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.
Eric's been stabbed so Aaron gets him to Alexandria's little hospital (can you call it a hospital?), the doc and Heath be getting it on ... because that's how you answer your door, in your underwear. Michonne and Morgan decide to take it slow. Good for them. Tobin coming hot, lots of zombies all over the place (I honestly have forgotten who the hell Tobin is). Douglas seems to be in a dark place, I'm pretty sure he's dead in the TV show by now, so I'm interested to see where this is going. Aaron is telling him he's giving up looking for more people because they'll never find a group like Rick's again ... they may find someone worse ... oooooooo we love the foreshadowing. Abraham and some folks are taking out a horde of zombies. Only to hear a warning shot from Andra, they find WAAAAAAY more zombies than they anticipated. 0/10 - did not hear Abraham say 'Mother dick'. Ah well. x
Following the intense attack in the previous issue, I was eager to see how Rick’s group would handle the aftermath. Would they fortify the Alexandria Safe-Zone, or would they continue to believe in the illusion of safety? There’s an underlying tension now, a sense that danger could strike at any moment, even from within.
The issue opens on a somber note, with Rick Grimes standing guard at the gate, surveying the outside world. He is soon joined by Andrea, and they reflect on the recent battle against the scavengers. Rick expresses his gratitude to Andrea for saving his life during the firefight, and she shares how she managed to spot and neutralize the enemy sniper, showcasing her critical role in their survival.
The scene shifts as Aaron and an injured Eric arrive at the gate on horseback. Eric has been stabbed by a woman they had trusted, caught in the act of trying to steal one of the community’s horses. The tension escalates as Rick helps Aaron rush Eric to Doctor Denise Cloyd, who, much to Eric’s embarrassment, appears with Heath, clearly having been interrupted during an intimate moment. This brief comedic relief is a reminder that even in the apocalypse, life continues in all its messy, awkward forms.
Eric survives the ordeal, thanks to Denise’s medical expertise. Aaron’s guilt over trusting the wrong person is palpable as he apologizes to Eric, who reassures him that they will be okay. Aaron’s relief is heartfelt, highlighting the deep bond between the two.
Meanwhile, outside, Andrea and Heath have a candid conversation. Heath reveals how his relationship with Denise deepened while they were caring for Scott during his illness. Rick soon arrives to inform them of Eric’s recovery, and Andrea departs to find Tobin to help her return to the tower.
The emotional core of the issue deepens when Morgan approaches Michonne. In a vulnerable moment, Morgan admits that their previous encounter was a mistake, and he expresses a desire to truly get to know her. Michonne allows him into her home, signaling the beginning of something potentially meaningful between them.
Rick checks in with his son, Carl, who bluntly tells his father that the attack was a reminder to stop pretending they are truly safe. Carl’s hardened perspective adds a sobering layer, contrasting Rick’s attempts to shield him from the worst of their reality.
The issue ends with Aaron visiting Douglas Monroe, the former leader of Alexandria. Douglas laments his waning control and admits that Rick’s leadership is necessary, though he resents his diminished authority. Aaron, on the other hand, announces that he will no longer venture outside the walls, prioritizing caution over exploration. This decision underscores the growing fear that Alexandria’s fragile peace could shatter at any moment.
As the issue reaches its climax, Abraham leads a team to clear out the zombies lingering outside the walls, hoping to secure their perimeter. Just as the groups converge, a warning shot from Andrea echoes through the air, revealing a massive swarm of walkers approaching the gates. The suspense is palpable, and the sense of impending doom lingers heavily.
I was genuinely worried for Eric, especially after learning he was stabbed by someone they had tried to help. It’s a stark reminder that trust is a rare commodity in this world, and even acts of kindness can lead to betrayal. Thankfully, Denise’s skills save him, and the brief humorous moment with Heath and Denise’s awkwardness added levity to an otherwise tense situation.
