Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Walking Dead #97
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard & Rathburn
Walking Dead has a pattern and it has been this way for quite some time. The characters find a level of comfort before they get blindsided with confrontation and death. Then the book picks up the pieces and slowly builds to the next crisis. This issue does something we have not seen within that cycle before because for once, the main group, are the ones that appear to be causing the trouble. That's making a lot of assumptions in the early stages of the arc, but it at least provides the general setup for this particular issue and storyline. It's a very good issue because Kirkman toys with the reader with this reversal concept, all the while still managing to show the reader that all is not what it appears to be stacked up to be. It's as solid a read as ever and provides an excellent jump-on point for a newer reader.
Rick and company are on their way back to their community when they are confronted by some thugs. In the past, bad things typically happen, as Carl reminds the reader of, but not this time. Rick toys with the group of thugs before dealing with them in a coldblooded manner. He delivers a clear message to the mouthpiece of the group that there is literally a new sheriff in town.
This interaction provides an interesting setup as we forge into the unknown. Rick has a sense of security in his decisions that he can be the bully on the block. However, as we've seen time and time again, no matter which side is stronger, characters from both sides will die. Is Rick arrogant to toss the lives of his loved ones so carelessly aside without knowing the threat he is provoking? Still, these scenes are excellent and stack up against any we've seen in this series.
There are other subplots that are peppered in here and there, but the most intriguing one is that of ammunition situation. So much attention is being paid to the fact that bullets are low I can't help but think this is about to play a much larger role in this arc. We already know that the community Jesus comes from has no bullets, but what do we know about what the bullies on the block? Nothing. This is something to watch.
The artwork is terrific. Adlard has been asked to produce an issue every three weeks and he is doing it to near perfection. The confrontation on the road is memorable because of Adlard and we are reminded time and time again that Adlard is the soul of what makes this book feel so real and gut-wrenching. The visuals in this issue bring the story to life in ways not every artist could accomplish.
Walking Dead is the best of the best each month. Things are going to blow up and soon, it's just a question of the level of damage that gets done. Characters will die and there will be shocking developments. Do yourself a favor and get this book because this is the ground floor of all that is about to come. Don't wait for issue 100.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
