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The Walking Dead (Single Issues)
The Walking Dead #158
“THE WHISPERER WAR” Part Two. The war rages on.
Unknown Binding
Published September 7, 2016
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,616 books7,138 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 33 reviews
December 28, 2016
OMG, OMG!!! The Whisperer War is here!
And Negan... what was that at the end? Fuuuuuuuuuuck!
And Negan... what was that at the end? Fuuuuuuuuuuck!
August 12, 2024
Things actually happened this issue, yay!
I must say that I've really come to enjoy Charlie Adlard's art, when he first took on illustration duties of the comic I wasn't to fond of his art but over time I've adjusted and he's also got better.
This issue was exciting and looks to bring this story arc near to a close, and whilst the story has been good it's been a little to slow for me.
I must say that I've really come to enjoy Charlie Adlard's art, when he first took on illustration duties of the comic I wasn't to fond of his art but over time I've adjusted and he's also got better.
This issue was exciting and looks to bring this story arc near to a close, and whilst the story has been good it's been a little to slow for me.
April 6, 2017
G.I. Negan
September 8, 2016
I have to say beforehand that this issue gets 3 stars for the artwork alone.
The art in this one is simply amazing. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
The Jesus/Michonne full page had me looking at the page for far too long. Just great.
Charlie Adlard is the SHIT.
Now, to the story.. we get a cheap WOW moment just for shock value at the very start of the issue with a well known character. I, I... I don't like that. I used to. But not anymore. It was ok though I didn't have a problem with that at all, I was even like "ouch" out loud when it happened.
The fight was awesome because--well-- Adlard. The whole battle, from every point of view. The action is the best thing in this one and you get lots and lots of it.
Now, to the progress of the story-- not so much. I Still have a problem with Rick sitting this one out. It seems that all he does ever since the Negan days and what happened is all politics and talk talk talk. No action for good ol'Rick.
I hate that shit.
And, finally the end was meh. I know it sounds promising but I don't really care that much. Oh well!
Thankfully Adlard with his artwork is keeping it very interesting and beautiful!
The art in this one is simply amazing. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
The Jesus/Michonne full page had me looking at the page for far too long. Just great.
Charlie Adlard is the SHIT.
Now, to the story.. we get a cheap WOW moment just for shock value at the very start of the issue with a well known character. I, I... I don't like that. I used to. But not anymore. It was ok though I didn't have a problem with that at all, I was even like "ouch" out loud when it happened.
The fight was awesome because--well-- Adlard. The whole battle, from every point of view. The action is the best thing in this one and you get lots and lots of it.
Now, to the progress of the story-- not so much. I Still have a problem with Rick sitting this one out. It seems that all he does ever since the Negan days and what happened is all politics and talk talk talk. No action for good ol'Rick.
I hate that shit.
And, finally the end was meh. I know it sounds promising but I don't really care that much. Oh well!
Thankfully Adlard with his artwork is keeping it very interesting and beautiful!
September 19, 2016
War #2
It is in full force. Whisperers are at an advantage, but Rick's army has been doing this quite awhile so I have faith in them. Gabriel-I have wanted tv version gone for awhile,so meh. The Kingdom is having some serious leadership issues. Michonne better get over there quick.
It is in full force. Whisperers are at an advantage, but Rick's army has been doing this quite awhile so I have faith in them. Gabriel-I have wanted tv version gone for awhile,so meh. The Kingdom is having some serious leadership issues. Michonne better get over there quick.
November 19, 2020
This is a review of the entire series.
Rick Grimes is a strong-willed deputy who missed the end of the world because he was in a coma for a month after getting shot in the line of duty. Shaken, starving and confused, Rick escapes the horror of the abandoned hospital only to be met with something far more terrible. Not only has the world ended, but the dead have learned to walk and to kill without mercy. After learning that his wife and son have fled to Atlanta from a single survivor and his son, Rick goes on a journey to reunite with his family and search for more survivors.
Rick quickly has to come to terms with the fact that the world has ended and only a select few survived. The dead have risen from their graves and they prey on the living. In a world where every minute feels like hours, where there's no such thing as law and order, where finding a small meal is a tremendous task, the walking dead are quite possibly the least threatening thing for the survivors to have on their breaking minds. Humanity is pushed to the brink of destruction, forcing them to embrace their cruel and primal nature in order to survive. Sometimes you have to be more concerned about who you let into your community so they don't kill you in your sleep and steal everything you once cared about. Rick has no choice but to abandon the ways of law and order that he's upheld as an officer for so long in order to protect the few loved ones he has left. He has to become a monster to protect his crew or risk being devoured by those who became more monstrous than him and even the walking dead.
