'A LARGER WORLD' CONTINUES. Rick and his group are welcomed into a new community, lead by a new charismatic leader. Rick has experienced this before. Is this the beginning of a new era of peace for Rick and the others... or is this man every bit as dangerous as The Governor?
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.
Conocen Hilltop y es GRANDIOSA, o por lo menos es mucho mejor que Alexandria. Jesus es un buen tipo, conocen al líder Gregory. Todo sucede rápido; y se revela un nuevo maton??? Rick se defiende y saca su verdadero lado.
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.
Issue #95 is a pivotal moment in The Walking Dead series, marking the introduction of the Hilltop Colony and expanding the world beyond Alexandria. The contrast between Rick’s group and Hilltop sets the stage for future conflicts and alliances. Paul Monroe (Jesus) continues to act as a calm mediator, trying to bridge the gap between Rick’s paranoia and Hilltop’s diplomacy.
Rick and his group finally arrive at Hilltop, guided by Paul Monroe. From the outset, tension is palpable. Rick is wary, his trust eroded by countless betrayals, but Paul is persistent. He emphasizes his intentions, pointing out that he could have easily killed Rick during the journey but chose not to. Carl, echoing a rare sense of innocence, tells Rick that Paul doesn’t seem like a "bad guy," which nudges Rick toward cautious acceptance.
Paul reassures Rick further by revealing that Hilltop is out of ammunition, underscoring their vulnerability. This bit of transparency helps Rick feel slightly more at ease, though the unease lingers.
As they approach Hilltop’s gates, guards Kal and Eduardo mistake the group for Negan’s men, highlighting the ever-looming threat of the Saviors. Paul's command over the guards shows Hilltop’s internal structure—there is order, but it’s clear tensions exist even within these walls. Kal’s hesitation in opening the gate until Paul forces him shows just how deeply fear runs through this community.
Once inside, Hilltop reveals itself as a well-developed settlement, bustling with life. Farms, livestock, and children give it the appearance of a thriving society, a stark contrast to Alexandria’s more hardened survivor mentality. Paul introduces Gregory, the leader of Hilltop, describing him as a man who "keeps the trains running on time." Gregory’s demeanor comes off as smug and self-important, hinting at the weak leadership style he will become infamous for.
The peaceful introduction shatters when Wesley rushes in, announcing Ethan’s return. The mention of Negan causes palpable anxiety. Ethan, clearly distressed, delivers a grim message: Hilltop hasn’t met its “bargain” with Negan, and to hammer that message home, Ethan stabs Gregory. The moment is swift, brutal, and shocking.
Rick’s instinct kicks in, and he tackles Ethan. Their scuffle is intense, and the stakes rise when Ethan warns that trying to save Gregory will result in Crystal’s death. Rick, desperate and furious, overpowers Ethan and plunges a blade into his throat, killing him.
The aftermath is haunting. Covered in blood, Rick stands before the stunned Hilltop residents and asks, “What?”—a chillingly casual response that encapsulates how desensitized he has become to violence. What should have been a diplomatic first meeting turns into a disaster, reinforcing Rick’s role as a hardened leader whose survival instinct often alienates others.
Hilltop’s introduction is visually striking. The spacious settlement contrasts sharply with the more cramped Alexandria. Its walls, unlike the TV adaptation’s rough log barricades, feel more structured, reflecting a community that’s lived in relative peace.
Gregory, as depicted here, is smug and self-serving, traits that align with his portrayal in the TV series. He embodies a bureaucrat who thrives on maintaining the illusion of order, even if it means bending to the will of people like Negan.
Rick’s actions in this issue are fascinating. While his decision to kill Ethan is understandable given the threat, it paints a poor first impression. Rick’s leadership style—reactive, aggressive, and pragmatic—might be necessary for survival, but it’s clear it will clash with Hilltop’s more diplomatic, albeit weak, approach.
