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The Walking Dead (Single Issues)
The Walking Dead #160
THE WHISPERER WAR, Part 4
The war rages on.
The war rages on.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2016
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,616 books7,137 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 35 reviews
November 11, 2016
Fast-paced one.
Good one too. Lots of things happening. Michonne being a badass is one of them!
The war against the whisperers continues, lots of good scenes, especially with what our group does to get rid of them.
Meanwhile Vincent is going back to Rick and the others to tell them they're not getting any help from the others over at Alexandria? The Kingdom? I can't tell the places apart, but yeah, I would love it for them to go to war against the "traitors" too. Mix it up a little bit.
Also, where the hell is Negan yo?
Oh, Dwight had a nice moment in it too. Artwork is basically what's the best at this whole war/chapter whatever you wanna call it.
Just waiting for the next one!
Good one too. Lots of things happening. Michonne being a badass is one of them!
The war against the whisperers continues, lots of good scenes, especially with what our group does to get rid of them.
Meanwhile Vincent is going back to Rick and the others to tell them they're not getting any help from the others over at Alexandria? The Kingdom? I can't tell the places apart, but yeah, I would love it for them to go to war against the "traitors" too. Mix it up a little bit.
Also, where the hell is Negan yo?
Oh, Dwight had a nice moment in it too. Artwork is basically what's the best at this whole war/chapter whatever you wanna call it.
Just waiting for the next one!
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.
***
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My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
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February 26, 2018
I find it weird that Heath just happened to be there at the moment Vincent needed him. Just saying. Seems hinky to me.
I literally laughed out loud when that one Whisperer called Beta an asshole. I very much agree. Also, I can't remember if we're supposed to know who's dressed up as a Whisperer, and talking to the one who called Beta an asshole.
Oh, that's right! I forgot that Michonne and some of the others had dressed up as Walkers and/or Whisperers, to try and take some of them out. I love seeing Michonne killing.
Hmm. I wonder who the other one was, that told Michonne and the other person to be quiet. Oh damn, now it seems like Beta and some of the Whisperers know that some of Rick's people are trying to infiltrate them.
Go Michonne! Kick some zombie and Whisperer ass! I love seeing her kill. She's so damn good at it.
Oh man, wait. I was wrong. That guy from a little while ago wasn't Beta. Beta's still injured from before. Never mind. I really don't want them taking Lydia back with them.
I mean, I don't like her character or anything and I HATE the idea of her being with Carl. But that doesn't mean that I want her to go back to the Whisperers who are insane and dangerous.
I don't like the idea of the Whisperers going to attack Hilltop. They have enough problems on their hands and now the Whisperers showing up are just going to add to it.
Eve though Rick and Eugene's conversation was small, it was helpful and useful. At least they let us know that they're well stocked and going to be well armed now if needed.
I can't remember the woman with the short hair's name, and I don't care. I do think that she was about to try and kill Vincent. I'm glad that she hasn't, at least not yet.
I don't like this William guy. I have a feeling that he's up to no good and he's going to screw over or endanger the people of the Kingdom. I really hope that doesn't happen, but we'll see.
Andrea seems bored. Like she's missing being able to use some Saviors for target practice. Can't say that I blame her. Each one that gets used for target practice is one less for them to worry about.
Is that Aaron? And if so, who is he with? There's so many characters in this series that I'm having trouble keeping them straight for the moment. I wanna say that Eric's dead. Or am I just confused?
Oh yeah! Dante's the name of the guy who's obsessed with Maggie. Geez! What's it going to take for this guy to get a damn clue? She's not interested in him romantically, and she's dealing with the loss of her husband and the father of her son.
Oh wow, look at all the dead Walkers. I like that. That means there's a lot less of them for the survivor's to have to deal with from now on. I just hope that no Whisperers show up and overrun them.
I'm really really starting to like Dwight. His whole speech about how they shouldn't dress up as Walkers all the time, and how it was disrespectful because they might be Walkers now, but were once people, was great.