Despite zombies running the world and having the series named after them, what really sets this series apart from the average zombie apocalypse tale is the focus on realism and the daily struggles, flaws and depth of the characters. There's plenty of badass zombie killing action, but the action often takes a back seat to give the characters plenty of times to share their extremely tragic yet endearing stories, grow through mutual suffering and learn to adapt to a world that has left them to die. Even after the world has ended, many people still can't see eye to eye. They turn on each other and kill each other when they should come together. Others form alliances in spite of their differences and try to rebuild over the corpse of everything that was lost. The daily human drama and conflict is more intense than any monster apocalypse could hope to be.
We watch Rick struggle to balance his old moral code with the many necessary evils he has to commit in order to survive and make the world a better place for the ones he holds close. We watch people like Glen, Dale and Maggie attempt to find love in spite of having every reason to be filled with fear, hate and self-loathing. Characters like Michonne have to learn how to forgive themselves and convince themselves they deserve to be loved despite all the blood on their hands. We watch the weak like Carl and Andrea become strong and sometimes the strong become evil like The Governor. Even monsters like the wicked yet oddly lovable Negan are given the chance to find new ways of redeeming themselves by struggling alongside the other survivors that have all been changed by the horrors of the fallen world.
The pacing is extremely slow and I can understand why that may be a turnoff for a lot of people, but I eventually learned to enjoy watching the characters grow, overcome their trauma, find meaning in life and learn to love again. The characters are forced to do many terrible things to survive and it haunts them every waking moment. The ways they overcome these regrets is very realistic, human and hopeful. The slow pacing really gives the feeling that we're living beside these people. The way every tiny detail of their lives and who they are is explored makes them feel very real and believable.
When I first started reading the series, I wasn't expecting it to have such an uplifting ending. It seemed so bleak and nihilistic for a long time and things would go horribly wrong even when they seemed to be going so well, but the finale channels all the pain, suffering and betrayal of the previous volumes and tops it off with a very touching and inspiring finish. This was never a story about hopelessness. It's about learning to appreciate the little things, learning to forgive yourself and learning to move on even when it's hard. When everything seems lost there's always more to be found, even when we believe otherwise because we convince ourselves that we don't deserve to be happy ever again. Instead of dwelling on what was lost, strive to try and make things better than they were before.
I've never been a huge fan of zombie apocalypse stories, but The Walking Dead had enough heart and strong social commentary to make me stick by the characters until the end and I enjoyed every moment of their long trial.
***
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Rick Grimes is a strong-willed deputy who missed the end of the world because he was in a coma for a month after getting shot in the line of duty. Shaken, starving and confused, Rick escapes the horror of the abandoned hospital only to be met with something far more terrible. Not only has the world ended, but the dead have learned to walk and to kill without mercy. After learning that his wife and son have fled to Atlanta from a single survivor and his son, Rick goes on a journey to reunite with his family and search for more survivors.
Rick quickly has to come to terms with the fact that the world has ended and only a select few survived. The dead have risen from their graves and they prey on the living. In a world where every minute feels like hours, where there's no such thing as law and order, where finding a small meal is a tremendous task, the walking dead are quite possibly the least threatening thing for the survivors to have on their breaking minds. Humanity is pushed to the brink of destruction, forcing them to embrace their cruel and primal nature in order to survive. Sometimes you have to be more concerned about who you let into your community so they don't kill you in your sleep and steal everything you once cared about. Rick has no choice but to abandon the ways of law and order that he's upheld as an officer for so long in order to protect the few loved ones he has left. He has to become a monster to protect his crew or risk being devoured by those who became more monstrous than him and even the walking dead.
Despite zombies running the world and having the series named after them, what really sets this series apart from the average zombie apocalypse tale is the focus on realism and the daily struggles, flaws and depth of the characters. There's plenty of badass zombie killing action, but the action often takes a back seat to give the characters plenty of times to share their extremely tragic yet endearing stories, grow through mutual suffering and learn to adapt to a world that has left them to die. Even after the world has ended, many people still can't see eye to eye. They turn on each other and kill each other when they should come together. Others form alliances in spite of their differences and try to rebuild over the corpse of everything that was lost. The daily human drama and conflict is more intense than any monster apocalypse could hope to be.
