Through the first four volumes of the Walking Dead graphic novel series, the characters have continued to adapt to their ever-changing environment.
That is, for the most part, maintaining their humanity.
No television or internet? No problem.
Kill or be killed? Not a problem either.
As a result, they barely resemble the people they originally were. For example, Carol, a beautiful woman who was once up on a time a clerk at a law firm, is now an emotionally and physically-scarred expert sniper. Tyreese, a former professional football player before the zombie apocalypse, is now a protector of innocents, who has found his niche in the group by killing undead monsters [and human beings].
Rick Grimes, the leader of the survivors, was once a straight-arrow police officer in a small town. Now, he’s trying to keep his head on straight and hold on to what’s left of his humanity in a world that has absolutely no law and even less order.
Add living in an abandoned prison to the situation and it’s easy to see Grimes is completely out of his element. However, for a small portion of volume five of the series, “The Best Defense,†it seems like he and his group are beginning to adjust to their new lives. As a matter of fact, things get so mushy after a while that if eight other volumes of the series weren’t flooding comic book stores, you might think the story was close to being wrapped up.
Think again.
With a chance to be rescued or at the least find out more about what’s going on, Rick and some of the group head out and come in contact with the people of Woodbury, a nearby village. What originally seems great for the group turns out to be a disaster and changes the very fabric of the series. While Grimes and his crew assumed that there were more people out there, they never thought they’d encounter anyone like the Governor and the people of Woodbury. Grabbing the reader by the heart and dragging a piece of cheese through every single page, writer Robert Kirkman continues to make the series, fresh, viable and gruesome.
It’s not that the people of Woodbury have lost their humanity, it’s that they’ve given it up willingly, while their leader, is easily the most evil character to ever grace the pages of the series. Up to this point in the series, zombies were the only enemy Rick and the survivors had to worry about, as they’ve taken care of the few humans that stood in their way with little hesitation or worry. After what occurs in this trade, a war begins that may end up claiming both sides involved. On top of that, emotions are running high as Carol seems to be loosing her mind after Michonne’s affair with Tyreese. That’s not all though as Lori continues to find things to complain about, while Glenn must dig down deep to make sure he doesn’t share vital information with the Governor of Woodbury that can lead them to his friends at the prison.
In the end however, while this is all important sub-plot, it all pales in comparison to what Rick is forced to deal with. Never the same again physically or emotionally, Grimes’ character shows amazing courage and survival instincts, fighting for his life and the safety of his people. If you ever thought a super hero had to have super powers, this volume will make you think again. When it’s over, Grimes ends up convincing any reader that he could hold his own with nearly anyone in comics after what he deals with here, showing the type of resiliency and heart that even Batman would be proud of.
While the story itself is the key to this volume, the art by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn portray Grimes’ fall from grace with the type of brutal realism that may be too much for some readers. However, at the same time, it captures the gritty essence of Kirkman’s writing and makes you feel more for Grimes than you ever did before.
That in itself is saying a lot.
With just black and white to work with, the duo end up putting a face to a story that is anything but monotone. Beautifully sadistic and scary, the look of this book brings out every emotion, from sinister smiles to trailing tears, in vivid detail, creating a one of a kind book that at times, feels too real to be explained.
From day one, The Walking Dead series has always been all about humanity overcoming the odds, in spite of nothing to hold on to. However, the farther you read this volume, it becomes painfully obvious that some characters are going to have a tougher time dealing with that notion than others.
Now, it’s Rick’s turn.
Leave a Reply