Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
The Walking Dead #147
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard, Gaudiano & Rathburn
"The Walking Dead" provides a solid, character focused read. In some ways, this issue provides the largest amount of character development that this series has seen in a single issue in years. As a result, the comic book reads as a middle issue of a bigger story and is not at all accessible. Characters and situations are referenced that haven't been mentioned in a long time. The comic is a tame one in terms of action, but does move the primary plot along a little bit. Generally speaking, the long term reader is going to enjoy the dialogue in this issue, but those readers that are newer probably aren't going to see the payoff that this issue provides. I enjoyed this comic.
The cliffhanger from the previous issue is Eugene propositioning Rick to use Lydia to get back at her mother, Alpha, for killing some of the town's people, including Eugene's wife and unborn child. However, Rick proves to be the calmer head in the dialogue and puts this idea down.
The comic deals with some of the problems with the idea that Lydia gets dangled out there for her mom to react to. I would have liked to see the possibilities explored more than they were. In the past, Kirkman would have Rick tick off all of the reasons and the possibilities of each outcome but that doesn't really happen anymore. For example, Rick doesn't mention the zombie horde that Alpha commands? Or that all they have to do to draw her out is cross her borders (go back on Rick's word basically) or the possibility that Alpha might have left people behind as spies? The only ones that get discussed are the prospects of Alpha calling the bluff or Alpha not caring about her daughter. This was disappointing.
The decision is made to get Carl and Lydia out of town to protect them. It seems others are ready to hold the girl hostage. This allows Rick and Michonne to have a real heart to heart. This sequence has been years in the making.
Nothing is off limits in the dialogue between Michonne and Rick. The conversation is heart-felt and deep. They discuss the deaths of Michonne's daughters, the losses that Rick has suffered and it definitely seems to clear a lot of the air between the two. Again, if you aren't a long time reader you might not find this scene to be terribly meaningful.
The artwork shines. The issue has a lot of emotion, anger, tears and love and the artwork delivers as required. The panels do a great job of mixing up close-ups versus group shots, but none of the details are sacrificed. The comic book definitely is packed with visuals that line up well with the dialogue and the emotions.
"The Walking Dead" provides an issue where Rick and Michonne reveal their darkest feelings to each other. This probably isn't the best issue to ship the same week as the premier of the TV show because it isn't new reader friendly. However, for the long time reader you will find some important moments that probably have needed to happen for years. The comic moves the plot forward a little with the tension between Rick and the town people that want action against Lydia's mom and her people. The artwork delivers extremely well for an issue that's absent action. Overall, this is worth a read but the new readers might not find the emotional punch that the issue packs that the seasoned reader will find. I recommend this comic book.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