We watch Rick struggle to balance his old moral code with the many necessary evils he has to commit in order to survive and make the world a better place for the ones he holds close. We watch people like Glen, Dale and Maggie attempt to find love in spite of having every reason to be filled with fear, hate and self-loathing. Characters like Michonne have to learn how to forgive themselves and convince themselves they deserve to be loved despite all the blood on their hands. We watch the weak like Carl and Andrea become strong and sometimes the strong become evil like The Governor. Even monsters like the wicked yet oddly lovable Negan are given the chance to find new ways of redeeming themselves by struggling alongside the other survivors that have all been changed by the horrors of the fallen world.
The pacing is extremely slow and I can understand why that may be a turnoff for a lot of people, but I eventually learned to enjoy watching the characters grow, overcome their trauma, find meaning in life and learn to love again. The characters are forced to do many terrible things to survive and it haunts them every waking moment. The ways they overcome these regrets is very realistic, human and hopeful. The slow pacing really gives the feeling that we're living beside these people. The way every tiny detail of their lives and who they are is explored makes them feel very real and believable.
When I first started reading the series, I wasn't expecting it to have such an uplifting ending. It seemed so bleak and nihilistic for a long time and things would go horribly wrong even when they seemed to be going so well, but the finale channels all the pain, suffering and betrayal of the previous volumes and tops it off with a very touching and inspiring finish. This was never a story about hopelessness. It's about learning to appreciate the little things, learning to forgive yourself and learning to move on even when it's hard. When everything seems lost there's always more to be found, even when we believe otherwise because we convince ourselves that we don't deserve to be happy ever again. Instead of dwelling on what was lost, strive to try and make things better than they were before.
I've never been a huge fan of zombie apocalypse stories, but The Walking Dead had enough heart and strong social commentary to make me stick by the characters until the end and I enjoyed every moment of their long trial.
***
My Social Media
My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
My Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/michael_sor...
My Wattpad Account: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Michael-...
My Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/SorbelloHorror
My Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/michael.sorb...
July 28, 2018
Negan and his dirty mouth...:D :D :D :D
July 21, 2026
Going into this issue, I had a terrible feeling that everything Rick and the communities had spent weeks preparing for was about to fall apart. The militia had carefully positioned themselves across different checkpoints, Gabriel was stationed at the water tower as their early warning system, and every part of their battle plan depended on communication. My biggest concern wasn't even whether they could defeat the Whisperers—it was whether they would even know the attack had begun. If Gabriel failed to send the warning, Dwight and the soldiers stationed on the front lines would be left to fight blindly, while Alexandria, the Hilltop, the Kingdom, and the Sanctuary would remain completely unaware of the nightmare marching toward them. With Beta now leading an army fueled by revenge, I knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary battle. The question was no longer if the Whisperers would attack, but how devastating the first strike would be.
The issue opens with one of the most horrifying sequences in the series so far. High atop the water tower, Gabriel finally sees the full scale of the Whisperers' advance. Through his scope stretches an endless sea of walkers with Whisperers hidden among them, and for the first time, even someone as composed as Gabriel completely loses control. Instead of sounding the warning horn immediately, panic overtakes him. Desperately pleading for help, he abandons his post and begins climbing down the ladder. It is a painfully human reaction. Despite all the years of surviving the apocalypse, Gabriel is still capable of fear, and in that single moment his instincts overwhelm his training.
His attempt to escape only makes everything worse. Gabriel loses his grip and falls, but instead of hitting the ground, his foot becomes twisted between the ladder's rails. The impact snaps his leg in a gruesome fashion, leaving him hanging upside down, helpless and screaming in agony. The imagery alone is horrifying because there is absolutely nothing he can do. Every second he struggles only worsens his injuries while the massive herd continues approaching beneath him.
Then comes one of the coldest entrances Beta has ever made. Hearing Gabriel's desperate cries, Beta calmly approaches and speaks to him almost as if he is offering mercy. Without hesitation, Beta slices Gabriel's abdomen open, effectively "freeing" him from the ladder. It is an incredibly disturbing scene because Beta delivers the fatal wound with complete emotional detachment, almost treating it as an act of kindness rather than murder. As Beta and the Whisperers continue marching without even looking back, the helpless Gabriel is left to be devoured alive by the passing horde until almost nothing remains. It is one of the most brutal deaths in The Walking Dead, not simply because of the gore, but because Gabriel dies completely alone, unable to fulfill the one responsibility entrusted to him. His warning never reaches the militia, and in that single moment Rick's carefully planned defense begins to collapse before the battle has even properly started.
