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The Walking Dead #17-18
The Walking Dead, Book Nine
In this volume of the New York Times Bestselling survival horror, Rick and his band of survivors work to build a larger network of thriving communities. But Negan and his Saviors prove to be a larger threat than they could have imagined. Crossing them will lead to The Walking Dead's most harrowing story since the Governor's reign of terror!
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2013
42 people are currently reading
1703 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,741 books6,938 followersRobert 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
November 14, 2015
OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!
What just happened here?! Did I just read that?
Kirkman, you are killing me!
Yes, Glenn. Yes, it was...
SPOILER ALERT!
I'm going to try to tag some of the bigger stuff, but I'm not making any promises, because I'm all emotional right now.
So at first, we're lulled into a false sense of security here. Little things happen, like Carl finding out his daddy had an overnight guest.
Standard zombie soap opera stuff...
And then we get the happy news that Glenn isn't shooting blanks.
Awww! Those two kids are gonna be together FOREVER!
Plus, our resident liar/science teacher finds a way to make bullets, so it looks like our gang might be able to make good on their promise to take out this Negan guy.
Whoever he is...
And now he just needs Abraham to take him on a little stroll to find the supplies. Of course, that little jaunt goes off without a hitch!
Never mind, I'm just gonna shake it off.
Or so I thought...
Because that brings us to this:
Negan is the biggest ASSHOLE in the history of assholes!
What did you do?! My heart! I think it stopped there for a second!
Ok, I can't even talk about this. Just...
{insert ugly cry here}
Oh yeah. I think a little piece of what was good in the world just died.
And Rick, naturally, vows vengeance!
If there is any justice in thisfake world, Rick will make good on that promise.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.
After finding out that the Group is severely out-numbered, Rick has no choice but to cow down to Negan, and give in to his demands. He's doing it to save lives, but not everyone is happy with this new arrangement.
Especiallythe little psycho Carl.
And he decides to
Which, works out well for him. Naturally.
Because unbelievably the little shit survives his experience no worse for the wear. However, the same cannot be said for the dude who was fucking one of Negan's wives...
You read that right. One of his wives.
*shakes fist*
Anyway, it all leads up to Rick meeting a very interesting new character.
Ezekiel.
THIS WAS SO GOOD! I loved every freaking minute of it, and I can't wait to read what happens next!
*grabs box of Kleenex*
What just happened here?! Did I just read that?
Kirkman, you are killing me!
Yes, Glenn. Yes, it was...
SPOILER ALERT!
I'm going to try to tag some of the bigger stuff, but I'm not making any promises, because I'm all emotional right now.
So at first, we're lulled into a false sense of security here. Little things happen, like Carl finding out his daddy had an overnight guest.
Standard zombie soap opera stuff...
And then we get the happy news that Glenn isn't shooting blanks.
Awww! Those two kids are gonna be together FOREVER!
Plus, our resident liar/science teacher finds a way to make bullets, so it looks like our gang might be able to make good on their promise to take out this Negan guy.
Whoever he is...
And now he just needs Abraham to take him on a little stroll to find the supplies. Of course, that little jaunt goes off without a hitch!
Never mind, I'm just gonna shake it off.
Or so I thought...
Because that brings us to this:
Negan is the biggest ASSHOLE in the history of assholes!
What did you do?! My heart! I think it stopped there for a second!
Ok, I can't even talk about this. Just...
{insert ugly cry here}
Oh yeah. I think a little piece of what was good in the world just died.
And Rick, naturally, vows vengeance!
If there is any justice in this
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.
After finding out that the Group is severely out-numbered, Rick has no choice but to cow down to Negan, and give in to his demands. He's doing it to save lives, but not everyone is happy with this new arrangement.
Especially
And he decides to
Which, works out well for him. Naturally.
Because unbelievably the little shit survives his experience no worse for the wear. However, the same cannot be said for the dude who was fucking one of Negan's wives...
You read that right. One of his wives.
*shakes fist*
Anyway, it all leads up to Rick meeting a very interesting new character.
Ezekiel.
THIS WAS SO GOOD! I loved every freaking minute of it, and I can't wait to read what happens next!
*grabs box of Kleenex*
April 4, 2016
***Spoilers ahead***
OMG! I was right! Kirkman was waiting for us to let our guard down and get into a false sense of security before he unleashed the ultimate shock and horror with glee.
He was waiting until we've bonded and emotionally invested in the best couple in TWD, Maggie and Glenn. Their survival, love and hope for the future became a constant reassuring thread in the TWD. We revelled in their coupleness ...
And just when things were looking optimistic, just when Maggie and Glenn realised the world didn't have to be bleak and fearful place and they can have the family they've wanted for so long, it all comes crashing down...
I'm in shock! I almost quit reading when Glenn was killed in that brutal way. it was all a little too much. Everything is falling apart for Rick's group and once again, Rick has another psychopath do deal and he promises revenge but for now, his new strategy is to lay low and act beaten until he knows who he's dealing with. I can't wait to see how things turn out in volume 10, I especially look forward to seeing more of Carl's bad-ass character.
OMG! I was right! Kirkman was waiting for us to let our guard down and get into a false sense of security before he unleashed the ultimate shock and horror with glee.
He was waiting until we've bonded and emotionally invested in the best couple in TWD, Maggie and Glenn. Their survival, love and hope for the future became a constant reassuring thread in the TWD. We revelled in their coupleness ...
And just when things were looking optimistic, just when Maggie and Glenn realised the world didn't have to be bleak and fearful place and they can have the family they've wanted for so long, it all comes crashing down...
I'm in shock! I almost quit reading when Glenn was killed in that brutal way. it was all a little too much. Everything is falling apart for Rick's group and once again, Rick has another psychopath do deal and he promises revenge but for now, his new strategy is to lay low and act beaten until he knows who he's dealing with. I can't wait to see how things turn out in volume 10, I especially look forward to seeing more of Carl's bad-ass character.
June 1, 2016
NEGAN NEGAN NEGAN!! This one is so goddamn good I just loved every moment of it like holy shit I knew what was coming up at the halfway point but the brutality of it was still just so horrifying! Like seriously trust The Walking Dead to give you about five pages in a row of your favourite character being beaten to DEATH fuck I couldn't handle it.
This was amazing though. I love seeing more of Negan and the gang. Also I really love being officially ahead of the show so I can attempt to predict what will happen in season 7!
This was amazing though. I love seeing more of Negan and the gang. Also I really love being officially ahead of the show so I can attempt to predict what will happen in season 7!
December 20, 2016
I got bored and stopped watching the show before Negan officially showed up on it so this is my first experience with him other than the clips I saw of him killing some characters. I am impressed! I'm thankful that the comics still capture my interest because I don't see a point in resuming the show. Can't wait to get my hands on book ten.
Also Kirkman writes Negan so well. Like you hate him because he's a horrible person but then he has moments where you question a little how horrible he actually is. He's very twisted but he has moments where you kind of like him. Like his diction is pretty funny and purposely so.
Also Kirkman writes Negan so well. Like you hate him because he's a horrible person but then he has moments where you question a little how horrible he actually is. He's very twisted but he has moments where you kind of like him. Like his diction is pretty funny and purposely so.
September 13, 2013
I hate to say it, but I was kind of disappointed with this edition. I love the Walking Dead (WD) comics and I love zombies, but this book was really just a rehash of things we've already seen from the WD.
Possible ** spoiler alert **
In fact, almost every zombie or post apocalyptic story seems to eventually devolve into this same sort of tale. What I want to see is the group rebuilding society, being inventive and innovative, and creating new norms all of which were alluded to at the end of book 8, but most certainly did not happen in book 9.
Is it not possible that maybe a woman might be a leader? Maybe sociopaths don't always become militant tyrants? Maybe people live in trees. I don't know, just some different concepts than what has already been done to death (wacka wacka).
At any rate, the book ended with a new(ish) concept with the introduction of a new character that seems to bring some promise of freshness to this series. The illustrations are pretty great as always and there are a couple of surprises, but nothing that blows one's socks off.
I will still continue to consume the WD comics and even the no-where-near-as-good show, but on the whole, (and it also pains me to say this) I am pretty underwhelmed with Kirkman these days.
Possible ** spoiler alert **
In fact, almost every zombie or post apocalyptic story seems to eventually devolve into this same sort of tale. What I want to see is the group rebuilding society, being inventive and innovative, and creating new norms all of which were alluded to at the end of book 8, but most certainly did not happen in book 9.
Is it not possible that maybe a woman might be a leader? Maybe sociopaths don't always become militant tyrants? Maybe people live in trees. I don't know, just some different concepts than what has already been done to death (wacka wacka).
At any rate, the book ended with a new(ish) concept with the introduction of a new character that seems to bring some promise of freshness to this series. The illustrations are pretty great as always and there are a couple of surprises, but nothing that blows one's socks off.
I will still continue to consume the WD comics and even the no-where-near-as-good show, but on the whole, (and it also pains me to say this) I am pretty underwhelmed with Kirkman these days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2014
I spoke too soon in my last review of the previous Walking Dead installment, shit just got real. Just when I think the gang might be able to catch a break, PSYCH! let the awfulness continue. We know have a new crazy psycho enemy in the picture and he just might be worse than the governor, hard to believe right? Wrong, this guy is plain crazy. We are also introduced to another community, a seemingly good one, albeit crazy. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment when it comes out in the fall. I must know what happens!!!
March 31, 2017
Negan. Lucille. Dwight. Ezekiel. Shiva. Kingdom. So much TWD goodness crammed into one book.
October 21, 2017
4½ stars.
December 23, 2024
This volume holds issues 97 to 108 of the Walking Dead series and finds the survivors torn between their current community and moving to the perceived greater safety of the hilltop. Tensions are heightened as Negan and his crew appear on the scene and through a spanner and a half into the mix. With much debate, loss, anguish and argument the survivors try to make the best decision for all of them, unfortunately they all have a different idea of what this is. Once again Kirkman gets the balance between the battle for survival and the gore of living in a zombie filled world perfect and shows the different communities that can and probably would arise in such a world. The final issue leaves the story on a knife edge as communities rise up against each other and individuals cross and double cross each other. As always the illustrations are superb, supporting the story well and bringing the sense of loss, anguish, joy, love and out right gore to life.
March 27, 2016
Tähän mennessä kiinnostavin ja yhtä aikaa varmasti kamalin The Walking Dead -albumi. Kiinnostavin, koska tässä mennään pidemmälle kuin mitä tv-sarjassa tällä hetkellä ja selviytyjien maailma avartuu ensisestään: on olemassa paljon muitakin selviytyjiä kuin vain Rickin porukka. Kamalin, koska esiteltiin uusi, hirvittävä hahmo Negan, josta tv-sarjassa on vasta vihjailtu. Jos vihasinkin Kuvernööriä, taidan vihata Negania vielä enemmän. On nimittäin tiettyjä rajoja jotka ylitettyään hahmo pääsee minun kamalimmat konnat -listalle.
July 6, 2023
Starts with Rick and crew dispatching a band of Negans guys. Then Abraham is killed unceremoniously by Dwight. Maggie and Glenn decide to live at Hilltop since Rick is fighting with the Saviors. On the way there they are stopped. Glenn is brutally murdered by Negan in the same way as the show. At least we found out Maggie is pregnant. That's a silver lining. The scene in the show is disgusting, but the scene in the novel is also hard to read. Glenn was always a nice guy whose inner goodness was never corrupted by the terrible world around him. The crew have Dwight tied up, yet release him. That's the end of the first chapter. In the second half we see Carl as a stowaway with the Saviors in an attempt to assassinate Negan. It almost works but he only takes out like six guys. Still really good. We finally see Carl's eyehole which is a great illustration of the damage done to him. Rick and co find out where the Saviors live thanks to Jesus. While on the way there to attack they are stopped; Negans antagonizing causes Rick to get into a huge fistfight with him since he thinks Carl is hurt. We're finally introduced to Ezekiel (and Shiva) and see that Dwight has turned double agent due to Negan having a concubine that includes his wife. This one had some gut wrenching scenes transpire. Losing Abraham and Glenn was rough. It ends with some hope of the Kingdom in the horizon. Solid entry filled with thrills and kills.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2023
This is the first compilation that I’ve had to put down mid-way through and take a long breather from because of the dark turn I was anticipating it would take. And while my prediction was right in some ways, the story still managed to surprise me and go in directions I wasn’t expecting.
