Pads & Panels

Title: The Walking Dead Vol. 13: Too Far Gone

Publisher: Image

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artists: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

“Too Far Gone,” the 13th volume of The Walking Dead, brings the set-up of Kirkman’s Washington, D.C. arc to a head. In “Life Among Them,” the group of survivors we’ve been following were taken to a walled community in the nation’s capitol. “Too Far Gone” finds them settling into their new lives, protected from the dead and living back under the constructs of society. But things are far from settled, as Rick and Co. are finding themselves with different levels of suspicion and trust, and blending in or failing to blend in (to different degrees) with the people of the community. Luckily, Kirkman gives two big moments for these relationships to come to a head, with Rick arguably going a bit too far in his role as sheriff, and an aggressive group showing up at the gates. And even with everything in motion, Kirkman finds a way to offer a twist at the end, while remaining faithful to the characters he has created.

“Too Far Gone” collects The Walking Dead issues #73-78.

Pros: Great big moments that bring things to a head for the D.C. arc. Great contention between the group and new community. Solid action all around.

Cons: That there’s not more of it. Rick’s outburst a bit overdone.

For more info, www.imagecomics.com

Pads & Panels received a copy of the book courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.

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Title: The Walking Dead Vol. 12: Life Among Them

Publisher: Image

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artists: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Volume 12 of The Walking Dead, “Too Far Gone,” is the start of a very important arc for Kirkman’s ongoing zombie epic. The first half of the trade is still packed with zombies, but by the second half they are barely seen. That’s because the group finds its way to Washington, D.C., where a large group of survivors has made it with the comforts of the old world in a walled-off community. Surprisingly, the group is welcomed with open arms, but the question becomes – do they have the trust in them to submit wholeheartedly to the group, and does the group truly have the best of intentions in mind? It’s a nice chance of pace, reminding readers that while the zombies are the catalyst for The Walking Dead, it is the people that keep us reading. It is a very important set-up for the series, and asks the important question – can this group survive in a “normal” society after everything they’ve been through? – but readers will have to wait until Volume 13 for the payoff. (more…)

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2010 Holiday Gift Guide – For the Image Comics Fan…

By P&P Staff

The Walking Dead Vol 13

(or the Phonebook Compendium)

The Walking Dead is the best zombie comics series hands-down. If your significant other is a comics aficionado, he probably already has the first 12 trades. Number 13 just hit shelves, so the timing couldn’t be much better. If he’s just picking up on the AMC’s television adaption of the series, the massive Compendium (collecting trade paperbacks 1-8, or issues 1-48) is a great way to get caught up at a fair price. (more…)

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Title: The Walking Dead Vol. 11: Fear the Hunters

Publisher: Image

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artists: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Walking Dead is finally back firing on all cylinders for the first time since the Compendium. Trade #11, “Fear the Hunters” first introduces a new character, a loner preacher who has some secrets to reveal, but also a church to offer the group sanctuary, if they’re willing to trust him. The bigger conundrum, though, is a group dubbed “The Hunters,” who have been staying in the shadows and watching the group, for a gruesome purpose that Dale learns of first hand. Carl begins to cop an attitude in the new arc, and by the end of the first issue, we learn just how far he has come since the onset of the zombie apocalypse. This all follows the big revelation of Dale’s and Andrea’s children, which is one of the few things in the series that has felt a little forced, and not totally true to the characters involved. We also learn how much everyone else has changed in the way they deal with the Hunters. A solid story all around, with a great conclusion, but not without its glaring flaws. (more…)

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Title: The Walking Dead Vol. 10: What We Become

Publisher: Image

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artists: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Walking Dead Vol. 10: What We Become, continues the rebuilding process for the series, as Rick, Carl and company get rolling toward the hope of something better in Washington, D.C. The arc provides Rick the first chance to revisit his hometown since first hitting the road, and acquire another old friend for the group, with a startling revelation on the way. The trade is absolutely packed with dialogue, and the action isn’t still up to full speed, but Kirkman gives us time to learn a little bit more about the characters we’ve been following for years, as well as the newcomers. Rick struggles with the consequences of his leadership, as well as trust issues with the newcomers. “What We Become” also delves more into zombie lore, with the new company bringing their own perspective on what’s been going on, and the introduction of a “herd.” The book also ends in an Empire Strikes Back fashion, on a rather dark note setting the tone for things to come. (more…)

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Title: The Walking Dead Vol. 9: Here We Remain

Publisher: Image

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artists: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Volume 9 of The Walking Dead, “Here We Remain,” is the first trade in Robert Kirkman’s zombie apocalypse series post-Compendium. As fans will know, the Compendium concludes a major arc in the series, and does so in a very definitive way that changes the situation for Rick and his son Carl drastically. As such, “Here We Remain” is sort of a rebuilding arc for the series, getting things rolling again in a new direction. First, we see Carl in the position of surviving with his injured and ill father. The duo isn’t alone for the whole series though, as they hook up with some old acquaintances, as well as a few new ones. And along with the new ones there is a promise of hope, of answers to the cause of the apocalypse and of a possible safe haven in Washington, D.C. Rick also deals with the possibility of losing his mind under the stress of recent events. Kirkman’s writing is still on, and the black-and-white art continues to be fantastic, but “Here We Remain” feels like a necessary reboot of sorts. It’s getting the ball rolling again, but it’s definitely not up to full speed. (more…)

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Title: The Walking Dead: Compendium One

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artists: Charlie Adlard, Tony Moore, Cliff Rathburn

Publisher: Image Comics

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

With The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman and his artist company don’t reinvent the zombie apocalypse saga. Kirkman is still mostly playing by the tried-and-true rules of zombies in the footsteps of films by George A. Romero, but he doesn’t need to turn the concept on its head to make it work. The blurb on the back cover of Compendium One (comprising issues #1-48) is the first indication that Kirkman knows exactly what a zombie story is all about.

“In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally start living.” (more…)

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