Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Walking Dead #106
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard & Rathburn
Walking Dead explodes into an interesting confrontation in this issue as Rick chases after Carl. The book is an odd mix of slow, dramatic conversations between Carl and Negan but plows through the scenes were Rick leaves the community in search of his son. The book's tempo is clearly different than in previous issues but it has both good and bad results from the change. It's an entertaining book and leaves off with a great cliffhanger.
The book follows along with the normal building up process as the tension between Carl and Negan is done as beautifully as any other confrontation in the book's recent history. It's impossible to know what Negan has planned for Carl and the unknown is what makes the book great. These scenes were fantastic.
The book's tempo change involves Rick as he races out to find his son. Some of these scenes make sense as panic sets in but other aspects (that I won't spoil) seem to go against everything that Rick has done in the past. The pace of the book is a bit refreshing but the character shift seems too jarring. I can't help but wonder if Kirkman is writing the book to be more in line with how these scenes might play out in the TV show rather than how Rick might react to this based on his history. This issue felt like two or three issues collapsed into one.
Adlard completes his 100th consecutive issue with the same consistent effort. Adlard excels in two key areas usually and this issue is no exception. Adlard is a master of presenting character's reactions very well and he draws great zombies. Adlard is perfect for this book and this issue gives exactly what you probably come to expect from him. A solid effort from Adlard in this his landmark issue.
Walking Dead is changing. It's not good or bad but it is changing. Kirkman doesn't seem to be willing to spend panels and pages explaining decisions made or to be made by the characters. This makes the book move quickly but the spontaneity of the comic and the character's actions just doesn't seem to fit very well. I'm not sure where this is going but I can't wait to find out and that if that is how you keep readings coming back then the book is a winner.
3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