Oh shit! Dwight just put a bullet in the head of one of the Whisperers who seemed to not want to be part of what was going on. But then again, you never really know and it could've been just an act. Doesn't matter now, anyway, as the guy's dead.
I don't like the conversation with Maggie and Dante. I felt like she was too blunt and even kind of rude when she was talking to him. Sure, she needs to make her thoughts and feelings clear to him, but I just don't agree with how it came out.
Oh damn! Is it the Saviors who are sending in all the arrow's and all of that, or is it a group of the Whisperers? And damn, look at all those Walkers. Well, at least I think they're Walkers. Maybe some of them.
Crap. I hope that Carl's going to be okay. At least he hasn't been injured, and can run and alert everyone to what's going on. Hopefully they'll be able to save a good bit of the people.
Well, that meeting with Heath and the other two people didn't go so well. At least they got the other horse back, though. Though I wouldn't trust that woman. Just like I feel something's off with Lydia, I feel like something's off with her, too.
Holy shit, they sure have a lot going on at the Hilltop right now. I hope that they can take out all of those Walkers and Whisperers without too many loses on their side.
Oh crap, I hope that Maggie and Carl are able to make it to Hershel and Sophia in time. I really don't want to lose either or both of them right now, when so much is going on.
Ick. I hope that the Whisperer who's talking to Lydia, doesn't manage to convince her to leave with them and go back to their home. I don't like Lydia at all, but she doesn't deserve to be mistreated.
Well, as I've stated many times over, I hate the Lydia character. But this issue when she blew the head off of that Whisperer, I was cheering her on. Hope she takes out more of them.
Great ending to this issue!
I literally laughed out loud when that one Whisperer called Beta an asshole. I very much agree. Also, I can't remember if we're supposed to know who's dressed up as a Whisperer, and talking to the one who called Beta an asshole.
Oh, that's right! I forgot that Michonne and some of the others had dressed up as Walkers and/or Whisperers, to try and take some of them out. I love seeing Michonne killing.
Hmm. I wonder who the other one was, that told Michonne and the other person to be quiet. Oh damn, now it seems like Beta and some of the Whisperers know that some of Rick's people are trying to infiltrate them.
Go Michonne! Kick some zombie and Whisperer ass! I love seeing her kill. She's so damn good at it.
Oh man, wait. I was wrong. That guy from a little while ago wasn't Beta. Beta's still injured from before. Never mind. I really don't want them taking Lydia back with them.
I mean, I don't like her character or anything and I HATE the idea of her being with Carl. But that doesn't mean that I want her to go back to the Whisperers who are insane and dangerous.
I don't like the idea of the Whisperers going to attack Hilltop. They have enough problems on their hands and now the Whisperers showing up are just going to add to it.
Eve though Rick and Eugene's conversation was small, it was helpful and useful. At least they let us know that they're well stocked and going to be well armed now if needed.
I can't remember the woman with the short hair's name, and I don't care. I do think that she was about to try and kill Vincent. I'm glad that she hasn't, at least not yet.
I don't like this William guy. I have a feeling that he's up to no good and he's going to screw over or endanger the people of the Kingdom. I really hope that doesn't happen, but we'll see.
Andrea seems bored. Like she's missing being able to use some Saviors for target practice. Can't say that I blame her. Each one that gets used for target practice is one less for them to worry about.
Is that Aaron? And if so, who is he with? There's so many characters in this series that I'm having trouble keeping them straight for the moment. I wanna say that Eric's dead. Or am I just confused?
Oh yeah! Dante's the name of the guy who's obsessed with Maggie. Geez! What's it going to take for this guy to get a damn clue? She's not interested in him romantically, and she's dealing with the loss of her husband and the father of her son.
Oh wow, look at all the dead Walkers. I like that. That means there's a lot less of them for the survivor's to have to deal with from now on. I just hope that no Whisperers show up and overrun them.
I'm really really starting to like Dwight. His whole speech about how they shouldn't dress up as Walkers all the time, and how it was disrespectful because they might be Walkers now, but were once people, was great.
