Marvel Zombies 2 #4 of 5

I can feel the stretch in this issue. What has been up until this issue a tight and interesting miniseries, writer Robert Kirkman slows the story down just enough to make this miniseries reach five issues. I hope this wasn't done to make a better collected TPB. After the reveal of Colonel America in the last issue, this issue doesn't really advance the plot very much. It bordered on being a boring, pedestrian read. At the end of this issue, Kirkman has almost painted himself into a corner, leaving not much left to say. Hopefully the last issue will be a bit more interesting with some true Kirkman twists and turns added in.

Marvel Zombies 2 #3

First off, I had to use the cover for "Tales of Suspense" #39 because that is the what is "zombified" for this cover and Marvel had the wrong one posted. The cover does harken to what happens inside the book, which is a change of pace. I'm really enjoying this miniseries. Writer Robert Kirkman has done an excellent job of giving each character a reason for being there. No one is there just to be slaughtered. Artist Sean Phillips brings his A-game this issue and does some nice layouts. All-in-all, I'm satisfied with this series. Kirkman has provided a plausible reason for the sequel to the great first series (other than to make Marvel more money) and doesn't tread old ground.

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.

The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone By

Stepping outside the DCU, I wanted to point you to another great book by Robert Kirkman, "The Walking Dead". Now, to begin with, this series had quite a few strikes against my reading it. It is horror, black and white, and not DC. It had one plus - Robert Kirkman. I had read his "Invincible", liked his writing, and wanted to try something else from him.

Well, it is good I put aside my dislike for black and white comics and picked this TPB up. If you have seen the movie "28 Days Later" the initial chapter of this series has a similar feel. However, once the protagonist, Rick, gets out of his local town and starts searching for his wife and kid, the series kicks into high gear and new territory. This book is not the tongue-in-cheek look at zombies we have seen from Hollywood in the past decade. It is a real look at what might be normal people's reaction to this extreme situation. I'm five volumes into the TPBs and Rick and company have changed quite a bit from this first volume. Artist Tony Moore establishes a realistic looking cast and location. His art really propels this first volume.

Kirkman really captures the frightening nature of a world full of zombies. Sometimes the scariest moments are what happens between the uninfected humans and how they treat each other. All in all this is a quality series worth your time and money.