Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Walking Dead #89
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard & Rathburn
Walking Dead has slow, build up issues and then it has giant blow-up issues. Very rarely does an issue create a problem and accelerate it in the very same issue. However, this issue does just that. For the most part, this issue is about Glenn getting face to face with Nicholas about Rick running the community in such a sudden fashion. The book provides plenty of drama and builds up some strong tension. For the most part this is as entertaining of a read that this series can get without actual bloodshed in it. Of course, I recommend this issue but what else would you expect from this series?
The issue really only has two scenes in it. One, is Rick explaining to Andrea why he was caught crying. The thoughts Rick is having really aren't all that shocking and it seems like Andrea also views Rick as unshakable leader as much as anyone. The role seems to weigh on Rick's ability to have feelings of his own. He must always consider the others first.
The second scenes deal with Glenn overhearing Nicholas trying to round up support to overthrow Rick and his crew who are now leading the community. Nicholas makes a compelling case about how everything really starting going downhill when Rick and friends arrived. Glenn gets a little roughed up before holding out in his house. Fearing for his family he walks out armed ready to face Nicholas.
The tension is fantastic. Nicholas doesn't back down and really pushes Glenn into a corner. It's almost a case where Glenn is apologizing for finding out about Nicholas' plot. The part that doesn't quite add up is the restraint between the two in terms of firing their guns. Is it believable to be angry enough to get into a fight about something without using firearms when the dispute is about finding out about a plan that involves violence onto the other party? I'm not sure but it makes for great drama and a fantastic cliffhanger.
Adlard excels at the zombie action. There are only a couple of them in this issue but he's creative and incredibly detailed. He's got the right tone for tension between the characters and matches the visuals to the story perfectly. One down side is that I struggled to tell some of the characters apart, particularly the new ones. For example, I thought the scenes with Aaron where with Douglas' son. I chalk it up to the characters being bundled for the cold. Overall, this is another terrific effort from Adlard and Rathburn.
Walking Dead is like no other book on the stands. The book puts the characters into impossible situations and makes the reader cheer on violence as the solution even though their favorite characters may die from the outcome. The book is one of the best reads and this issue is no different. I definitely recommend checking this out.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
