Thursday, November 21, 2013

Vol. 17: Something To Fear (Issues #97–102)


Notables

  • This volumes starts with everyone, from Rick's community, in church praying for the safe return of the group that left with Monroe. They also pray that Carl is with the traveling group.
  • It appears that Maggie is having issues with nausea.
  • On the way home, Rick's group is followed by a group on motorcycles. They command Rick to stop the van . . . on Negan's orders. Ricks pulls over the van and gets out of the vehicle. The leader of the pack ordered Rick to place his weapon on the ground and lay face first. He let Rick know that they were confiscating everything in the van. Rick's response was, "Andrea?" And with no surprise Andrea is sniping away and Michonne is chopping of heads. 
  • Rick sent Negan a message. He is taking over the protection of The Hilltop, and will give The Saviors the same deal they gave to The Hilltop.
  • Carl is slowly getting his memory back.
  • When the group returned to the community Maggie tells Glenn that she is pregnant.
  • Rick presented the deal he made with The Hilltop to the whole community, and surprisingly no one objected to the arrangement.
  • Rick and Andrea decide to be optimistic and give their relationship a try.
  • Abe and Eugene left early then next morning to go on a run to collect supplies to make ammunition. While on the run there is a couple of people watching them. 
  • When Eugene and Abe were talking about Rosita an arrow flies right through the back of Abe's head and out of his eye.
  • Eugene scrambles for Abe's gun and protect himself as The Saviors approach him. They followed Rick's group home after their men were slaughtered.
  • Carl walks in on Rick and Andrea in bed. Just as Rick is about to explain the situation to Carl he hears Abe's gun fire, and is on his way to help.
  • When Rick and the rest make it to the gate, The Saviors are waiting outside with Eugene tied up and waving Abe's gun in the air.
  • Suddenly Eugene does the unexpected and chomps down on the leader's penis and balls! Rick takes the opportunity to shoot one of men in the head, and all hell breaks loose. 
  • Rick's group gets the advantage and forces The Saviors to run. Instead of letting the go so easily, Rick decides to chase them down.
  • While chasing The Saviors the group finds Abe's body being eaten by walkers.
  • The chase come to a sudden halt when Rick and Andrea run into a big group of walker. On the way back to the community they decide to pick up Abe's body even though it's a risk.
  • Maggie and Glenn have a huge argument about rather they should leave or stay in the community. Glenn wants to move to The Hilltop before The Saviors return.
  • The group has a funeral for Abe. During the service Holly kind of flipped out on Rosita when she was trying to give her condolences.
  • After the funeral Rick has a town meeting and suggest that a group goes to The Hilltop and request assistance. During the meeting Glenn announces that he and his family want to go to The Hilltop and live their permanently. 
  • A group of Saviors have been watching the community and made plans to attack as soon as Rick and a few others left, on the way to The Hilltop. 
  • Rick and the others didn't make it to The Hilltop before night fall, so they had to make camp on the road. During Rick's night watch shift they are attacked by a huge group of Saviors. They are severely out-numbered.
  • The leader of group tells Rick that he's not going to kill them, but they are going the have the same arrangement The Hilltop has. However, Rick's group must be punished for killing members of The Savior. The leader uses the any many miny mo method to decide who's going to suffer a beating with a baseball bat modified with barb wired.  . . . . . . Glenn is chosen and beaten until his head was crushed and the innards were splattered on the concrete.
  • After The Saviors leave Maggie goes into a rage and beats Rick up. Then oddly, she stops abruptly. Carl pulls his gun on Maggie and demands she stops beating Rick. In defensive of Maggie, Sophia tackles Carl and bites him. Michonne breaks up the fight and group calms down.  
  • Glenn is buried at The Hilltop. Maggie and Sofia remain at The Hilltop as they originally planned. Jesus/Monroe return to the community with Rick and his group.
  • The group returns to community in shock. It's obvious they were attacked, however everyone survived. They even managed to capture a Savior and hold him hostage. 
  • Rick is taking Glenn's death really hard. Because he is the leader, Rick feeling responsible for Glenn's death. He can't deal with how helpless he was. . . How he had to sit and watch Glenn die. 
  • Michonne and Rick agree that maybe they should yield to The Saviors, for now. It seems foolish to try to go to war with a group that size.
  • The volume ends with Rick holding a town meeting. He informs them of his decision to cooperate with Negan and The Saviors. Andrea is very upset with his decision. After the meeting the hostage is released; and Jesus/Monroe and Rick have a private conversation. It seems as if Rick lied to the community, and is in fact planning on making a move on the Saviors. Jesus/Monroe leaves to gather intel on The Saviors. 