Oh shit! Dwight just put a bullet in the head of one of the Whisperers who seemed to not want to be part of what was going on. But then again, you never really know and it could've been just an act. Doesn't matter now, anyway, as the guy's dead.
I don't like the conversation with Maggie and Dante. I felt like she was too blunt and even kind of rude when she was talking to him. Sure, she needs to make her thoughts and feelings clear to him, but I just don't agree with how it came out.
Oh damn! Is it the Saviors who are sending in all the arrow's and all of that, or is it a group of the Whisperers? And damn, look at all those Walkers. Well, at least I think they're Walkers. Maybe some of them.
Crap. I hope that Carl's going to be okay. At least he hasn't been injured, and can run and alert everyone to what's going on. Hopefully they'll be able to save a good bit of the people.
Well, that meeting with Heath and the other two people didn't go so well. At least they got the other horse back, though. Though I wouldn't trust that woman. Just like I feel something's off with Lydia, I feel like something's off with her, too.
Holy shit, they sure have a lot going on at the Hilltop right now. I hope that they can take out all of those Walkers and Whisperers without too many loses on their side.
Oh crap, I hope that Maggie and Carl are able to make it to Hershel and Sophia in time. I really don't want to lose either or both of them right now, when so much is going on.
Ick. I hope that the Whisperer who's talking to Lydia, doesn't manage to convince her to leave with them and go back to their home. I don't like Lydia at all, but she doesn't deserve to be mistreated.
Well, as I've stated many times over, I hate the Lydia character. But this issue when she blew the head off of that Whisperer, I was cheering her on. Hope she takes out more of them.
Great ending to this issue!
April 6, 2017
Lydia RSVPs "no"
October 10, 2018
Its interesting to see our survivors turn the people suits to their advantage but I knew bad stuff was coming for the hilltop.
July 21, 2026
The previous issue ended with Dwight making one of the boldest tactical decisions of the entire Whisperer War by disguising himself as one of the enemy. Going into this issue, I was genuinely curious whether that gamble would actually pay off or immediately backfire. The Whisperers have lived this lifestyle for years, so blending in with them is far more difficult than simply wearing a skin mask. One wrong movement, one wrong word, or even reacting too emotionally could expose Dwight and everyone with him. The suspense surrounding this plan alone made me eager to continue reading because the margin for error had become incredibly small.
The issue opens away from the battlefield with Vincent continuing his exhausting journey back from the Sanctuary. Having traveled for so long, he is completely drained and finds himself unable to properly defend against a lone walker. For a brief moment, it seems as though such a simple encounter might end his life until Heath suddenly appears on horseback and effortlessly kills the walker before offering Vincent a ride. It is a relatively quiet scene compared to everything happening elsewhere, but it reinforces how dangerous this world remains. After surviving enormous battles and political conflicts, a single exhausted moment against one walker is still enough to kill someone. The apocalypse never truly allows anyone to lower their guard.
The story quickly returns to the Whisperers as they begin noticing something is wrong. Their ranks have become scattered because of Dwight's decision to split the enormous herd into multiple groups. One of the Whisperers complains that they are taking too long to regroup, showing that Dwight's strategy is already disrupting their coordination. At the same time, Michonne and her squad are revealed to have copied Dwight's disguise strategy. Wearing Whisperer skin masks, they quietly move through the herd until Michonne suddenly kills a Whisperer from behind with incredible precision. She immediately orders her group to move quickly before they are discovered. Unfortunately, one Whisperer realizes someone addressed Michonne by her actual name instead of remaining silent like a normal Whisperer would. Before he can react further, Michonne drives her blade straight into his chest and orders everyone to eliminate the remaining enemies.
