The Walking Dead, Book Five

The Walking Dead #9-10

by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard (Scriptwriter), Cliff Rathburn (Artist)

This hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers, and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie on paper that never ends. Collects The Walking Dead #49-60.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Horror, Zombies, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Post Apocalyptic

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

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

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

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

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

You want to know what I love about this series so far? Well, I'm telling you anyway. I love the way it looks like everything is headed in one direction, and then it takes off in entirely different direction. I feel like I'm always getting hit upside the head with the proverbial shovel!



For example: Andrew & Rick.
It looked like those two were going to kill each other by the middle of this sucker! And then {spoilery stuff happens}
OMG! I was so pissed for Michonne, but at least she was an adult. A kid? Even if they didn't get a chance to rape him, I'm glad Rick tore that dude's guts out. and now it looks like they're BFF's.



Those guys were a GREAT addition to the story, by the way. It finally looks like there may even be some answers forthcoming about the start of this Zombie Apocalypse.
Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm not holding my breath or anything.



Michonne made a nice entrance, as always.



As for the rest of the group?
Dale & Andrea are starting to show some cracks.
Dale seems a little upset that Rick isn't back to his old self. So. Hmm. It seems as though feelings may be changing...



And Maggie?
Well. She certainly made quite the impression on me this time around! This may be one of the best panels I've seen in a long time:

Which was only made cooler by this one!
Didn't see that coming!



And not being able to pick up immediately on what Kirkman is going to do next is the reason I keep coming back to these books so quickly.
Well, that and shit like this...

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es uno de los tomos más aburridos. Lo bueno es que aparecen tres personajes nuevos y se rescata a un personaje del pasado, que aparece al principio de todo.

De resto, es pura transición, para preparar un arco nuevo. De igual forma, explota un poco lo que es el duelo, el cómo se confronta una pérdida y lo diferente que puede actuar en consecuencia cada ser humano.

[Pantelis Andreou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgot how amazing this is and so much superior from the tv series..
hopefully this one stays genuine and exciting as it is!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really breezed through this one too! Only in seven days instead of six this time.

The professional artist alive today that is probably the best at drawing zombies is Bernie Wrightson (they should get him to do a cover of The Walking Dead, I mean I believe I read somewhere that comic book legend Neal Adams did a cover for the series). However, Charlie Adlard is also pretty good at it too. In the back of all these books, there is a "Sketchbook" part, which includes preliminary thumbnails, sketches for the covers and character designs, etc.. In this one, Kirkman displays some of the Walking Dead related artwork Charlie Adlard does when not working on the book. And there was this one Illustration of Michonne which reminded me of a scene in the TV show in season 5, Episode 16 "Conquer"...


Very eerily similar images don't you think?

I think that was done in the TV show because for one, Tyreese does not have a sister named Sasha in the graphic novels. Two, in this book, Michonne is dealing with PTSD in a similar way that Sasha was at that point in the show.

The beginning of this book starts out where book four left off. It is almost identical to the plot to season 4, episode 9 "After". Everything from Rick and Carl wandering from the prison to the abandoned house, Rick passing out on the couch and Carl not being able to wake him up, Carl taking out his animosity towards his father, Carl scavenging and fending off zombies, Rick waking up and Carl thinking that he has become a zombie (of course he's fine). The only thing that's missing is when Carl finds that 112 oz. can of chocolate pudding and eats the entire thing.


LOL.

What was the best part of this book?
Oh yeah...Sgt. Abraham Ford shows up!!!

LOL...I'm having too much fun with Photobucket here. He doesn't actually say stuff like "bitch nuts" and his other improvised curse words, which Chris Hardwick called "Abra-Hamlet".

I really do miss Abraham's character on the show, and still can't go back and re-watch that season 7 premiere. But that's what I enjoyed about reading this book, it's because I like Abraham's character.

Basically, Abraham is pretty much the same guy as he is on the TV show. Although his facial features are slightly different from Michael Cudlitz, he is a big guy, dresses the same and has the red hair and handle bar mustache (well, the comic book is black and white, you have to look at the covers to see his hair colored red...LOL). His story is also almost the same as well as his personality. Shows up with Rosita and Eugene on a mission to Washington D.C. cause "Eugene has a cure". You feel like he's a good guy at first but are not sure about it due to his temper and putting the mission to D.C. before others, etc. However, like in the show, he does become a respected member of the group as well as friend and skillful fighter to Rick. He is former U.S. army, but they don't get into it like in the show (Or maybe they do later in the graphic novels, I don't know). He's an ill-tempered foul mouthed guy with an odd sense of humor, but it's because of everything he went through after the apocalypse.