Random Thoughts

  • Oh gosh Eugene, Abe would never be jealous of a pervert in a million years.
  • I think the TV show has done a great job of showing how growing up in the zombie apocalypse has affected Carl's perception of reality verses what was considered normal.
  • Rick is on point. He knows exactly what Abe's gun sounds like. Well I guess if you're a gun enthusiast it wouldn't be hard to recognize.
  • Ugh, this scene with The Saviors outside of the gate with a hostage reminds me of The Governor and Tyreese scene. Except I don't care nearly as much about Eugene as I did for Tyreese.
  • I really like Andrea and Rick's relationship. She is just a tough and smart as him - - his equal. 
  • The Saviors are brutal. I cannot even describe just how horrible these men are. As I was reading the scene when they attack the group on the road, I couldn't catch my breath. I just knew something devastating was going to happen.
  • This volume is one of the best. Kirkman has captured my attention and emotions, and taken them on a journey.













Sunday, November 17, 2013

Vol. 16: A Larger World (Issues #91–96)


Notables

  • The volumes begins with Glenn and Maggie, as well as a few others, on a supply run. It seems that they ventured out far away from the safe zone. They've taken a van, and implied that they'd been sleeping in it a few nights. 
  • Maggie feels better about Glenn making the runs now that she has rode along. 
  • Rick is worried about the food supply. No matter how many runs the group goes on it's never going to be enough. It's been nearly 2 years since the world 'ended' and canned and dried food products are starting to expire. He wants to make plans to farm in the spring.
  • It appears the community has formed a council, and delegated people to handle different aspects of the community. Abe is head of zoning. 
  • To keep a close watch on Nicholas, Rick has included him on the council meetings. 
  • Rick and Andrea's relationship is at a stand still. Rick doesn't want to develop feelings for Andrea because everyone he cares about dies.
  • Andrea's been talking to Dale's hat.
  • Holly definitely has an issue with Rick being the leader of the community. Every time Abe questions Ricks decisions she turns the conversation in a negative direction.
  • Carl is being stubborn and doesn't want to clean his wound. He's having a hard time dealing with his injury.
  • Eric hid a bottle of scotch from the group. (Sound a little like someone I know. . . Bob Stookey.)
  • As the community is winding down and everyone is calling it a night, it is revealed that someone is spying on them with a pair of binoculars. 
  • Michonne and Abe decide to patrol the communities surround streets alone. Everything seems to being going great until they are attacked by the man who has been spying on the community. Somehow he kicks both their asses and forces Michonne to bring Rick outside for a 'conversation'. The mystery person introduces himself as Monroe, also known as Jesus.
  • Monroe is a scout and merchant for a large community 20 miles away from Rick's community. Monroe claim they have approximately 200 people in their camp. He says he would like to set up a trade relationship with Rick's group, just as he has with surrounding communities.
  • The notion of other communities near by has taken Michonne, Rick, and Abe aback.
  • Rick fools Monroe into thinking they will accept offer. When they two shook on the deal Rick surprised him with a right hook and knocked him out. 
  • Before Monroe could come to his sense they tied him up.
  • Rick only lets the council know they have a captive in the infirmary. He also briefs them about immediate defense plans.
  • Eugene thinks that if they start saving their spent rounds he may be able to make new bullets.
  • Andrea uncertain about Monroe's intentions. She worries that he might be telling the truth, and they've ruin a potentially beneficial relationship.
  • Eugene tries to convince Rosita to forget about Abe and give him a chance. (Not going to happen buddy. You use to watch Rosita and Abe have sex. And he actually tells her, "I know what you you like." Oh the irony.)
  • Rick, Abe, and Michonne go outside the walls to see if Monroe has anyone companions waiting for him in the area. During the search Rick's mind's everywhere. First he's convinced that there's an 'army' of people waiting to attack. Then he's weighing the possibility that Monroe's telling the truth.
  • While Rick is out scouting, Carl stumbles upon Monroe. Monroe coaxes Carl into coming into the room and talking to him.
  • Rick finds Carl in the infirmary with Monroe. Carl think he's a good guy. Rick makes Carl leave the room and tells Monroe the plan. Monroe is going to lead them to his camp, but he will remain tied up the entire trip. Rick lets him know if anything goes wrong he will kill without thinking twice.
  • Aaron tries to convince Rick to have a gentler approach with Monroe. He pointed out that Rick punch him when they first met, and his offer was legit. 
  • Rick tries to stop Andrea from coming on the trip to Monroe's camp. Andrea goes despite Rick's request. 
  • When the group stopped at a gas station for the night Rick discovers Carl in the back of the van with Monroe.
  • Monroe's being super helpful. He helped the group fight zombies and clear the road of cars, all while handcuffed. 
  • Monroe asked the group to pull over so he can go to the bathroom. Rick assumes he needs help with pulling down his pants, but Monroe has untied the rope before he got out of the car. Rick is shocked and asks him why he didn't escape already. Monroe says it's because he trust Rick.
  • Once the group reaches The Hilltop, where Monroe's people are located, Rick is very hesitant about leading them all into the gates. He'd prefer the leader meet them outside. Monroe convinces him by reminding him of how he was a cooperative prisoner.
  • The Hilltop is beautiful. It's well protected, has a huge farm, and a mansion. They've even gathered mobile homes to form a neighborhood.
  • While Monroe is giving Rick's group a tour of the mansion a man named Gregory request a meeting with Rick.
  • The meeting with Gregory was interrupted the return of one of The Hilltop's residents, Ethan. Apparently, he went on a run with other and returned alone - - which is bad news. Ethan says everyone else died expect Crystal. Then out of left field Ethan lunges at Gregory and stabs him in the gut. While trying to kill Gregory, Ethan explains that Negan will kill Crystal is he doesn't kill Gregory. Of course Rick saves the day by wrestling Ethan down and slitting his throat.  
  • When Rick questions Monroe about Negan his reply is very cryptic. Monroe says there's no hope in rescuing Crystal.
  • Negan is the leader of a group called The Saviors. When The Hilltop was first established Gregory made a deal with Negan because he threatened the groups survival and promised to keep the perimeter of the camp free of walkers. However, The Hilltop must now give half of ALL it's supplies to The Saviors.
  • Carl asks Monroe if they solved the Negan issue can they have their portion of supplies. Rick actually support's Carl offer, but says that they probably wont even need half. Monroe thinks the deal can be arranged.
  • Being at The Hilltop has put Rick in such a good mood that he spontaneously kisses Andrea. (A complete 180 from when they were at their camp.)
  • Gregory and Rick make a deal. If Rick's group agrees to helps solve their Negan problem, than Gregory will provide enough food for them to survive the winter.
  • The volume concludes with the group returning to their community with food, and Rick convincing the others that fighting for The Hilltop is what they've been searching for - - what they hoped the community would someday be. The Hilltop is opportunity and all the hope Rick's needs to realize their dreams.