Elsewhere, Vincent arrives at the Sanctuary hoping to convince the remaining Saviors to join the fight against the Whisperers. Unfortunately, his efforts accomplish very little. Tara, John, and Sherry all reject the idea, asking him to leave while keeping his horse behind. Their hesitation reflects how fractured the Sanctuary still is after everything that has happened. Even though the Whisperers threaten every community equally, distrust and uncertainty continue preventing everyone from standing together. Their refusal feels frustrating, but it also highlights how difficult it is to unite people who have spent years surviving under completely different leaders and philosophies.
Back in Alexandria, there is a brief moment of calm before the storm. Annie, Andrea, and Eugene commend Rick for his leadership and the speech that inspired the communities to unite. Rick notices Eugene working on another mysterious project and asks what he is doing, but Eugene refuses to explain for now. This short interaction quietly reminds readers that Eugene is constantly thinking several steps ahead. Whether it involves the radio, ammunition, or another invention entirely, he continues searching for ways to improve their chances of survival.
At the Kingdom, political tensions continue simmering beneath the surface. Zachary once again criticizes William for sending many of their strongest fighters to assist Rick's militia. William stands firmly by his decision, believing unity is their only chance to survive, but Zachary ominously warns that he will regret it. Although this exchange is brief, it reinforces that even during an approaching war, internal disagreements remain dangerous. Sometimes division within a community can become just as threatening as the enemy standing outside its walls.
The focus then shifts back to the front lines where Dwight, Laura, Negan, and the militia prepare for what they still believe is an organized defense. Negan, still under Rick's restrictions, complains about not having a proper weapon and continues throwing sarcastic comments at Dwight, even teasing him about Sherry. Despite the life-or-death situation, Negan somehow never abandons his trademark humor. Laura suddenly reports that a massive group of Whisperers is approaching, leaving Dwight confused as to why Gabriel never sounded the warning horn. Neither Dwight nor anyone else realizes that Gabriel is already dead. That realization creates an incredible amount of dramatic irony because readers know exactly why the warning never came while the characters continue waiting for a signal that will never arrive.
The battle erupts almost immediately. The militia opens fire on the approaching walkers, attempting to thin the herd before it reaches their position. However, as expected, the Whisperers reveal themselves from within the crowd, turning what initially appeared to be a walker assault into a coordinated ambush. Suddenly, bullets, blades, and walkers are coming from every direction. The carefully organized battle lines quickly descend into complete chaos. Members of the militia begin falling one after another as the Whisperers exploit every opening.
During the confusion, Negan finally manages to arm himself after finding a discarded weapon. Rather than fleeing or hesitating, he immediately joins the fight alongside the very people who imprisoned him for years. It is another small but significant step in proving that, at least for now, his loyalty genuinely lies with Rick's side.
As the fighting intensifies, Magna, Yumiko's group, and several Kingdom fighters arrive to reinforce Dwight's position. Their arrival helps divert part of the enormous walker herd away from the main battlefield, buying the militia precious time. Even with reinforcements, however, Dwight begins realizing just how overwhelming the Whisperers truly are. The numerical advantage is staggering, and despite all their planning, the militia slowly finds itself being surrounded. Every page of the battle feels increasingly desperate as the communities struggle simply to avoid being overrun.
Meanwhile, the Hilltop remains on high alert. Maggie and Brianna briefly discuss Dante, while Carl and Lydia maintain watch over the surrounding area. Lydia's observations remain incredibly valuable because of her firsthand knowledge of the Whisperers. She calmly explains that if the Whisperers launch a full-scale assault, spotting them early won't necessarily matter because of the sheer size of their forces. It is a chilling reminder that knowledge alone cannot always overcome overwhelming numbers.
Eugene arrives at the Hilltop to assist with manufacturing additional ammunition as quickly as possible. Even while the fighting has already begun elsewhere, he continues contributing in the way he knows best. Rather than fighting on the battlefield, Eugene fights through preparation, engineering, and logistics. At the same time, Aaron slowly begins recovering with Alex helping him out of bed, showing that although he survived Beta's attack, he is still far from fully healed.
Elsewhere, Siddiq attempts to gather additional manpower, but Pete informs him that he cannot spare anyone else. Every community is stretched thin, forcing leaders to make impossible decisions about where their limited resources should be allocated. At the Sanctuary, Tara warns Sherry that if Alexandria falls, the Whisperers will inevitably come for them next. Their relative isolation will not save them forever.
