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Andrea still mourns for Dale.

29 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

4 people are currently reading
198 people want to read

About the author

Robert Kirkman

2,778 books6,966 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
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.
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 Kelsie.
296 reviews24 followers
October 31, 2022
Okay, it's been a while and I've basically forgotten what happened in the previous comic. (and yes, I still hate the new Goodreads layout.
Right so, looks like the group that went out to scavenge have come up gold. Good for them.
Now we're back to Debbie Downer Rick, who holds a meeting to ask if anyone can find him a farmer, did he really need to hold a meeting for that. Sis, you could have gone round yourself, asking people. But he has a little moment with Andrea, he doesn't want to be with her because everyone he cares about dies, which is funny because everyone I liked from the show died too. Samesies, Rick, samesies.
Andrea is indeed talking to a f*cking hat.
Was that Jesus at the end, it looks like it. Was he already introduced because it's been so long since I read this that I can't remember. Need to stop doing that.
Overall, not the most interesting issue, actually it was straight up boring.
x
December 3, 2024
In this issue, Glenn leads a large group—including Maggie, Heath, Aaron, and Eric—on a scavenging mission outside the Alexandria Safe-Zone. Despite the inherent dangers of such trips, the team remains focused and resourceful. When Eric is attacked by a walker, Aaron saves him just in time. Glenn takes out another walker before it can reach Aaron, demonstrating how cohesive the group has become under extreme conditions. Though the run isn’t as fruitful as they might have hoped, they return to Alexandria with some supplies, feeling accomplished nonetheless. Maggie expresses relief, noting that she no longer worries as much when Glenn is out on runs, reflecting the growing trust and resilience within the group. Eugene, ever the oddball, humorously celebrates the fact that he doesn’t have to sleep in the van anymore, much to Rosita’s playful teasing.

Back at the Safe-Zone, Rick gathers the community to address their dwindling food supply. His speech is pragmatic yet dire—while scavenging has provided temporary relief, it’s not sustainable. He proposes a plan to start farming within the community, assigning Nicholas and Abraham to locate potential farmers and suitable farmland. This proactive thinking underscores Rick’s leadership, focusing not just on survival but on building a future.

Meanwhile, Carl and Sophia share a poignant moment. Sophia asks Carl when "her parents" will return, and Carl, without thinking, responds that Glenn and Maggie aren’t her real parents, only to immediately apologize. Sophia, however, brushes it off, acknowledging that pretending brings her happiness. This brief exchange is heart-wrenching, revealing the coping mechanisms these children have developed in a world where innocence has been stripped away.

Later, Andrea confronts Rick about allowing Nicholas into the inner circle, a decision Rick defends. However, their conversation turns personal when Andrea holds Rick’s hand. He notices she’s no longer wearing Dale’s hat, which leads to an awkward rejection of her advances. Rick confesses his fear—everyone he loves dies, and he doesn’t want Andrea to meet the same fate. It’s a tender yet tragic moment that highlights Rick’s internal struggle between wanting connection and fearing loss.

Elsewhere, Abraham and Holly have a lighthearted conversation in front of the gate, providing a brief respite from the tension. Aaron and Eric share a sweet moment as Eric reveals a hidden bottle of scotch, initially upsetting Aaron, but the mood quickly shifts to affection. These tender moments offer a stark contrast to the looming danger.

As night falls, an ominous presence is revealed—a mysterious figure watches Alexandria through binoculars, hinting at future trouble.

This issue masterfully balances action, emotional depth, and looming tension.

The chemistry between Eric and Aaron is genuinely heartwarming. Their playful banter over the hidden scotch is a rare moment of levity in an otherwise grim world. It’s refreshing to see these moments of love and normalcy amidst the chaos, and it adds a layer of humanity that keeps the story grounded.

