The Walking Dead #141

by RobertJCross on May 14, 2015

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

So this is the Negan issue that we've been waiting for since the All Out War arc last year. It's not a violent issue though. It's very psychological and we get to hear some exposition about what's going on in Rick's head. Negan gets him better than the people he follows and it shows when he almost breaks down with all those truths in front of Andrea. This is the duality that Rick often faces in this comic. It started with Shane and then evolved with The Governor and has come to fruition for an even greater length of time with Negan. This issue definitely cements him as the ying to Rick's yang...at least for the time being.

Kirkman writes Negan's dialogue as if Negan is standing right beside him and typing it out as he speaks. It's a really natural character that gives the rest of the cast in the comic a run for their money. That said (and spoiler alerts ahead) I don't honestly believe that he would have stayed down there and waited for Rick. Negan is a volatile character and this little bit of "sanity" that he shows Rick only makes Rick look smarter. He's literally trained his dog to stay. But I want a pitbull in that cell. That's the character that Kirkman has to write. I hope for the sake of Negan's future that we get to see him become a threat one more time.

The art team continues to impress. I can't speak for the validity of perspective but the fact that I can tell how big a room is in the black and white space that's provided always impresses me. The cover looks good and gives us a look at the true "Opportunity" that Negan HAD until he screwed it up by waiting. Negan's facial expressions are beautiful next to his dialogue. It matches everything to a tee, which is great attribute of the art department. Black & white and read all over.

Pick it up...things are getting weird...

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside