Reviewer: Andy Logan
Story Title: N/A
Written and lettered by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones by: Cliff Rathburn
Cover by: Tony Moore
Editor: N/A
Publisher: Image Comics
Overview
I just love the way that Rob (he only lets certain people call him that) Kirkman continues to develop and enhance the characters and personalities in this story.
Take Rick and Tyrese for instance.
As a direct counter-point to Rick’s raw emotion, Tyreese continues to grow as a character – he’s the more rational, calm and collected ying to Rick’s heartfelt and emotive yang. Tyreese is ice to Rick’s fire, and the dichotomy between the two of them works perfectly, creating between them a whole that is – luckily for their disparate group of survivors – far more than the sum of its parts.
In this latest issue, Tyreese takes his trusty axe alongside Rick’s gun to help clear out a prison full of zombies. I wondered why Tyreese didn’t take a gun, only to be treated to a brief, disparaging comment from Andrea that makes it all too clear that Tyreese couldn’t shoot straight no matter how many guns and bullets he had to play with.
It’s that sort of growth and attention to detail in this story that makes it such fun to read. Also, you’re always painfully aware that no matter how peaceful and settled and steady things may seem, and no matter how pivotal and important a character is, things can change in a heartbeat, at any time.
As well as the main plot focusing on the clearing of the prison “population”, the longer lasting plot threads continue to develop in their own subtle and involving way. Chris continues to act more and more irrationally, and in the way he bullies Karl in this issue, we see shades of “Lord of the Flies”, the classic William Goldman story detailing how the strong pick on and attempt to dominate the weak when societies normal rules, checks and balances, are removed.
Of course, we’ve already seen in the last issue that Karl, despite his tender years, is developing a hardened, toughened attitude to life, and his natural instinct as of now is to reach for his gun when faced with a tense and uncertain situation.
We still don’t know what Chris is planning, all we do know is that his anger and resentment to his girlfriend’s father – Tyreese – is growing more and more out of control with each passing day. You also get the impression that these days, his girlfriend is playing along with him more out of fear and awe than genuine love and affection.
One thing is for sure, it can only end in tears – and who’s to say that Karl won’t somehow be the person who brings it to that resolution?
The other slow-burning plot thread, that of Lori’s pregnancy, is also alluded to once more, but we’re still waiting for a resolution regarding who is the parent of the child. Somebody e-mailed me to ask if Kirkman had simply forgotten that particular part of the story; I say not, he’s simply choosing to place it into the background, and let other stories take place until he’s ready to bring it to fore again.
As is common-place with this title, there is an intriguing and status quo changing cliff hanger at the end. I won’t spoil the ending by revealing it here, suffice it to say that yet again the group is going to have to get used to a change in dynamics, and this time, the real danger may not come from the undead – the “Lord of the Flies” analogy potentially comes into place once more.
Another powerful, exciting issue passes us by, combining superb characterization and growth with exciting and gripping action, and an ending that’s as unexpected as it is intriguing.
For new readers who are thinking about giving this book a try – this issue is a superb jumping on point.