Paul’s continued attempts to ease Rick’s anxiety are commendable, and Carl’s trust in Paul adds a human touch. Carl’s growth as a character is evident, yet it’s also a reminder of the innocence he’s slowly losing.
This issue sets up the tension between Hilltop, Rick’s group, and the looming menace of Negan. It’s a masterful blend of diplomacy gone wrong and a reminder that survival often comes at the cost of one’s humanity.
This issue continues the bizarre and surreal storyline introduced in the previous chapter. It’s a whimsical yet dark exploration of Carl’s psyche, contrasted by the absurdity of the world Davidson creates. The mixture of horror, humor, and strangeness makes it a standout entry in the Small Bites series.
After consuming what remains of Emily (a chilling detail that immediately sets the tone), the children gather with Davidson in his makeshift treehouse. Davidson orders his squirrel minions—yes, squirrels named Gertrude and others—to present a giant ball of chewed gum. The image is absurdly grotesque and oddly childlike, enticing the children to stay.
Carl, however, remains detached. He views Davidson with disdain and calls him out for his weird behavior. This moment of defiance from Carl underscores his alienation, as the other children are quick to side with Davidson. Steven’s aggressive response—demanding Carl leave—shows the sway Davidson holds over the group.
Davidson’s ominous statement about needing to "take care of" Carl suggests something darker, but Carl’s quick thinking leads him to escape by jumping onto an Alexandria van, a daring and impulsive move that showcases his resourcefulness.
This issue is surreal, blending dark humor with psychological tension. The concept of a "joyful world of Davidsonia" is both hilarious and unnerving. The imagery of the gum ball, the squirrels, and the children’s blind loyalty to Davidson creates an eerie atmosphere.
Carl’s isolation and boldness shine here. He’s a character teetering between childhood and hardened survivor, and this issue encapsulates that duality perfectly. It’s a strange, unsettling, yet oddly whimsical tale that stands out for its unique tone and execution.
Rick really out here killing people he doesn't know anything about. I'm just going to say it, if we never followed Rick's group & we saw him from a different group's point of view, he'd be the villain. Easily. x
Meet the Hilltop. And sight off the bat, shit happens... From the TV-show I know what happens, but I would have liked to see a bit more of the community in the comics before it all went down.
I agree with Jesus, he let Rick and the others tie him up and even though he could have broken free sooner and killed all of them, he didn't. So I have to think that counts for something.
I think Carl should have just stayed inside the van and let his Dad figure out what needs to done. Carl's a smart kid and all, but he can't read people and has no idea how dangerous these people could be.
I'm glad that Rick had Michonne kill those zombies that they saw. They need to save their ammunition in case things go badly when they meet these people, and need to protect themselves.
I like that Jesus was able to convince his people to open the gates, so that he, Rick and the others could go inside and talk to the guy in charge. Holy crap, look at all the people inside.
I'm glad that Jesus is taking the time to explain a little of how the community works to Rick and his group. I'm not too sure how I feel about the guy who is in charge. I've only just met him and he seems like a jerk.
Also, crap. That guy running into the community and telling everyone that he lost the rest of the people he was with. That's fucking sad. Oh shit, there's that name again. Negan.
I bet that guy's going to be a huge problem. Also, I can't believe the guy that just got back, stabbed Gregory. I mean I get that the guy seems like a dick, but still. Holy crap.
Oh okay, so the guy that Rick was fighting with is dead. I'm totally okay with that. If it comes down to Rick or someone else that's not from his group dying, I'd rather it be the other person.
I'm pretty sure that the rest of the people from the Hiltop where Jesus lives, isn't going to want to do trading with Rick and his group now. They look like a bunch of wusses at first glance.
Quickly approaching Issue 100, can't wait to see how that one turns out. The Hillside is definitely going to be a great side story. Of course Rick kills someone in the first few pages, Walking Dead wouldn't be the same without Rick going nuts. But I'm intrigued, glad to have some new characters join the bunch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.