It was great to finally see one of the iconic characters from the TV series (or should I say two characters? Lucille deserves her own billing!) and I can see why Negan is such a compelling and enduring addition to the storyline.
It was great to finally see one of the iconic characters from the TV series (or should I say two characters? Lucille deserves her own billing!) and I can see why Negan is such a compelling and enduring addition to the storyline.
April 3, 2024
A great arch as we get to know Neegan. Reading the story for the first time, I think the cast of Jeffery Dean Morgan was perfect. For fans of the show, you'll know that this arch has *that scene.* A fun and exciting arch.
May 4, 2023
4.5 biblio
January 14, 2018
Well, up late again finishing another one of these awesome The Walking Dead books. But this one...I don't think I've enjoyed a comic book story this much in a long time! FIVE STARS!!!
Yes, I hate Negan ( in a "love to hate/hate to...sort of..like" way), but this book still gets five stars. Yup...here's where he shows up . But, surprisingly, that part was not as fucked up as that season seven premiere of the TV show. LOL...it's funny, you would think a horror fan like me who's become so desensitized to violence in film, television, etc. would not be bothered by that.
Negan is supposed to be different than The Governor in their psychological makeup whereas The Governor was a Sociopath and Negan is a Psychopath. I read some stuff online about the difference between Sociopaths and Psychopaths. I'm not going to pretend to be a Psychologist and explain the difference. However I will say this, Negan is a truly twisted, sadistic villain. He is often hard to understand, his methods and actions can be as mind boggling as that of The Joker. Hate him as I do, I have to admit that Negan is somewhat of an interesting and clever villain. What with the outfit, the baseball bat wrapped in barb wire, and the foul mouthed sense of humor.
Also, I can't write this without mentioning that after reading this you can see that Jeffery Dean Morgan is doing a terrific job at playing Negan on the TV show. After comparing his performance to the material of Negan's character in this book, I can't imagine anyone else playing him.
I trully have to say, the last time I remember enjoying a comic book story arc this much was when I first read Batman: Hush and Wolverine: Origin years ago. There's something about the whole thing that just grabs you and doesn't let go.
Well, onto The Walking Dead, Book Ten. I finally get to read ALL OUT WAR!
Yes, I hate Negan ( in a "love to hate/hate to...sort of..like" way), but this book still gets five stars. Yup...here's where he shows up . But, surprisingly, that part was not as fucked up as that season seven premiere of the TV show. LOL...it's funny, you would think a horror fan like me who's become so desensitized to violence in film, television, etc. would not be bothered by that.
Negan is supposed to be different than The Governor in their psychological makeup whereas The Governor was a Sociopath and Negan is a Psychopath. I read some stuff online about the difference between Sociopaths and Psychopaths. I'm not going to pretend to be a Psychologist and explain the difference. However I will say this, Negan is a truly twisted, sadistic villain. He is often hard to understand, his methods and actions can be as mind boggling as that of The Joker. Hate him as I do, I have to admit that Negan is somewhat of an interesting and clever villain. What with the outfit, the baseball bat wrapped in barb wire, and the foul mouthed sense of humor.
Also, I can't write this without mentioning that after reading this you can see that Jeffery Dean Morgan is doing a terrific job at playing Negan on the TV show. After comparing his performance to the material of Negan's character in this book, I can't imagine anyone else playing him.
I trully have to say, the last time I remember enjoying a comic book story arc this much was when I first read Batman: Hush and Wolverine: Origin years ago. There's something about the whole thing that just grabs you and doesn't let go.
