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.
We are seeing a litte more of how Alexandria works, mostly focusing on Abraham going out to work on the walls. We also see Rick and Glenn sneaking out weapons for their group, but honestly at this point Rick is just annoying me, like boy, you ain't in charge here, respect the rules. Anyway, the Rick/Glenn/guns storyline wasn't that interesting, what was interesting is seeing how the Alexandria people are sorted into groups when they first arrive at Alexandria, I think the character's name was Bruce, I forgot already, but he's talking to Abraham about how all the 'dumb' expendable folks are sent out to work on the wall whilst all the young, pretty girls are to work in positions where Douglas can see them most the day, so it's confirmed that Douglas is a creep and potential pervert. The workers are about to get swarmed, they leave a worker to fend for herself whilst Abraham basically goes to save her and essentially whips the workers into order. We basically stan Holly at this point, I'd too kick someone in the nuts if they left me to a hoarde of zombies whilst there was an opportunity to actually save me. You go, Holly. x
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.
The Walking Dead, Issue #73 takes us deeper into the tension and simmering suspicions within the Alexandria Safe-Zone, an apparently secure community that the group has entered cautiously, with many still feeling on edge and distrustful of their new home. After all they've endured, the harsh world outside the walls has left them skeptical, and this issue vividly shows how each character adjusts to life in Alexandria with their own unique blend of hope, mistrust, and resolve.
As morning breaks, Abraham is already weighed down with anxiety about venturing outside the Safe-Zone. His sleeplessness speaks volumes about his mistrust of this place, yet he prepares for the day, ready for whatever lies beyond. Meanwhile, Carl is grappling with an emotional burden of his own, reminiscing about his mother, Lori, and the love she provided. Rick steps in, trying to offer comfort to his son. It’s a rare, vulnerable moment that reminds us of the fragility of hope in this new world and how each character must continually fight their own battles within.
The relationships between the characters continue to deepen, adding layers to the story. Morgan and Michonne, for instance, have a fleeting romance that leads to mutual regret. Morgan wrestles with feelings of guilt, considering himself an adulterer, while Michonne finds herself troubled by what she perceives as Morgan’s clinging to outdated moral principles. This brief but intense connection between them shows how the old world’s values still cling to them, even if those values feel out of place in this new, brutal world.
Meanwhile, Glenn finds himself bonding with Olivia over their shared amazement at the stocked food supply, which Olivia explains was initially organized under a bartering system before shifting to rationing. Glenn, however, has another motive—he’s part of Rick’s covert plan to keep an eye on Alexandria’s resources, including the weapons in the armory. With a quick excuse and a moment alone, he secretly unlocks a window to give Rick access later, silently signaling success as he walks past him.
Elsewhere, Regina and Spencer talk about the Safe-Zone’s social life, especially a recent party. Regina tries to push Spencer toward Andrea, a suggestion he finds both irritating and intrusive, but this side conversation sheds light on Alexandria’s seemingly forced normalcy, contrasting starkly with the outsider group’s hardened realism.
Back in the infirmary, Heath anxiously checks on Scott’s condition, which is rapidly declining. Denise, the doctor, admits that the antibiotics aren’t helping, likely indicating an infection. Heath, feeling responsible, offers to brave the city to get more supplies, but Denise reassures him they have all they need—Scott just needs time. It’s a somber reminder of how even with the best intentions, survival is always a fight, and sometimes even the smallest injuries can turn deadly.
Outside the Safe-Zone, Abraham’s work with the construction crew gives him an up-close view of Alexandria’s way of life, particularly through Bruce’s cynical outlook. Bruce voices his distrust of Douglas, Alexandria’s leader, expressing suspicion that Douglas favors certain people and positions the young, attractive women where he can see them often. Bruce even hints that the construction crew is chosen not for strength or capability but for being “expendable.” Their talk, however, is abruptly cut short when roamers appear, forcing them to make a quick escape, underscoring how danger is never far away.
The issue crescendos with an intense moment as Tobin, the crew leader, tries to keep the construction team in formation as they encounter a group of zombies. When Holly is isolated, Tobin hesitates, prioritizing formation over her life. Abraham, however, abandons caution and rushes to save her, demonstrating his commitment to protecting others, even at his own risk. The others, shocked by Abraham’s bravery, are visibly shaken, and Holly’s fury at Tobin’s cowardice leads her to deliver a blow to his pride—literally and figuratively.