Carl and Sophia’s conversation is one of the most emotionally resonant scenes. Carl’s blunt remark about Sophia’s real parents contrasts sharply with his immediate apology, showing how even children are forced to navigate complex emotional terrain. Sophia’s ability to find solace in pretending is both heartbreaking and deeply human.

Andrea’s scene talking to Dale’s hat is both sad and humorous. It’s a raw depiction of grief and loneliness, and when she angrily stops herself, it’s a reminder of how isolation can push people toward strange coping mechanisms. The fact that Andrea, Rick, and others engage in these “phantom conversations” underscores the mental toll this world exacts.

Rick’s rejection of Andrea is layered with fear and trauma. His belief that everyone he loves dies shows just how much he’s haunted by past losses. It’s a powerful exploration of survivor’s guilt and the difficulty of allowing oneself to love in a world where loss is inevitable.

The final reveal of an unknown figure spying on Alexandria sent a chill down my spine. Just when the community seems to be stabilizing, there’s always a new threat. The relentless cycle of survival, brief peace, and new danger is exhausting yet compelling. It raises the tension for future issues, leaving readers anxious about what’s to come.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The hilarious Small Bites Issue #21 is smaller issue delivers an innovative approach by incorporating a maze game into its narrative. Glenn, Maggie, Aaron, and Eric’s supply run is interrupted by walkers, and Eric hilariously uses a bottle of whiskey as a weapon. Though the story is simple, the inclusion of a maze as a narrative device is unique and interactive. However, the complexity of the maze was challenging, and I didn’t manage to finish it, adding to the suspense and immersion of the story.

Both issues highlight the emotional highs and lows of survival. The juxtaposition of tender moments with impending threats makes them stand out. Eric and Aaron’s love, Carl and Sophia’s vulnerability, and Rick’s fear all paint a rich, layered picture of humanity in crisis. And that unknown observer? I’m dreading—and eagerly anticipating—what comes next.
Profile Image for Laina.
237 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2016
Oh shit! Aaron and Eric were almost zombie chow! I'm glad that neither of them ended up getting bitten, and I'm glad that Glenn killed the zombie behind Aaron, before it got him.

I like that Heath came running out with his bat, ready and willing to kick some zombie ass. It means that Rick's group is slowly getting the original Alexandrians used to defending themselves and others.

I'm glad that they're still taking out the bigger groups to get supplies. I feel like they'll be safer that way. There would be more people to keep a lookout for zombies, and to fight them off if need be.

I like that Rick, Abraham, Michonne and a few others got together to discuss the food situation. I also like that they are FINALLY getting serious about starting to farm. They should have been doing that from the beginning.

The quick conversation between Carl and Sophia tells a lot. I don't like that Carl was blunt with Sophia and reminded her that her biological parents are dead, but at least it made Sophia admit that she's just pretending everything's okay.

The conversation between Rick and Andrea makes me sad. I get that Rick's upset because the people he's cared about have died. But that's no excuse to keep from finding love again.

It's actually the best reason there is to keep trying to find love. He or Andrea could die at any time, and I know that Rick would end up regretting not taking a chance with Andrea.

Abraham has a right to be worried, but Rick's doing what's best for all of them. Abraham would have to do the same if he were in Rick's position, or all of them would end up starving.

So, I think that Andrea's feeling guilty for starting to like Rick romantically, and then she feels mad at herself for feeling guilty. She doesn't need to feel guilty. Dale would want her to be happy.

I'm glad that Glenn and the other's are back, safe and sound. I also liked the honest conversation between Sophia, Glenn and Maggie. I'm glad that Glenn and Maggie let Sophia know that they love her, even though she's not their biological daughter.

Aaron and Eric are so cute. I love it when we finally get to see a few scenes between them. They make things seem almost normal, with how they act with each other. I like it.

I get that Carl's still going through a lot, having to adjust to being without one of his eyes, but that doesn't give him free reign to act like a jerk to his father. I also assume that hormones or whatever are in the mix now, too.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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