Well, onto The Walking Dead, Book Ten. I finally get to read ALL OUT WAR!
April 21, 2014
So in this edition, the zombies do not seem to be the biggest threat to the survivors. That being said, we are introduced to Negan and if you think The Governor was ruthless, this guy will bash your head in and still keep on smiling. Nagan is very violent and he kills everything in his path to get to his goals and without even saying it, this creates problems as Rick's and Negan's group meet.
Also, I hated almost all his dialogue lines. Every other word is a variation of the "fuck" word. It was like his script was written by Quentin Tarantino. I mean, I know cussing to be a grown man thing and you can do whatever you want when you got power and eveything, but it came off as stupid and unnecessary. Some of his colorful language include phrases like:
"Stand the fuck up, you fucking fucker. Before I fuck you up even more."
"Just look at this place, it's motherfucking cocksucking significant."
Plenty of phrases just like that if you into that kind of stuff.
I also HATED Carl. He is always on a mission to prove he is not weak, that he is a man but he acts irrationally and it gets him and people who he cares about in trouble. He is basically a little punk who puts his own objectives ahead of everything else. I hate his self centered ass so freaking much both in comics and in TV show.
Also, Rick needs to take it down a notch. I know he wants to help people but everything is resting up on his soldiers. One person dies and he is absolutely devastated. He should be but there are plenty of other people that need his support in the meantime. I am not going t say he is a bad person or bad leader but all this self blame is taking a huge toll on him. Every person who dies and has a relative always accuses him of of "letting" them die as if he wanted to that.
I think a lot of people will say this was a weak volume for the overall series and that Nagan is just another continuation of The Governor. Not saying I agree or disagree but I can say that their points hold a small kernel of truth. Some revelations, some unexpected twists and turns, few new characters, but nothing mind blowing happened.
Also, I hated almost all his dialogue lines. Every other word is a variation of the "fuck" word. It was like his script was written by Quentin Tarantino. I mean, I know cussing to be a grown man thing and you can do whatever you want when you got power and eveything, but it came off as stupid and unnecessary. Some of his colorful language include phrases like:
"Stand the fuck up, you fucking fucker. Before I fuck you up even more."
"Just look at this place, it's motherfucking cocksucking significant."
Plenty of phrases just like that if you into that kind of stuff.
I also HATED Carl. He is always on a mission to prove he is not weak, that he is a man but he acts irrationally and it gets him and people who he cares about in trouble. He is basically a little punk who puts his own objectives ahead of everything else. I hate his self centered ass so freaking much both in comics and in TV show.
Also, Rick needs to take it down a notch. I know he wants to help people but everything is resting up on his soldiers. One person dies and he is absolutely devastated. He should be but there are plenty of other people that need his support in the meantime. I am not going t say he is a bad person or bad leader but all this self blame is taking a huge toll on him. Every person who dies and has a relative always accuses him of of "letting" them die as if he wanted to that.
I think a lot of people will say this was a weak volume for the overall series and that Nagan is just another continuation of The Governor. Not saying I agree or disagree but I can say that their points hold a small kernel of truth. Some revelations, some unexpected twists and turns, few new characters, but nothing mind blowing happened.
December 20, 2013
I thought the first half of this book--Something to Fear--was incredibly sloppy. The plotline seems too much of a retread of the Governor plotline, for starters. Second, killing off Glenn--a fan favorite--is certainly alright in this series, but prefacing it with a pregnancy seems to be in bad taste--a blatant emotional grab. In fact, this volume seems a lot like that, using desperate ploys instead of character development to lure the reader in. At this point, as soon as Maggie says she's pregnant, I know someone is going to die. I'm generally immune to such manipulation.
There are still some nice surprises in there, like when Rick gets back and sees the carnage from Negan's men's half-handed attack, or Rick's seeming willingness to stand down. Less surprising is the last minute "secret mission." Although it really does make more sense for them to lay low for a while, that wouldn't be very exciting for us readers, would it?
