The Walking Dead #165 Review

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Alexandria, Charlie Adlard, comics, Dwight, Dwight The Walking Dead, Image Comcis, Lucile the Walking Dead, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Hilltop, The Kingdom, The Saviors, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #165, The Walking Dead #165 Review, The Whisperers, TWD, Walker herd, Walkers, Zombies

The Walking Dead #165

　Review by Paul Bowler

Opportunity strikes as the battle for survival rages on in The Walking Dead #165, Alexandria has fallen before the terrifying might of the Walker herd unleashed at the end of the Whisperer War, and now the shambling tide of the dead threatens to overwhelm them all. Trapped inside Alexandria, Rick and Negan must work together to have any hope of escape. Meanwhile outside, Carl leads a group of Hilltop survivors into battle with Dwight and his team to thin out the herd while Maggie, Andrea, Eugene, Michonne, and Jesus set out on horseback to drive the horde away from Alexandria and towards the ocean, as the Saviors continue to watch, and wait for their moment…

The war with the Whisperer might be over, at least for now anyway, but there have been major losses on all sides. Father Gabriel is dead, the Hilltop has been completely raised to the ground, and Beta’s parting act to set the massive Walker herd on Alexandria has placed Rick’s community and his friends in dire peril.

Rick Kirkman always writes The Walking Dead in a way that often challenges and defies out expectations with the completely unexpected. In hindsight of Negan’s and Rick’s impromptu hear-to-heart last issue – now there’s a sentence I never EVER thought I’d write in a million years – the dynamic between them has been radically altered, but as they fight side-by-side against the Walkers in this issue there’s still that gnawing doubt that the reluctant trust this situation has forged between them is more a case of better the devil you know for both of them. Still, it will be interesting to see how this pans out. Its also good to see the rest of the Alexandrians following their lead – especially after they all high tailed it and left Rick and Negan to fend for themselves when the gates of Alexandria fell – and rise up to fight alongside them against the undead masses.

Charlie Adlard’s artwork for The Walking Dead #165 provides us with a veritable tour de force of action and drama, with bold, stylishly structured page layouts building the tension. The 16 panel page grid is once more utilized, arguably to ever greater effect that even during the Whisperer War, to condense the action featuring Rick and Negan, Carl and Lydia, Dwight’s team, Andrea, Maggie, Dante, Jesus, Michonne, and Eugene as the battle inside with the zombies and the plan outside to ferry the herd away form Alexandria unfolds at break neck speed! Stefano Gaudiano’s stunning inks and the impeccable grey tones by Cliff Rathburn bring added fervour and intensity to every scene. The panoramic Cliffside two-page spread is both beautifully and horrifically realized by Adlard, Guadiano, and Rathburn, succinctly and sharply polarizing the simplicity of Eugene’s assessment of the success of their plan with the potential environmental consequences such action will bring to coldly illustrate that – zombie apocalypse or not – humanity is still probably going to end up dumping its shit into the sea until the end of the world and beyond anyway.

This issue frenetically intercuts between a number of plot strands, with attempts to prevent sections of the Walker herd turning back towards Alexandria putting key characters in moral jeopardy, and the Saviors – who have been observing from the sidelines for so long – finally decide to make their move. To think, only a few issues ago, it looked like Rick had won the Whisperer War, but as Beta retreated the Walker herd was released, and with all the communities in disarray everything that Rick and the survivors have fought so hard to build looks like it could be swept away overnight.

The Walking Dead #165 is another terrific issue from Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard that takes this Image Comics series to new heights of unparallel drama and suspense. Things that have been foreshadowed are slowly coming to pass, the spoils of victory are there for the taking, it just remains to be seen who will be left standing to claim them! The Walking Dead #165 certainly has a cliff-hanger to end all cliff-hangers as well, and its one that’ll sink its teeth into the collective fandom of The Walking Dead like never before!

Publisher: Image

Writer: Robert Kirkman / Art: Charlie Adlard

Inks: Stefano Gaudiano / Grey tones: Cliff Rathburn / Letters: Rus Wooton

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The Walking Dead #162 Review

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Alexandria, Charlie Adlard, comics, Dwight, Dwight The Walking Dead, Image Comcis, Lucile the Walking Dead, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Hilltop, The Kingdom, The Saviors, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #162, The Walking Dead #162 Review, The Whisperer War Part 6, The Whisperers, TWD, Walker herd, Walkers, Zombies

The Walking Dead #162

Review by Paul Bowler

Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors face their darkest hour in The Walking Dead #162 from Image Comics as the final battle with the Whisperers begins. Maggie led The Hilltop to victory during the Whisperers devastating attack on her community, but Barrington House is now a smouldering ruin. Now, as Eugene risks everything to deliver a much needed consignment of ammunition to Alexandria, Rick and Andrea plan their next move, but the Saviors are secretly plotting against Rick, and the Whisperers are about to launch their last ditch offensive against Alexandria as the Whisperer War reaches its blood curdling conclusion!