I honestly loved seeing Michonne in this sequence because it perfectly highlights why she has always been one of the most dangerous survivors in the series. She doesn't panic, she doesn't hesitate, and once the disguise is compromised she immediately shifts from stealth to direct action without missing a beat. The infiltration may not have remained secret for long, but it still succeeded in creating confusion and eliminating several Whisperers from within their own ranks. It proves that the communities are no longer simply reacting to the Whisperers—they are beginning to use their own methods against them.
Elsewhere, Beta finally regains consciousness after the brutal beating Negan gave him. Unsurprisingly, the very first thing he asks is whether anyone saw his face while he was unconscious. Even after suffering such severe injuries, protecting his identity remains more important than discussing the battle itself. When the other Whisperers assure him that his face remained hidden, Beta immediately shifts his attention back to the mission. Learning that he had been unconscious for nearly five hours, he calmly concludes that another group should already be approaching the Hilltop to retrieve Lydia because, in his mind, that is what Alpha would have wanted.
This scene really emphasizes how deeply devoted Beta remains to Alpha's ideology despite her death. He refuses to acknowledge any possibility of changing course. Instead, he treats Alpha's final wishes almost like sacred commandments. His refusal to become the next Alpha while simultaneously continuing her mission makes him even more frightening because he isn't motivated by personal ambition anymore. He is driven entirely by obsession and revenge.
As the story shifts back toward the communities, Heath asks Vincent about the Sanctuary's response to their request for reinforcements. Vincent sadly explains that the Saviors refused to send anyone and even kept his horse. Heath immediately realizes Rick is going to be furious once he learns what happened. Vincent quietly remarks that one war may be beginning before another one has even ended.
That line honestly stood out to me because it perfectly captures the fragile nature of the alliance. Everyone is supposedly united against the Whisperers, yet distrust and resentment still linger beneath the surface. The Sanctuary's refusal to help during one of the communities' darkest moments is incredibly disappointing. While everyone else is sacrificing soldiers, supplies, and lives to defend each other, the Saviors choose self-preservation instead. It makes me question whether they truly consider themselves part of the alliance anymore or if they are simply waiting until they can stand on their own again.
Back in Alexandria, Rick notices Eugene tirelessly producing more ammunition. Eugene admits that manufacturing bullets is one of the few meaningful contributions he can make while others are risking their lives on the battlefield. Rick expresses hope that all those supplies will never actually be needed, though both readers and characters know that hope feels increasingly unrealistic with every passing chapter.
The issue also takes several moments to revisit the remaining communities before disaster strikes. William continues personally watching over the Kingdom, understanding that danger could arrive at any moment. Andrea remains vigilant atop Alexandria's guard tower, never allowing herself to become complacent. Aaron, despite still recovering from his serious injuries, quietly prepares himself in case he needs to leave immediately. Every character seems to be living in anticipation of bad news, almost as though they can all sense something terrible approaching even if they don't yet know what it is.
One of the quieter but emotionally significant moments comes when Dante asks Maggie to meet him privately. He finally gathers the courage to confess his feelings, telling Maggie that he genuinely likes her and wants them to be together. Maggie responds with kindness rather than cruelty. She admits she cares about Dante, but she also makes it perfectly clear that her heart still belongs entirely to Glenn and always will.
I genuinely appreciated how mature this scene was handled. Dante respects Maggie enough to be honest about his feelings, and Maggie respects him enough to answer without giving him false hope. Her love for Glenn continues to define a part of her life, and even years after his death, that bond remains unshaken. It wasn't a dramatic rejection or an emotional argument—it was simply an honest conversation between two adults. I sincerely hope Dante respects her decision moving forward because forcing the issue would only diminish the friendship they currently have.
Meanwhile, Dwight and his soldiers successfully eliminate the remaining Whisperers that had followed them. Dwight reminds everyone to make sure every Whisperer is killed so none of them can reanimate later. Laura jokingly asks whether they will all continue wearing the Whisperer masks after the war, but Dwight immediately rejects the idea, saying that practice should die alongside the Whisperers themselves. Just as they prepare to rest at their fallback position, they discover one surviving Whisperer begging for mercy. Claiming he no longer wants to fight, he apologizes and insists he doesn't wish to hurt anyone anymore. Dwight responds without hesitation by shooting him in the head before leading everyone onward.