A quieter moment between Rick and Andrea provides a welcome emotional pause amid the growing chaos. Rick brings Andrea lunch while she maintains watch over Alexandria. Despite the circumstances, the two still exchange playful jokes, with Rick remarking that perhaps Negan should have carried him around after his injury. Andrea sarcastically replies that allowing Negan to die on the front lines would be a far more fitting punishment. Their conversation highlights the strength of their relationship. Even while war unfolds around them, they still manage to comfort one another through humor.
The issue then delivers one of its biggest action sequences as Michonne and Jesus discuss Aaron before noticing that Dwight's militia has become completely surrounded. Without hesitation, they race toward the battlefield to reinforce their allies. Their arrival couldn't have come at a better time.
During the fighting, Beta silently stalks Dwight through the chaos like a predator. Rather than charging directly into battle, Beta patiently waits for the perfect opportunity before launching a surprise attack. Just as it seems Dwight is about to be killed, Negan intervenes, striking Beta with his rifle and knocking the towering Whisperer leader to the ground. The moment perfectly captures how unpredictable Negan remains. Not long ago he stood beside Alpha inside the Whisperer camp, and now he is risking his own life to save Dwight—the very man who despises him more than almost anyone else alive. Negan then taunts Beta, practically daring the enormous man to get back up so they can finish the fight. It is an incredibly satisfying cliffhanger that leaves readers wondering whether Negan truly stands a chance against someone as physically intimidating as Beta.
This issue is relentless from beginning to end. There are very few moments to breathe because every chapter either advances the battle or raises the stakes even further. What impressed me most was how effectively Robert Kirkman balanced large-scale warfare with intimate character moments. Even in the middle of chaos, the story never forgets its characters and the emotional weight behind every decision they make.
Gabriel's death completely shocked me. I genuinely didn't expect him to die in such a horrific and hopeless manner. His final moments were heartbreaking because he wasn't killed while heroically charging into battle or sacrificing himself to save others. Instead, he simply panicked. That makes his death feel disturbingly realistic. Fear got the better of him, something that could happen to almost anyone in that situation. The brutality of Beta slicing him open before leaving him to be eaten alive was honestly difficult to read. Moments like this remind me that the comic never hesitates to kill important characters if it serves the story. Nobody truly has plot armor here, and that unpredictability keeps every chapter incredibly tense.
With Gabriel gone, Rick's entire communication network immediately falls apart. The militia never receives its warning, forcing Dwight and everyone else to react instead of prepare. It demonstrates how even one missing person can completely alter the outcome of an entire battle.
The Sanctuary continues to frustrate me. Vincent genuinely wanted to unite everyone against a common enemy, yet the remaining Saviors still hesitate. While I understand their distrust and exhaustion after everything they've experienced, they seem unable to recognize that refusing to fight together only makes them easier targets. If Beta decides to attack them next, I honestly don't think they'll be prepared to defend themselves.
I found myself smiling when Jesus casually asked Michonne whether she knew Aaron well enough. Michonne immediately understood the implication, and honestly, so did I. The chemistry between Aaron and Jesus has been subtly building for several issues now. Under different circumstances they might actually have time to explore that relationship, but unfortunately the Whisperers have chosen the absolute worst possible moment to declare war.
Negan continues surprising me with every issue. Saving Dwight's life wasn't something he had to do. Considering Dwight's hatred toward him, Negan could have easily stood back and allowed Beta to finish the job. Instead, he stepped in without hesitation. Every action he takes makes it increasingly difficult to determine whether this redemption is genuine or simply another long-term manipulation. For now, though, his actions are speaking louder than his words.
The final confrontation between Negan and Beta perfectly encapsulates the issue's escalating tension. Beta represents overwhelming physical power and relentless vengeance, while Negan relies on confidence, unpredictability, and sheer nerve. Watching these two personalities finally collide is something I have been waiting for ever since Negan infiltrated the Whisperers. Overall, this issue serves as a brutal reminder that wars are never won through planning alone. Plans fail, people panic, leaders die unexpectedly, and sometimes the smallest mistake changes everything. With Gabriel gone, the militia overwhelmed, and Beta leading an unstoppable army straight toward the communities, the war has officially begun—and it already feels far more devastating than anyone could have imagined.
The issue opens with one of the most horrifying sequences in the series so far. High atop the water tower, Gabriel finally sees the full scale of the Whisperers' advance. Through his scope stretches an endless sea of walkers with Whisperers hidden among them, and for the first time, even someone as composed as Gabriel completely loses control. Instead of sounding the warning horn immediately, panic overtakes him. Desperately pleading for help, he abandons his post and begins climbing down the ladder. It is a painfully human reaction. Despite all the years of surviving the apocalypse, Gabriel is still capable of fear, and in that single moment his instincts overwhelm his training.