The second half--What Comes After--is significantly better, although still not perfect. We get nice surprises (Carl's in the truck! Carl's shooting people with a machine gun! Negan didn't kill Carl!) And this cloak-and-dagger thing works well. Negan starts to individualize himself from previous series villains by being absolutely crazybones random. He's certainly vile, and you can't wait for him to get it, but a lot of the character moments (particularly between him and Carl) are lost because this character seems to have no rational reasoning at all. I guess he's a great villain (I mean, I certainly want him dead), but his irrationality makes him sort of annoying, although it also makes him a hazardous foe. I think I preferred some other villains better.
The ending ramps things up for the next volume, for which I'll have to wait *sigh* another year.
There are still some nice surprises in there, like when Rick gets back and sees the carnage from Negan's men's half-handed attack, or Rick's seeming willingness to stand down. Less surprising is the last minute "secret mission." Although it really does make more sense for them to lay low for a while, that wouldn't be very exciting for us readers, would it?
The second half--What Comes After--is significantly better, although still not perfect. We get nice surprises (Carl's in the truck! Carl's shooting people with a machine gun! Negan didn't kill Carl!) And this cloak-and-dagger thing works well. Negan starts to individualize himself from previous series villains by being absolutely crazybones random. He's certainly vile, and you can't wait for him to get it, but a lot of the character moments (particularly between him and Carl) are lost because this character seems to have no rational reasoning at all. I guess he's a great villain (I mean, I certainly want him dead), but his irrationality makes him sort of annoying, although it also makes him a hazardous foe. I think I preferred some other villains better.
The ending ramps things up for the next volume, for which I'll have to wait *sigh* another year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2013
Check out Happy Indulgence for more reviews!
I had forgotten how freaking intense this series was and when I picked it up I couldn't stop reading. Halfway through, it occurred to me that there's something bleak and sad about a continuing survival horror series. People are going to die and I am going to get sad. It makes me wonder about how long this series has before it starts to veer downhill.
It also made me think about how epic the baddies are and how Andrea is so much of a better character that met her untimely demise in the TV show. Here we are introduced to Negan, a villain who is unpredictable, brutal and completely off the rails here. He's sickly horrifying to experience and is completely and utterly evil.
In The Walking Dead series, we see stark emotion and pure horror displayed in not only survival, but making the most of your life in the wake of a zombie infested world. Walking Dead Book 9 was completely and utterly depressing, taking away some characters that we have grown attached to.
But, such is life in Kirkman's adaptation of a zombie world. It's cruel, it's harsh and he's not afraid to go all George R.R. Martin on his characters. *tears*
I had forgotten how freaking intense this series was and when I picked it up I couldn't stop reading. Halfway through, it occurred to me that there's something bleak and sad about a continuing survival horror series. People are going to die and I am going to get sad. It makes me wonder about how long this series has before it starts to veer downhill.
It also made me think about how epic the baddies are and how Andrea is so much of a better character that met her untimely demise in the TV show. Here we are introduced to Negan, a villain who is unpredictable, brutal and completely off the rails here. He's sickly horrifying to experience and is completely and utterly evil.
In The Walking Dead series, we see stark emotion and pure horror displayed in not only survival, but making the most of your life in the wake of a zombie infested world. Walking Dead Book 9 was completely and utterly depressing, taking away some characters that we have grown attached to.
But, such is life in Kirkman's adaptation of a zombie world. It's cruel, it's harsh and he's not afraid to go all George R.R. Martin on his characters. *tears*
October 19, 2015
*Book source ~ Library
From Goodreads:
In this volume of the New York Times Bestselling survival horror, Rick and his band of survivors work to build a larger network of thriving communities. But Negan and his Saviors prove to be a larger threat than they could have imagined. Crossing them will lead to The Walking Dead's most harrowing story since the Governor's reign of terror!
