Image Firsts: The Walking Dead #1

The Walking Dead (Single Issues)

by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore (Illustrator)

THE How many hours are in a day when you don't spend half of them watching television? When is that last time any of us REALLY worked to get something that we wanted? How long has it been since any of us really NEEDED something that we WANTED? The world we knew is gone. The world of commerce and frivolous necessity has been replaced by a world of survival and responsibility. An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months society has crumbled, no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally start to live. THIS Rick Grimes is not prepared for this. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never shot anyone and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family he must now sort through the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. All the while fighting for his survival. How did this happen? How did things get so bad so fast? How will things ever return to normal after everything he's seen? From the guys behind BATTLE POPE and BRIT comes something COMPLETELY different."

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Horror, Zombies, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Ebooks

Comic

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.

Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.

In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After injury in a shoot-out with some outlaws, Officer Rick Grimes is hospitalized.

When he wakes up from a coma, the whole world has changed.

He manages to escape the dangerous hospital—but where are his wife and son?

Disorientation…meeting Morgan Jones and his son, Duane.

Rick is so skinny. 🤣 And he’s not like Andrew Lincoln…dude got a total upgrade in the television show.

Moves along at a fast clip. Could be a bit more…impactful.

Odd words are highlighted.

The illustrations are extremely utilitarian—not artistic.

Kirkman’s note at the end is cool. Planning for it to be an “epic series” and it working out…good for him.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

My buddy Rob finally called me on it: "If you don't read this book soon I am not going to talk comics with you until you do - no more excuses!" Guilty: the George Romero fan that I am has made me (slightly) resistant to getting into TWD. Now that I have finished TWD #1 all I can say is - AMAZING! Where has my brain been! I have been 'bitten' bad by TWD!

[Alex ☣ Deranged KittyCat ☣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

There you go. I read the first issue. I also saw the first episode of the TV series, and that's about it. I have no further knowledge of The Walking Dead, but I felt for a long time now the need to see what all the hype was about.

I like the art even if it's a little different from what I'm used to. We shall see.

[Stacia (the 2010 club) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I am one of those lame people who watched the show before picking up the comic. Apparently, I wasn't cool enough to realize that this world existed before AMC introduced me to it. Well that, and I can honestly say that I'm fairly new to this whole world of graphic novels, comics and manga. I'm pretty sure that my love of Archie comics as a child (TEAM BETTY!) doesn't count.

This review will have some pics because I want to show what's going on in the book.

Not gonna lie...I find show Rick to be sexier than comic book Rick. I'm sure you find it strange that I'd even think to assess the hotness of a comic book character but I can't help it now that Dimitri Belikov has set the bar high on my pixel fantasies.

Yes, I would tap that - paper or not. Come to me, Dimka.


*shakes myself back to reality* Where were we? Oh yes, Walking Dead.

I had more fun than I'd been expecting. Comic Rick seems to more "everyday" than his t.v. show counterpart. I kind of liked that. He's just an average suburbia joe waking up to this shithole of a world.

Oh, and he rides a bike! I don't know why, but this made me giggle incessantly for at least a minute.



And is it just me, or did I notice Rick wiping away what appeared to be TEARS on more than one occasion? Show Rick doesn't cry THAT MUCH! No, I'm not counting a certain recent incident where he was ugly-facing it up on the ground over something that should have made him dance in the blood of freshly slain zombies!

I think I'm going to have to read the next comic now to see if Rick cries any more. Okay, well also for the zombies.

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*comic spoiler ahead that was not mentioned on the show!* So I heard Andrea and Dale were hooking up in the comics? Because there was none of that going on in the show. Thank goodness. I might have felt a little queasy if I'd seen any such nonsense!

Anyway, two mangled thumbs up!

If you're a fan of The Walking Dead but not really into comics/manga, might I suggest a regular (non-picture) book which features a story that could be straight out of a WD episode? ---> The First Days <---- Awesome fun w/a little bit of adult romance in it for people who wouldn't mind a little sexy time along with their gore and zombie killing.

[Mindy (Book Snitch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free as of 9/22/19

Umm. Ok.
Im not a fan of the show but this was free so I thought I would give it a try. I liked it better than the show because it didn't take an hour to read it.

[Hayat · Rating 4 out of 5]

***This short graphic novel is free on Kindle***

I wasn't interested in The Walking Dead graphic novels until I began binge watching The Walking Dead TV series with my son as a way to get over a bad case of the flue (I've been pretty sick for two week and wanted a bit of escapism) and also my son wanted to try out this show because his friends loved it so much. That was few days ago and we just finished watching the second season and I can honestly say, the show is brilliant, the plot is addictive and the character development and relationship drama is fascinating. I'm getting attached to some of the characters and that makes me nervous because there are sudden twists in the storyline, things go wrong fast, characters die at each turn making it difficult to know who'll make it to the end of each episode and each season.

The TV show is full of nail-biting drama and action but it also made me curious about the graphic novels that inspired it, so I decided to try reading this short free graphic book...this is my first comic/graphic novel ever!

This Graphic Novels is free on Amazon and it's a great introduction to The Walking Dead comic/graphic novels and the TV show. It covers only the first day when Rick Grimes (Sheriff from small town in Kentucky) wakes up from Coma in hospital ...

Rick finds that the world has gone to hell, the dead are walking and trying to eat the living


Somehow he has to find his wife and son but in the meantime he needs to learn to survive in this new world. This book sets the scene for all the drama to come and it also adds a hopeful optimistic note in the form of Rick's new neighbour Morgan Jones and his little son.


So far, the adaption from comic to TV is pretty accurate but I'm sure there'll be differences that add to the enjoyment of the plot, world building and characters in each comic and I can't wait to enjoy all that and see my favourite TV show from a new angle and also learn to enjoy reading from a new medium.

I've already got The Walking Dead, Book One full of twelve volumes and I can't wait to immerse myself in The Walking Dead graphic novel whilst watching season three of the TV show.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moderately entertaining.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will start saying that I'm not a fan of the tv series. I read this issue because it was for free on Amazon books. However I enjoyed this short-read.

The Best: The illustrations are very good. (specially the zombies' illustrations)

The Worst: The short story itself.

Sorry psycho-fans. I'm just honest.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was a bit confused, because Rick doesn't look like Rick. And then I wanted to smack myself, because the comic came before the TV series, correct?

I really like the black-white-and-grey pencil work. Minimalistic, but great in telling the story. Very good artwork.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always wanted to read the comic of the walking dead and now I have it. It is nice to see some similarities with the series, not all but some. I liked how it is drawn. The issues are not too long. Makes me wonder about issue 2.

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comienza mi verano de maratón The Walking Dead.

[Oneirosophos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unneeded with very flat coloring that ruins the excellent atmosphere.

Pass and avoid this cashgrab. Read the original.

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Of course I've seen the TV episode first. This short is not bad as an attention grabber, but only if you have the next too. On its own, it's an okay starter to the series.
I think I am the only person alive who isn't that much of a fan of the series (the TV series). This may as well be the way to get into it.

[Sara]

This is free on kindle!

As someone who used to love The Walking Dead TV show it was nice to go back and see where it all started!

[Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's begin with this long journey

[Omaira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entretenido y con un inicio original. Hace años estuve bastante enganchada a “The walking dead” y, aunque ya hace tiempo que no la veo, me ha gustado darle una oportunidad al cómic y reencontrarme con los personajes.

Nos encontramos con un mundo que se ha ido al traste. No vemos cómo se desarrolló todo exactamente porque Rick, el protagonista, no se tuvo que enfrentar a esos acontecimientos. Estaba ejerciendo su labor como policía cuando recibió un balazo que lo dejó en coma y que le impidió ver todo lo que pasó a posteriori. Vemos la escena en la que le disparan y ya saltamos directamente a su despertar en el hospital. Lo raro es que allí no hay nadie… ¿qué ha pasado? ¿dónde está la gente? La respuesta no tardará en llegar, ya que Rick se topará rápidamente con unos zombies que le dejarán claro que el mundo que él conocía ya no existe…

Por un lado, es una pena no ver cómo la población comenzó a sumirse en el caos y cómo surgió exactamente lo de los zombies. Pero por otra parte, tampoco está tan mal que acompañemos a un protagonista que está tan desorientado como nosotros y cuya situación sirve para justificar que no se haya visto el origen del apocalipsis. Rick solo quiere encontrar a su mujer y a su hijo, pero llegar hasta ellos supondrá ir aprendiendo también a vivir en un mundo que ya no es lo que era y en el que las amistades y las lealtades pueden ser muy frágiles.

