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The conflict escalates.

24 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 2010

5 people are currently reading
141 people want to read

About the author

Robert Kirkman

2,777 books6,963 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Michael Sorbello.
Author 1 book317 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 Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile.
2,454 reviews934 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.
November 19, 2024
This issue opens on a stark but necessary moment of introspection for Rick, providing an emotional breather yet diving deeper into the core struggles that drive him. After the turbulence of the previous issue’s dramatic showdown, we’re immediately immersed in Rick’s complex and raw mental state. This is a moment of reckoning for Rick—where he’s forced to confront not only his own inner conflicts but also the heavy implications of his actions within Alexandria.

The opening scene sets the tone with Michonne stepping in to physically check Rick’s spiraling aggression. It’s a humbling reminder for him, and maybe even for the reader, of the balance between asserting authority and recklessly wielding it. In a telling exchange, Michonne explains why she hit him, and he acknowledges that he may have crossed a line. It’s a rare, vulnerable moment for Rick, who realizes he’s veering dangerously close to becoming the very thing he’s fought against.

Meanwhile, Glenn and Heath make their way back home on their motorcycles, but there’s tension in the air. The noise of their bikes draws attention from a group they previously encountered, hinting at potential conflict that looms beyond Alexandria’s walls—a reminder that danger is never far away.

As Rick’s turmoil unfolds, Maggie agrees to take care of Carl for the night, sensing that Rick’s volatile actions may have reached a point where they need time apart. After his confrontation with Pete Anderson—a tension-fueled exchange over power and safety—Rick finds himself detained. But the situation reveals Pete’s bitterness and resentment, heightening the pressure cooker atmosphere in Alexandria.

One of the standout conversations of this issue is between Rick and Douglas. Here, Douglas opens up about Alexander Davidson, an original leader of Alexandria, who succumbed to corruption, exploiting women and endangering others. He describes how, rather than killing him outright, he exiled Alexander, effectively sentencing him to death. This story serves as a warning for Rick—a reminder of the boundaries a leader must not cross, no matter the circumstances. Rick responds with honesty about his own struggles with leadership, confessing that it’s never been his aim. He recounts the tragic incident with Shane, the man he once called a friend, and the trauma it brought upon his son, Carl, who ultimately pulled the trigger. This shared vulnerability allows Douglas and Rick to see eye to eye, if only for a moment, and adds a new layer of trust and tension to their relationship.

Meanwhile, Andrea gears up for her new role at the bell tower, and we see her practical side in play. She’s taking her position seriously, knowing she’s there to watch for human threats rather than walkers, while Abraham asks about Rick, quietly hoping Rick’s recent aggression has some justification. Andrea’s pragmatic outlook is a stark contrast to Rick’s intensity and reveals the many perspectives at play within the community.

Rick is eventually released and immediately seeks out Carl. When he finds him, however, Carl is cold, dismissive, and clearly hurt by Rick’s repeated absences. This fleeting interaction cuts deeply, highlighting the toll Rick’s struggles are taking on those closest to him. Elsewhere, Jessie leaves Pete, creating a ripple effect within Alexandria and signaling that the community’s tension is reaching a breaking point.

Douglas makes a decisive call, granting Rick permission to carry a weapon within Alexandria. He trusts Rick’s judgment but also makes it clear that Rick’s impulsive actions cannot jeopardize Douglas’s authority. Rick, finally home and emotionally drained, has a powerful moment alone. He talks to Lori through the phone—a phantom connection that he’s been clutching onto as a fragile thread of sanity. The confession is heartbreaking; he confides in her about the horrific encounter with the Hunters, his doubts, and his overwhelming fear of losing control. This is Rick at his most vulnerable—torn between his duty as a father, a leader, and a man haunted by the need to survive.

This issue is packed with emotional depth, giving us a closer look at Rick’s constant struggle with control and leadership. He’s teetering on the edge of a breakdown, caught between the trauma of his past and the unrelenting demands of his present. The "phone call" with Lori is both a comfort and a curse—a haunting reminder of his inability to fully let go. As much as I wish he’d move on, it’s a powerful detail that showcases his deeply fractured psyche. Rick’s conversations with Douglas, Michonne, and even Carl all reveal his internal battle and the price of leadership. It’s heartbreaking to see him trying so hard, only to keep stumbling, but it makes his journey all the more compelling.