The Whisperer War has certainly shaken things up for The Walking Dead universe as the communities of Alexandria, The Hilltop, The Kingdom, and The Saviors have gradually been drawn into the conflict with the Whisperers. There have been plenty of shocks and surprises along the way. Dwight has really stepped up to the plate during this storyline, helping train the Alexandrian’s to fight the Whisperers, and the way his team survived the Walker herd by using Whisperer skins was ingenious. Eugene’s ongoing radio conversations with an unknown community slowly began to grow in trust, Carl also risked his life helping to get people to safety when the Hilltop was attacked, and Lydia refused to rejoin the Whisperers – making her point clear in the most spectacular way imaginable. There have been casualties too, most notably Father Gabriel’s gruesome death, and perhaps the most shocking event of all was the unexpected demise of Negan’s beloved baseball bat Lucille during his fight with the Whisperer’s hulking new leader, Beta!

Robert Kirkman begins to gather the numerous plot threads and communities together in this final part of the Whisperer War. This issue we are treated to some of the series’ most poignant and emotional scenes so far, with Negan mourning Lucille, the reinforcements from The Kingdom arriving to help the survivors of the battle at the Hilltop, and there’s an especially moving scene between Carl and Lydia as well.

The 16 panel page grid is used to great effect once again in this issue. Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard have had so many characters and locations to cover during this arc and this panel layout really plays to their strengths, particularly here in The Walking Dead #162, enabling the issue to strike just the right balance between action, drama, and strong character moments to drive the plot towards its thrilling conclusion. The artwork by Charlie Adlard, together with Stefano Gaudiano’s exceptional inks, and grey tones by Cliff Rathburn delivers some brilliant set-pieces: including Negan’s poignant moment of reflection, the sweeping vista depicting the aftermath of the Hilltop battle, and a terrifying Walker horde that will make your jaw hit the floor!

You might be forgiven at one point into thinking that this storyline is winding down a little too conveniently at one stage, with Eugene, and then Dwight and his team, returning to Alexandria, but there is a gnawing sense that all is not going as well as it seems, and sure enough, Rick’s instincts prove horrifically right!

The Whisperer War has been one of the most epic, bloody, and violent storylines we’ve seen in a long while in The Walking Dead. If you thought the title had been coasting along a little in the aftermath of All Out War, then this issue will certainly change all that with its game changing finale scenes, and you will be left in no doubt that the zombie apocalypse is really going to heat up now in the wake of what Beta has unleashed.

So, get ready for some exciting times ahead as The Walking Dead celebrates Image’s 25^th anniversary next month, with The Walking Dead #163, an bigger issue than normal at lower price of 25 cents, and then The Walking Dead #164 that also ships in February!

Publisher: Image

Writer: Robert Kirkman / Art: Charlie Adlard / Inks: Stefano Gaudiano

Grey tones: Cliff Rathburn / Letters: Rus Wooton

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The Walking Dead #158 Review

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Alexandria, Charlie Adlard, comics, Dwight, Image Comcis, Lucile the Walking Dead, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Hilltop, The Kingdom, The Saviors, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #158, The Walking Dead #158 review, The Whispere War Part 2, The Whisperers, TWD, Walker herd, Walkers, Zombies

The Walking Dead #158

Review by Paul Bowler

The Whisperer War rages on in The Walking Dead #158 as Beta, enraged after Alpha was killed and beheaded by Negan, sends the Whisperers mighty undead herd to strike back against Rick and his allies. Still mindful of Negan’s motives, Rick allows Negan to help on the front line. The communities of Alexandria, The Saviors, The Hilltop, and the Kingdom will soon face their greatest challenge, but nothing could prepare Dwight’s new military force for the sight of the terrifying Walker herd the Whisperers have unleashed on them…

The Whisperer War: Part 2 begins with the shock death of one of the series’ regular characters, and its one that few could’ve genuinely seen coming. The Whisperers are certainly amongst the most chilling adversaries that Rick and his fellow survivors have ever faced. This unnerving Walker skin wearing group have proved to be as cunning as they are deadly, having already used ruthless terror tactics against those who dared to violate their territory, but with Beta now out to avenge Alpha’s death this issue illustrates just what a force they are to be reckoned with – especially now that Beta’s let loose what can only be described as this apocalyptic worlds Undead equivalent of a weapon of mass destruction: the Walker herd!

Robert Kirkman skilfully builds the action and tension throughout this issue. It may have taken a while to actually get to the Whisperers War, but now that this new arc is in full swing its sure turning out to have been well worth the wait! Numerous events unfold, taking in Alexandria, The Saviors, The Hilltop, and the Kingdom, as the separate communities react to the current threat in very different, and sometimes surprising ways. There’s also a greater sense of just how tenuously balanced this brave new world that Rick has been striving to establish, really is. One of the big highlights of the issue are the scenes with Dwight and Negan on the front line, the dialogue here is utterly priceless, and the way it spills over into the attack by the Whisperers herd is brilliantly staged.