Random Thoughts

  • I really love how motherly Maggie is with Sophia. 
  • Michonne's is dry but it's funny. Well she's more sarcastic than anything. 
  • I'm so glad Eugene has recovered from his massive mistake - -lying to the group about scientist in D.C.
  • Man everyone is trying to convince Rick to go easier on Monroe, but I just don't trust him. I'm like Rick you can never be too safe. 
  • Monroe/Jesus is a bad ass. Who do you know can kick some zombie ass while handcuffed?
  • Whenever Rick says, "Michonne" it's so hilarious because you know the next panel is going to be walkers being slashed by her Katana.
  • Gregory strikes me as disrespectful, or lack of manners. I don't know, but it's one of the two. He's also very drunk on power. 
  • For a protagonist Rick has a high body count. It never fails, every time Rick is introduced to a new group he is put in a situation where he has to be a straight up bad ass. 

Quotes

  •  Rick: "The guilty man sleeps in his cell while the innocent one climbs up the walls with worry...unable to relax."
  • Abe: "So we get shot, and then our people on the other side of the wall know they're fucked. That the idea? You might just be a shitty leader, Rick."
  • Monroe: "If Negan has Crystal than she's already dead. There's nothing we can do for her."


































































Vol. 15: We Find Ourselves (Issue #85–90)