Meanwhile, Rick and Glenn successfully steal a few guns from the armory. Rick, ever the strategist, tells Glenn to distribute them only among their most trusted allies. They can’t risk an open rebellion yet, but Rick wants them prepared for anything. The divide between the group’s pragmatic approach and Alexandria’s forced sense of normalcy becomes clearer with each passing day.
This issue really delves into the dynamics of distrust, courage, and adaptation in Alexandria. Carl’s struggles with losing his mother highlight the psychological toll of survival, and it’s heart-wrenching to see him wrestle with emotions he barely understands. Meanwhile, Rick’s determination to stockpile weapons reveals a simmering skepticism—he’s not about to let his guard down, and his subtle takeover hints at the lengths he’ll go to protect his own.
Abraham’s actions in the field reveal a fierce loyalty and bravery that stand in contrast to Tobin’s survivalist cowardice. His willingness to take on personal risk for others’ safety makes him a standout, especially in a place like Alexandria, where people seem to have forgotten the brutal realities outside. I also share Bruce’s suspicion about the Safe-Zone; something feels “off,” and Douglas’s leadership, with his selective placement of women and his hidden motives, casts an ominous shadow over the whole community.
This issue sets the stage for growing tensions within Alexandria as Rick’s group balances their own survival instincts with adapting to their new environment. With Rick slowly but surely asserting control and the group beginning to question Alexandria’s true nature, the stage is set for an inevitable confrontation between the old survivors and the so-called safe haven they now inhabit.
This brief, comedic strip offers a humorous look into the character dynamics, particularly Tobin’s obvious cowardice. The art, initially in black and white, humorously bursts into color the moment Abraham appears, instantly making him the center of attention. Tobin and his crew, constructing the Alexandria wall, show that they are no match for the undead, often panicking and leaving people behind. Abraham’s arrival changes the scene as he saves Holly without hesitation, highlighting Tobin’s cowardice in a lighthearted, almost slapstick way. This short comic strip, though a comedic take, reinforces Abraham’s bravery and Tobin’s reluctance, serving as a fun, entertaining read that pokes fun at the Safe-Zone’s less courageous residents.
I'm kinda glad that we finally get to see that Abraham's afraid of being outside the walls with the zombies like everyone else. It makes him seem human for the first time in the series.
I'm also glad that Carl still talks about his mother, even though I couldn't stand the Lori character when she was alive. I still find the Lori character useless, but it's still sad that Carl misses his mother.
I understand that Morgan's having trouble accepting that he just slept with Michonne. Michonne didn't need to be a bitch to him about it. The man's obvious struggling, and she's just being an ass.
I still don't like the fact that only Olivia's in charge of the weapons. I don't trust all of the people of Alexandria. Sure, some of them seem pretty nice, but that's not going to last forever.
Geez, Regina, get a fucking life already. If you're not running around bitching and questioning your husband's decisions, you're trying to play unwanted matchmaker for your son. Leave them alone, lady.
So, are Heath and Scott romantic life partners? I'm getting a feeling that they're more than friends, but I just don't know. I had assumed Aaron and Eric were the only gay couple in the comic so far.
Are Rick and Glenn REALLY talking about stealing weapons from the armory out in public? That's pretty stupid on their part. What if someone overheard them and what they're talking about?
The conversation between Abraham and that other man at the construction site has me worried. I know some crazy shit had gone down with that Davidson guy, but now this guy makes me really worried about it.
So, Douglas walking up on Rick again, makes me suspicious as hell. It's like every single time Rick and his group try to plan something, this guy shows up out of nowhere.
I think the Alexandria's bugged, or this Douglas guy's WAY too interested in Rick and his group and what they're up to. Each time Rick and his group are talking outside, Douglas shows up.
I like watching Abraham kick some zombie ass. He always goes apeshit on them and that's just an awesome sight to see, no matter how many times it happens. Abraham goes crazy and it's awesome.
I like the conversation between Rick and Glenn and I agree that they should keep their secret stash of guns quiet. Don't want Douglas or his psycho wife finding out about them.
I like that Holly kicked that guy's ass for leaving her and Abraham to fend for themselves. I'd have kicked his ass, too. They all need to work together against the zombies, not screw each other over.
Abraham's just awesome. I like that he wanted to stay on the construction site and finish their job. All the rest of them are just cowards that don't know what the hell they're doing.