The Walking Dead #158 features the winning combination of Charlie Adlard’s excellent artwork, Stefano Gaudiano’s inks, and grey tones Cliff Rathburn, in what is arguably one of their finest issues so far. The use of 16 panel page grid is employed once more in this issue, it’s been a good move by Robert Kirkman Charlie Adlard, and works really well in the context of this arc – especially as its been so densely plotted and action-packed in places. All of the different character arcs and geographic locals this issue packs in are deftly handled by the creative team, the action flows seamlessly, and the narrative is peppered with some great character moments. There are so many standout events in this issue: the gruesome death of a main character is probably one of the most visceral scenes I’ve seen in this series for a long while, likewise, the sight of Michonne and Jesus charging into battle is great scene stealer, and the overwhelming power of the Walker herd is also another jaw dropping set-piece as the Whisperers vicious tactics press home their advantage.

We’re only two issues in with this six-part story arc and its already shaping up to be one hell of a game changer. The Walking Dead #158 builds to a rousing close. Battle lines are drawn, Eugene’s radio conversation subplot continues bubbling away mysteriously in the background, and the arrival of reinforcements certainly prove to be a rousing moment. But everything is overshadowed by the anticipation of the mother of all showdowns that’s set up for the next issue, as two of series’ biggest, baldest, heavy hitters face off at last!

Publisher: Image / Writer: Robert Kirkman / Art: Charlie Adlard

Inks: Stefano Gaudiano / Grey tones: Cliff Rathburn / Letters: Rus Wooton

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The Walking Dead #153 Review

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Alexandria, Charlie Adlard, comics, Dwight, Image Comcis, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Hilltop, The Saviors, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #153, The Whisperers, TWD, Zombies

The Walking Dead #153

Review by Paul Bowler

Brandon attacked Rick Grimes to get revenge after Rick killed his father, but Rick easily defeated and humiliated him. After disobeying the order to return to the Hilltop community, Brandon foolishly decided to free Negan from his cell and help him escape from Alexandria. Now, Negan is on the loose in The Walking Dead #153, and it doesn’t take the former Saviors leader long to resume his murderous ways…

In the wake of Negan’s long-awaited debut in the Season Six finale of The Walking Dead TV series, it’s perhaps no surprise that the characters role in the Image Comics series now takes centre stage once more. Yes, after his long incarceration in Alexandria after the events of All Out War, Negan is free at last! After Rick rallied the people of Alexandria to face the threat posed by the sinister Walker-Skin wearing Whisperers in the series’ landmark 150^th issue, Rick and Dwight started training a new Alexandrian military force to fight the Whisperers, along with a new recruit – Father Gabriel. Michonne is now set to become the next leader of the Kingdom, and Eugene has managed to make contact with an unknown group via his radio experiment.

This issue of The Walking Dead really gives the series a new sense of momentum. Right from the opening moments, where Negan dons his jacket once more, Robert Kirkman skilfully builds the tension as Rick faces the prospect that his old enemy is out there somewhere plotting his downfall. The scenes with Negan and Brandon are some of the issues finest moments, Negan is at his foul-mouthed best, its great to see the character taking such a prominent role again, and Brandon’s plan certainly points him in the right direction for revenge against Rick and Alexandria.

Rick and Michonne soon figure out that Negan and must have snuck out with Maggie’s group as they left Alexandria to return to the Hilltop. But, while Aaron and Michonne go looking for Negan, tensions run high at Alexandria, a near fatal mistake by one of the Alexandrians causes Rick to question his recent actions, and the price his community might pay for the intense methods he’s used to prepare them for war against the Whisperers. Dwight also gets some great moments while training a group of Alexandrians. Since renouncing his leadership of the Saviors to work alongside Rick, Dwight has really come into his own as a reformed character now, and we also get to understand his reasons for brining the Lucille with him after he uses the notorious baseball bat to dispatch some Walkers after his team get caught off guard while training in the woods.

The Walking Dead #153 features some great artwork by Charlie Adlard, the brooding menace caused by Negan’s escape seems to permeate though every scene, and we are left in no doubt just how serious the situation is becoming. Adlard realizes several different characters and locations throughout this issue, with Stefano Gaudiano’s inks and Cliff Rathburn’s grey tones giving each scene its own distinctive look and atmosphere. Negan looks every bit the series’ big bad, all he needs now is a certain baseball bat to complete the look! There’s also some great zombie action when Dwight and his team come under attack, but it is the scene where Rick questions Paul that is probably one of this issues – if not this arcs – most defining moments.

Although the newer characters introduced since All Out War still need some pretty major development to make them anywhere even half as interesting as the comic book series’ major characters, this issue feels very much like a step in the right direction to accomplishing just that. Negan’s escape is another great move on Kirkman’s part, it’s certainly sure to shake up the new status quo, and spell big trouble for Rick and his friends. The Walking Dead #153 closes with one of the most ruthless and callous moments that we’ve seen in a long while, oh yeah, Negan is back, he’s as nasty as hell, and we wouldn’t want it any other way!