Notables

  • The volume begins with the community gathering and burning the zombie bodies. Glenn and Abe stumble upon Jessie's body, she'd turned.
  • After the work day Rosita and Abe are winding down. Abe notices that Rosita is deep in thought and asks her what's on her mind. (Men, this is never a good idea unless you want a bomb drop on your head.) Rosita tells Abe, "Oh I'm sorry. I'm just trying to decide if enough time has passed. . . For me to admit that you've been fucking Holly."
  • A burial service is held for all the people that died during the herd attack.
  • Rick holds a meeting to discuss with the group plans on re-establishing the community/safe zone. He has hope that they can reform civilization if they focus on the bigger picture. He want's to make traps in the surrounding roads, so walkers and people cannot approach the wall easily. (Parallel: similar to the set up Morgan had on the TV series.) Eugene suggests they make trenches on the outside of the wall, and use the dirt to pile on the inner side of the wall - - for extra support. Abe is willing to provide extensive weapons training to the whole community. Glenn wants to having more community event so everyone can bond. Heath is thinking of ways to making runs more effective. The triumph over the herd has really given everyone a sense of hope.
  • Rosita decides to move out of the house with Abe. He gives a dose of tough love by saying, "Wait listen, I'm not sorry for cheating on you with Holly. I'm sorry that I hurt you in the process. After my wife died. . . You were there for me. I appreciate that. And for a time, you were what I needed. But I always found myself thinking 'what if you aren't the last woman on earth?' and well.... you're not."
  • Carl is still in a coma. Dr. Cloyd is trying to brace Rick for the reality of the situation. They cannot tell if Carl will survive, and if he does there's no telling what condition he'll be in. 
  • The group begins implementing their plans from the meeting. Andrea has taken over gun training. Rick and the others are scouting the outside perimeter and making concrete plans and preparations for roadblocks.
  • Rick is really struggle with the fact everyone thinks he's a good person. He realizes that he isn't really a good person, but a very selfish man. He's only done things that benefited his family. He's now realizing that he should change and have the group as a priority.
  • Andrea and Rick's relationship seems to being growing. (It reminds me of the relationship Rick has with Michonne on the TV show.)
  • Abe is obviously upset about Rosita moving out. Holly is pressuring him to move on, but he's not quite ready. Abe feels real guilty. 
  • Imaginary Lori blames Rick for Carl getting shot. Their last conversation seemed to be devastating to Rick.
  • While digging ditches, Nicholas asks Heath why are they taking order from Rick's original group. Heath doesn't share the same feelings. Heath believe the community is better off the new additions. 
  • Olivia, who oversee the food, lets Rick know the food supply is low. Maggie over hears the conversation and begs Rick to convince Glenn to not go on the next supply run.
  • Carl wakes up from a coma. He is having a hard time remembering things. He even asked Rick where Lori was. Dr. Cloyd says his prognosis looks good because his cognitive skills are intact, and memory loss is common with brain injuries. 
  • Rick isn't dealing with Carl's recovery very well, so he decides to go on the supply run.
  • While Rick and few other are out on the supply run, Nicholas tries to convince Spencer and Olivia that Rick is no good for the group. Olivia doesn't think Rick and the other a necessarily a danger, but doesn't like how he's the new leader. Nicholas tries to use scare tactics to get his point across. He says, "Either we kill Rick, or he kills us".
  • During the supply run Andrea finds Rick in a store crying. He opens up to her and expresses his worry about Carl's emotional well being. Rick thought it would be harder on Carl when he reminded him Lori was dead, but Carl handled it coldly. Rick feels overwhelmingly sad because Carl is 'too far gone' -- his hope and innocence are gone. 
  • Glenn over hears the conversation Nicholas, Olivia, and Spencer are having as he approaches them. Nicholas immediately gets aggressive with Glenn and starts to advance towards him. In defense Glenn pulled out his gun, which sends Nicholas into a rage. The two tussle, and Nicholas manages to grab the gun from Glenn and points it at his head. Glenn gut checks Nicholas and runs away.
  • Glenn makes it to his house and gets Maggie's gun, and secures her and Sophia in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Nicholas is outside of his house trying to rally the original community member with a hate speech against Rick and his group.
  • Glenn comes out of his house, gun drawn. Him and Nicholas argue a few minutes before Rick returned and chumped Nicholas into submission.
  • After Rick's speech about the community needing to stand together, Nicholas went to Rick's house and apologized. He tried to explain his actions, and thanked Rick for having mercy. 
  • Maggie feels like it was her fault that Glenn was in danger today, because she asked Rick not to send him on the run. She feels like no matter where they go they will never be safe.
  • The volume closes with Rick confiding in Andrea. He confesses that he really wanted  to kill Nicholas. He truly feels that it would be the easiest and safest decision. Rick also feels bad that he's trying to promote re-establishing the old way of living to the community and Carl, when he doesn't think he can every live life as it was. He feels dead inside. At the end of the conversation he and Andrea kiss. 

