Issue #121 All Out War - - Chapter 7 of 12

Notables

• The issue opens with a scene at the 'ammo factory'. Eugene and his group are trying to lay low and figure out what is going on. It's obvious that The Safe Zone is under attack, and there is high probability of a herd of walkers approaching the area. 
• Eugene suggest the group stay hold up inside the ammo building as long as possible. Against his advice John decides to go outside to take a piss. Before his big toe passes the threshold, walkers flood the door and overtake him. The others are forced to flee the 'factory' and run into Negan. 
• Rick regains consciousness. The doctor from The Hilltop thinks Rick suffered from a concussion.
• Denise is on her death bed. The fever from the bite is taking it's toll.  
• The Safe Zone isn't completely demolished, but the perimeter is almost non existent. They are very vulnerable to the approaching waves of walkers and future attacks. Those who have survived are busy with killing walkers, and preparing burials for the causalities.
• After seeing all the damage to The Safe Zone Rick decides the group should move to a new location. Maggie and her group have discussed going back to The Hilltop.
• Ezekiel is seriously thinking about taking what is left of his people and pulling out of the way. Rick tries to convince him to stay with them and move to The Hilltop.
• Jesus Monroe discover's that Eugene's group is missing, and assumes Negan is holding them captive. Rick decides it's too risky to try to send a rescue party to their aid.
•  When packing for the trip to The Hilltop, Rick purposely leaves 'his' phone behind.
• The issue ends with Negan giving Eugene two options: cooperate with The Saviors and make ammo, or watch his friends die and suffer an immense amount of torture.  

Random Thoughts

• I'm really excited about Rick leaving the 'Lori' phone behind. I think this signifies a new phase in the development of his character. We've seen him become more and more grounded. He's no longer questioning his role as a leader. Even though he may doubt some of his decisions, it seems that his is able to pick up the pieces and carry on. I'm really looking forward to some cut throat decisions at the conclusion of this story arc. 

Issue #120 All Out War - - Chapter 6 of 12

Notables

• The issue picks up right where the story left off with Holly taking a bite out of Dr. Cloyd's arm; and The Saviors raining grenade over The Alexander Safe Zone. It is pure chaos.
• While Heath is trying to tend to Denise's bite he is severely injured by an explosion. (He loses a leg.) Instead of letting Rick amputate her arm, Denise decides to rescue Heath.
• Gary (One of The Saviors who decided to side with Rick's cause.) finally came through and helped. He killed his squad and gave Jesus all the grenades they had. 
• Just when Negan thinks he has the upper hand, he's surprised by snipers in surrounding buildings. Maggie has lead a team, from The Hilltop, to support The Alexander Safe Zone.
• Maggie is 'sort of' the new leader of The Hilltop group. Most of the people came with her to The Alexander Safe Zone, with the exception of a few.
• Even though The Saviors had to retreat, Negan, feels like the attack was a success. Rick's camp is burning down to the grown.

Randoms Thoughts

• I really liked the scene when Andrea and Rick are kind of in a panic trying to come up with a plan. They have to think about defending against The Saviors, and the people who died during the attack and will turn into walkers. Then out of the dust Maggie walks up (cool and nonchalantly) and lets them know her team ran Negan off. I really like that she is coming into her 'own'. This is a complete 180 from the time they spent on the road after the group left the prison. No more suicidal Maggie!
• Even though there wasn't a lot of dialogue in this issue, I was very entertained by the action. There were a lot of developments, and we have a few cliff hangers. Where will Rick's group go now that their camp is ruined. Can they prepare for another attack? Will Negan attack soon, or return to one of his post? Is Rick ok. (He passed out during a conversation with Andrea and Maggie.) Is it too late to amputate Denise's arm? And if so, who will fill the doctor role?

Issue #119 All Out War - - Chapter 5 of 12

Notables

• The issue begins with Rick's 'squad' scavenging supplies from The Savior's camp.
• Ezekiel is having a tough time dealing with his defeat in battle, and is questioning his leadership abilities. Michonne uses her best motivation technique to encourage him to be strong - - a punch in the jaw.
• Rick's 'squad' returns safely to The Alexander Safe Zone.
• An emergency strategy meeting is held to prepare for the next attack from The Saviors. The meeting is interrupted by greetings from a grenade launcher, with much love from Negan. The Savior's rebuttal was much sooner than Rick anticipated. 
• Negan forces Rick to 'talk' to him by using Holly as bait. Rick says he will cooperate if Holly is released. Negan gladly obliges the request.
• Once Holly is inside the gates of The Alexandria Safe Zone, Dr. Cloydd removes the rope around her wrists and the bag from her head. Dr. Cloydd expected Holly to have sustained some type of injuries, but she did not expect her to be a walker. In complete and utter shock she fails to evade Holly's bite.
• Negan uses this distraction to catch Rick's group off guard and attacks.

Random Thoughts

• Man, you have to love Carl's new hair swoop. It covers his eye wound perfectly.
• Oh did I miss Negan's grand entrances.
• I was wondering why couldn't anyone hear Holly make the infamous zombie growl. Maybe it is bad to assume they always growl. Initially, I thought Negan cut out her tongue, or severely disfigured her face. 

