Brit #4

It was a long wait, but the 4th issue of "Brit" finally hit the stands. I jumped onto "Brit" late picking up the nicely colored TPBs and then moving to the monthlies. I thoroughly enjoyed the "Brit" TPB and the first couple issues of the monthly. However, this issue puts me into unknown territory - having to report on a disappointing read from the Kirkaverse. "Brit" #4 is a bit of a mess. The pacing is off and the transitions between scenes are very abrupt. It gets a bit wordy in the middle as well. This book needs some serious editing. While I like government intrigue as much as the next guy, the cool part of "Brit" is that the title character is a real badass. With said character being held in stasis, the comic just seems to be spinning its wheels. I like the supporting cast, but they are ill-used in this issue as well. All-in-all, I just didn't care for this issue.

I'm staying on the title for the near-term, but I'm looking for things to pickup. Kirkman needs to step in and make the direction of this book clear.

The Walking Dead #46

Damn! That was a long wait between issues. I started reading "The Walking Dead" by picking up the TPBs and finally caught up a few months ago. I was getting used to reading several issues at once - no waiting - and I really got spoiled. The wait between issue #45 and #46 was extended because of the holidays. Well, the wait was worth it. Kirkman amps up the suspense as the warring factions do a little dance. I love the unique touches that Kirkman gives each character with the bat-shit crazy Governor shining this issue. Adlard's art continues to be solid. If they ever color this series this will be one disgusting issue to read. Adlard does a fantastic job during the critical point of this issue and really brings home the brutality of the Governor.

I read the first bit of the letters column and Kirkman says that they are going to get caught back up and on schedule. I love this book and waiting 6-8 weeks between just sucks.

BRIT TPB Vol. 1 and #1-3

Robert Kirkman continues to expand upon his Kirkmanverse with the addition of the monthly "BRIT". Brit is a very old, invulnerable government operative. The TPB collects three one-shots and presents them for the first time in color. I enjoyed the TPB as Kirkman pulls out the stops and just has fun riffing with the character. It took a while for Kirkman to put together the monthly with all of his time spent on writing three Image monthlies and quite a few other books over at Marvel. Instead of writing this one Kirkman steps up as editor and has handed the writing chores over to Bruce Brown. Brown does a fine job of developing Brit's extended family in the first three issues and does some unusual things with the character. I like the interactions between Don and Brit's sister and the action is non-stop. Cliff Rathburn the cover colorist and gray tone artist of "The Walking Dead", provides very nice art here. He captures the action nicely.

"BRIT" is a fine addition to the Kirkmanverse and my pull list. I just hope that Kirkman can keep the output level up with now four Image monthlies coming from him.

The Walking Dead #45

After the events of issue #44, I was expecting a little more out of this issue. You could almost title this issue "The One Where Everyone Acted Dumb". Having read all of the back issues, writer Robert Kirkman had planted the seeds for what is happing in this issue. I would just hope that after 6+ months of living together this community would have a bit more "stick together" in them. While Kirkman attempts to keep this book grounded in reality (with the exception of those pesky zombies), Rick's recovery from the bullet wound of last issue is a bit rapid. I'm sure Kirkman is doing this to move the story along, but anyone who has seen the movie "Three Kings" with the detailed description of a gut wound would scoff at Rick's recovery. Charlie Adlard's art continues to improve with each issue. He does a descent job of varying his panel layouts and providing good characterization of each of the players.

With the jail crew left short handed and the Governor's crew massing for the offensive, the situation looks pretty grim. Of course, Kirkman leaves us with another good cliff hanger and I'm anxious to see who makes it to the next issue alive.

The Walking Dead #44

I finally caught up on all of the TPBs for "The Walking Dead" and hit real time with the monthlies this month. Issue #44 kicks off the "No One is Safe" storyline and it does so with quite a bang. Writer Robert Kirkman delivers on this title every month. He has established an interesting world to play in. All of the characters are individuals with their own agendas, backgrounds, and depth. Once again, we see that the zombies aren't the only inhuman beings inhabiting Kirkman's world. With the return of the Governor and his army, Rick's crew at the prison are in a tight spot. Kirkman does an excellent job of setting up the action and letting the scene play out in a realistic manner. Charlie Adlard continues to provide excellent art giving each character a unique look while conveying the action in an interesting manner.

"No One is Safe" is an apt tag line for what looks to be an exciting race to issue #50.