Random Thoughts

  • The look on Abe's face, when Rosita told him she knew about Holly, was priceless.
  • As much as an asshole Abe can be, I cannot be upset with him. I love his bluntness. It's a characteristic that grew on me. 
  • It's so enduring that the character's in the book still hold on to the possibility of having a normal life, despite everything they've been through. Carl is the only exception. He has no fantasy about a 'normal' life. This is normal life, he's never has a chance really live in a pre-apocalyptic world. I think this will prepare to be a good leader. 
  • Maggie is really annoying. She is always a bitch when Glenn has to go on a run. I understand that's her husband and she loves him, but it's just damn right selfish and stupid. How is she going to eat, much less the community, if the capable people aren't gathering food?
  • Relationships during the zombie apocalypse are intense. Spencer just can't understand Andrea doesn't want to be with him.
  • Since the zombies freeze or slow down significantly during the winter, wouldn't it be a good idea to hunt them?

Quotes

  • Rick: "Do you have any fucking idea who you are talking to!"





















































Saturday, November 16, 2013

Volume 14 No Way Out (Issues #79–84)


Notables

  • The volume begins with Aaron and Eric returning from scouting in a rush. Eric had been stabbed by a women they were trying to recruit. 
  • Dr.  Clyod and Heath appear to be "hooking up".        
  • Morgan is taking an interest in Michonne again.
  • Carl is kind of glad the attack happen because he thinks the community needed a wake up call.
  • The gun fight with Derrick's group called a lot of Walker attention the community. 
  • Abe organized a clearing strategy. (Very similar to the method used on the TV series when the group is at the prison. Abe's method is much more effective.)      
  • While Abe and his team are clearing the area in front of the gate a herd approaches. During the scramble to get back inside the gate Bruce is bitten on the neck. Bruce made back inside the gate, but of course everyone is looking at him with pitiful faces. Abe takes the responsibility of burying an ax in Bruce's forehead. (Even Rick was a bit surprised by Abe's swiftness.)
  • Holly is upset that Abe killed Bruce without a second thought. They argue and then a curve ball into the mix. Holly embraces Abe and call his honey - - and it's not in a platonic manner. Of course Abe tries to pull away, because he does not want Rosita to see.
  • Rick calls a town meeting to establish a plan for dealing with the herd surround the perimeter of the community. He is giving everyone the option to carry a weapon. Michonne is going to start a Night-Watch program. Since winter has begun, everyone is going to start sharing houses to conserve solar energy. Abe is assigning people to groups to sweep the walls and find any weak points.
  • Jessie and Ron move in with Rick and Carl. While the parents are downstairs talking, Ron creeps into Carl's room and confronts him about Rick killing his father. Carl handles the situation like a champ and tells Ron, "My dad has killed a lot of people, and so have I." After the conversation Ron seemed to cool off and warm up to Carl.
  • During the middle of the night, Jessie sneaks into Rick's room. She asks him if she could sleep next to him, because it would make her feel much safer. Before Rick could answer, Jessie put her tongue down Rick's throat. With little resistance Rick gave into Jessie's advances. 
  • After Michonne and Morgan finish having sex he's still rambling about trying not to feel guilty, as if he's cheating on his wife. Until this point Michonne has been very supportive of his feelings. She feels as if Morgan is disregarding everyone feelings like he's the only one that has lost someone. Michonne gives Morgan a pep talk about living in the present.
  • Parallel: The walkers are pushing down the walls of the community just as they did in the TV series. Sadly there isn't minced zombies to come with this dilemma.
  • Spencer, Heath, and Glenn decide to use a mountain rope to climb to a rooftop outside of the wall. They are trying to get Andrea supplies and find a way to draw the walkers away from the walls.
  • The mountain rope snaps in two while Spencer was crossing. Thankfully, he was holding on the end that was closest to the building outside the wall. Glenn and Heath tried their best to pull Spencer up onto the roof but could not must enough strength. Then out of no where Andrea saves the day and gives just enough man power to pull Spencer out of the sea of walkers.
  • Holly and Tobin are guarding the weaken part of the wall when the walkers finally break through. Holly goes to find help while Tobin tries to hold off the walkers. He is unsuccessful and becomes the belly buffet for the walkers.
  • Rick and Morgan are the first to arrive at the wall to help. Holly is still trying to round of people to help contain the walkers. Morgan is overwhelmed with walkers and is bitten on arm. When Michonne arrives she doesn't hesitate to cut off his arm.
  • Andrea, Heath, Spencer, and Glenn can see the herd piling into the community. They don't think it's smart to leave the roof. Meanwhile Glenn is having a mini panic attack.
  • Despite the group's best efforts at the wall, walkers started to spread all over the community. Every decided it was best to retreat and find safety in a house.
  • Morgan was taken to Rick house and Dr. Cloyd patched his wound. Rick left Carl to watch Morgan - - in case he turned. When Morgan woke up he told Carl he saw him shoot Ben. 
  • Andrea is mulling through ideas that can help rescue the community. Spencer suggest that he and Andrea leave everyone, including Heath and Glenn. Andrea decks him in the mouth and break up with him within the same breath.
  • Rick shocks Jessie and Maggie when he decides it's best the group in the house should try to run and get out of the community without anyone else. He confessed that he only cares about Carl's safety, but will do everything he can to help once they're safe.
  • During this whole fiasco Douglas is in his house having a colossal mental breakdown, and is considering committing suicide.
  • Andrea has decided the four of them should climb down from the roof and start trying to lead the walkers out of the community, lose the walkers, then return to the roof. She hopes after a few rotations it will draw out enough walkers.
  • When Morgan lost consciousness again Michonne 'put him out of his misery'.
  • Maggie decides that she and Sophia aren't going to run away with Rick. 
  • Michonne is going to help Dr. Cloyd get back to her office and then meet up with Rick. Dr. Cloyd decides not to wear a 'zombie gut poncho' (big mistake).
  • Rick, Carl, Jessie, and Ron gear up with their zombie ponchos, link hands, and make a run for the gate. Ron is so afraid that he stops and pisses on himself, and refuses to move. A zombie bites him on the shoulder, but Jessie wont let him go. Rick tries to convince her but it's too late and a few zombie sink their teeth in her. She begs Rick not to leave them and refuses to let go of Carl's hand. Rick, without hesitating, chops her hand off with an ax.
  • Douglas, in a crazy stupor, runs into the streak and tell Rick to go back into the house. Douglas begins to starting shooting walkers, which is attracting walkers. Eventually he is taken down. While the walkers are feeding on him he continues to fire his gun without aiming. When the shots stop Rick looks to Carl only to find he was hit with a stray bullet in the right eye
  • Rick is able to carry Carl to Dr. Cloyd's office. While Dr. Cloyd is tending to Carl, Rick and Michonne try to defend the house perimeter. The other members of the community see Rick and Michonne get surrounded and rally together to provide support.
  • The volume closes with Rick sitting next to Carl's bed realizing that there is hope. He knows he made a mistake when he chose to run, they should of stayed and fought the walker. After everything that happened with the herd, Rick is confident that he has a new plan to survive. He has hope that they can rebuild the community and defend it.