En una carta que hay al inicio, el autor dice algo así como que su intención no es crear una historia gore que simplemente explore el lado siniestro de una invasión zombie. Más bien, quiere que pensemos en la cantidad de cosas que creemos que tenemos aseguradas y en lo poco que aprovechamos la vida. ¿Le sale bien la jugada? Pues más o menos, ya que no me pareció que ninguno de los personajes se pare a reflexionar en eso. Sí que hacen algún que otro comentario añorando el pasado, pero no me dio la impresión de que hacer hincapié en eso fuera algo relevante.

Desde mi punto de vista, este cómic nos presenta correctamente a los personajes y consigue que conectemos con ellos y que nos interese saber qué les deparará el destino. Eso sí, aquí les pasa lo justo y necesario, aunque también es cierto que se asientan bien las bases para poder sacarles más provecho en los siguientes volúmenes. Tal vez al cómic le faltó tener un toque más salvaje o siniestro, pero tiene acción y logra que quieras ir pasando las páginas con ganas.

Las viñetas son en blanco y negro, pero están bien definidas y cuidan bastante los detalles. A pesar de que yo soy suelo preferir las ilustraciones a todo color, admito que las de esta obra no me han desagradado porque están bien trabajadas y no disimulan la parte más dura de algunos hechos.

Resumiendo: un cómic que, sin necesidad de ser inolvidable o memorable, plantea una buena trama y sirve como distracción. La puntuación real sería un 3,5/5, pero no redondearé al alza porque, independientemente de que me haya resultado ameno y correcto, pues tampoco es que me haya parecido lo más de lo más.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

САЩ е територия на супергероите. Ако комикс, в който няма и помен от тях вземе да се превърне в хит – това говори много за заглавието. И не ще и дума, че „Живите мъртви” на Робърт Къркман и Тони Муур е истинско явление, и то още преди Франк Дарабонт да адаптира поредицата на екран. Все пак трябва да сме благодарни на едноименния сериал на AMC за пиковата популярност на комикса „Живите мъртви”, както и на „Студио Арт Лайн” за превода и издаването на първите броеве у нас! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":

https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owe a great deal of gratitude to Stepheny Zimmerman, for convincing me to try this in the first place, eons ago. Most likely, I probably wouldn't have ever tried it, let alone enjoyed it. Thank you, buddy.

Now, having watched The Walking Dead a number of times, I thought I knew what to expect, and I was both right and wrong. On the one handle, the comprising twenty-six black and gray pages are nearly identical to the pilot episode. On the other, there seems to be more heart and soul here; more anticipation.

One of the series' recurring themes-humanity itself--takes center stage, superimposing the carnage of the walking dead themselves. Another striking element is the artwork, a lot of which blew my mind and will haunt me forever. Seeing the characters made me realize just how SPOT-ON the show's cast truly is. Andrew Lincoln and Lennie James fully personify them as seen here. I can barely process it.

Said artwork of Robert Kirkman and Co. crept up on me, too. I can't emphasize this enough because the first few pages underwhelmed me, but before long, I had passed the halfway point and nearly every panel impressed me in some way or another. I cannot describe the feelings better than that. Looking back on page one, there's some disconnect, as the two look and feel almost like polar opposites of one another.

It was neat to see it all unfold in another medium. It felt akin to magic to behold the immaculate likenesses of Rick, Morgan, and little Duane. Seeing them in general was spectacular, and I greatly anticipate reading this series, which I love even more now. I never it was possible to love and admire the hard work and dedication more than I already did, but somehow I do, and that's a powerful thing.

Now I just really, really need the the next issue, and the next, ad infinitum.

[Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own, and have read, all of Kirkmans zombie epic in TPB form, I started the Comic from issue 3 originally but moved over to the trade paperbacks. I physically own the trades so what better reason to recollect the series digitally and start a re-read so I hit the subscribe button on comixology and here we are. I do dig Moore's art but I prefer Adlards less cartoony style for TWD, I think the shift of artist happens at the right time when the book kicks a notch away from the setup and into serious territory Adlard comes along on art duties. I've seen a load of Adlard in colour elsewhere (notably X Files) however I'm super curious to see how his TWD art looks colourised. I don't think colour is better or worse, my preference will probably be original black and white but then again I absolutely adore both Night of the Living Dead (which inspired TWD) and Adlards work inked in black and grey tones. Its gonna be a fun ride in familiar territory and it'll be great just to see some of Kirkmans cutting room floor material after all this time (I lost count of how many times amazon emailed me about date change on my pre-order of that never to be released book!).

It's easily a five star book in any colour.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this was one of a few freebie graphic novels that I downloaded from Kindle to introduce myself to them and get a feel as to what makes a quality one.
Most people are acquainted with The Walking Dead, and as I started reading this I thought "Whoa! This is exactly like the TV series. What's the point in the rehash?" And there my complete ignorance showed. After skimming through more than a few reviews I quickly realised that the TV series was actually based on this set of graphic novels!
That makes the work on this novel stupendous alone. The story is EPIC and the artwork just blows your mind. I found it styled very much like old school comics with the drawings done in greyscale and with SO MUCH detail that you can't help but sit there and drink it all in. The artwork on the zombies and facial reactions of the humans reminded me of the days I would sit down as a kid and read my Gruesome Tales comics in the 70's & early 80's.
I've only seen one and a half seasons of TWD and after reading this I've decided to read the "book" first. They're always so much better don't you think? Highly Recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having watched the last episode in the new series on the television, I was getting major withdrawal symptoms at having to wait another six months before the next new series. So, it hit me that I should give the books/comics a go in the meantime.

I was a bit dubious as I have a kindle paperwhite and had no idea if a comic style book would be any good on it and even more worryingly, am I to old for comics?

I didn't have to worry though. This is one set of comic books that definitely is for adults only. I loved comics as a child and it took me no time to get back into them. Obviously having watched the series first, there is going to be a lot of differences in the comics that the show is based on. To be fair though this issue is very similar though obviously a lot shorter with it being a comic.

Highly enjoyable though and can't wait to read more.

[Kira]

bloody BEAUTIFUL in colour, get me issue 2 ASAP

ps. thank u brooke for gifting this to me ily

[محمد عادل · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'v been a "walking dead" fan since I was a kid!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this short first issue for free and think it’s nice, although it feels a little strange after having watched the series. I did like the artwork, too.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good intro to the series and the world.

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first adult comic reading on a kindle.

Back in my punky days when I lived in Amsterdam I remember that near the dam square there was a comic shop. I think it must have been of of the first where you could only buy comics. For me when I thought of comics Suske en Wiske, (also named Willy & Wanda, Bob & Bobette an Asterix came to mind. So when I wandered in that shop I could not believe it. There were all kinds of comics. Science Fiction, Sexy, violent and many very well drawn adult comics.

I did buy some on occasions. I wish I could remember which ones I loved and no idea how to find. I tried searching for comics seventies and eighties.(did not work)
There was Storm. I liked that but there were other ones.

Anyway I enjoyed the drawings of this issue. Story has yet to evolve.

[404 Not Found · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first adventure in comic land. I know, I know, someone needs to revoke my nerd card. But, I wasn't sure I would like it. I don't really care for illustrations in my reading. It takes away from my imagination of the situations I'm reading about. But, I'm a The Walking Dead fanatic. From the show to the games, I just love it. So, I figured I would go to where it all began, the comics and guess, what? I liked it. It's something new and different but enjoyable. So give me my nerd card back because I'm off to binge read all these things.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a HUGE fan/ Obsessed fan of the show Walking Dead and I have wanted to start reading the comics for a long time!!! However I am having a hard time finding them! My library was like.. What is Walking Dead? wtf really? **slap**. I found issue one online. So it looks like I am headed to Barnes real soon here.

[Brian Garthoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old Walking Dead with a fresh coat of paint. I’m a big fan of the original art in the first volume, and plan on seeing the rest of it colored in these deluxe issues. Not really sure how far they are planning on going, but it’s a good idea and I’m glad they are taking the time and effort to make it look right. Well done

[Denisa C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this is also in romanian, I will start, in the near future, to colect them.
They are cheap, so good for me.
Really curious of how this is going to continue, I have to mention I am clueless to the TV show, have not watch it.