Issue #118 All Out War - - Chapter 4 of 12

Notables

• The issue begins with Gregory and the members that deserted Rick's army returning to The Hilltop.
• While explaining to The Hilltop community his version of events, Gregory accuses Maggie of knowing Rick and Jesus' plan the whole time. It seems as if he's trying to paint her as a villain. 
• Gregory tries to convince the group to try to rectify the agreement with Negan and The Saviors. He believes this is the only way to survive the war. 
• Maggie takes a stand against Gregory, and gives a heartfelt speech about why they should stand with the other communities against Negan.  
• Michonne arrive back at The Alexandria Safe Zone to help Carl prepare for an attack from The Saviors. Carl has stepped up and become a leader while his father is at war.
• There's a pretty long montage of war scenes with Ezekiel's thoughts over the panels.  
• The battle started off great but ended badly. A lot of his men died during the battle. Not only did they have to deal with The Saviors, but the situation was complicated with zombies.
• Eventually, Ezekiel manages to escape into the woods by himself but is met by a group of zombies. Shiva, his tiger, rescued him but was overwhelmed by zombies during the process.
• The issue ends with Ezekiel making it back to The Alexandria Safe Zone, and telling Michonne about the battle.

Random Thoughts

• It was very touching to see Maggie proclaim her belief in Rick's leadership. I thought their relationship was on the rocks since Glenn's death, and her deciding to move to The Hilltop.
• I think it's time for Gregory to be eaten by zombies. He is awfully annoying beyond belief.

Issue #117 All Out War - - Chapter 3 of 12

Notables

• The issue begins with Negan feeling triumphant about his new hostage, Holly. He has mistaken her for Andrea and plans to use her as leverage against Rick. Holly rain's on his parade by letting him know he's sadly mistaken.
• It seems that the virus that has infected the entire human race doesn't effect animals. Ezekiel's tiger, Shiva, eats walkers without any signs of infection. 
• Rick plans to send Michonne and few others back to the community to prepare for a counter-attack from The Saviors.
• Rick's army is going to split into two groups, and attack Negan's outpost. Hopefully, their communicate has broken down, and Rick's attacks will catch them off guard.
• When Negan's group tries to start clearing walkers they realize they are severely out numbered, and have to retreat.
• A Savior named David tries to rape Holly. Negan catches David before he's able to go through with his sexual assault, and stabs him in the neck. Negan has strict rules about rape. He feels strongly about sexual crimes. As usual he tries to use the one of few redeeming qualities he has to paint himself as a sane and rational person.

Randoms Thoughts

• Negan is something else. As horrible as he is, there are moments that you can't help but laugh at his speeches. 
• As of now it seems that Rick's group has the upper hand in the war. It really depends on if Dwight followed Negan's orders to send word to the outpost. Nothing has been revealed about that situation. Negan looks like he has his back up against the wall.

Quotes

• Negan: "The fastest way to a man's heart is through his vagina."

Issue #116 All Out War - - Chapter 2 of 12

Notables

• Gregory over estimated how many of his people made up Rick's army. Only eight people decided to leave after Negan's threat. Of course this pisses Negan off, so he kicks Gregory of the balcony. 
• Rick gives Negan another chance to accept the offer. Negan's response was snipers opening fire on Rick's army.
• Negan orders Dwight to assemble a team to sneak out the back and get support from the out posts.
• Rick instructs the gunners to shoot all the windows out. This cause a great deal noise which begins to attract masses of walkers. Rick's army loads back up the bus to leave, and Rick tries to ram their gate open. If successful The Savior's camp will be surrounded by zombies in no time. 
• Holly decide to deviate from the plan and try to help Rick open the gates. Rick tries to turn her around, because he doesn't think Negan will kill him  - - because it's all a game in Negan's twisted mind. Holly knees Rick in the stomach, takes the truck, and races toward the gate.
• Holly successfully burst threw the gate, but is injured from the impact. Negan takes her hostage.
• The rest of the army get to a safe haven and are celebrating. When Michonne realizes Rick stayed back she panics. 
• Rick approaches the army from a top of a hill and reminds them they haven't won the war, and it's not time to celebrate. 

Random Thoughts

• I really do hope Gregory broke a bone when Negan kicked him off the balcony. His cowardice actions got him and his people no where - - no progress. What makes it worse he tries to hide who he really is. If you're coward be a  proud coward. (Be like Samwell Tarly of A Game of Thrones.)
• I am absolutely dying to see what decision Dwight make. Did he follow Negan's order? Or is he really on Rick's side?

Issue #115 All Out War - Chapter 1 of 12

Notables

• This issue begins with the characters waking up the morning of their planned attack.
• Rick confesses to Andrea that he isn't sure how this is going to turn out. He also feels a lot of pressure since Jesus told him he's the key to all of this. Without Rick none of this would be possible, and everyone looks to him for leadership.
• Ezekiel and Michonne are 'hooking up ' now.
• Eugene, and a few others, have been working through the night to make as many cases of ammo.
• Rick calls a meeting before the assembly and attack The Saviors. They go over the plan again and try to find an holes or possible weakness.
• Andrea and Carl stay at the community for protection measures. Andrea is still recovering from he fight in the bell tower. 
• When Rick's army reaches The Savior's community Rick shoots a few rounds to get their attention. Negan is pissed and surprised. Rick tries to offer a peace agreement - - The Savior stop raiding the communities supplies, Negan and his soldier surrender themselves, and no war is necessary.
• Negan refuses the offer and has an ace in the hole - - Gregory (The Hilltop's leader). It's clear Negan has force his hand. He tells the residents of The Hilltop that if they attack they will no longer accepted in the community. And their families will suffer and be kicked out of the community as well. 

Random Thoughts

• I really enjoyed how Kirkman wrote in a throw back quote from the prison. When Rick told Negan, "..You kill and you die." I relived the scene of him beating Thomas to a bloody pulp and hanging him.

Quotes

• Rick: "Once, a long time ago, I made a rule.... I think maybe it's time to finally stick to it. YOU KILL AND YOU DIE."