I suppose I got rusty on reviewing books here, cause I'm going too much into detail most likely due to that one year reading funk I was in last year. LOL...but it doesn't bother me too much, I'm having fun with this. I'll try to make it short though.

Remember "Claimer Joe"?


Yeah, that goes down in the comics in a similar way except the guys that attack Rick and Carl are not the same group, just three creepy dudes that attack them for crossing a bridge that they claim belongs to them. And it is Abraham, not Daryl, who is there sitting next to Rick against the car and talking him through what he did the night before and what almost happened.
LOL...that actor that played Claimer Joe recently played Davy Crockett in that new show Timeless on NBC (that's an awesome show, you should watch it).

Suicide seems to be a reoccurring theme in the graphic novels. More so than in the TV show. Oh and they do actually call the zombies in the graphic novels "zombies", but when Rick is calling them "walkers", "roamers", or "lurkers" he is splitting them up based on the way they move and how dangerous some are more than others...I forget how he explains it exactly.

We also see the return of Morgan. And the fact that his last name is Jones is pointed out by Rick, even though it was said in a recent episode of Talking Dead that even though his last name is Jones, it has never been mentioned in the comic books or the TV show..

Morality is an issue that is discussed and dealt with in a way similar to the show, only darker and possibly more graphic. Which I'm not sure I like, seeing the "blurring of the lines" in terms of Rick's actions as well as some of the other characters' actions. I read somewhere that zombie stories (starting with George A. Romero) often deal with the concept of "Misanthropy", which is basically defined as a general hatred or disgust for the ugly side of human nature.

I usually don't like to analyze things too much, and especially dislike it when I hear or read about other people over analyzing fictional stories. This is because I feel that it starts to take away from the fun and enjoyment of the whole thing, and sometimes certain books are over analyzed to the point where the things that are said and pointed out, such as hidden meanings, etc are not even in there and sometimes don't even make sense. Take Dracula for instance, that book has been REALLY ripped apart! I feel that it's okay to analyze things to an extent, just don't over do it. It is interesting though when a writer/artist is saying something.

I very much enjoyed this book. The major reason being that I like Abraham Ford's character. I can't wait for the show to come back on February 12th. I am definitely going to continue reading this series, but I think I'll take a break from the TWD graphic novels for a bit as I would like to read other stuff.

If you like the show, you really should read the graphic novels!

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid followup to the prison arc. Everyone is going a bit crazy, Rick even speaking to his wife on the phone which is...impossible for various reasons. Abraham enters the picture who I always found interesting. And everyone gets a bit more shaky while Carl begins to step up.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out on the road again - I can't believe how much they are going through and it is still always new territory.

[Jesse A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine but I think I'm done. Im tired of saying "Kinda dull but boy that ending was amazing". Its just so many long stretches of dullness.

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll keep this review short, to avoid spoiling. Book Five picks up in the aftermath of the unbelieveable final stand in Book Four, with Rick and Carl picking up the pieces and trying to find the remaining members of their group. Taking a break from the fast-paced action of books Three and Four, this instead shows the group as they grieve and cope with the enormous tragedy of what happened at the prison, and how their relationships strengthen (or in some places, crumble).

This was a tough read, just because you'll really feel for the group as they grieve and try to determine their next move. I liked that we're introduced to three new characters, although I have a feeling that tensions are going to explode between them all here soon.

4/5

[Niina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Viidennessä albumissa tapahtumat etenevät hieman eri järjestyksessä kuin tv-sarjassa. Miljöön vaihtelut ovat myös nopeampia kuin aikaisemmin. Tässä osassa esiteltiin uusia hahmoja, siis Abrahamin, Rositan ja Eugenen porukka. Mielenkiintoisimmat hetket tarjosi tuhatpäinen jättilauma zombeja - sillä toisin kuin tv-sarjassa, selviytyjät tosiaan käyttävät myös tuota z-sanaa vaeltajien, järsijöiden, mätäpäiden ja muiden eufemismien lisäksi.

[Peter McCambridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a ton of respect for anyone who can tell a great story.