I actually understood Dwight's decision here. Under normal circumstances, showing mercy would be admirable. However, this is a war where hesitation could easily cost dozens of lives. They have no secure prison, no way to safely escort prisoners, and no reason to trust someone who spent days trying to kill them. It is harsh, but in the middle of an active battlefield, Dwight simply cannot afford unnecessary risks.
The issue then delivers one of its most shocking moments. Carl quietly watches Lydia sleeping before heading outside. Everything seems peaceful until he notices strange lights illuminating the night sky. Moments later, he realizes they are flaming arrows raining down upon the Hilltop. One of the guards is struck directly through the chest before falling from the watchtower into the waiting walkers below, where he is immediately devoured. Carl instantly realizes what is happening and desperately shouts that the Hilltop is under attack.
That sequence genuinely caught me off guard. While everyone believed the main battle was happening elsewhere, Beta had already set another assault into motion. It brilliantly demonstrates the Whisperers' strategy. They don't simply overwhelm one location—they force the communities to divide their attention until nowhere feels safe anymore. The realization that most of the experienced soldiers are still away fighting on the front lines makes the attack even more terrifying because the Hilltop is forced to defend itself with far fewer capable fighters.
As the gates begin collapsing, Dante quickly organizes the defenders while Maggie orders the archers to focus on the attacking Whisperers. Carl reassures Lydia that everything will be alright despite the overwhelming chaos surrounding them. The battle spreads rapidly throughout the Hilltop, and before long, the mansion itself catches fire. Maggie immediately rushes into the burning building to rescue Hershel and Sophia without thinking twice, with Carl following close behind to help.
This perfectly captures Maggie's character. Even as the leader of the Hilltop, her first instinct remains protecting her family. Leadership never erased her identity as a mother, and watching her run into a burning building despite the danger reminds readers exactly why people continue following her.
Lydia, meanwhile, chooses to stay behind and fight alongside the Hilltop's defenders. One Whisperer grabs her and tells her they have come to bring her home because that is what Alpha wanted. Lydia's response may be one of my favorite moments in this entire issue. She firmly declares that the Hilltop is her home now and that the time of the Whisperers is over before shooting the Whisperer directly in the head.
I absolutely loved this scene because it finally feels like Lydia has fully chosen her own future. For so long she was torn between two worlds, constantly carrying the weight of her mother's influence and the Whisperers' twisted philosophy. This is the first time she completely rejects all of it. She no longer views the Whisperers as her family. She no longer sees Alpha's wishes as something she must obey. Instead, she willingly risks her own life to defend the people who accepted her despite everything that happened. That single line about the Hilltop being her home carried far more emotional weight than any action scene in the issue.
Overall, Issue #160 masterfully balances tactical warfare with emotional character development. The undercover missions show how much the survivors have evolved strategically, while the attack on the Hilltop reminds readers that the Whisperers remain one of the most dangerous enemies the communities have ever faced. Every location is under pressure, every leader is being tested, and every victory comes with another unexpected setback waiting around the corner. By the final page, the war no longer feels like a series of isolated battles—it has become a full-scale conflict spreading across every community. More than anything else, this issue left me incredibly proud of Lydia. Watching her finally declare where her true home is felt like the completion of a long emotional journey, and I can only hope that she and the people of the Hilltop survive the devastating battle that has only just begun.
The issue opens away from the battlefield with Vincent continuing his exhausting journey back from the Sanctuary. Having traveled for so long, he is completely drained and finds himself unable to properly defend against a lone walker. For a brief moment, it seems as though such a simple encounter might end his life until Heath suddenly appears on horseback and effortlessly kills the walker before offering Vincent a ride. It is a relatively quiet scene compared to everything happening elsewhere, but it reinforces how dangerous this world remains. After surviving enormous battles and political conflicts, a single exhausted moment against one walker is still enough to kill someone. The apocalypse never truly allows anyone to lower their guard.