Publisher: Image / Writer: Robert Kirkman / Art: Charlie Adlard

Inks: Stefano Gaudiano / Grey tones: Cliff Rathburn / Letters: Rus Wooton

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The Walking Dead #150 Review

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Carl Grime, Charlie Adlard, Dwight, Image Comics, Lucile, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Saviors, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #150, The Whisperers, TWD, Walkers, Zombies

The Walking Dead #150

Review by Paul Bowler

Everything comes to a head in Image Comics The Walking Dead #150 as Rick Grimes faces his toughest challenge so far. With the people of Alexandria demanding action against the Whisperers, Rick’s leadership and vision for the communities is under threat. Seeking advice from the captive Negan, he refuses to lie to his people like the former Saviors leader suggests, instead Rick decides to train his people like an army to fight the Whisperers, just as Dwight chooses to leave the Sanctuary, taking the infamous baseball bat “Lucile” with him. Now in The Walking Dead #150 Rick will have to fight tooth and nail to hold onto his leadership, whilst finding the resolve to stay true to everything he has strived to hard to build, and rally his people to unite against the Whisperers.

The Walking Dead #150 is one hell of an issue. Sure, this arc has been something of a slow burner at times. But following the Whisperers horrific act of terror against them, which lead to Rick clashing with Maggie after she admitted having Gregory executed for trying to murder her, and saw Andrea take Carl and Lydia, the daughter of the Whisperers leader, Alpha, to the Hilltop for their own protection as unrest grew in Alexandria. Rick’s ensuing consultation with Negan was an unexpected, yet insightful move on Rick’s part. However, the former Saviors leaders advice didn’t get him released from captivity like he expected, but it did give Rick the impetus he needed to tell Eugene about his plan to form a military, which will focus the community, thereby quelling the unrest, and give Rick and his friends time to figure out the best way to strike back against the Whisperers.

It’s clear now how Robert Kirkman has been building the series towards this pivotal moment. He’s saved the payoff for this epic 150^th issue, there’s some big game changing events in this issue, and its certainly been well worth the wait. Right from the start we are privy to an apparent departure, which I’m pleased to say isn’t actually quite as final as we might’ve expected, before events shift back to Alexandria, where Rick must tackle a brutal challenge to his authority from an unexpected quarter. Its a shocking, brutal, and really gives us something to sink out teeth into.

This issue of The Walking Dead is edge of the seat stuff at times, with Rick battling back from the edge of oblivion, before taking decisive action that he hopes will finally bring his community together as a cohesive fighting force. Its not all doom and gloom though, there’s time for a passionate interlude for Carl and Lydia over at the Hilltop, and Dwight’s initial departure is also tinged with a ray of hope, and companionship too.

Everything culminates with Rick’s address to his community at Alexandria. Robert Kirkman pulls out all the stops here, in what is possibly one of the series’ finest moments ever, as Rick Grimes speaks to his people and implores them not to jeopardise everything they’ve built together by going off half-cocked for revenge against the Whisperers – despite how the Walker-Skin wearing Whisperers mercilessly killed some of their people and stuck their now zombiefied heads (including Ezekiel’s) on spikes as a warning to stay out of their territory.

Rick is terrified of things going back to the way they were before… when everything started way back during the aftermath of the outbreak, before Rick and his group arrived, before the these communities found each other and finally coexisted in peace. Rick, his friends, everyone in these communities, they’ve all lost so much already. If anything, its not only Rick’s words here that resolutely defines him as their leader, its an act of selfless mercy that sets him apart from everyone else in the room, and its that moment that makes this issue so outstanding.

The Walking Dead #150 is a superb showcase for Charlie Adlard’s incredible artwork. Each scene powerfully relays the actions and emotions of the characters and situations perfectly. Intricate, flowing page layouts set the brisk pace and tone of this issue, Adlard often takes us right up close to the action as well, most notably when Rick is fighting for survival. There are some impressively detailed full page scenes as well, each depicting single key story beats that strikingly punctuate the action throughout the issue. The inks by Stefano Gaudiano brings out the vivid clarity and detail of Adlard’s pencils, every scene stands out from the page, and the grey tones by Cliff Rathburn and lettering by Rus Wooton complete the striking visuals for this extra special issue.

The Walking Dead #150 is a celebration of the amazing talent that have worked so hard on this Image Comics series of the last twelve years. Its evolved into something really special, been ground breaking in every sense of the word. This 150^th issues features a cover by Charlie Adlard and Dave Stewart, there are also some amazing variants as well, including one by Tony Moore, whose variant cover mirrors that distinctive original issue #1 cover, and there are also variants by Jason Lator, Ryan Ottley, Charlie Adlard, and a blank sketch variant.

