The Walking Dead #135

by RobertJCross on December 11, 2014

Written by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Charlie Adlard, Stefano Guadiano, and Cliff Rathburn

Well, hot damn! This issue took the relative peacefulness that had been blossoming in the world and turned it on its head. In this issue, we're giving some viewpoints on order and chaos. On one hand we have Carl protecting Sophia and on the other we have the parents of the boys who attacked Sophia lashing out at Carl. Then Maggie gets involved and parental hell breaks loose. Meanwhile, Jesus is interrogating a sixteen-year-old nutjob who is in with the "talking walkers". We're given a brief glimpse of what's to come from bringing her around and we're given a pretty good last panel that shows where the loyalty of peace resides.

Mr. Kirkman is writing a diary of parental troubles in the guise of a zombie comic. He always has been, according to what I've taken from both his obvious scenarios in his writing and the interviews I've seen him do. There's nothing wrong with that, mostly because he's an excellent writer who keeps you at the edge of your seat no matter the media, but I feel like maybe it'll run out of steam eventually. Some believe it already has in some ways. Hell, the Carl in the comic barely looks much older than the Carl on TV, but we're supposed to believe that the Carl on TV is much younger (and barely corrupted). These last few issues haven't really had much Rick in them, but Kirkman is trying to make you think like him and even WANT to react to Carl's mischief (or lack there of). That's where Kirkman's talent resides, you become the judgmental parent...even without children.

The art team is still drawing beautiful things. The color palette is still black and white and sometimes gray, but we can still differentiate hair color and the like. The shadows have always been very masterful in these issues as well and I don't think they get enough love. I'm all for color and when it's done right, it's beautiful, but it takes a special type of brain to bring monochrome into the spotlight. This isn't the 1920s and the fact they can remain relevant speaks volumes.

Good issue, pick it up for the collection!

Our Score:

8/10

A Look Inside