The story quickly returns to the Whisperers as they begin noticing something is wrong. Their ranks have become scattered because of Dwight's decision to split the enormous herd into multiple groups. One of the Whisperers complains that they are taking too long to regroup, showing that Dwight's strategy is already disrupting their coordination. At the same time, Michonne and her squad are revealed to have copied Dwight's disguise strategy. Wearing Whisperer skin masks, they quietly move through the herd until Michonne suddenly kills a Whisperer from behind with incredible precision. She immediately orders her group to move quickly before they are discovered. Unfortunately, one Whisperer realizes someone addressed Michonne by her actual name instead of remaining silent like a normal Whisperer would. Before he can react further, Michonne drives her blade straight into his chest and orders everyone to eliminate the remaining enemies.
I honestly loved seeing Michonne in this sequence because it perfectly highlights why she has always been one of the most dangerous survivors in the series. She doesn't panic, she doesn't hesitate, and once the disguise is compromised she immediately shifts from stealth to direct action without missing a beat. The infiltration may not have remained secret for long, but it still succeeded in creating confusion and eliminating several Whisperers from within their own ranks. It proves that the communities are no longer simply reacting to the Whisperers—they are beginning to use their own methods against them.
Elsewhere, Beta finally regains consciousness after the brutal beating Negan gave him. Unsurprisingly, the very first thing he asks is whether anyone saw his face while he was unconscious. Even after suffering such severe injuries, protecting his identity remains more important than discussing the battle itself. When the other Whisperers assure him that his face remained hidden, Beta immediately shifts his attention back to the mission. Learning that he had been unconscious for nearly five hours, he calmly concludes that another group should already be approaching the Hilltop to retrieve Lydia because, in his mind, that is what Alpha would have wanted.
This scene really emphasizes how deeply devoted Beta remains to Alpha's ideology despite her death. He refuses to acknowledge any possibility of changing course. Instead, he treats Alpha's final wishes almost like sacred commandments. His refusal to become the next Alpha while simultaneously continuing her mission makes him even more frightening because he isn't motivated by personal ambition anymore. He is driven entirely by obsession and revenge.
As the story shifts back toward the communities, Heath asks Vincent about the Sanctuary's response to their request for reinforcements. Vincent sadly explains that the Saviors refused to send anyone and even kept his horse. Heath immediately realizes Rick is going to be furious once he learns what happened. Vincent quietly remarks that one war may be beginning before another one has even ended.
That line honestly stood out to me because it perfectly captures the fragile nature of the alliance. Everyone is supposedly united against the Whisperers, yet distrust and resentment still linger beneath the surface. The Sanctuary's refusal to help during one of the communities' darkest moments is incredibly disappointing. While everyone else is sacrificing soldiers, supplies, and lives to defend each other, the Saviors choose self-preservation instead. It makes me question whether they truly consider themselves part of the alliance anymore or if they are simply waiting until they can stand on their own again.
Back in Alexandria, Rick notices Eugene tirelessly producing more ammunition. Eugene admits that manufacturing bullets is one of the few meaningful contributions he can make while others are risking their lives on the battlefield. Rick expresses hope that all those supplies will never actually be needed, though both readers and characters know that hope feels increasingly unrealistic with every passing chapter.
The issue also takes several moments to revisit the remaining communities before disaster strikes. William continues personally watching over the Kingdom, understanding that danger could arrive at any moment. Andrea remains vigilant atop Alexandria's guard tower, never allowing herself to become complacent. Aaron, despite still recovering from his serious injuries, quietly prepares himself in case he needs to leave immediately. Every character seems to be living in anticipation of bad news, almost as though they can all sense something terrible approaching even if they don't yet know what it is.
One of the quieter but emotionally significant moments comes when Dante asks Maggie to meet him privately. He finally gathers the courage to confess his feelings, telling Maggie that he genuinely likes her and wants them to be together. Maggie responds with kindness rather than cruelty. She admits she cares about Dante, but she also makes it perfectly clear that her heart still belongs entirely to Glenn and always will.