The Walking Dead #150 is a landmark issue in very sense of the word; in fact, it is everything we hoped it would be, and then some. The action doesn’t let up for a moment, its brutally violent, with characterization to die for, and by that two-page closing moment you will be left in no doubt whatsoever who is in charge… One thing’s for sure, the scene is set for some big events to come, here’s to the next exciting chapter of The Walking Dead!

Publisher: Image / Writer: Robert Kirkman / Art: Charlie Adlard

Inks: Stefano Gaudiano / Grey tones: Cliff Rathburn / Letters: Rus Wooton

Cover A Charlie Adlard and Dave Stewart / Cover B Blank Sketch

Cover C Jason Latour / Cover D Tony Moore / Cover E Ryan Ottley

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The Walking Dead #141 Review

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Carl Grimes, Charlie Adlard, Image Comics, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #141, The Walking Dead #141 Review, The Whisperers, Walkers, Zombies

The Walking Dead #141

Review by Paul Bowler

Over at the harbor, Rick and Ezekiel greeted Michonne as she returned from sea with her crew and their catch of fish for the communities. Meanwhile, Carl sneaked away from the Hilltop to rescue Lydia from the Whisperers, only to get caught and taken to the Whisperers’ camp where he’s shocked to see how many are living there. Back in Alexandria, when Olivia fails to lock Negan’s cell properly, she unwittingly provides the Saviors’ former leader with a chance to escape. Now as Rick returns to Alexandria in The Walking Dead #141 he must confront Negan once more, while over at the Hilltop community, having survived Gregory’s botched attempt to poison her, Maggie must now decide if he should be allowed to live…

The cliff-hanger ending to last issue heralds what could become the biggest turning point in this current story arc. It was bound to happen eventually, and the prospect of Negan getting out of his cell has kept us all eagerly awaiting this moment. The fact that it’s not the violent bloodbath we might have expected makes this issue all the more impressive, as Robert Kirkam masterfully subverts our expectations, and instead we are treated to a face-off between Rick and Negan that positively crackles with tension and underlying menace.

Negan is at his most laid-back and foul-mouthed best throughout. Seeing Negan so smug and Rick so rattled makes for some of the best scenes so far in this storyline. Negan is never one to mince words, he’s as perverse and disgusting as ever, but amidst all his expletive-ridden diatribe we get a sense of just how well Negan has judged the wider picture beyond the walls of his cell, and the merest notion of what he suggests leads to some unsettlingly dark home truths for Rick and the brave new world he’s worked so hard to establish.

Charlie Adlard’s artwork for The Walking Dead continues to be as impressive as ever. The big highlight this issue is the confrontation between Rick and Negan, with Adlard ensuring every disquieting moment is honed to perfection and the sheer brooding intensity of these scenes certainly leave us with plenty to ponder over. Adlard also gets to feature plenty of other characters during this issue as well. We finally get to see Dwight when he seeks some advice about his leadership of the Saviors from Rick, and it’s really good to catch up with this character after such a long time. Oliva is also brought to task by Rick for not making sure that Negan’s cell was locked correctly, and Rosita makes an announcement to everyone about her and Eugene having a baby, although Rick is quick to note that Eugene isn’t exactly excited about it…

Rick now has to face some difficult issues about the choices he’s made, not least from Andrea, when she questions his reasoning again for not killing Negan after they captured him at the end of All Out War. Of course, Rick still doesn’t know about Carl going off into the Whisperers territory yet, but as he explains to Andrea why he didn’t take the easy option and execute Negan after the war between their communities, he’s also unaware that the very foundation of everything he’s strived to build could already be on the verge of falling apart.

The Walking Dead #141 delivers one of this Image Comics series’ most shocking cliff-hangers so far. Its becoming clear now that Robert Kirkman is paving the way for some extremely challenging times for Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors, especially now the fundamental principles of Rick’s fledgling society are at stake, and the impact of Charlie Adlard’s art in that final scene ensures this disturbing turn of events will be something that you wont forget in a hurry either.

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The Walking Dead #137 Review

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Carl Grimes, Charlie Adlard, Image Comics, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Walking Dead, The Whisperers, TWD, Walkers, Zombies

The Walking Dead #137

Review by Paul Bowler

When two teenage boys attacked Carl and Sophia at the Hilltop, Carl struck back and beat them savagely with a shovel. Maggie placed Carl in a cell for his own protection when the boy’s parents demand justice. During his time in lock-up, Carl befriended Lydia, the young Whisperer that Jesus captured. Now that Sophia has woken from her coma, she is able to verify Carl’s self-defence story, and Carl is soon released. Later he also assumes responsibly for Lydia when she is released from lock-up. Meanwhile, Gregory’s plot to take back control of the Hilltop from Maggie takes a sinister turn. Having bonded over their experiences in the Zombie apocalypse, Carl and Lydia begin to get even closer…

Robert Kirkman continues to keep the focus on Carl Grimes in The Walking Dead #137 as the simmering undercurrents of unrest at the Hilltop threaten to boil over and bring Maggie’s leadership to an end. Ever since the war between the Saviors and the Hilltop communities ended and Negan was imprisoned, the stability and peace that Rick and his fellow survivors established after rebuilding Alexandria has seemed relatively solid. The two year time shift has really allowed the characters grow and evolve, especially Carl, and his decision to move to the Hilltop and learn a trade as a Blacksmith has certainly led to some exciting developments.