[Sarah Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holla The Walking Dead fans!

I've been away for a while for my graduation day in mid of September, and now I'm gonna continue my book review. Yayy!

Okay now. After finish reading Book 5, I found it was a little bit slow and full of sadness! Sometimes there's a few issues that just makes me feel disappointed, compared to Book 4 which got me jump and felt overwhelm to continue read the whole stories.

Most of casts are dead in Book 4. There's Carl and Rick left picking up the pieces, living alone taking care for each others. Luckily Michonne found them! Also they met the other survivors who left the prison before Governor's attack. The interesting part is when Rick had conversation with Lori through phone! Lori was dead and Rick thought he's going crazy!! Still Rick can't erase Lori from his head, he kept the phone and bring it with him. Same thing happens for Michonne who always whispering alone everytime she's alone. She's actually had conversation with her dead boyfriend! Pheww.

New characters been introduced, Abraham, Rosita & Eugene the scientist. I bet Eugene knew about things that been happening but only Washington, D.C. have full information about the whole thing he knew. So they on the road to D.C. and praying for some hope. Here new leader taking shape and also new tensions built among those characters. Exciting but I expect more!

Next, Book 6.

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3 stars instead of 2 for a few reasons, the first is that we are introduced to a new character that I actually enjoy, Abraham. Sencondly, we get more Carl, possibly the only other character that interrests me. Thirdly, we go back to Rick's home town and find out what happened to Morgan and his son. Lastly, we see Rick slipping into crazy a few times and that is always interesting.

The idea for these comics is so great that I am deeply saddened by the poor writting in which the author talks in circles and characters basically have 2 emotions, fear and lust.

Biggest issue with this book in particular is that we hear over and over again that it has been a full year since the begining of the story and the characters are still completely clueless. It absolutely boggled my mind that I had to listen to the definition of a "herd" about 5 times and then when we actually see one, everyone is like "wait what is that?" It's a huge fricken herd of zombies, obviously. How is the fact that shooting a gun attracts roamers a revelation at this point, when it has seemed like an established and accepted fact since day one?

[Adam Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there's a flaw in volumes two through four of The Walking Dead, it's that the survivors spend too long in the same place. This is clearly intentional, as their being too accustomed to their situation is what enables the massacre at the end of Book Four. I would refer to this book as "Roamers" as this volume is a good old fashioned road trip, akin to the second half of Book One. And it's what we need. New Faces, a constantly evolving situation, nobody having time to debate the decision making process, every problem must be solved immediately.

We also get some check-ins with characters we never thought we'd see again, as well as seeing Rick's first major Mental Breakdown.

The highlight of this volume for me, though, is the new characters, and how they intermix with the group. Society has has had probably a year or so to settle into The New Awful. Being overly cautious has gone from being an awful new thought process to routine, and people have learned to get over the whole That Person Pulled A Weapon On Me! reactions from earlier days. This allows for characters to be introduced in similar ways to previous characters, but to allow the characters we're already familiar with evaluate them differently, and thus turn potential adversaries into begrudging friends, and to wipe out actual threats fairly quickly.

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book you should first read teh first 4 books becase if not you wouldnt understand this amazing story, befire reading the entire serie I wasnt sure to read them because I just saw the TV show and I thought that they were the same, they wasnt.I could say that the story they tell on the books I so much better tha n the one on the TV show because it has more drama, more deaths and more difficult challenges to Rciks group.I would recomend this book to people that love readng comic or horror books.

[B.A. Malisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these. I should have read them sooner. Also, I may have to go back and rewatch the series after this, so I can better compare them. I'm noticing more and more differences, and I'm starting to wonder if I just don't remember the series that well after all this time. But I suspect that there are just some major differences, and I'm interested to see how it all plays out.

Pages: 304

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILERS AHEAD: This book was amazing! After the group is forced out of the prison by the Governor, they must find a place to recuperate from the attack. They stumble upon a gas station and Rick and Abraham must go find some weapons at Ricks old police station. Carl insists that he go with them and the unexpected happens. I recommend you read this if you are into these types of books because it definitely keeps up with the action and suspense!

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5. El ritmo sigue sin decaer. Por fin conocemos al psicótico Negan. Brutal su presentación en el cómic. Sigue la lucha por la supervivencia.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying these way more than the show, but my question always remains: why do none of these dumb-dumbs ever clue on to the most obvious strategy of all time--GO NORTH. Zombies freeze. Ffs.

