The Walking Dead #113 Review

The Walking Dead #113
Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard

Image Comics (Skybound Imprint)
$2.99

  

No comic book gives me a heavier dose of anxiety than Walking Dead. This month, Kirkman puts three of the main characters in mortal danger and keeps them there in ways that keep your stomach in knots the entire issue. I’ll go on the record and say that Negan is the officially the scariest villain going in the comic world right now. If you read issue 100 you know he’s a cold-hearted killer, but it’s the restraint and intelligence that he’s shown since then that show that he’s much more than that. The WD creative team may not always hit the mark, but when they get it right - boy do they ever.

If you’re a lapsed reader or a fan of the show and want to catch up, go back and start with the “A Larger World” arc, beginning in issue 95 (available in trade as well). With a little bit of Wikipedia research, it’s a great place to jump on.

Rating: 5 out of 5 reanimated corpses

"The Walking Dead" #100 Review (SPOILERS)

I should be reading my stack of fresh, Wednesday comics, but I'm not.

I've only read one book this week. That book, The Walking Dead #100, made this a different kind of new comic day. Admittedly, I've been caught up in the hype of the series reaching triple digits and the multiple variants (the Quitely, Silvestri, Ottley, and both Adlard covers came home with me), but that's only part of what set this Wednesday apart.


Kirkman and Adlard have been absolutely firing on all cylinders with this book for quite some time, but recently, with the "Something to Fear" arc, they've had me salivating for the next issue before I even reach the letters page of the one I have in-hand. If you were a fan of Lost when it aired, you might know the feeling – nervously glancing from the TV to the clock during the last 5 minutes of each episode, just hoping they squeeze out a little more story before it ends.

Ever since the heroes of Walking Dead took out the cannibals way back in the "Fear the Hunters" arc, they've felt strong. They've felt like they can handle anything that is thrown at them. Unfortunately, the stories eventually became less interesting because of this empowerment. It felt as if the deck was no longer stacked against them. In "Something to Fear," Kirkman gives us just that and restores that dread these characters once felt. With issue 100, he's given us a reason to fear for the characters he's made us love.

That's why I have a pile of what looks to be really, ridiculously fun comics just sitting on the table next to me. I'm in no mood for fun. Not after what Kirkman put me through this afternoon.

If you're reading this before you've read issue 100, I implore you to stop here. Kirkman crafted an excellent, emotional story in this book and you shouldn't allow me to ruin it for you with a cheap spoiler. Go buy the book. Don't flip through it. Just buy it. Buy it, and read it straight through, then come back. You'll thank me later. Spoilers below.

The brutal killing of Glenn by the group's newest adversary, Negan, left me with a sinking, sick feeling in my gut. The brutality of the killing itself is bone-chilling. To see something so awful happen to the series' most likable character, in front of those who care for him the most (yes, that means Maggie and Sophia), was the Walking Dead's most powerful scene to date.

In Glenn's death, Negan reveals that our characters are once again vulnerable in this world and that the hurt is only just beginning. The issue left me choked up, shaken, and a little reluctant to see what happens next. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to read the next issue, but I'm terrified for our protagonists and that makes this series everything it should be.

So, sorry Spidey. Sorry, Bats. Sorry, Bloodshot. You've gotta wait. Tonight, I mourn my good friend, Glenn, and I reflect on how effective the comic book medium can be.

R.I.P. Glenn

Kirkman's Heroes Take Charge

If you're familiar with AMC's "The Walking Dead," then you most likely know that it's based on a comic book of the same name by Robert Kirkman, who also authors "Invincible" among many other titles for Image. "Invincible" #81 hit the stands today and in it, Mark Grayson (aka Invincible) becomes frustrated by the constant barrage of baddies coming his way since his powers developed 80 issues ago and expresses that, "there has to be a better way" then by waiting for the next one to make their move.

In the most recent issues of "The Walking Dead, " Rick Grimes has adopted a very similar attitude as he sets a new plan in motion that could prove to keep the survivors safe for a long time to come. Basically, he's done running. He's digging in and securing a walled-up town from future zombie attacks. "We'll make it work." says Rick. So we must be a few issues away from, "...and they lived happy ever after." Yeah? No. The zombie apocalypse must go on.

It's interesting that both protagonists are shifting from reactive mindsets to proactive mindsets. I can't help but think that these are the kind of thoughts we have occupying Kirkman these days. It's definitely a pretty original take for these funny books, so I'm looking forward to where he takes these stories.

On a related note, Ryan Ottley ("Invincible" artist extraordinaire) snuck in a couple of familiar faces this week. Gotta love that hat.

Walking Dead Season 2 Teaser

Aired during the season premiere of Breaking Bad (aka the best show on television), Rick Grimes takes out a couple of geeks with a big damn rock. Pretty standard fare for a zombie program, but why's Rick so mad? Why's he taking such an unnecessary risk?

I'm gonna call it now and say that this is Shane/Laurie induced rage. Get 'em, Rick!