Now we get a sense of how quickly loyalties can be swayed in this new alliance, when Gregory, having stirred up trouble between Maggie and the parents of Carl and Sophia’s attackers for his own gain, seizes his chance to strike at Maggie under the pretence of friendship. It’s dark, foreboding stuff, especially when Maggie finds herself in dire peril. Let’s hope there’s some serious payback waiting for Gregory in the not too distant future!

Carl’s new friendship with Lydia also plays a pivotal role in this issue. Carl has grown so much as a character over the last few issues, moving from Alexandria to the Hilltop, protecting Sophia from their attackers, and now he even takes on responsibility for Lydia after she is released. The chilling introduction of the Whisperers, people who wear the skin of the dead so they can travel alongside the Walkers, has also become one of the most intriguing aspects of this storyline.

Robert Kirkman has gradually built up the mystery surrounding the Whisperers for a while now, even with everything Lydia revealed about them and their way of life, I think we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface as far as the Whisperers are concerned. The friendship between Lydia and Carl has continued to blossom since their time spent in the adjacent cells in the lock-up, after Carl was released he even returned to give her his hat so she wouldn’t feel so scared and insecure. The moments they share in this issue are extremely moving. Even so, I still don’t trust Lydia, and I’m sure her seduction of Carl is some kind of sinister deception on her part.

Charlie Adlard excels this issue; his art wrings every ounce of drama and emotion from Kirkman’s script. The Walking Dead is often at its most compelling and dark during these seemingly quieter instalments, and this issue is no exception. Adlard conveys the characters emotions perfectly, while Stefano Gaudiano’s inks and Cliff Rathburn’s grey tones enhance the atmosphere of every scene with ominous shadows and intense attention to the finest detail.

The Walking Dead #137 is another great issue. Sure, the pace is still a little slow, but events during this issue sets in motion some significant developments that could potentially herald some major turning points in this storyline.

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The Walking Dead #128 Review

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Alexandria, Charlie Adlard, Image Comics, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #128, The Walking Dead #128 Review, Zombies

The Walking Dead #128

Review by Paul Bowler

The war between the Saviors and the Hilltop communities is over. Negan was defeated and imprisoned. Two years have now passed, Rick and his fellow survivors have rebuilt Alexandria, transforming it into a well protected, self-sustaining community, where Negan is still held captive in a secure cell. Rick has made a good recovery since his leg was broken, although he still walks with a stick, and Carl wants to learn to become a Blacksmith and move to the Hilltop. Now, as Rick and Eugene tour some of Alexandria’s facilities, a new group of survivors, led by a woman called Magna, have been welcomed into their community and begin to settle in. Outwardly, everything seems fine, but can these newcomers really be trusted?

After the conclusion of All Out War, last issue saw events jump forward two years as we rejoined Rick and the other survivors after they had rebuilt Alexandria, Rick even wears a very basic prosthesis on his missing hand now, and the community he has established seems to be thriving. The majority of The Walking Dead #128 centres around how well Alexandria is doing, especially with the addition of a mill and bakery, even Rick is bowled over by the irony that bread could soon become a more valuable commodity to his community than even bullets.

I really like this change in pace that Robert Kirkman has introduced to the series. Its good to see Rick and his friends doing so well now, however, this is The Walking Dead, so I wouldn’t expect things to stay too idyllic for long. Kirkman gives us breathing room to catch up with some of the characters, including Eugene, although his relationship with Rosita doesn’t seem to be in a good place right now. The time has come for Rick to decide if he will let Carl go and live at the Hilltop and train to become a Blacksmith. This is a great scene, it’s possibly one of the hardest decisions Rick’s ever had to make, the moment is also incredibly poignant, and gives you a real sense of just how much time has passed and how much the characters have evolved.

Negan is still confined, he doesn’t seem in a good way, physically or mentally, however, as we know, he can never be underestimated. The most interesting aspect of The Walking Dead #128 is Magna and her new group of survivors, who were rescued last issue. The scenes where Andrea is questioning Magna are very interesting, as she tries to glean what she can about the new arrivals, and find out how they managed to survive for so long. Magna’s story actually turns out to be highly insightful, perhaps even a very familiar one. Obviously its very early days for these new characters, we still have a lot to learn about them, and it will be interesting to see how things work out. Obviously they will have to earn the trust of Rick’s community. However, the thing I really like about Magna and her friends is how they perceive the set up in Alexandria, it all seems a little too good to be true to them, and their suspicions certainly leave us with much to ponder over.