[elliot · Rating 2 out of 5]

a bit better than the last one but still highkey sucks

[Soteralzobooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1 biblio

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit #5 was much better than the last one. However, the story is still failing to keep my interest. I really liked Abraham and Eugene in the show. The introduction of that crew to Rick's crew was so . . . boring. It's always the same type of introduction. They're threatened, they fight, they agree to join forces.

The whole "oh no, Rick is failing us" narrative is getting so old. I'm tired of hearing how horrible he is as a leader, how he needs to do better, etc. The man is trying. He just lost his wife, baby daughter, doesn't have an arm, whatever else. Give him a chance! Plus, it's not like anyone has lived through the walker apocalypse before! Nobody else is taking the lead either.

This might've been better for me if I hadn't watched the TV show and knew a bit of everything so far. Yes, there are quite a few different elements and things that were changed around but for the most part it's the same. I stopped watching at one point, so when I finally get to that point I think these graphic novels will pick up for me.

I do agree with another review in that it's repetitive with being told what a herd or a roamer is, and how gunshots attract them but yet the crew is completely shocked when they see a herd or notice that the walkers come out of hiding when a gunshot goes off.

Waiting patiently for one of these compilations to feature a plot that I haven't witnessed already, so in the meantime I will continue reading. I'm also still waiting for badass Michonne.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very different from TV series

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

*************************************** spoilers*************************************************

The ending is not as cliff hanger-like as book 4, but an old character is added as are some new ones and the continuing story of survival marches onward. The art which I thought was rather cartoony is growing on me with each book I read.
I guess the thing that throws me a bit about the series is the lack of any captions by Kirkman. The passing of time and such is a bit disconcerting and confusing. At times I flip back to see if I either missed a page or what the last panel was so I can figure out where they are going or where they are at.
The series has proven to me that you really don't know who is going to survive or what is going to happen from issue to issue or in my case book to book. But with Rick's immediate family down to just him and Carl I was still in shock about the death of Lori and the baby from the last book.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book holds volumes 49 to 60 of this amazingly gripping series and following the epic events of the previous book things do not get better for our remaining survivors as they struggle to find the strength and will to carry on despite all that has happened. Kirkman goes from strength to strength with his characters and introduces a number of new ones and shows some very different sides to some of the older ones, both good and bad. Once again there are some huge twists in this volume and hints at some major changes in future volumes. The illustrations are again superb and completely gore-filled and show the story off to its full potential. Now I can't wait to read the next installments in this brilliant series.

[Melanie Ullrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am rereading this graphic novel series and I still can't believe how the twists and turns of this ultimate survival story still surprise me! For anyone that thinks that this is just another zombie series, I think you'll be surprised to find that it's so much more! Throughout the series so far, Kirkman has shown that after a while the zombies are no longer the things to fear. Book 4 and 5 focus on how in extreme circumstances, your own kind and even worse, your own mind, can turn on you and become your worst enemy.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello. Hi I'm Caroline and I spent the month of April binge reading The Walking Dead comics.

This was another really entertaining book. It was still fast paced and exciting but there was also a lot of stuff that was setting it up for the next book to be really dramatic and exciting. I feel like I'm repeating myself in these reviews but there isn't heaps to say. I honestly just love this series- it is so entertaining and addictive!

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of the show, I wanted to see how the original writing started and how the show writers followed and deviated from the comics. My dislikes were that the comics are much more crude, crass, and unnecessarily violent. I did like the change in relationships and how people worked together differently, and the comics have a different creepiness feel than you get watching it on TV. Overall, I prefer the show, and probably will not finish out the comic book series.

[Amy Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was mainly about character introduction and relationship development. This installment was a complete 180 from the last book in regard to character deaths, which was a nice break. We see Rick slipping a little bit further down the rabbit hole, but he makes a friend who's just as crazy (Abraham), so things start to feel a little more right. And in different ways, Rick and Michonne bond over their similar sort of craziness.

[Sonic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing powerful stuff! A chilling story with a lot of heart and soul, and plenty of thrills and spills. One of the best and most significant series available today! All my previous 4 stars for this series should be 5 stars!

[Meg Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was slightly better than book four, but still time passes in an odd and jarring way and the characters are still inconsistently drawn.