His attempt to escape only makes everything worse. Gabriel loses his grip and falls, but instead of hitting the ground, his foot becomes twisted between the ladder's rails. The impact snaps his leg in a gruesome fashion, leaving him hanging upside down, helpless and screaming in agony. The imagery alone is horrifying because there is absolutely nothing he can do. Every second he struggles only worsens his injuries while the massive herd continues approaching beneath him.
Then comes one of the coldest entrances Beta has ever made. Hearing Gabriel's desperate cries, Beta calmly approaches and speaks to him almost as if he is offering mercy. Without hesitation, Beta slices Gabriel's abdomen open, effectively "freeing" him from the ladder. It is an incredibly disturbing scene because Beta delivers the fatal wound with complete emotional detachment, almost treating it as an act of kindness rather than murder. As Beta and the Whisperers continue marching without even looking back, the helpless Gabriel is left to be devoured alive by the passing horde until almost nothing remains. It is one of the most brutal deaths in The Walking Dead, not simply because of the gore, but because Gabriel dies completely alone, unable to fulfill the one responsibility entrusted to him. His warning never reaches the militia, and in that single moment Rick's carefully planned defense begins to collapse before the battle has even properly started.
Elsewhere, Vincent arrives at the Sanctuary hoping to convince the remaining Saviors to join the fight against the Whisperers. Unfortunately, his efforts accomplish very little. Tara, John, and Sherry all reject the idea, asking him to leave while keeping his horse behind. Their hesitation reflects how fractured the Sanctuary still is after everything that has happened. Even though the Whisperers threaten every community equally, distrust and uncertainty continue preventing everyone from standing together. Their refusal feels frustrating, but it also highlights how difficult it is to unite people who have spent years surviving under completely different leaders and philosophies.
Back in Alexandria, there is a brief moment of calm before the storm. Annie, Andrea, and Eugene commend Rick for his leadership and the speech that inspired the communities to unite. Rick notices Eugene working on another mysterious project and asks what he is doing, but Eugene refuses to explain for now. This short interaction quietly reminds readers that Eugene is constantly thinking several steps ahead. Whether it involves the radio, ammunition, or another invention entirely, he continues searching for ways to improve their chances of survival.
At the Kingdom, political tensions continue simmering beneath the surface. Zachary once again criticizes William for sending many of their strongest fighters to assist Rick's militia. William stands firmly by his decision, believing unity is their only chance to survive, but Zachary ominously warns that he will regret it. Although this exchange is brief, it reinforces that even during an approaching war, internal disagreements remain dangerous. Sometimes division within a community can become just as threatening as the enemy standing outside its walls.
The focus then shifts back to the front lines where Dwight, Laura, Negan, and the militia prepare for what they still believe is an organized defense. Negan, still under Rick's restrictions, complains about not having a proper weapon and continues throwing sarcastic comments at Dwight, even teasing him about Sherry. Despite the life-or-death situation, Negan somehow never abandons his trademark humor. Laura suddenly reports that a massive group of Whisperers is approaching, leaving Dwight confused as to why Gabriel never sounded the warning horn. Neither Dwight nor anyone else realizes that Gabriel is already dead. That realization creates an incredible amount of dramatic irony because readers know exactly why the warning never came while the characters continue waiting for a signal that will never arrive.
The battle erupts almost immediately. The militia opens fire on the approaching walkers, attempting to thin the herd before it reaches their position. However, as expected, the Whisperers reveal themselves from within the crowd, turning what initially appeared to be a walker assault into a coordinated ambush. Suddenly, bullets, blades, and walkers are coming from every direction. The carefully organized battle lines quickly descend into complete chaos. Members of the militia begin falling one after another as the Whisperers exploit every opening.
During the confusion, Negan finally manages to arm himself after finding a discarded weapon. Rather than fleeing or hesitating, he immediately joins the fight alongside the very people who imprisoned him for years. It is another small but significant step in proving that, at least for now, his loyalty genuinely lies with Rick's side.
As the fighting intensifies, Magna, Yumiko's group, and several Kingdom fighters arrive to reinforce Dwight's position. Their arrival helps divert part of the enormous walker herd away from the main battlefield, buying the militia precious time. Even with reinforcements, however, Dwight begins realizing just how overwhelming the Whisperers truly are. The numerical advantage is staggering, and despite all their planning, the militia slowly finds itself being surrounded. Every page of the battle feels increasingly desperate as the communities struggle simply to avoid being overrun.