Wow. Negan. What an asshole. Similar to the Governor that we saw before him. Birds of a feather and all that. Be prepared for some deaths of favorite characters in this installment. I was gutted. Jesus is my new favorite character. I hope to hell I didn’t just get him killed because people think George RR Martin is ruthless when it comes to fan favorites. He’s got nothing on Kirkman. Anyway, Carl. I wish he would die. I’m sorry, was that cold? Too bad. I really can’t stand the little shit. All-in-all the tension is really starting to ratchet up and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
From Goodreads:
In this volume of the New York Times Bestselling survival horror, Rick and his band of survivors work to build a larger network of thriving communities. But Negan and his Saviors prove to be a larger threat than they could have imagined. Crossing them will lead to The Walking Dead's most harrowing story since the Governor's reign of terror!
Wow. Negan. What an asshole. Similar to the Governor that we saw before him. Birds of a feather and all that. Be prepared for some deaths of favorite characters in this installment. I was gutted. Jesus is my new favorite character. I hope to hell I didn’t just get him killed because people think George RR Martin is ruthless when it comes to fan favorites. He’s got nothing on Kirkman. Anyway, Carl. I wish he would die. I’m sorry, was that cold? Too bad. I really can’t stand the little shit. All-in-all the tension is really starting to ratchet up and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
August 11, 2014
I'd previously read the first half of this in trade paperback form last year. It is just as powerful, senseless, and gripping now as it was to me then. The latter half of the volume continues the Negan storyline; it lays the groundwork for things I hope get resolved next volume.
In the year since I last read The Walking Dead, I think my tastes and horizons have expanded a bit. The story is not quite as gripping as I remember it being. I think that is more on me than them, as the characters (of course) haven't aged a day since I last journeyed with them. The constant oppression of the world they live in is less enjoyable and more plain depressing to me right now. I do have the TPB of volume 19 out from the library, so I'll shortly see if the furtherance of the plot piques my interest again or not. It's not that I don't want to continue reading, just that it is a more difficult journey than I had remembered it being.
In the year since I last read The Walking Dead, I think my tastes and horizons have expanded a bit. The story is not quite as gripping as I remember it being. I think that is more on me than them, as the characters (of course) haven't aged a day since I last journeyed with them. The constant oppression of the world they live in is less enjoyable and more plain depressing to me right now. I do have the TPB of volume 19 out from the library, so I'll shortly see if the furtherance of the plot piques my interest again or not. It's not that I don't want to continue reading, just that it is a more difficult journey than I had remembered it being.
July 29, 2014
Have you been dancing on the edge of disgust and terror, waiting for this whole zombie thing to get to be just too much to handle? For the things that people do to each other to push you past the point that any reasonable human being could possibly be expected to endure and then ask you to deal with just a little more? Were you starting to think, 'hey. I'm pretty tough, I don't even get nauseous when they brain them anymore.'?
This is the book that will change all that. Brilliant and devastating. I'm not sure I can go on reading the series after this.
But isn't that how 'they' must feel, these lonely survivors of horrors beyond reckoning? That they simply cannot endure any more? Well if they can't give up then I guess, neither can I. Touche, Kirkman. See you in book 10.
This is the book that will change all that. Brilliant and devastating. I'm not sure I can go on reading the series after this.
But isn't that how 'they' must feel, these lonely survivors of horrors beyond reckoning? That they simply cannot endure any more? Well if they can't give up then I guess, neither can I. Touche, Kirkman. See you in book 10.
September 23, 2013
Yet another engaging and thrilling chapter in this series! In Negan, Kirkman has created his most formidable villain since The Governor. Despite his incredibly dangerous and crass nature, I find Negan to be completely entertaining, often hilarious and hope he sticks around for a while since he adds a welcome new dynamic and presents interesting challenges for Rick and the rest of his group to overcome. I am still reeling from the deaths of two major characters, including one of my favorites in gruesome fashion, but like knowing that no one is safe within this world and that Kirkman pulls no punches.
October 31, 2013
I had hopes at the end of Book 8 that the plot might go in a new and innovative direction, but sadly, Book 9 ended up being more of the same. I am tired of reading what is essentially the same storyline rehashed again and again. The characters have become so flat and static that I don't even care about them anymore. The brutal death of a major character elicited no emotional response from me at all. As hard as Kirkman tried to make the villain du jour as loathsome as possible, he is just another sadistic misogynist...surprise surprise. I'm glad the show has gone in such a radically different direction from the original story, because this story is going nowhere.