I genuinely appreciated how mature this scene was handled. Dante respects Maggie enough to be honest about his feelings, and Maggie respects him enough to answer without giving him false hope. Her love for Glenn continues to define a part of her life, and even years after his death, that bond remains unshaken. It wasn't a dramatic rejection or an emotional argument—it was simply an honest conversation between two adults. I sincerely hope Dante respects her decision moving forward because forcing the issue would only diminish the friendship they currently have.
Meanwhile, Dwight and his soldiers successfully eliminate the remaining Whisperers that had followed them. Dwight reminds everyone to make sure every Whisperer is killed so none of them can reanimate later. Laura jokingly asks whether they will all continue wearing the Whisperer masks after the war, but Dwight immediately rejects the idea, saying that practice should die alongside the Whisperers themselves. Just as they prepare to rest at their fallback position, they discover one surviving Whisperer begging for mercy. Claiming he no longer wants to fight, he apologizes and insists he doesn't wish to hurt anyone anymore. Dwight responds without hesitation by shooting him in the head before leading everyone onward.
I actually understood Dwight's decision here. Under normal circumstances, showing mercy would be admirable. However, this is a war where hesitation could easily cost dozens of lives. They have no secure prison, no way to safely escort prisoners, and no reason to trust someone who spent days trying to kill them. It is harsh, but in the middle of an active battlefield, Dwight simply cannot afford unnecessary risks.
The issue then delivers one of its most shocking moments. Carl quietly watches Lydia sleeping before heading outside. Everything seems peaceful until he notices strange lights illuminating the night sky. Moments later, he realizes they are flaming arrows raining down upon the Hilltop. One of the guards is struck directly through the chest before falling from the watchtower into the waiting walkers below, where he is immediately devoured. Carl instantly realizes what is happening and desperately shouts that the Hilltop is under attack.
That sequence genuinely caught me off guard. While everyone believed the main battle was happening elsewhere, Beta had already set another assault into motion. It brilliantly demonstrates the Whisperers' strategy. They don't simply overwhelm one location—they force the communities to divide their attention until nowhere feels safe anymore. The realization that most of the experienced soldiers are still away fighting on the front lines makes the attack even more terrifying because the Hilltop is forced to defend itself with far fewer capable fighters.
As the gates begin collapsing, Dante quickly organizes the defenders while Maggie orders the archers to focus on the attacking Whisperers. Carl reassures Lydia that everything will be alright despite the overwhelming chaos surrounding them. The battle spreads rapidly throughout the Hilltop, and before long, the mansion itself catches fire. Maggie immediately rushes into the burning building to rescue Hershel and Sophia without thinking twice, with Carl following close behind to help.
This perfectly captures Maggie's character. Even as the leader of the Hilltop, her first instinct remains protecting her family. Leadership never erased her identity as a mother, and watching her run into a burning building despite the danger reminds readers exactly why people continue following her.
Lydia, meanwhile, chooses to stay behind and fight alongside the Hilltop's defenders. One Whisperer grabs her and tells her they have come to bring her home because that is what Alpha wanted. Lydia's response may be one of my favorite moments in this entire issue. She firmly declares that the Hilltop is her home now and that the time of the Whisperers is over before shooting the Whisperer directly in the head.
I absolutely loved this scene because it finally feels like Lydia has fully chosen her own future. For so long she was torn between two worlds, constantly carrying the weight of her mother's influence and the Whisperers' twisted philosophy. This is the first time she completely rejects all of it. She no longer views the Whisperers as her family. She no longer sees Alpha's wishes as something she must obey. Instead, she willingly risks her own life to defend the people who accepted her despite everything that happened. That single line about the Hilltop being her home carried far more emotional weight than any action scene in the issue.