Meanwhile, the Hilltop remains on high alert. Maggie and Brianna briefly discuss Dante, while Carl and Lydia maintain watch over the surrounding area. Lydia's observations remain incredibly valuable because of her firsthand knowledge of the Whisperers. She calmly explains that if the Whisperers launch a full-scale assault, spotting them early won't necessarily matter because of the sheer size of their forces. It is a chilling reminder that knowledge alone cannot always overcome overwhelming numbers.
Eugene arrives at the Hilltop to assist with manufacturing additional ammunition as quickly as possible. Even while the fighting has already begun elsewhere, he continues contributing in the way he knows best. Rather than fighting on the battlefield, Eugene fights through preparation, engineering, and logistics. At the same time, Aaron slowly begins recovering with Alex helping him out of bed, showing that although he survived Beta's attack, he is still far from fully healed.
Elsewhere, Siddiq attempts to gather additional manpower, but Pete informs him that he cannot spare anyone else. Every community is stretched thin, forcing leaders to make impossible decisions about where their limited resources should be allocated. At the Sanctuary, Tara warns Sherry that if Alexandria falls, the Whisperers will inevitably come for them next. Their relative isolation will not save them forever.
A quieter moment between Rick and Andrea provides a welcome emotional pause amid the growing chaos. Rick brings Andrea lunch while she maintains watch over Alexandria. Despite the circumstances, the two still exchange playful jokes, with Rick remarking that perhaps Negan should have carried him around after his injury. Andrea sarcastically replies that allowing Negan to die on the front lines would be a far more fitting punishment. Their conversation highlights the strength of their relationship. Even while war unfolds around them, they still manage to comfort one another through humor.
The issue then delivers one of its biggest action sequences as Michonne and Jesus discuss Aaron before noticing that Dwight's militia has become completely surrounded. Without hesitation, they race toward the battlefield to reinforce their allies. Their arrival couldn't have come at a better time.
During the fighting, Beta silently stalks Dwight through the chaos like a predator. Rather than charging directly into battle, Beta patiently waits for the perfect opportunity before launching a surprise attack. Just as it seems Dwight is about to be killed, Negan intervenes, striking Beta with his rifle and knocking the towering Whisperer leader to the ground. The moment perfectly captures how unpredictable Negan remains. Not long ago he stood beside Alpha inside the Whisperer camp, and now he is risking his own life to save Dwight—the very man who despises him more than almost anyone else alive. Negan then taunts Beta, practically daring the enormous man to get back up so they can finish the fight. It is an incredibly satisfying cliffhanger that leaves readers wondering whether Negan truly stands a chance against someone as physically intimidating as Beta.
This issue is relentless from beginning to end. There are very few moments to breathe because every chapter either advances the battle or raises the stakes even further. What impressed me most was how effectively Robert Kirkman balanced large-scale warfare with intimate character moments. Even in the middle of chaos, the story never forgets its characters and the emotional weight behind every decision they make.
Gabriel's death completely shocked me. I genuinely didn't expect him to die in such a horrific and hopeless manner. His final moments were heartbreaking because he wasn't killed while heroically charging into battle or sacrificing himself to save others. Instead, he simply panicked. That makes his death feel disturbingly realistic. Fear got the better of him, something that could happen to almost anyone in that situation. The brutality of Beta slicing him open before leaving him to be eaten alive was honestly difficult to read. Moments like this remind me that the comic never hesitates to kill important characters if it serves the story. Nobody truly has plot armor here, and that unpredictability keeps every chapter incredibly tense.
With Gabriel gone, Rick's entire communication network immediately falls apart. The militia never receives its warning, forcing Dwight and everyone else to react instead of prepare. It demonstrates how even one missing person can completely alter the outcome of an entire battle.
The Sanctuary continues to frustrate me. Vincent genuinely wanted to unite everyone against a common enemy, yet the remaining Saviors still hesitate. While I understand their distrust and exhaustion after everything they've experienced, they seem unable to recognize that refusing to fight together only makes them easier targets. If Beta decides to attack them next, I honestly don't think they'll be prepared to defend themselves.
I found myself smiling when Jesus casually asked Michonne whether she knew Aaron well enough. Michonne immediately understood the implication, and honestly, so did I. The chemistry between Aaron and Jesus has been subtly building for several issues now. Under different circumstances they might actually have time to explore that relationship, but unfortunately the Whisperers have chosen the absolute worst possible moment to declare war.