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This bonus issue adds a lighter touch to Rick’s dark and stormy journey in The Walking Dead. Following the traumatic encounter with Pete, Douglas confronts Rick in a candid conversation. The tension is palpable as Douglas forces Rick to reflect on his actions, pressing him to reevaluate his approach to leadership. It’s a sobering moment for Rick, who reluctantly acknowledges that his behavior could jeopardize the delicate peace within Alexandria. Afterward, he seeks comfort in familiar faces, talking with Maggie and Michonne, who gently encourage him to take a step back and reassess his priorities.

The comic cleverly weaves in lighter moments, especially with Carl’s report that his friend John is now betting with other kids in Alexandria about Rick’s potential “murder spree.” It’s an amusing touch of dark humor, reflecting how Rick’s reputation has become larger than life within the community.

Back in his room, Rick “calls” Lori, unloading his frustrations and worries. It’s a poignant habit that’s become a coping mechanism, though it’s clearly visible to those around him. Carl and John’s reaction to seeing him with the phone is comedic yet painfully true—an unintentional parody of Rick’s coping ritual that feels oddly endearing. This short, self-aware moment adds a welcome bit of levity to the otherwise heavy narrative, highlighting the series’ ability to balance horror with humor.

This bonus issue is a clever little addition to The Walking Dead, offering a moment of reflection for Rick and a bit of comic relief for readers. It’s refreshing to see Carl’s childhood humor poking through the bleak atmosphere of Alexandria, and Rick’s phantom calls to Lori somehow manage to feel both heart-wrenching and hilarious here. This light-hearted touch might be exactly what Rick—and the readers—needed amid the tension.
Profile Image for Kelsie.
296 reviews24 followers
June 29, 2021
This was essentially finding out who this Davidson fella is, he used to be the leader of Alexandria, however Douglas knew he was using his power for bad, so he kicked him out of Alexandria, left him for dead ... of course this is from Douglas's mouth, it might not have been the reason he kicked out Davidson, hell Davidson might not even be dead (oooooh, maybe he's one of the saviours?), so now he get a little more info on how Douglas operates but I still don't trust him. He lets Rick off & gives him back his gun.
Carl is done with Rick's shit, Michonne is done with Rick's shit. Good.
Glenn and Heath come back with the supplies after seeing that other group sacrific one of their own. And it ends with Carl finding that Rick is back on the phone to Lori having a good ol' chat ... with his dead wife.
You know, in a zombie apocalypse, we all say that we would need surgeons, doctors, etc. but honestly it's looking like a friggin' therapist is what is really needed!
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Profile Image for Laina.
237 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2016
Are you fucking kidding me?! I have no problem with how Rick's acting. He was trying to protect Jessie and Ron, and if he had to kill Pete to go do that, I've definitely got no problem with that.

Douglas is such a fucking moron. I can't believe he's STILL going on walk around and act like Pete isn't abusing his family, and blaming it on Rick for trying to fucking PROTECT THEM.

Douglas doesn't know who he's fucking with, if he thinks that Rick's just gonna sit there and let him talk like that. I hope Rick kicks Douglas's ass if it comes down to it. The guy's starting to get on my nerves.

Haha, Rick telling Douglas that Carl shot Shane, makes me think that if Rick can't kill anyone who needs killing, that Carl will step in for him. Hope that happens, as Carl's pretty damn awesome.

Though I hope that Rick telling Douglas that, doesn't put Carl in danger, especially since Rick can't be with him right now. I hope that the other's will look out for Carl while Rick can't.

I'm glad Abraham knows Rick didn't attack Pete for no reason. I just wish the rest of Rick's group had the same faith in him. The faith that he deserves after taking care of all of them for so long.

Well, I'm glad that Heath and Glenn were able to make it back to Alexandria. Maybe Glenn can help to calm Rick down a little. They've always gotten along, ever since the beginning.

I liked the conversation between Douglas and Rick and I like that Douglas understands now, not to get in Rick's way, especially when he was in the right for trying to protect Jesse and Ron.

Michonne needs to get the fuck over herself. She wasn't there for everything and doesn't know all of what happened. So for her to stand there and be judgemental, she needs to get a fucking grip.

And of course Carl walks in on Rick not only talking to a dead Lori, but also admitting out loud that he's losing control of himself. I'm pretty sure that's gonna scare the shit out of Carl.
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