Overall, Issue #160 masterfully balances tactical warfare with emotional character development. The undercover missions show how much the survivors have evolved strategically, while the attack on the Hilltop reminds readers that the Whisperers remain one of the most dangerous enemies the communities have ever faced. Every location is under pressure, every leader is being tested, and every victory comes with another unexpected setback waiting around the corner. By the final page, the war no longer feels like a series of isolated battles—it has become a full-scale conflict spreading across every community. More than anything else, this issue left me incredibly proud of Lydia. Watching her finally declare where her true home is felt like the completion of a long emotional journey, and I can only hope that she and the people of the Hilltop survive the devastating battle that has only just begun.
November 2, 2016
Yes
Can't wait for this war to be over. I wonder who is going to survive ? What vilian will they face after this?
Can't wait for this war to be over. I wonder who is going to survive ? What vilian will they face after this?
January 7, 2017
War comes to The Hilltop in a big way.Maggie,Carl,and company are faced with a formidable threat.By comics end we learn where The Whisperer girl Lydia true allegiance lies.
December 10, 2016
HA wearing the clothes of your enemies - good tactic. It would be interesting if Rick sent spies wearing skin suits into the Whisperers' ranks. The Whisperers didn't seem to notice who was on their side and who wasn't while Rick's men were disguised.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2018
Wow, I’m not much of a comic book reader but I have been getting into this series lately from the TV show. And boy am I glad I did! This particular issue was super fast paced, and a thrilling ride to take part in. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next issue!
October 30, 2017
Things are getting so crazy!
February 1, 2019
Cuando aparecen los susurradores y Carl toma acción para defenderse se pone muy bueno.
November 6, 2019
Epic, epic, epic
March 5, 2020
With the first wave attack over whisperers try to attack again but this time Dwayne and team have learned the tactics and successfully use them and in the meantime whisperers attack hilltop and Lydia is with Carl. 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.
December 13, 2016
Nice to see where Lydia stands after hearing about Alpha... anxious to see what is going to happen with Herschel & Sophia as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2016
Just loved that moment when Carl gets out of bed in the middle of the night, slings on his jacket and goes for a walk, waving to the people he knows on his way. It was so much like early Rick settling into Alexandria! And then you see the lights in the sky behind the waving guard and all hell breaks loose! Brilliant!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2016
I cried.
Poor Lucille.
Poor Lucille.
November 2, 2016
i didn't think this issue held up to the high quality of the recent ones but was still good. It sets up for high drama in the remaining two issues of this arc which seem to promise much.
November 2, 2016
A really exciting and eventful issue, which makes the month long wait for the next all the more painful!
November 3, 2016
Esperando #161... veremos que pasa en Diciembre.
November 3, 2016
Great issue. Now I have to wait a whole month. Ugh. Missed Negan in this one though. Really want to see how he is handling the "death" of Lucille.
November 9, 2016
No Negan? I miss Negan :(
November 4, 2016
It has begun
The whisper arc is steady building momentum and I eagerly anticipate/ dread the heartbreaking death and destruction to come from this.
The whisper arc is steady building momentum and I eagerly anticipate/ dread the heartbreaking death and destruction to come from this.
November 5, 2016
I wanted to give this 4/5 because of Carl's moment with the arrows but the whole issue was so epic so I couldn't -_-
November 5, 2016
The Whisperers reach The Hilltop. Lydia stands up for her new home.
November 9, 2016
Alright, Dwight is becoming one of my new favourite characters!! Poor Maggie, I hope little Herschel and Sophia are still alive!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2016
Oh man what an intense issue!!! Sides have been chosen, and it looks like the saviors are on the bad end of it.
November 23, 2016
OMG!! Poor Carl, and I am so on edge wondering if the "whisperers" might win... Negan is out and fighting! So much going on! Pls let Rick get his balls back and stop being an OLD MAN! Maggie hurry!
December 2, 2016
amo the walking dead ♥
December 6, 2016
There's a lot of great action in this one. I like that Maggie doesn't reciprocate Dante's feelings because Glenn is her one true love and she is perfectly happy having been with him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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