Negan continues surprising me with every issue. Saving Dwight's life wasn't something he had to do. Considering Dwight's hatred toward him, Negan could have easily stood back and allowed Beta to finish the job. Instead, he stepped in without hesitation. Every action he takes makes it increasingly difficult to determine whether this redemption is genuine or simply another long-term manipulation. For now, though, his actions are speaking louder than his words.
The final confrontation between Negan and Beta perfectly encapsulates the issue's escalating tension. Beta represents overwhelming physical power and relentless vengeance, while Negan relies on confidence, unpredictability, and sheer nerve. Watching these two personalities finally collide is something I have been waiting for ever since Negan infiltrated the Whisperers. Overall, this issue serves as a brutal reminder that wars are never won through planning alone. Plans fail, people panic, leaders die unexpectedly, and sometimes the smallest mistake changes everything. With Gabriel gone, the militia overwhelmed, and Beta leading an unstoppable army straight toward the communities, the war has officially begun—and it already feels far more devastating than anyone could have imagined.
January 2, 2017
Rat je poceo i prve vjesti i nisu dobre. Prica je zgusnutija sa vise slicica, sto jesu dobre vijesti.
January 6, 2017
The book opens up with a TWD mainstay dying a horrible death.From there the war begins and no one is safe.The promise of a showdown between Negan and Beta ends this issue.
October 26, 2016
You can read my review on my blog at Once Upon A Book
October 25, 2017
Go Negan!
December 15, 2017
I was starting to trust you!
October 15, 2018
OMG! R.I.P Gabriel. I was not expecting that at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2019
Extrañaba un poco de acción el cómic de verdad cuando todos se unen para pelear a una misma causa es impresionante. Y al final siempre Negan es quien da la talla de un gran personaje.
November 6, 2019
A long term person dies in a very unpleasant way. And war has begun
September 23, 2020
Great action in this issue as Adlard smashes out of the conversational boxes.
November 14, 2025
I LOVE YOU NEGAN
so many good lines in this
"Im a useful as a fingerless eunuch during fuck fest feburary"
so many good lines in this
"Im a useful as a fingerless eunuch during fuck fest feburary"
March 5, 2020
So the second part of the arc brought us the war and they surely are huge in numbers. And the way whisperers are using the walkers as shield is awesome. It's no wonder The Walking Dead is a legendary series, it truly deserves all the praise it can get. I love The Walking Dead and it's style. It's wonderful and I love the journey taken with Rick and the group as they roam the wasteland in search of life and stability.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
September 16, 2016
Negan better not die! That's all I'm saying. The only reason I keep reading is for Rick and Negan. I didn't realise it was Gabriel in the beginning. My feelings about the character from the tv show and the graphic novel have coalesced into one, to the point where I didn't care what happened to him. Same goes for anyone who opposes Rick or turns against him. This issue was a bit boring and seemed to be setting up future conflicts. At this point, I'm gonna need something other than some bitter people, who have survived and had it pretty good under Rick and the others stewardship, making a ruckus. But I'm holding out hope that Eugene's little side story is gonna be the central story arc after the whisperer war is finished. It's time for another world expansion.
November 12, 2016
Father Gabriel's death happened so fast, that he seemed like an insignificant character. He kind of was, but he lasted a lot longer than I thought he would.
Negan is a character you love to hate (even though I don't hate him). I found myself really hoping that he didn't get killed. He just adds so much comedy to situations lol.
Negan is a character you love to hate (even though I don't hate him). I found myself really hoping that he didn't get killed. He just adds so much comedy to situations lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2016
I love Negan in this issue, and the battle with the Whisperers is fairly brutal. I can't imagine that the communities choosing not to support Rick in the defense will end up in a good place by the end of the war, though. And the body count is rather impressive...
September 9, 2016
This issue seemed so short! I need more!
September 17, 2016
158 issues in and it still doesn't disappoint.
September 13, 2016
Oh man it starts out on a "tear" (anything) and is just action, on top of action, with more action. And the last page, Amazing. Very good!
September 13, 2016
There's a lot of great fighting in this, but Gabriel's death at the beginning happened so quickly and felt glossed over. It's a bit disappointing that more wasn't done with that character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2016
The War has begun. So far, Negan has proven trustworthy as he saves Dwight and has Beta on the ground. Eugene is still keeping Stephanie in Ohio a secret from everyone. Still unsure if she's real.
December 14, 2016
Damnit, Gabriel, you had one job. One fuckin' job! -__-
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