January 7, 2015
OMG! The description ha it as The Walking Dead's most harrowing story since the Governor's reign of terror! Well, this is quite true! It is actually what I wanted the governor to be... a sick build up to an epic crisis that will leave plenty of people behind. Honestly, I tough that this book would be the one, as we got used to alternating between build ups and epic arcs, but what we got here is even better! The pace is once more perfect, the art was great, and the text... OMG... the text gets you longing for that final battle.
AND DAMN YOU KIRKMAN FOR KILLING TWO OF MY FAVOURITE CHARACTERS!
AND DAMN YOU KIRKMAN FOR KILLING TWO OF MY FAVOURITE CHARACTERS!
October 24, 2013
In any truly compelling story, people die. It is life and it makes for good pathos in literature. That in mind, you may be disappointed when we see the demise of a few characters. I won't name names. The story building, the new villain, the trauma and gore- all top notch. The new antagonist, Negan, may be my favorite villain in the series to date. Although, I think one of the functions of Negan is to set the record for the use of the word "fuck" and its variations in a comic.
We also get Carl being a bigger badass than ever. How can you not love that?
We also get Carl being a bigger badass than ever. How can you not love that?
February 1, 2014
I'm really liking where the story is going with Negan( the new villain that was introduced in the last book and that we finally get to meet) in this one.
Negan is like the ultimate gang leader but at the same time sometime it is hard to predict how he will act. We get to see a lot of what makes him tick in this book and you can see Kirkman has a lot of fun writing him.
Otherwise what was foretold a few books ago is finally happening. The focus is moving from the walking dead to the humans, and they make much more dangerous opponents.
Negan is like the ultimate gang leader but at the same time sometime it is hard to predict how he will act. We get to see a lot of what makes him tick in this book and you can see Kirkman has a lot of fun writing him.
Otherwise what was foretold a few books ago is finally happening. The focus is moving from the walking dead to the humans, and they make much more dangerous opponents.
March 7, 2016
Honestly, Negan makes this book. While he's terrifying, he's also sometimes hilarious. He makes the Governor look like a boy scout. He's a very interesting character, because he has this twisted kind of moral code, and I think he actually believes some of the BS he spouts. There were a couple of pretty big major character deaths in this, brought about by Negan and his people, which is very sad. I find myself both hoping they dispatch him quickly while simultaneously hoping he sticks around, because he is so entertaining.
January 13, 2015
This book was rough. Like, I had to put this down and walk away and read something happy and look at this book and think ok, maybe if I read it with a chocolate bar, then I can get through it. This book hurt. My favorite character got killed. :( Not even by zombies. WTF? I struggled because I felt there was no hope. The only great part was the end with the kingdom and the dude who has a tiger. Awesome.
November 24, 2015
Five stars because...
Negan. Best baddie I've encountered in a long while. Hate hate HATE what he does to Glenn, but still. Makes you realize this guy isn't fucking around.
The entire Negan and Carl sequence. So amazing. I can't even.
Ezekiel, and the whole Kingdom thing. So crazy theatrical and yet, why not?
Shiva the tiger. There is a FREAKING TIGER. All other arguments are invalid. Tiger. That is all.
Negan. Best baddie I've encountered in a long while. Hate hate HATE what he does to Glenn, but still. Makes you realize this guy isn't fucking around.
The entire Negan and Carl sequence. So amazing. I can't even.
Ezekiel, and the whole Kingdom thing. So crazy theatrical and yet, why not?
Shiva the tiger. There is a FREAKING TIGER. All other arguments are invalid. Tiger. That is all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2020
Being a huge fan of the show, I wanted to see how the original writing started and how the show writers followed and deviated from the comics. My dislikes were that the comics are much more crude, crass, and unnecessarily violent. I did like the change in relationships and how people worked together differently, and the comics have a different creepiness feel than you get watching it on TV. Overall, I prefer the show, and probably will not finish out the comic book series.
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