The Walking Dead #128 continues to build on events following All Out War, and this issue looks great as well. Charlie Adlard’s art is excellent, there is a lot of story to cram into this issue, and I thought that the characters were all really well defined, the detail lavished on every scene is exceptional, and Stefano Gaudiano’s inks also enhance the atmosphere perfectly – especially as the issue builds towards its conclusion. We also get some brief, but exciting Zombie action, when an uncharted region of countryside is explored.

While it may be a slower paced issue, The Walking Dead #128 certainly seems to be setting the groundwork for big things to come. There are plenty of new developments in the lives of the survivors, the new characters are really interesting, and I expect that it won’t be long before events in Alexandria begin to kick off.

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The Walking Dead #126 Review

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All Out War, Charlie Adlard, Image Comics, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Saviors, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #126, The Walking Dead #126 review

 

The Walking Dead #126

Review by Paul Bowler

Rick and his allies managed to repel Negan and his forces, but the Saviors’ contaminated weapons have done their work. The Hilltop survivors suddenly become ill and begin to die. Rick was also wounded and his friends expect the worst. Negan believes he has won, so when the Saviors return to the Hilltop they are surprised when a healthy Rick is there to meets them. Rick offers to negotiate an alliance, one that will establish a safe zone between their communities and establish a barter system. Negan seems ready to contemplate the error of his ways, but just as they seem close to reaching an agreement, Rick attacks and cuts Negan’s throat.

All Out War has been six months and eleven issues in the making, now Robert Kirkman finally delivers the showdown we’ve all been waiting for, as Rick takes on Negan in this final battle in the conflict between the Hilltop communities and the Saviors. Having dealt Negan a potentially life-threatening injury, Rick says he will allow their doctor to save him, so long as the Saviors agree to surrender and let them take Negan prisoner. Down, but not out, Negan is not going to give up without a fight, and savagely attacks Rick.

With both sides now poised to strike, Dwight orders the Saviors to hold back and let Negan and Rick fight it out themselves. Ever since Dwight first joined Rick’s alliance, working secretly against Negan’s camp, his true loyalty to Rick’s cause has been dubious to say the least. Having shot Rick with his crossbow in The Walking Dead #123 there has been a big question mark hanging over the character. Now we know the crossbow bolt he uses wasn’t infected with Zombie matter, and his actions here in The Walking Dead #126 are instrumental in brining an end to the bloodshed.

In a completely unexpected move, the aftermath of the battle yields some a very surprising outcome. Those expecting Negan to meet a gruesome end might be disappointed. Indeed, the readers feeling might mirror the reaction of Andrea, Maggie, and Carl, when they discover what Rick intends to do next.

Robert Kirkman invests these scenes with some wonderfully structured moments of calm contemplation and reasoning. The way Rick manages to get his point across to Andrea, Maggie, and even Carl at the end is a brilliant piece of writing by Kirkman, and the dialogue here will have you hanging on every word.

The Walking Dead #126 marks a major turning point in the lives of these characters. Big changes are on the way, the war is over, now Rick’s vision of uniting the Hilltop communities can begin to take shape at last as they finally stand together against the Zombie apocalypse in the hope of making a better world.

Charlie Adlard’s art throughout All Out War has been some of the best this series has ever seen. This storyline has been stunningly illustrated by Adlard, with his incredible attention to detail, the characters and their environments, he has captured every nuance of this dark, and brutal storyline. Stefano Gaudiano’s inks have also been excellent, brining added depth and atmosphere to every issue, and I’m really glad that he will be staying on after this arc. Cliff Rathburn’s brilliant tones bring so much to each issue and Rus Wooton’s lettering is some of the very best in the industry.

While the fight between Negan and Rick is as violent as we might’ve expected, this bone crunching slugfest quickly becomes just one part in a collage of violence as we see Michonne, Ezekiel, and Jesus locked in battle with the rest of the Saviors. By the time the dust has settles on the battlefield, Lucile has a new master, and Rick and his friends are left to pick up the pieces of their lives. Robert Kirkman has done such a fantastic job with All Out War, every issue has been building up to this defining moment for the series, the characters have also been through so much, and its going to be fascinating to see how things pan out now the war is over.

The scene where Rick addressed everyone at the Hilltop is another highlight of this issue. His rousing speech offers us some insight into what to expect next. I also particularly enjoyed the short scene between Rick and Michonne towards the end of the issue as they discussed the future. It’s a great little moment for the characters and it also illustrates the impact this war has had on their lives and the new paths it has forged for them.

The Walking Dead #126 closes out the All Out War storyline in a way that few could have expected. Once the no-holds-barred final battle gives way to the rallying speeches, moralizing, and soul searching, this issue quickly builds towards its climatic final scenes when everyone notices Carl has suddenly gone missing. From that moment we know exactly where he’s gone and what he intends to do next.