Douglas and Aaron’s perspectives stood out. Douglas’s acknowledgment of Rick’s stronger leadership, despite his bitterness, felt honest and vulnerable. Aaron’s choice to step back from dangerous missions was equally compelling, showing the weight of loss and the desire to preserve what little peace they have left.
The final scene left me on edge. The sheer scale of the zombie swarm is terrifying, and I’m deeply concerned for Abraham’s group outside the walls. Will they make it back in time? I’m eagerly anticipating the next issue, hoping they find a way to survive this overwhelming threat.
Small Bites never fails to deliver biting humor, and this issue was no exception. Revisiting the tense events of The Walking Dead Issue #79 through the lens of absurdity was both refreshing and hilarious.
The parody opens with Rick attempting to console Aaron about Eric’s injury. Denise and Heath’s moment of intimacy is exaggerated to hilarious effect, with the two making over-the-top, cheeky innuendos. Poor Eric, lying on the operating table, groans in frustration, begging them to stop—or kill him outright. The humor is absurd and perfectly timed, making light of an otherwise dire moment.
Later, Rick and Carl’s conversation takes a comedic turn. Carl expresses his excitement about the thrill of killing walkers in such a deadpan, nonchalant way that Rick is left awkwardly speechless, stumbling to exit the room, leaving Carl grinning.
I couldn’t stop laughing throughout this issue. The parody’s over-the-top take on Heath and Denise’s flirting and Eric’s exasperation had me in stitches. Carl’s dry humor and Rick’s flustered reaction were the perfect cherry on top. It’s moments like these that remind me why Small Bites is such a gem—it brings levity to a grim world, balancing the tension with much-needed humor.
Aww, I'm sad that Aaron was stabbed and I hope that he's going to be okay, as I like his character. I also like Aaron and Eric as a couple, even though we don't get a lot of scenes with them.
Whoo! Glad that Aaron's going to be okay. I also thought it was sweet how Eric hugged and kissed Aaron, once he was sure that his partner was going to be okay. I loved that.
I feel like Andrea's words are famous last words. Her saying that makes me think that she's gonna get attacked and hurt pretty badly, or die pretty soon. It's just a feeling that I have.
If Michonne can chill out and not act like such a bitch all the time, then I think that she and Morgan could be good together as a couple. She just needs to calm the fuck down and be nice.
I don't like the way Carl acts. Half of the time I want Rick to kick his ass for the things he says and does. I get that Carl's been through a lot, but that doesn't mean he gets free reign to act like a jerk.
I hope that Abraham keeps kicking zombie ass while they're out there at the construction site. He also needs to teach the other people in Alexandria to be just like him. He's a zombie killing machine and it's awesome.
I like that Rick's being nice to Jessie, especially given that her husband tried to and wanted to kill him. I have a feeling that if Jessie's around for a few more issues, she and Rick are gonna hook up.
I know that they need to clean the zombies away from the gate, but why don't they just kill them THROUGH the gate? I mean, wouldn't that be a lot safer for them? There would be less chance that someone would get bitten and/or killed.
I don't understand why Aaron's getting pissy about Rick being in charge. It shouldn't matter who's in charge, as long as they do the best they can to keep everyone in Alexandria safe.
Well, I'm glad that Aaron didn't start a fight or argument over Rick taking over as the leader. Though I'm sure that Aaron saying he didn't want to leave again, was the last thing Douglas ever expected to hear him say.
Is it just me, or do most of the women in Alexandria have the same haircut? I keep thinking that Holly is Regina because they have/had the exact same haircut. Even though I know Regina's dead.
I wouldn't go so far as to call Regina a good person. I know you're not supposed to speak ill of the dead, but since this is just a comic book, I don't care. From the little we saw of Regina, she was crazy and should have been killed sooner.
I do like the conversation between Douglas and Aaron, and how we're finally seeing Douglas as a regular person. He doesn't usually let anyone seem him that way, so it's nice.
Holy shit! Look at all of those zombies! There's way too many of them for the small group to be able to take out. Well, maybe not, if Abraham goes crazy like he did a while back.