THE WALKING DEAD #44 by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
© Image
Mania Grade: A-
Issue: 44
Authors: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image
Issue: 44
Authors: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image
THE WALKING DEAD #44
By: Kurt AmackerReview Date: Friday, November 30, 2007
Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead has taken a lot of flack for the past few issues for its heavy use of talking heads and lack of zombie-on-human action. But, a couple of issues ago, we learned that the vile Governor of Woodbury survived the vicious and controversial torture inflicted on him by Michonne, whom he’d raped several times. After recuperating, the Governor rallied the citizens of his settlement to assault the prison where our band of survivors has lived for the past 32 issues. After 12 issues of compelling characters and zombie mayhem, Kirkman brought the survivors to an abandoned penitentiary. There they stayed, mostly safe and sound. But now, the Governor has rallied his citizens and convinced them that the survivors in the prison pose an imminent threat. After clearing out some of the “roamers” – zombies that linger outside of the prison’s fence – the Woodbury army fires into the prison. Mounting what defense they can, Rick and the survivors return fire, finding the most success with Glenn and Andrea sniping from guard towers. The Woodbury army brings a tank, but none of them even know how to fire it. But, though our heroes make a better stand than anyone could have expected, they still suffer for the attack. I won’t reveal who suffers what, but it looks like Kirkman might play for keeps with this one.
I mentioned that The Walking Dead has taken a lot of flack for its outright lack of action and zombie horror. I can’t count myself among the series’s detractors, because character development makes the violence mean something when it finally comes down. Granted, Kirkman seems to enjoy decompression and careful buildup, but he does so at no expense to the series. He writes well, and The Walking Dead has always focused as much on its characters and their personal travails as it has on zombie action. I will concede that the cast has lived inside the penitentiary for far too long. After 12 issues of mayhem, it felt good to experience the cast’s relief at the prospect of living peacefully for a while and trying to rebuild their lives. But while still thoroughly engaging as a post-apocalyptic soap opera, it certainly focused less on the dead than the living. I think this issue serves as the beginning of the end of the cast’s time at the prison, and a good chance to move the story forward. But, it also serves up the balls-out mayhem that some readers have demanded for several issues. While it looks like Woodbury will rule the day, Rick and his band of survivors make a heroic – and surprisingly plausible – stand that suggests that the Governor and his friends may not return to Woodbury as quickly as they’d like.
The Walking Dead is so far along that new readers may have trouble jumping on. But, it looks like the end of one phase and the start of another for this series, so it’s probably a good chance to start if there ever was one.
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The writing is top-notch and really draws you into this group, to develop feelings for them as they are your neighbors, and or family. The way that the Zombie action is not over done, but almost used as a setting, or scenery, is what carries this book above all the zombie pretenders. He doesn't rely on the zombies to create conflict, Kirkman knows that Humans are perfectly capable of creating TONS of conflict on their own. And does an impeccable job of showing us this.
The art is above any other, Adlard, and Rathburn, give us just enough gore and nastiness to let our imagination run amok. (The Michonne getting raped and tortured, and then returning the torture on the Gov. was gut churning. I love that they don't go over the top with the gore, although it is clear they have the talent to do so convincingly.
The art of the characters in TWD is AMAZING, there are no costumes to rely on to make the characters recognizable. The artist have to create a look for the character and stick with it, give them human characteristics that are realistic, and believable so that I look at a character and know instantly that it's Rick (with or without his beard).
One more thing on the art Black and white GENIUS, not only does it make the art have to imply more than it shows, but it compliments the fact that not everything is BLACK, and White, there are many shades of gray in-between.
If anyone is gonna post a comment revealing anything that happens within the last 3 issues, please post a spoiler warning, as I'd like to continue this discussion,but don't want to ruin it for me. (I've only read as far as collected edition #7)
Thx