This final scene, and the way Rick handles the situation, is riveting. In only a few pages it becomes clear why Michonne said that she has learned not to question him. Rick’s “knack” for leadership together with his sound judgment has united the Hilltop communities, they will work together to build a better future, but it is these closing moments, where his compassion and reasoning as a father makes his son see reason, that shows us just how great a leader Rick has become. The Walking Dead #126 is the issue that changes everything, and as for Negan, well, Rick’s parting words make it clear that Negan’s fate will be far from pleasant.

The Walking Dead #126 brings the epic 12 part All Out War story arc to a close, and it has proved to be a fitting celebration for the 10th Anniversary of Robert Kirkman’s and Charlie Adlard’s brilliant Image Comics series. This monster event has torn through the lives of everyone involved as Rick Grimes and the survivors had to fight for survival in a conflict that ultimately brought about Negan’s downfall and subsequently united the Hilltop communities. All Out War has been a terrific storyline, I’ve enjoyed following all the twists and turns of the plot, and I think Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Stefano Gaudiano have done a fantastic job in delivering this story arc, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the double sized issue #127 and beyond.

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The Walking Dead #122 Review

Tags

All Out War, Charlie Adlard, Ezekiel, Image Comics, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Saviors, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #122, Zombies

The Walking Dead #122

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

Negan and the Saviors launched a devastating attack on Alexandria. Only the arrival of Maggie and the reinforcements from the Hilltop managed to force Negan and his forces to retreat. With the town in ruins, Negan is confident this battle has just won him the war. Dr Denise Cloyd manages to save Heath’s life after his leg was blown off by a grenade, despite being bitten by a Zombie (Holly); her valiant effort to treat her boyfriend’s injuries comes at the price of her own life. Once Denise’s funeral is over Rick and the survivors leave Alexandria behind and head for the Hilltop, where they will join forces with Maggie and wait for Negan to make his next move. Amidst all the confusion during the Saviors attack on Alexandria, Eugene and his crew were captured by Negan, and now the Saviours leader is prepared to do whatever it takes to force Eugene into making ammunition for them – threatening to kill his friends and torture him if he refuses to comply.

The incredibly tense and poignant aftermath of this battle still resonates strongly, as Rick had to decide what to do next, while Heath sat with Denise at her bedside waiting for her to finally succumbs to her injuries and die; but he was unable to bring himself to act before Denise “turned” and Michonne stepped in to finish what he could not.

The Walking Dead #122 sees Negan leaving Eugene’s cell, after the Saviors leader confronted his prisoner last issue, having made it clear in no uncertain terms by getting up close and personal with Eugene in the most vile, and degrading, way imaginable, that he would take great pleasure in torturing and mutilating Eugene and his friends if they refused to help the Saviors manufacture and restock their supplies of ammunition. Robert Kirkman continues to allow the suspense to build within the walls of the Saviors base, after Dwight visits Eugene in his cell when Negan has gone. What follows is a nail bitingly tense exchange that readdresses the characters motives and loyalties, one that also inadvertently leads to the discovery of an unexpected ally.

The tone shifts markedly afterwards, with Rick and the survivors adjusting to their new home at the Hilltop. I really like how Kirkman manages to feature so many characters over the course of this issue, allowing us a greater insight into their lives, and the toll that the war is taking on them. There are some wonderful scenes during these quieter moments at the Hilltop: Andrea watches over Rick while he rests as she guards the perimeter wall, Maggie seeks advice on her new role as leader of the hilltop community from Brianna, we lean a lot more about Jesus, including his real name, and I loved the scene where Michonne pretends to be asleep while Ezekiel explained how his grief affected him. Rick also introduces himself to Earl Sutton the following day, it’s a great little scene, and it will be interesting to see what the blacksmith makes to help Rick out.

The art by Charlie Adlard is as solid as ever, with some great attention to detail. There are some very emotional scenes over the course of this issue, and the characters expressions covey their emotions perfectly. Stefano Gaudiano’s inks also give an added depth and texture to Adlard’s work as well. The moonlight view of the Hilltop looks peaceful, yet eerily haunting, the level of detail in the scene where Ezekiel’s people finally arrive at the Hilltop is stunning, illustrating the vivid contrast between this sanctuary and the stark reality of the Zombie apocalypse just outside the gates, while the lull in the action makes these somewhat introspective moments between the character seem even more intimate and personal than ever before.

Just when you think Negan couldn’t sink any lower, or get any more twisted, he manages to turn your stomach again and goes and does just that! Robert Kirkman has created such a loathsome and despicable character in Negan that you never quite know what he will come up with next. While he may be deranged, this foul-mouthed psychopath has devised a new, and utterly ingenious way  to use the Walkers infection to his advantage, even going to far as to give his beloved baseball bat Lucile a gruesome upgrade that will make her kiss even deadlier.

The eighth chapter of All Out War is a brilliant character driven issue as the survivors regroup at the Hilltop. Now that all their forces are united Rick and his allies begin to plan their next move, while Negan prepares to strike back in the most horrible way imaginable. The Walking Dead #122 will have you on the edge of your seat, especially during the closing moments, and it will leave you eagerly awaiting the next issue.

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