeness between them, a trust that’s refreshing to see in a world overrun by distrust and suspicion. It makes me wonder if Aaron and Eric’s partnership is a glimpse of what’s possible when survivors support each other. Perhaps they genuinely want to extend that support to Rick’s group. But at the same time, I can’t shake the feeling that there might be more to their intentions than what we’re being told.
In this issue, we see the group’s desperation and exhaustion. They want to believe in the possibility of safety and stability, even if it means trusting someone new. However, Rick’s unease is a constant reminder of the risks involved. This internal struggle between trusting others and preserving the group’s safety resonates throughout the story, capturing the essence of what makes The Walking Dead so compelling.
As they set out toward the Safe-Zone, I’m left with cautious anticipation. Part of me hopes that Aaron’s community is the sanctuary they’ve been searching for, but experience tells me to prepare for the worst. This issue powerfully illustrates the balance between hope and fear, trust and skepticism—a theme that remains central to the series and to the survival of every character in it.
January 15, 2019
Slower moving portion of the book. The survivors realize that humans are more dangerous than walkers, and should they give Aaron a chance to prove himself? Michonne knows they need to find shelter and the Safe Zone sounds good. How long can people be constantly living on the edge?
December 26, 2021
I was hooked the first couple pages, love the art and especially the zombies and the post apocalyptic setting 😻🤩🧟♂️🔥🔫
February 8, 2022
"Solo para aclarar las cosas eso no fue una mirada de 'ataquemos a este hombre'. Eso fue una mirada de 'parece ser un buen tipo'.
"¿Le tenías que dar 'esa' arma?"
perdón, me cague de risa con este.
"¿Le tenías que dar 'esa' arma?"
perdón, me cague de risa con este.
May 14, 2016
This guy must be fucking crazy to walk upon Rick and Abraham like that. I at least hope he has a weapon of some kind, even if it's something small. He'd need to protect himself, as he doesn't know them yet.
I'm glad that Rick knocked the guy out and then had Abraham tie him up so they could bring him back to the group and question him. I like Rick's conversation with this stranger, and I hope the guy's not lying and trying to lead them into a trap.
I feel like they should all have been keeping a better watch. Then those zombies wouldn't have been able to sneak up on them like that. They need to keep their guard up at all times.
Aww, I love Glenn for going back and rescuing that guy from the zombies. He didn't have to do it, but I'm glad he did. Now, they need to get the fuck outta dodge, as fast as possible.
Well, I'm glad that they seem to trust Aaron at least a little. I'm also glad that Aaron gave the gun back without making a big deal about it. That goes a long way to getting Rick and the group to trust him.
I'm glad they decided to go with Aaron to his community. I just hope it doesn't end up being a mistake on their part. I hope this place is all they wish it is, and more.
I liked Rick and Andrea's conversation and I hope they continue to get close as the series continues. Holy crap, I'm glad that Rick didn't shoot that guy. I'm glad that Aaron spoke up.
I'm glad that Rick made a backup plan at the last minute, though I really hope that they don't have to shoot Aaron or Eric in the next issue as I'm liking them.
I'm glad that Rick knocked the guy out and then had Abraham tie him up so they could bring him back to the group and question him. I like Rick's conversation with this stranger, and I hope the guy's not lying and trying to lead them into a trap.
I feel like they should all have been keeping a better watch. Then those zombies wouldn't have been able to sneak up on them like that. They need to keep their guard up at all times.
Aww, I love Glenn for going back and rescuing that guy from the zombies. He didn't have to do it, but I'm glad he did. Now, they need to get the fuck outta dodge, as fast as possible.
Well, I'm glad that they seem to trust Aaron at least a little. I'm also glad that Aaron gave the gun back without making a big deal about it. That goes a long way to getting Rick and the group to trust him.
I'm glad they decided to go with Aaron to his community. I just hope it doesn't end up being a mistake on their part. I hope this place is all they wish it is, and more.
I liked Rick and Andrea's conversation and I hope they continue to get close as the series continues. Holy crap, I'm glad that Rick didn't shoot that guy. I'm glad that Aaron spoke up.
I'm glad that Rick made a backup plan at the last minute, though I really hope that they don't have to shoot Aaron or Eric in the next issue as I'm liking them.
April 3, 2015
Aaron looks like a clown. How could you trust a clown?!
December 23, 2015
Great!
March 31, 2017
Howdy stranger. You say your name is Aaron?
January 5, 2017
"when something seems to good to be true...it probably is." i say that shit all the time. am i kirkman
August 7, 2023
More friends along the way.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews