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General Chat => Books & Comics => Topic started by: Goaty on 14 July, 2012, 06:13:28 PM

Title: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 14 July, 2012, 06:13:28 PM
It been great last few years but 100th issue - WTF!!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: TordelBack on 14 July, 2012, 06:36:38 PM
I'm going to go with 'a bit fecking much' myself. It's not the incident itself, since worse things have certainly happened, it's more the drawn-out nature of the (ahem) execution.  I'll probably come round to it in a while, I usually do, but still.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: BPP on 15 July, 2012, 03:32:12 PM
about that time of 'ennie, meanie, miney, moe' it felt like a drawn out exercise in torture=porn comics.

Probably will read better in a trade.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: The Adventurer on 16 July, 2012, 01:11:49 AM
It sure was an issue of The Walking Dead.  It's weird though [spoiler]Glenn's death[/spoiler] didn't really have the punch I expected. Frankly I felt more of a kick in the teeth when [spoiler]Abraham[/spoiler] bought it a few issues ago, mostly because of how sudden it was.
Still think this book is generally pretty awesome.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Alski on 16 July, 2012, 09:39:03 AM
Great stuff, I was reading with mouth open and breath held.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SmallBlueThing on 16 July, 2012, 01:11:23 PM
Finally! I can read this thread- and thanks, goaty me old love, for starting it... even if it's been a literal hell not to be able to click onto here for a few days. My copy arrived an hour ago, and here i am.

Woah. I was kind'a expecting glenn's death due to kirkman's double bluff tease in the letter column a few issues back (and due to a half-glimpsed comment by pete wells in the 'which comics made you blub, thread, harrumph harrumph) but im not too bothered about spoilers and the power of the writing should always carry it anyway. And here it did. Scariest thing is quite literally where do they go from here? If this were any other narrative we'd now be awaiting the slow build-up to vengeance. Chances are that's not going to happen though- having gone that route with the governor, it would be simply a repeat. Or would it?

Second scariest thing- it could easily have been one of the kids.

SBT
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Greg M. on 16 July, 2012, 01:12:00 PM
Walking Dead - I quit. My fondness for this series has been steadily dwindling for a long time now, particularly during the last year, where to me it's been feeling awfully tired and lacking in new ideas - ironic, since sales-wise #100 has apparently done phenomenally well, and I expect the series will continue to go from strength to strength in that regard. But #100 pretty much crystalised everything I've not enjoyed in the series - the sadistic streak, the desire to shock, the now near-complete lack of likeable characters [spoiler](Glenn was pretty much the only character left in the story I had any interest in)[/spoiler], the endless cycle of misery. To my mind, it's almost become the comic-book equivalent of 'Eastenders', with its cast of unpleasant characters doing unpleasant things and having unpleasant things done to them, ad infinitum. 'Cept with 'The Walking Dead', there's no escape in the back of a Walford taxi heading to a better life. Don't get me wrong - Kirkman and Adlard deserve major plaudits for all they've achieved with the book, and for those still loving the series, more power to you - I respect that it's still working for you, and I definitely hope you continue to enjoy it. But for me, the tipping point has been reached, and I'm out.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SmallBlueThing on 16 July, 2012, 01:20:50 PM
Completely understand, greg. While reading it did cross my mind that many people would feel as you do. Personally, as long as it keep delivering characters i grow to care about, and then offing them in ways that make me feel physically ill, im in it for the long run. Yes, it's as manipulative as shit- but if only eastenders writers were as good at characterisation as kirkman! I may watch if they were.

Niggle: despite a few years now of defending the series against accusations that it needs more zombies, id say that it now needs more zombies. Or to be precise, it needs a long running storyline in which zombies feature as more than a random threat in two panels. Keep the human drama central, but stick them somewhere the zoms can get at them. I know 'if this were real' you'd do your best to get far away from them- and that's when the interpersonal stuff would occur... but the comic needs to suspend a bit of disbelief and shovel in some undead about now.

SBT
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Greg M. on 16 July, 2012, 01:41:22 PM
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 16 July, 2012, 01:20:50 PM
Completely understand, greg. While reading it did cross my mind that many people would feel as you do. Personally, as long as it keep delivering characters i grow to care about, and then offing them in ways that make me feel physically ill, im in it for the long run. Yes, it's as manipulative as shit- but if only eastenders writers were as good at characterisation as kirkman! I may watch if they were.

I guess that's it - I did feel quite disturbed by #100, and in many ways that surprised me. I mean, I have a long-standing love of ridiculously gory Italian horror movies, for instance, so why should this particular fictional death provoke such an emotional response? As you say, that's probably a compliment to Kirkman, in that he created a character I cared about, and his writing sure as hell got a reaction out of me (even though I'd already suspected that particular character wasn't long for the chopping block). I find myself asking 'Am I just throwing my rattle out of the pram and having a tantrum 'cos Kirkman killed my favourite character off?', and I can't totally discount that. (And only a few months after [spoiler]my beloved Ben Daimio bought the farm [/spoiler] in 'B.P.R.D' too! Curse you, comics! You break my heart!)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: TordelBack on 16 July, 2012, 01:58:44 PM
I'd be right there with you Greg, except that I already came close to quitting at the start of the Washington stuff when real-world abominations were being cited for shock value, and then again in the middle when I felt the storytelling had got very sloppy, and now here I am again - so I have to accept it's probably not going to happen this time either. 

I did think [spoiler]Sophia's hour had come around[/spoiler], so I was slightly relieved that it was[spoiler] 'only' Glenn[/spoiler].  I'm just not at all sure I understand why the graphically bullying alpha-male cruelty was necessary, when we already did exactly this twice back in Woodbury.  It was unsettling and upsetting, and all credit to Kirkman and Adlard for achieving in a world where I look forward every week to Spurious' Crossed webcomic and the wife and I giggle merrily over the cheek-shots in the Dredd clip and protracted disembowlings in Spartacus over tea, but I just wonder if it served any novel purpose beyond that.  It's not like we had achieved any relaxed status quo a-la the Prison that needed to be shaken up, things were in constant flux: this was just a result of an intelligence snafu.  Also,[spoiler] Glenn and Maggie's story[/spoiler] was just getting interesting too, so I feel a bit cheated of my investment there if the only reason was a [spoiler]gory main-character death[/spoiler] for some base-10 round number anniversary sales kick.

Still, I suppose that's exactly why I'll keep reading - to see why and where it goes now.



Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SmallBlueThing on 17 July, 2012, 11:50:38 AM
As an aside, do we know if the comic goes back to its normal four-weekly schedule from #101, or if it's continuing to be three-weekly. Without wanting to drip piss on the parade, ive felt Adlard's art has suffered a teensy bit- a teensy bit mind- from the increased workload. And since he's 6 months away from 100 straight issues, what IS the US record for an artist staying on the same book?

SBT
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Greg M. on 17 July, 2012, 11:58:02 AM
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 17 July, 2012, 11:50:38 AM
And since he's 6 months away from 100 straight issues, what IS the US record for an artist staying on the same book?

I know that for Marvel it's Mark Bagley for Ultimate Spider-Man (111 consecutive issues) - not sure beyond that. I suppose the likes of Dave Sim's 300 issues of Cerebus rather puts that in the shade.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SmallBlueThing on 17 July, 2012, 12:02:09 PM
Yeah, i thought of cerebus while writing that, and wondered if it was even worth asking! But bagley's number is withi sight. How many spirits did eisner do?

SBT
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: TordelBack on 17 July, 2012, 03:54:00 PM
Never denying the incredible achievement that is Cerebus, which is of course a Canadian (not a US) book, it's worth noting that in its second half there were a lot of text pages making up the 20-pages-a-month total, plus Gerhard was drawing all the exquisite backgrounds as well as doing many of the later covers, leaving Dave free to do the layouts and characters.

And the lettering.  And the scripting.  And handling the editor's note and letter column, and latterly the hate mail.  And the essays screeds rantings at the back.  And the publishing, including collections and monthly re-prints.  And the business, retailer, publicity and conference circuit side of things.  About the only thing he didn't do was proof-read and typeset the thing.  Which probably more than balances out the text-pages and backgrounds side of the workload

It's no wonder he went mad, or more precisely, 'did a Beaky'.   ;)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: The Adventurer on 17 July, 2012, 06:15:20 PM
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 17 July, 2012, 11:50:38 AM
As an aside, do we know if the comic goes back to its normal four-weekly schedule from #101, or if it's continuing to be three-weekly. Without wanting to drip piss on the parade, ive felt Adlard's art has suffered a teensy bit- a teensy bit mind- from the increased workload. And since he's 6 months away from 100 straight issues, what IS the US record for an artist staying on the same book?

SBT

Current Record for a single artist Penciling/Inking the same book continually without relaunch or renumbering is Erik Larsen on Savage Dragon for 180 issues. With no end in sight. He also holds the record for most consecutive issues written/drawn by a single person (though Cerebus's 300 issues suggests Sim's in the lead. But he got help from Gerhard for backgrounds early on).

Stan Sakai would have the record if he hadn't had guest artists on Usagi Yojimbo 100.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 23 July, 2012, 08:14:56 PM
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 16 July, 2012, 01:20:50 PM

Niggle: despite a few years now of defending the series against accusations that it needs more zombies, id say that it now needs more zombies. Or to be precise, it needs a long running storyline in which zombies feature as more than a random threat in two panels. Keep the human drama central, but stick them somewhere the zoms can get at them. I know 'if this were real' you'd do your best to get far away from them- and that's when the interpersonal stuff would occur... but the comic needs to suspend a bit of disbelief and shovel in some undead about now.

SBT

I knew you were gonna say that! well not really, but that's what I've been banging on about, but you put it so well  :D

I thought it was all a bit of a repeat of previous 'threats'  also too much chat, shirley that Alpha male stuff could have been imparted through the story/art without him spelling it out? as said above just when Glenn and his partner were getting interesting, still I'll keep buying... for now.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Judge Olde on 13 August, 2012, 06:07:49 PM
I was properly gutted to see who was killed off, it was so brutal. I am not sure how much more they can carry this on though, someone higher up the thread likened it to the comic book equivalent of Eastenders. Now that could be an interesting cross over.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 16 August, 2012, 03:55:41 PM
yeah! 101 in the shops today.  fallout from [spoiler]Glen's[/spoiler] death starting to affect everyone and a shock double page spread!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 27 August, 2012, 06:19:24 PM
I so like issue 101, with last few pages that got me grins.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 16 November, 2012, 06:26:40 PM
Wow.... It's getting better on issue 104!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: cuckooclocks on 17 November, 2012, 07:03:21 PM
I hope those of you who were gonna jack it in stayed around. You-know-who and you-know-who now you-know-where. Heart pounding!
What is you-know-who actualy upto?  Mini-you-know-who probably gonna want to stay...  Its not been this exciting in a loooooooooooong time.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SmallBlueThing on 18 November, 2012, 10:58:30 AM
For about six months now, WD hasnt been my most-anticipated read. Even the blockbuster #100 seemed entirely predictable, and only the identity of the victim a result of a dice-throw. With #104, i felt even more like kirkman has hit a block. Would the character involved really do that? Maybe after he did that bad thing he did all those months ago, but now? After everything he's seen and done? I had the now usual sinking feeing at the reveal of him in the back of the truck, but did it strike me as good organics storytelling- like 99% of this series to date, or like a desperate piece of manipulation? I'll let you know next month. But at this rate, i may go back to trade-waiting soon, after buying the floppies since #84.

SBT
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: cuckooclocks on 18 November, 2012, 12:57:47 PM
Why wouldnt the Character Involved do that? Cant realy go into the specifics but all the things hes [spoiler]had to become, been told to be, taught to be, only to see his hero reduced to nothing, its either revenge or rage,[/spoiler]] both very very believable reactions. I totaly agree the story seemed to drag on so the events of #100 didnt happen to soon, but the dice roll death just rienforces the chaos that is life AND that the humans are always gonna be worse than the monsters.
6 months ago it was gettin way too talkie for a comic book with zombies in it, but now, now theyve got the mile stone out of the way, i think its realy gonna set a good pace (as long as it doesnt become Mad Max with Zombies). But I do agree, I think trades is the way to go. But amazingly paced trades at that. No bad thing.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 19 November, 2012, 02:36:53 PM
I felt a shark jumping moment when i saw him in the back of the truck, it was as if ' hmmm how can I wrangle some more emotion out of this? i know!!'

Given what happened in issue 100 the threat to 'you know who' is real, but i feel somehow manipulated, I really hope there isn't a 'Happy Days' lesson at the end of this episode, trade waiting appeals now too 
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SmallBlueThing on 19 November, 2012, 03:48:18 PM
Im really glad not everyone agrees with those of us who thought this turn of events a bit rubbish- it being an OPINION that WD is misfiring i can live with; it being a opinion that eveyone shares would make me sad. Like i say, i'll see what the next couple of issues bring.

On the subject of trade-waiting, the reason i went to floppies was because  literally found the gap between volumes painful. One of the nice things i got in the bargain was a regular letters page.
Or so i thought.
It continually pains me that so many comics, 2000AD included, dont seem to value their letters pages as they used to. DC dont have them at all, and i havent bought a marvel comic in so long, i really dont know about them, but i doubt it.

It's theoretically nice, therefore, to see Walking Dead publish readers letters each issue, without fail. If it werent for the letters themselves, that is. Has anyone ever read a more moronic set of letters pages in their life, outside of Heat or Kerrang? And since the tv show, (cont)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SmallBlueThing on 19 November, 2012, 03:51:37 PM
(cont) gotten even worse. It's as if walking dead is read exclusively by illiterate knobends who take every plot development as an insult to their mother. And it's especially those who came to the comic via the tv show- they're the worst. Part of my possible return to trade-waiting on WD is to escape what is, without a doubt, the most horrible letters page ive ever read in comics- and that includes that of the judge dredd megazine back in the nineties.

SBT
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 03 December, 2012, 05:26:43 PM
Being a Trade Waiter myself, I've only just caught up on this thread. (Something To Fear) takes me up to issue 102 I think.

I actually thought that was all grand stuff; the totally unexpected [spoiler]Abraham [/spoiler] death and the slightly expected  death of [spoiler]Glenn [/spoiler] (I was practically yelling at the book: [spoiler]"For God's sake stop talking about babies and the future!")[/spoiler]

The drawn out and graphic nature of the killing (and the teasing beforehand) did bother me slightly but it really hit me as even worse than Woodbury and that gang would really have trouble standing against such reckless hate.  The response in issues 101 and 102 was also believable expecially the little "Yay!" and chuckle I gave at the end of the book. 

But I am missing the likeable characters - I think my cheering was more for the mechanics of the plot more than anything else - after all, Rick is now pretty much a sociopath*. You get a brief glimpse of humanity every now and then (when he first considered the possibilities that working with "The Hill" would grant them) but that aside, he seems to have absolutely no sense of right and wrong anymore.  Or if he has, it's not one I can relate to. 

* Or is it psychotic? I get the two mixed up.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: sheldipez on 03 December, 2012, 06:04:23 PM
I'm an old skooler WD fan; it's the only comic I've followed from [near] the beginning (I was going through a "buy everything to do with zombies" phase and picked up WD #7 in Forbidden Planet and been hooked since) so it has special place in my heart. I soon got sick of paying so much per comic so soon jumped over to the TPB's.

Anyway I started a whole read-through of the TPB from the beginning and just finished Voume 13. I've never had any complaints of the series in all honesty; I wouldn't say I've loved every minute of it (too many heartbreaking moments!) but I've loved every minute of the ride.

The letters section was great in the beginning. You got some real gems from it e.g. Kirkman talked about never wanting to go colour, wanting to at least hit #100 and he said he would never explain what caused the outbreak. It's one thing that I really missed going to the TPB's, sad to hear it's gone downhill. Does Kirkman reply to the letters himself? I'm surprised he has the time these days.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: vzzbux on 03 January, 2013, 10:27:03 PM
Well I've just devoured book's three and four. Five is just sitting there in its celephane wrapping staring at me just waiting to be read but I will resist.
I can now start watching series three on my TIVO as the basic storylines have moved on in the litary form. It seems although characters and storylines alter the basic structure is still there with both.






V
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: cuckooclocks on 10 January, 2013, 06:33:31 PM
Hes not gonna do to that eye socket what we're all thinking hes gonna do with it, is he? ?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 11 January, 2013, 01:43:29 PM
Quote from: cuckooclocks on 10 January, 2013, 06:33:31 PM
Hes not gonna do to that eye socket what we're all thinking hes gonna do with it, is he? ?

If he does, then TWD is no better than Crossed at its worse, and I'll be out.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: vzzbux on 06 February, 2013, 09:48:35 PM
I had a peep at issue 100 of The Walking Dead in FP the other day and wish I hadn't. Saw a frame with Carl in it. Cant wait to see how that happened.
I'm only at the point where they have come across the huge herd.



V
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 07 February, 2013, 10:24:29 AM
Quote from: vzzbux on 06 February, 2013, 09:48:35 PM
I had a peep at issue 100 of The Walking Dead in FP the other day and wish I hadn't. Saw a frame with Carl in it. Cant wait to see how that happened.
I'm only at the point where they have come across the huge herd.
V

That's not the worse thing you could have seen in that issue. The latest issue at least has some zombies in it unlike the previous still waiting for [spoiler]the Govenor II to punish Carl[/spoiler]  :o
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 04 July, 2013, 08:42:16 PM
I'm up to Volume 18 of the TPB now and still enjoying this. Some fantastic suspense with the Carl situation. And again the real horror is the violence and pain the survivors inflict on each other.

My only reservations that two of the recently introduced characters(Jesus and Ezekial) do seem rather like script writer creations rather than real people. I've always felt similarly about Michone but at the moment, along with the sudden appearance of three nearby communities, it smacks of desperation.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: TordelBack on 04 July, 2013, 08:54:39 PM
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 04 July, 2013, 08:42:16 PM
I've always felt similarly about Michone but at the moment, along with the sudden appearance of three nearby communities, it smacks of desperation.

Similarities of Ezekiel to elements of Life of Pi don't help this impression, but at least in recent issues Kirkman is furiously lampshading his biblical crew.
Title: Re: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: sheldipez on 04 July, 2013, 10:10:25 PM
Volume 18 had me disgusted, horrified, pumped and made me laugh out loud, usually going from panel to panel.

It still remains a fantastic comic IMO.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 05 July, 2013, 12:20:34 PM
Due to not being near the comic shoppe for a while I've missed the last couple (i think) of issues, may have to trade wait... however not sure its worth it, see above. 
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 06 July, 2013, 02:41:17 PM

Just read Issue 111 and 112, oh shit.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 30 August, 2013, 02:34:30 PM
Issue 113, I count er,[spoiler] no zombies,[/spoiler] can't be right is it? anyone had a look at those 'Character Specials' comics that are out? is there new stuff in there or just old pages reheated collated?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 30 August, 2013, 02:58:39 PM
Yeah but that was good issue 113, with [spoiler]Andrea[/spoiler]... and that [spoiler]ending[/spoiler]...
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: The Adventurer on 31 August, 2013, 08:56:10 PM
For the last year I've been getting a bit bored with Walking Dead. I was actually on the cusp of dropping it after over 10 years of reading it (started reading with #1).

But the last two issues have gotten thing exciting again. I do hope it can maintain its energy moving forward.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 13 September, 2013, 06:13:54 PM
Issue 114;

Wow that was good, and that was so unexpected!!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Toni Scandella on 16 September, 2013, 05:52:29 PM
It WAS good, [spoiler]in that hopefully the storyline with Negan will soon be over.  I can't stand the character, though Kirkman clearly loves writing his dialog I just find him really boring[/spoiler].
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 17 September, 2013, 04:08:05 PM
suddenly its all interesting again... [spoiler]never get out the boat![/spoiler]
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 29 November, 2013, 06:55:23 PM
117 and we're back!! massed zombie, all out war! the build up has been lengthy but worth it!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 29 November, 2013, 06:58:22 PM
Just reading 117  :o

[spoiler]"We're not the monsters"[/spoiler]
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: NapalmKev on 08 December, 2013, 11:16:53 AM
I've ordered the Walking Dead collection (issues 1-48) from Amazon.£29.70 reduced from £50.

I've never read the Walking Dead, and am very much looking forward to its arrival.

Cheers
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 11 December, 2013, 04:26:53 PM
Are they moving to a two week issue programme?
the hack pages seems to give that idea
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Link Prime on 13 December, 2013, 10:10:23 AM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 11 December, 2013, 04:26:53 PM
Are they moving to a two week issue programme?
the hack pages seems to give that idea

Just finished the latest collection (Vol 19 'March to War'), and there were quite a few pages within obviously rushed.
I find it hard to criticize Charlie Adlard though- he's an amazing storyteller, and has kept to a monthly schedule that will probably never be heard of again in the world of comics.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: BPP on 15 December, 2013, 05:16:47 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 11 December, 2013, 04:26:53 PM
Are they moving to a two week issue programme?
the hack pages seems to give that idea

That was the initial idea but they scaled it back to 18 issues a year I think. Maybe 20.

The art has suffered terribly as a result. The full page of Maggie in 118 look amateur and the dynamic and decay from when it was just CA on art duty has been lost.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 02 January, 2014, 12:48:01 PM
Just finished Volume 19 (which I think goes up to Issue 114) and wasn't impressed. The human conflict wasn't enough to compensate for the lack of Zombies (plus, despite initially liking Negan's *really* hateful attitude,  haven't we done the "humans are as bad/worse menace" several times already).

This whole Negan thing is really dragging and his dialogue really grates.  There are now way too many characters who are so obviously the creations of a writer rather than just ordinary joes in extraordinary situations.

Every time I see a ninja ass-kicking Jesus or a person pretending to be a Knight or a rasta with a pet tiger, it pulls me out of the moment. I know we've always had samurai weilding Michonne on the scene and obvious comic book villains like The Governor but this just feels too much.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: TordelBack on 02 January, 2014, 01:05:59 PM
While it does feel a little comic-book-guy to be thinking: "these tigers and ninjas in my zombie book are totally unrealistic", I have to agree. My big beef with the Washington storylines is how pretty much every plot twist and source of tension comes down to speed of communication between the various enclaves.  While I'm prepared to give Kirkman a pass on the 'why does nobody have a working watch' issue since that was a very early mistake, I can't get over the idea that nobody has laid hands on a few walkie talkies and some batteries.  I have two sets in my own house and I don't even own a katana!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 02 January, 2014, 04:49:57 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 02 January, 2014, 01:05:59 PM
While it does feel a little comic-book-guy to be thinking: "these tigers and ninjas in my zombie book are totally unrealistic", I have to agree.

Ha ha! It does seem a little nebbish, to be sure.  If Vampires and Werewolves turn up in it, I'd totally stop buying it, even though, to an outside observer, that attitude would make no sense whatsoever. ;o)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: vzzbux on 07 January, 2014, 11:56:15 PM
I have just started book 8. [spoiler]Carl has just awoke from his coma after losing his eye.[/spoiler] Poor bastard.
I digested books 6 and 7 yesterday. have book 9 to follow.




V
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: LorcanQ on 08 January, 2014, 12:19:19 PM
Quote from: BPP on 15 July, 2012, 03:32:12 PM
about that time of 'ennie, meanie, miney, moe' it felt like a drawn out exercise in torture=porn comics.

Just got round to reading volume 17 there, does this type of thing, and most of the violent scenes in Walkding dead, count as torture porn? ive never watched any of those hostel-type films so really dont know what defines it.

As for this volume itself, I loved it as a little sensational guilty pleasure but really, i don't know if i could call it quality. As for the WD series in general, i think its been sagging for a while now. I remember absolutely adoring Volumes 1-8 of the trade, and despite only reading them once, id be able to go thru what happened in the plot of each cos they stuck in my mind. Since then however, the series kind of blurs into a good-enough lump, i vaguely remember what happened in it and just about know the characters but all in all its bland enough. Increasingly ive noticed that the main reason it entices you is how sensational it can become. Ill be honest tho, ill still read it for a good while to come, its a nice little guilty pleasure once or twice a year..
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 12 January, 2014, 06:04:04 PM

Dammit, Issue 119, didn't expect that ending!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: vzzbux on 13 January, 2014, 08:28:57 PM
Just finished book 9.
Did anyone else feel angry [spoiler]at the demise of Glenn[/spoiler].
Also how far behind is the collection? It finishes with the meet of Rick[spoiler], Jesus, Dwight, Ezekiel and tiger[/spoiler].

Charley's War book X next.




V
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: flip-r mk2 on 13 January, 2014, 10:45:08 PM
vzzbux book 9 takes you up too issue 108, monthly issue 119 just came out.

filippo
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: vzzbux on 13 January, 2014, 11:32:35 PM
TY.
Christmas for book 10 then.





V
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 15 January, 2014, 12:47:19 PM
Quote from: flip-r mk2 on 13 January, 2014, 10:45:08 PM
vzzbux book 9 takes you up too issue 108, monthly issue 119 just came out.

filippo

Eh? Are these hardback books or fatter trade paper backs? The TPBs I get only have about six issues per book?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Alski on 15 January, 2014, 12:58:53 PM
The hardbacks are absolutely gorgeous, 10/12 (can't remember) issues per book, one a year, large format and glossy pages. You can get them for 16/17 quid each new and they are totally worth it.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 15 January, 2014, 01:21:53 PM
That lastest issue is stretching things;

In a world where there would be next to no background noise, the big bad baseball baddie drives a couple o monster army truck up to the walls of Rock's compound as surprise attacks 'em sigh

Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 15 January, 2014, 01:24:54 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 15 January, 2014, 01:21:53 PM
That lastest issue is stretching things;

In a world where there would be next to no background noise, the big bad baseball baddie drives a couple o monster army truck up to the walls of Rock's compound as surprise attacks 'em sigh

Must be same silence engine on the tank in last TV episode of the current TV season.  ;)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 15 January, 2014, 01:26:18 PM
Indeed goaty.

I have been enjoying the Letter Hacks page, Tharg should start that kind of thing  :-X
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: vzzbux on 15 January, 2014, 10:39:13 PM
Quote from: Alski on 15 January, 2014, 12:58:53 PM
The hardbacks are absolutely gorgeous, 10/12 (can't remember) issues per book, one a year, large format and glossy pages. You can get them for 16/17 quid each new and they are totally worth it.
Have to agree. Includes cover art, sketches and plenty of written creative info.




V
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: TordelBack on 15 January, 2014, 10:50:07 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 15 January, 2014, 01:21:53 PM
In a world where there would be next to no background noise, the big bad baseball baddie drives a couple o monster army truck up to the walls of Rock's compound as surprise attacks 'em sigh

Also, what exactly was Rick's grand plan that this turn of events was a surprise?  Even [spoiler]if Ezekiel's group had succeeded and the outpost hadn't come to his aid, wouldn't the Governer Negan have got rid of his zombie problem sooner or later[/spoiler]?  Everyone always has, even without ammo.  Even without Negan's clever ploy, Alexandria's gate is completely undefendable because you can shoot and/or drive straight through it.  Defense in depth, people! 

And again I ask, where are the walkie talkies?  One call from Ezekiel to Rick and there are no surprises.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 16 January, 2014, 04:33:44 PM
i think he was aiming for a war of attrition, with the herd wearing down Negan before he sent in his troops again, best laid plans etc

Those walkie talkies or their batteries could be powered by one of these solar thingies:

(http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/solarroll-digital-camera_l.jpg)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: TordelBack on 16 January, 2014, 10:11:08 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 16 January, 2014, 04:33:44 PM
Those walkie talkies or their batteries could be powered by one of these solar thingies:

Or indeed Alexandria's own power supply.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 13 September, 2014, 11:42:01 AM
Issue 131: one panel of zombies out of 22 pages. I'm starting to get this confused with my Radio Four Archers story lines...
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 06 October, 2014, 08:01:27 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 13 September, 2014, 11:42:01 AM
Issue 131: one panel of zombies out of 22 pages. I'm starting to get this confused with my Radio Four Archers story lines...

Issue 132 and yikes! 16 pages of [spoiler]whispering [/spoiler] Zombies fighting  :o Archers no more.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 11 October, 2014, 06:00:26 PM
Just reading the latest issue.  :o

About those [spoiler]"whispering" zombies[/spoiler], [spoiler]very clever and creepy twist in this issue! [/spoiler] :o :o :o
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 24 October, 2014, 02:34:58 PM
Quote from: Goaty on 11 October, 2014, 06:00:26 PM
Just reading the latest issue.  :o

About those [spoiler]"whispering" zombies[/spoiler], [spoiler]very clever and creepy twist in this issue! [/spoiler] :o :o :o

There's [spoiler]more of em [/spoiler] and they are [spoiler]pretty good at what they do[/spoiler], not to keen on the teen love element creeping in, but overall great to see a new and different threat. 
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 24 October, 2014, 02:37:42 PM
Yep as read new latest issue. Very insane!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: BPP on 24 October, 2014, 10:52:49 PM
Quote from: Goaty on 24 October, 2014, 02:37:42 PM
Yep as read new latest issue. Very insane!

Thought it was clever but ultimately disappointing. Had it actually been whispering zombies then that would have been creepy. As it is it looks like another human group v human group thing coming.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 19 November, 2014, 12:30:25 PM
I've just finished the two ALL OUT WAR trades and ended up more than a little confused.  There are some good individual small moments of conflict but the overall battle/war is poorly sketched out without much sense of place or time.

And after another "You kill, you die!" statement at the start of the War, Rick changes his mind and decided to bore the sweary Governor to death [spoiler](before sneakily slashing his throat confident that his Doc can fix it???!!).[/spoiler]

I haven't enjoyed this (long) storyline at all but am looking forward to some new stuff.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 19 November, 2014, 01:01:29 PM
I know what you mean, the echoes of the Guv story along with the punishing publishing schedule took its toll, the new stuff has done a nice set up, hopefully there will be a reckoning
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 22 November, 2014, 01:36:52 PM
Well I've hit The Archers and the whispering zombies. Very good stuff and indeed a welcome change. The 'normal' lifebits probably read better as a trade but he's still guilty of telling not showing. A couple ofbgood two page spreads could have explained it all without the need for Rick interviewing people about harvests and crop rotation.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 09 July, 2015, 06:29:18 PM
Just read latest issue 144. Damn...
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tjm86 on 10 July, 2015, 05:55:37 PM
Quote from: Goaty on 09 July, 2015, 06:29:18 PM
Just read latest issue 144. Damn...

Too bloody right!

I think the impact was all the greater after the last few months mundanity.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SIP on 10 July, 2015, 10:48:47 PM
Never read a single issue but have loved the tv series. Just picked up the first comic compendium off amazon (collects the first 40 odd episodes) and really looking forward to reading it.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: NapalmKev on 11 July, 2015, 07:32:30 AM
Quote from: SIP on 10 July, 2015, 10:48:47 PM
Never read a single issue but have loved the tv series. Just picked up the first comic compendium off amazon (collects the first 40 odd episodes) and really looking forward to reading it.

I found the first Compendium to be a real good read but the second was a profound Borefest. Too much waffle, hardly any Zombies and the artwork seems to go downhill a bit, IMO.

Cheers
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 11 July, 2015, 10:17:15 PM
Quote from: Goaty on 09 July, 2015, 06:29:18 PM
Just read latest issue 144. Damn...

Saw a spoiler, that is harsh.  :o

Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 16 July, 2015, 08:15:25 PM
Can anyone work out how Alpha done that?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 15 November, 2015, 12:17:30 PM
Just read latest no.148

that final page...  :o
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: BPP on 16 November, 2015, 11:43:11 AM
Quote from: Goaty on 15 November, 2015, 12:17:30 PM
Just read latest no.148

that final page...  :o

Makes zero sense. Nor really does any of the recent story. Still, ya know... We do....
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: TordelBack on 27 November, 2015, 11:28:18 AM
So after losing interest when the book seemed to jump the tiger, the library permitted me a binge-read from the Negan war right up to the end of Vol 24 (about 120-144 up to where the Whisperers, um, cull the herd).  I enjoyed it, especially the gory Vol 24 cliffhanger, but I'm afraid that along with endless Rick speeches there is still an awful lot of stupid to deal with - despite definite skill at keeping a narrative going and coming up with such a long series of effective gut-punch surprises, even aftervall this time Kirkman just doesn't seem to have put much thought into how his world actually works.

My biggest beef is still the failure to use leftover technology, like solar chargers and batteries, walkie-talkies (Eugene fiddling with a CB is too little lampshading too late), intruder alarms and watches, but add to that making clothes and tools other than swords and spears (how Carl makes what is obviously a mold-cast spearhead with a hammer and anvil is a mystery for the ages). Now they have an area relatively clear of walkers, there is simply no way they don't have access to enough garden equipment and hoodies to last them forever. I'm all for reestablishing crafts, but the apparent demand for what are bound to be hugely expensive and generally inferior goods makes little sense.

On a personal note, the nonsense of that fishing boat setup particularly annoyed me - it changes rig and century from panel to panel. One moment if has a bowsprit and a gaff rig, the next a fixed jib and ratlines!  And more to the point, if you've such a small boat, and you're the only one in the fishery, with only salt for preservation, why do you need to go out for more than a day at a time? Someone's been watching too much Deadliest Catch.

And don't get me started on how the Whisperers work - [spoiler]do those skins stink, or not? If not, why do they work (and attract insects), if they do, how do Lydia and Alpha not stink of rotting corpse when they take theirs off[/spoiler]?

But... It certainly is a darn good read in big chunk, simply for how sustained a soap opera it is. Adlard's achievement of maintaining a biweekly schedule, even with the (rather bland) help, is staggering. May have to chase up the uncollected issues. :D
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 07 December, 2015, 05:53:44 PM
Oooh! I must be a trade behind. Off to Forbidden Planet I go.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 07 December, 2015, 07:51:41 PM
I have to agree with everything TB says, that's the kind of things that irk me too. They're things that get shrugged off in the letter's page: When the main characters were travelling someone, quite rightly, commented that they could use bicycles, at least some of the time on/off the roads, towns, urban etc: fast silent and  simple tech they would be a lifesaver, all simply poo-pooed by Kirkman as a child's thing with streamers from the handlebars. But he's all for horses, which are seriously labour intensive (if you want it to live any length of time).

Renewables, hydro, wind-up, solar seldom if ever mention in the comics, ( solar was in the Gov's town I think on TV) and the fishing boat/pirates thing just doesn't make any sense at all, inland water would be teeming with fish by that time, while deep sea fishing is a hi-tech activity and wouldn't be high return without it or a huge fuel guzzling vessel. 

oh and how do the Whisperers feed that herd?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 07 December, 2015, 08:13:45 PM
In-shore is what I meant.  ::)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 15 January, 2016, 11:43:16 AM
No. 150 -

[spoiler]Atta-boy! [/spoiler]  :o

Well done for The Walking Dead get to 150 issues now!
With different covers!

(http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/318/files/2015/12/The-Walking-Dead-150-variant-covers.jpg)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 25 January, 2016, 04:35:07 PM
Aye Goaty, I picked up two 'blank' covers with the hope of some kindly (or paid) artist scribbling a nice The Walking Dredd  sketch on 'em.   :D
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 10 April, 2016, 09:49:57 AM
Ok so I finished trades 24 and 25. Agree that the end of 24 was worth the build up (even though said build up could have been executed better). But 25 was terrible hand wringing tosh with dull preachy speeches alternating with trite personal exchanges. A page spent on a hug and "We'll get though this."; "I know we will". FFS.

It livens up when Rick sorts out the fellas attacking him goes to talk to his special advisor but really dull stuff.

Oh and I know the point is "WE are the walking dead" but there isn't a single walker (victims on poles aside) in volume 25. Not even in the background. Shameful.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 13 July, 2016, 06:46:56 PM
Wow, latest issue was very WTF. Brutal too. [spoiler]I can understand that happens but didn't expect his last words. Don't know what the next step! [/spoiler]
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 13 July, 2016, 08:24:38 PM
Yeah that has got to be one of the best endings to a comic (n best as in unexpected)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tjm86 on 13 July, 2016, 08:40:29 PM
Aye, that was a corker out of left field.  The question now is WTF is Negan actually up to?  The guy is slippier than Nigel Farage in a Vaseline factory.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 11 August, 2016, 01:53:00 PM
Anyone else here still with TWD? That latest twist is a corker...
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tjm86 on 11 August, 2016, 02:53:25 PM
Just picked the first part of the Whisperer War.  Slow burn start with a lot of setting up.  High levels of confidence so you just know what is going to happen in the short term.  Longer term?  Still not clear on what game Negan is playing.  Would be interested in the back story there.  Isn't it being printed in an anthology somewhere?  I vaguely remember reading it was happening but not sure where.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Link Prime on 11 August, 2016, 03:17:43 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 11 August, 2016, 01:53:00 PM
Anyone else here still with TWD? That latest twist is a corker...

Still reading it, but only in trades- so a bit behind.

The Negan back-story is being serialized in 'Image +' (a preview / catalogue magazine), 4 pages per month by Kirkman & Adlard.
I picked up the 1st issue, nothing special. No doubt it will be collected at some stage anyway...

Before the zombie apocalypse he was a [spoiler]high school teacher / coach[/spoiler].
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Rately on 11 August, 2016, 03:25:26 PM
I've the first three compendiums to start, so how many issues am i off of being up to date with the book?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Satanist on 11 August, 2016, 03:26:28 PM
Yeah I still buy this and would say that with the Whisperer War and the always delightful Negan its stepped back up a gear.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 11 August, 2016, 04:19:28 PM
Quote from: Satanist on 11 August, 2016, 03:26:28 PM
Yeah I still buy this and would say that with the Whisperer War and the always delightful Negan its stepped back up a gear.

definitely... so much has been built up and finely balanced on Rick's decisions over the last few issues and  it looks like it could be going tits up, what with [spoiler]Negan currently inside the tent pissing out [/spoiler]and the[spoiler] herd at the gates [/spoiler]... genuinely have no ideas how this will all play out  :o 

and given the recent readiness to dispose of cast members at the flick of a wrist anything could happen.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Colin YNWA on 11 August, 2016, 10:04:18 PM
Started making my way through the first compendium which I got from a Humble Bundle. Have to say it started like an enjoyable page turner, no real quality but kept you going and interested. The second trade (I assume it would be) slows things down and seems to try to over more depth... It fails and just reads like a slow airport novel. Still the art is good and I'm determined to make a conserved effort with it... just wish I'd been more please try surprised.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Colin YNWA on 23 August, 2016, 09:39:11 PM
So it does get better... kinda... but once the group arrive at the prison it turns back to an entertaining airport novel again. Good fun, far from good comics but very entertaining page turner up to the end of trade number 4.

Looking forward to next months installment trades 5-8.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: flip-r mk2 on 23 August, 2016, 10:14:35 PM
Quote from: Rately on 11 August, 2016, 03:25:26 PM
I've the first three compendiums to start, so how many issues am i off of being up to date with the book?
Compendium 3 takes you to 144, 157 is the latest issue in the shops.

filippo
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Rately on 24 August, 2016, 10:46:49 AM
Quote from: flip-r mk2 on 23 August, 2016, 10:14:35 PM
Quote from: Rately on 11 August, 2016, 03:25:26 PM
I've the first three compendiums to start, so how many issues am i off of being up to date with the book?
Compendium 3 takes you to 144, 157 is the latest issue in the shops.

filippo

Thanks, Filippo.

Really looking forward to reading the three compendiums, and as the good Lady is off on a business trip in two weeks, i think i'll take the opportunity to finally get through them.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 24 August, 2016, 12:22:24 PM
I'm still in (just) but I'm a filthy Trade Waiter so waiting on Volume 26.

Negan is miles better as an internal threat (so to speak) than he was as an external threat.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 24 August, 2016, 04:24:07 PM
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 24 August, 2016, 12:22:24 PM
I'm still in (just) but I'm a filthy Trade Waiter so waiting on Volume 26.

Negan is miles better as an internal threat (so to speak) than he was as an external threat.

Haha wait til you see what he gets up to as an internal threat!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Colin YNWA on 10 September, 2016, 10:23:25 PM
So finished Compendium 1 and right off the bat I will be looking out for compendiums 2 and 3 when Image next has a sale.#

I've struggled getting into Walking Dead in the past and while it looks great Robert Kirklands story leaves a lot to be desired. Its full of so many moments, like in many horror movies, when you find yourself screaming at the cast wondering why they are making the decisions they are. It can leave you asghast as the zombies (roamers, biters, whatever) change the way the operate, or appear purely to drive the plot, but based on any sort consistent behaviour patterns. Just like many horror movie beasties. The script can be ladden with many heavy handed, 'clever' bits of dialogue which come across as meaning to clear and insightful but are a little obvious and naff in reality, again comparible to da movies.

But like many horror movies for all its faults if the tension is handled well with at least some characters you engage with and care about it will keep you entertained. And that's just what these 48(ish) issues do. It was a page turner like few others. It has an almost unlimited supply of conflicit and edge of the seat moments. Its not afraid of killing folk off in keeping with its settingand as such the bulit in tension has real consequence. Which makes it really work well.

I've never read a Dan Brown book but given what my wife said when she did I image this is a similar experience. Its dumb fun... but then I'm a bit dumb and like fun, finally I'll be back for more after so many aborted attempts to try getting into this series which I always felt should be right up my street.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Satanist on 14 September, 2016, 04:17:37 PM
Latest issue - shit just got real!

Its been in a bit of a lull for a while but I'm really enjoying this run and never tire of Negans over the top inventive sweariness.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 14 September, 2016, 04:18:17 PM
Just read it too! Awesome!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 15 September, 2016, 01:42:48 PM
Excellent fun, you do feel that the entire cast (almost) could be eradicated, there are a fair few already purged in this comic and I get the feeling Alexandria and its satellites ( friendly or not) are in for a severe gubbing... foreshadowing much mayhem and madness yah!!   
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 01 February, 2017, 01:58:59 PM
New issue #163 is free today at Forbidden Planet.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 02 February, 2017, 01:53:33 PM
Picked up mine and a right good issue too, Oor Charlie does a fine job, with be nice seeing him at the 40th Party... might finally get that sketch I want  :think:
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 20 February, 2017, 06:30:46 PM
Doh! ( not Boo! Dunk) Couldn't find my blank TWD cover to take to the 40th.

Still The fall of [spoiler]Alexandria[/spoiler] and the rise of the Negan[spoiler]/Rick[/spoiler] tag team is edge of the seat stuff, and two issues a month, no wonder Charlie keeps reusing the same headshots  ;) :D
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tjm86 on 21 February, 2017, 10:16:18 AM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 20 February, 2017, 06:30:46 PM
no wonder Charlie keeps reusing the same headshots  ;) :D

... he's never reused the one he did for me in the Omnibus he flogged me!  Astonishing to watch the man draw it from scratch in the space of a few minutes.  Totally awestruck.  Another fan had asked him to redo the Tony Stark 'Demon in a Bottle' cover.  Staggering stuff.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 21 February, 2017, 05:39:38 PM
To be fair, I think he's simply staring at Negan and not responding rather that any lack of gumption on Charlie part, and it works! you do get the picture( ::)) that Rick is unmoved.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Satanist on 06 March, 2017, 10:48:36 AM
For some unknown reason I had 3 issues of this to pick up at FP at the weekend  :o

last issue...fuuuuuuck!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Colin YNWA on 06 March, 2017, 01:05:52 PM
Isn't it running twice a month or some such at the moment?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Satanist on 13 March, 2017, 05:09:05 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 06 March, 2017, 01:05:52 PM
Isn't it running twice a month or some such at the moment?

I think so but still no idea how I missed 3 issues  :o

old age I suppose  :lol:
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 13 March, 2017, 06:00:49 PM
Quote from: Satanist on 13 March, 2017, 05:09:05 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 06 March, 2017, 01:05:52 PM
Isn't it running twice a month or some such at the moment?

I think so but still no idea how I missed 3 issues  :o

old age I suppose  :lol:

All is revealed in the Letters page, its the 25 birthday of Image, or some such, I was too busy enjoying reading letters without the worry of Butt'man appearing.  ;)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 10 May, 2017, 10:09:47 PM
Just reading the latest issue;  :'(
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 26 July, 2017, 01:40:27 PM
Latest issue... no zombies WTF!  :o
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 11 October, 2017, 08:36:42 PM
Blimey! An unexpected character death...


... Almost completely wrecked by dragged out uplifting speechifying.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tjm86 on 11 October, 2017, 08:49:26 PM
I'm hoping the new story arc will address some of the problems of late.  Other than the balls up with the herd it has, as you say, been incredibly mundane.  Not far off Eastenders except not quite as depressing.  Just finished reading the Negan one off.  Have to admit, very little in it surprised me.  Perhaps it was a sensible move to avoid the standard descent story.  It just seemed vaguely unsatisfying.  Hey ho.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SIP on 10 November, 2017, 10:25:35 AM
I know it's technically off topic, but does anyone else feel like the TV show is completely dying on its arse lately?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Satanist on 10 November, 2017, 10:32:07 AM
Quote from: SIP on 10 November, 2017, 10:25:35 AM
I know it's technically off topic, but does anyone else feel like the TV show is completely dying on its arse lately?

Yes I do. Infinite bullet fights and no-one of consequence ever in danger. The zombie makeup actually looks a lot cheaper and the CGI tiger is not at all convincing.

Although the woman who remembered they are in a zombie apocalypse just in time to have her throat ripped out was fucking hilarious.

TBF though the comic has been pretty shit for a while now and I only buy it out of habit.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: SIP on 10 November, 2017, 08:03:47 PM
Yeah, the A a team shoot outs are terrible. Just feel like it's completely lost its way. The surviving in the Apocalypse has given way to some really poor shoot em up action that's boring me to tears. After the first couple of episodes of the last series it's just been one long decline. I'm hoping it'll get back to where it was, but I can't see it. Such a shame as I loved it!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 14 November, 2017, 06:57:22 PM
I actually enjoyed Season 2 of FEAR THE WALKING DEAD more than last couple of seasons of the parent show. Despite a scenery chewing performance, Negan just doesn't work on-screen for me.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 08 December, 2017, 07:46:31 PM
I keep going back to both the show and the comic like a dog to its sick, but as my little lady Satanist says, its out habit.

Really CBA with the telly show, apart from Daryl and Carol, I really don't care. Michonne is a great character, a total force of nature and should be driving the show but's now reduced to Rick's bidie-in.
And don't get me started of the limitless fuel and ammo in the telly series!!

The comic has really hacked me off with the intro of The Princess and Kirkman's promise she'll be a BIG permanent feature.
FFS she's like an advertiser's identikit Cosplay wetdream!! Young sassy girl, with dyed hair, a fluffy pink coat, steampunk goggles, big boots and a spear... its a tick list of easy to get/dress to get the demographics of cosplayers on board.


Fear TWD finished on all that dream sequence stuff that they use to pad things out, but we all know what they are doing when you see these starting now and hit the FF... but at least in FTWD the blew the feckin dam!

Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tjm86 on 09 December, 2017, 08:13:39 AM
For me it's quite telling that the last few episodes of the TV series are still unwatched on my sky box but I'm quite happily chomping my way through Stargate SG1.  The comic seems to be slightly more than a little lost at the moment.   Will see what the 'New World Order' storyline brings. 
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 09 December, 2017, 10:23:54 AM
Myself, the missus and my Son love this show but season 8 has been completely underwhelming.
In a story arc that was basically resolved with 8 issues has now dragged on for nearly 2 seasons.
Losing it's way in my opinion.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Satanist on 12 January, 2018, 03:57:31 PM
Got the latest issue of this yesterday and it was good. WTF! Seriously, stuff happened that I expect will now change the comic forever. I actually enjoyed it AND there were some zombies.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Goaty on 12 January, 2018, 04:19:38 PM
New World Order issue?

And that final scene does make me [spoiler]little crying of joy. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Satanist on 12 January, 2018, 04:33:11 PM
yeah that's the one but more the fact that they now have [spoiler]50 thousand new chums[/spoiler]
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 26 January, 2018, 04:38:47 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 08 December, 2017, 07:46:31 PM
Michonne is a great character, a total force of nature and should be driving the show but's now reduced to Rick's bidie-in.

I withdraw my previous comment  ;)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: manwithnoname on 29 January, 2018, 09:58:35 AM
I've got two of the giant, 1,000 page Walking Dead compendiums (numbers 2 & 3) to get through still.

They've been sitting on my bookshelf glowering at me for a year now. Must get round to read them, but they're so fucking unwieldy and intimidating.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 30 January, 2018, 04:40:16 PM
NOOOOO!! Just thought that final panel could be yet another intro to a [spoiler]hip happening young thing [/spoiler] as TWD re-alines itself as THE 100 with zombies!...its going to end up like on of those dreadful teen high school werewolf and vampire romeo/Juliet things  :'(
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 07 February, 2018, 12:26:44 PM
Quote from: Satanist on 12 January, 2018, 04:33:11 PM
yeah that's the one but more the fact that they now have [spoiler]50 thousand new chums[/spoiler]
That's one big Pat Mills' intro page!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 10 February, 2018, 11:03:04 AM
no-one else reading this now?

Did anyone else notice the distinct lack of Walking Dead in the latest issue?

Someone's left that cake out in the rain...
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 30 March, 2018, 10:02:00 AM
So I've just got to the collection where The Princess is introduced. Which ends with, and I shit you not, an "I'm not going to kill you because you're not worth It!".

Now obviously I will never ever hold a candle to a writer light Kirkman but What. The. Actual. Fuck?

Any way, I have an idea. Any Walking Dead fans left can club together and we'll pay for 10 pages of Charlie Adlard commission that just finish it off with an unstoppable herd coming in and eating everybody.

Then we can stick that in the back of our books and say "No, I stuck with it to the very end. Volume 29 onwards? No, never heard of them. Look here's the end here. They all get eaten. It's official"
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 30 March, 2018, 10:02:43 AM
(That was really entitled fan whining. I am sorry)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 03 April, 2018, 09:54:25 AM
Nah, yer right! That's what I have done in my head with the four Dark Judges, in my world they are still in BONG! and stored in the Science Block of the Justice Dept. Deadworld never happened, and Bobby never gets out the shower.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Satanist on 03 April, 2018, 10:35:41 AM
The monthly has actually just got interesting so glad I was still buying out of habit.  :lol:
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 25 April, 2018, 04:46:58 PM
Yeah still buy it too but scunnered with the telly version and the comic at the mo, really hoping fear TWD picks up and the current comic story line goes somewhere new :-X
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tjm86 on 25 April, 2018, 07:11:54 PM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has completely lost the plot with the telly series.  Granted, I'm currently only up to the mid series break but I'm watching so many different scenes where I've completely forgotten what was going on in relation to it.

Not completely blown away with the latest storyline in the comic but New World Order is at least a little more interesting that some of the stuff that we've seen of late.  Looking at some of the solicitations for later issues, it does look like its going pretty much where I expected it to.  We'll have to see how they do on it.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 08 May, 2018, 07:00:32 PM
I'd decided to give up on the Fear TWD and TWD on telly as the endless downbeat, of set up and knockdown was getting wearing... then suddenly FearTWD has pick up and there's a bit more life about it, except [spoiler]Nick getting killed[/spoiler] along with [spoiler]his cash crop[/spoiler], looks like its got its mojo back, also enjoying the Talking Dead Fear edition, BT showing it without Ads which is great.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 01 August, 2018, 04:38:36 PM
So New World Order... overlong tedious set up for a right good twist on nation building politics yawwwwnn?

Having said that the final episode of Fear TWD done exactly what I'd hoped it would...which was nice.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 16 August, 2018, 12:43:22 PM
Will the comic book languishes in the doldrums, Fear TWD second half of the TV series just begins and is rather good, was hoping for that road trip back to Alexandria, but that doesn't look likely from the chat in Talking Dead  :-X
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: GordyM on 24 August, 2018, 03:25:19 PM
When I'm reading my latest batch of comics I always put my favourite ones at the bottom of the pile, saving the best for last. For years WD was always sitting pretty at the bottom. Now? It's getting closer and closer to the top. With the current storyline I Just Don't Care. I guess Kirkman wants to mix things up and give readers something different but following up from the Whisperers with race and class politics? Baffles me.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Colin YNWA on 24 August, 2018, 04:06:06 PM
Quote from: GordyM on 24 August, 2018, 03:25:19 PM
When I'm reading my latest batch of comics I always put my favourite ones at the bottom of the pile, saving the best for last.

I respect and indeed share this system. While I appreciate this has nothing to do with The Walking Dead I do feel its important to acknowledge a sound mastery of comics reading as displayed here.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Greg M. on 24 August, 2018, 05:42:22 PM
See, I start with the second-favourite and then employ the system detailed above. I need a good aperitif.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Colin YNWA on 24 August, 2018, 06:12:45 PM
Quote from: Greg M. on 24 August, 2018, 05:42:22 PM
See, I start with the second-favourite and then employ the system detailed above. I need a good aperitif.

That's a good variant - if I wasn't a creature of habit I'd try that.

I start with new stuff, typically those in the first three issue which I still consider 'under review'.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Magnetica on 25 August, 2018, 12:02:00 PM
The system I employed with the latter IDW Judge Dredd stuff is was to put it randomly into my (non organised) pile and then not actually read it....yet...will at some point I guess.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 25 August, 2018, 09:08:47 PM
I start with the ones I 'need' to find out what happens next then in descending order of excitement...
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 13 September, 2018, 10:38:35 AM
So again, just when I was going to stop buying, things pick up.

The walkers are showhorned in to the episode but at least they are there this month!!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 30 October, 2018, 08:01:37 AM
So I'm at New World Order trade and some interesting stuff happening. It's  not exactly... er... subtle though is it. No nuance at  all.

And even the reasons for Michonne starting to side with the Commonwealth seems terribly forced. Iirc, the TV show managed to set our gang on different sides of Prison vs. Governor much more effectively.

Princess can fuck right off though. Every terrible bit of "That's totally rad, dude" dialogue pulls me out of an already strained believability.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 30 October, 2018, 03:46:14 PM
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 30 October, 2018, 08:01:37 AM


Princess can fuck right off though. Every terrible bit of "That's totally rad, dude" dialogue pulls me out of an already strained believability.

100% spot on Tips! if a character was ever ever designed to appeal to a cosplaying demographic and attract the Vampire Diaries audience its her, we can only hope she has a deep, dark, nasty side that comes out and stabs them all in the back!   
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Tiplodocus on 02 April, 2019, 05:40:54 PM
Trade Waiting scum that I am, I have just picked up Volume 31 THE ROTTEN CORE.

It livens up a bit. Still not subtle in the slightest.

But Rick actually seems to be doing the right thing for a change before being forced into a trademark bad decision.

The pacing is a bit off though; Michonne's big dilemma and court room scene rushed through in a dozen pages almost out of nowhere. Princess still annoying. Cast still too large to keep track of.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 12 April, 2019, 12:49:07 PM
I'm still on board, but only just... anyone else watch the TVs Carol and Daryl tour Scotland?
The even learnt to pronounce Edinbra right  :lol:
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Colin YNWA on 29 September, 2020, 09:37:05 PM
Its four years, count um four years since I read Compendium 1 and I know have the rest and what would have been Compendium 2 has now reached the top of my pile. Though I've picked them up as trades in some digital sale or other.

Anyway the series remains what it is big fun dumb. Comic fast food. Easy to comsume and at times tries to pretend its more sophisticated than it is. I've burned through trades 9 -12. The aftermath of the collapse of the prison to arrival at Alexandra. I'm surprised how much of the series was reflected in the telly show (I've watched the first 7 seasons, tempted to pick it back up now). The landing in Alexandria makes for potentially interesting stuff (as it did on the telly) as folks so embattled and bitter, so twisted by what they've had to do to survive try to fit into a normal life. How they can't trust it, nor believe it real. While I can be a little down on this series in its ambitions there's no denying I can't wait to read the next lot to see what happens next.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Trooper McFad on 30 September, 2020, 09:27:26 AM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 29 September, 2020, 09:37:05 PM
I'm surprised how much of the series was reflected in the telly show (I've watched the first 7 seasons, tempted to pick it back up now).

I was always a volume or 2 in front of the TV show and for the most part I didn't mind the differences. In fact I was always looking forward to see how they would tie in the story lines with the Characters they had or had not killed off. I did find the later seasons dragging and some episodes were not needed. So I'm now interested how the will finish off their "final" season 11 when it comes.
Maybe because there are no books to reference I gave "Fear" another chance (and really enjoyed season 4)
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: IndigoPrime on 30 September, 2020, 10:25:45 AM
Given the divergence from the books, they have no option but to end the series differently from the books. My guess is we [spoiler]won't see a big flash forward, and it will end with the main plot strands from that group being tied up, but in a relatively positive open-ended fashion that allows for as many spin-offs as they choose. Although that they've already announced some irks, given that you now know at least two characters that have ultimate cheat plot armour—not that they didn't before, I suppose[/spoiler].
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Trooper McFad on 30 September, 2020, 10:54:30 AM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 30 September, 2020, 10:25:45 AM
Given the divergence from the books, they have no option but to end the series differently from the books. My guess is we [spoiler]won't see a big flash forward, and it will end with the main plot strands from that group being tied up, but in a relatively positive open-ended fashion that allows for as many spin-offs as they choose. Although that they've already announced some irks, given that you now know at least two characters that have ultimate cheat plot armour—not that they didn't before, I suppose[/spoiler].

I agree and I'm curious how positive of an end they will show. Though an equally negative ending/twist could work for me too because in the end they are all Walking Dead!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 30 September, 2020, 11:05:12 AM
has there been any word on dates for the final series?
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Trooper McFad on 30 September, 2020, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 30 September, 2020, 11:05:12 AM
has there been any word on dates for the final series?

I'm sure the last episodes of last season airs 4 Oct - there's 6 more episodes! The final season will be 24 episodes and be aired over 2 years and ending in 2022!!! A lot of episodes to fill
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: IndigoPrime on 30 September, 2020, 11:36:14 AM
And then there will be the inevitable spin-offs, movies, lunchboxes, etc.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Proudhuff on 30 September, 2020, 01:30:30 PM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 30 September, 2020, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 30 September, 2020, 11:05:12 AM
has there been any word on dates for the final series?

I'm sure the last episodes of last season airs 4 Oct - there's 6 more episodes! The final season will be 24 episodes and be aired over 2 years and ending in 2022!!! A lot of episodes to fill

Good to know!!
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Colin YNWA on 29 June, 2023, 10:21:49 PM
120 days warning - HA! 120 weeks more like (well maybe, I ain't counting).

So finally read the rest of Walking Dead and it remains a page turner almost to the end. Then I'm glad I knew it was ending as it became a bit of a chore.

I always admired the way they closed it off the way they did. It felt brave and fitting to drop the biggest axe of all with out letting reader in. So fitting for a series that was always brave in the way it never allowed you to feel safe. Now having read the end it felt actually like putting a bullet through a corpses head before it got up and started rumbling on endlessly in its every present search for BBRRRRAAAIIINNNNSSSS.

What would have been Compendium 3 (I read the second half in digital trades so I'm estimating here) is just the same a 1 + 2 the comic equivalent of an airport novel. Gripping and an absolute page turner but with none of the substance you sense the writer wanted it to have. Charlie Adlard's art raised it up a level or two and too many damned splashes aside was consistently excellent.

Then as Kirkman plans his ending (judging by this farewell text piece at the end) the last 48 issues it slowly falls apart. Its as if for all the planning Kirkman put into the timing at the end was never really ... well planned. It seems at moments to be in a panicked rush to get everything in. Then it realises its got to fill those 48 issues, panicks there's not the story to fill it so clogs things up and slows things down by the endless tiresome speechifying. Often this happens in the same issue.

This lose of the relentless pacing really brings the series faults to the fore alas. The speeches (often made between just two folks, the dialogue can be so slilted and poor it all began to feel like speeches) and character moments that I think are meant to be deep and insightful, show growth and development but read as someone just trying to surprise with some horrible leaps of emotional logic (if there is such a thing. Hey I'll just pump my stumpy arm in the air and proclaim some truism and you'll all believe me and hail me the true leader of a ragged humanity if this story is to be believed) and just jarring. Kirkman proclaims its character driven, I read it as wanting to move the plot on in a specific direction and jamming the character's decisions into that progressing hole.

These problems have always been there, as we head towards the end they seem to dominate more and more.

Still I read it with a degree of glee remaining right up to that horrible epilogue of a final episode. Ouch that was terrible in the painful way we got to see everyone neatly wrapped up.

I really quite enjoyed the series for all my whining, on the whole. Doubt I'll ever feel the need to read it again mind.
Title: Re: The Walking Dead Comic thread
Post by: Barrington Boots on 30 June, 2023, 11:53:03 AM
Interesting thoughts Colin. I can remember being incredibly into TWD when it was first running but my enthusiasm gradually faded and I dropped it before it ended. I recently did a full re-read and it's definitely not as good as I remembered - it definitely starts dragging after a while and I think the character attrition rate, which seemed novel and interesting at the time, ends up being to its detriment. I think the very best of the series is definitely the Tony Moore-drawn stuff at the start (Adlard isn't responsible for the quality of writing, but I think the story is sharper then, and by the time the Governor arc is done, story quality has started to decline)

I've found a similar thing doing a re-read on Invincible - it's not as good as I remember. It may be that I'm not on the same wavelength as Kirman anymore.