Random Thoughts

  • When Abe was introduced into the story I really disliked him. He was very forceful and just a grade A asshole. Plus, I thought he was going to kill Rick. I like Abe now because no matter what he makes sound decisions despite everything he's going through. Example: When the group arrived at the community he had time to relax. That time gave his emotions time to set in and take a toll. Despite his fear going back outside of the wall Abe went, and he kicked ass. 
  • I understand that being the leader is a lot of pressure to handle, but I wish Rick would embrace it more. I kind of laughed and was proud when Rick told Glenn, "Andrea isn't a priority right now..." even though she is stuck on the bell tower. 
  • I loved the conversation Rick had with Jessie. Jessie complimented Rick by saying he's a better person than most. Rick explains that he good things for the group solely because it directly effects the safety of his family. Everything boils down to his family. This kind of reminded me of the conversation he had with Carol (on the TV series) when he kicked her out of the group. I initially thought Rick is really selfish person, and at least Carol's actions were motivated by her allegiance to the group. However, when I think about it, anyone with a loved one is going to be selfish.
  • This volume has a lot of characters struggling with letting the people who have died go. The characters desperately clinging to their past lives, hoping it may provide comfort. 
  • Man I love Andrea in the comic books. It's so sad her character was so annoying the the TV series.
  • Rick has a love interest, finally. On the TV show I really wanted him to have someone he can lean on. I think that may have made a difference. He may have not went full blown "I just want to be a farmer" crazy. 
  • I shitted bricks when Carl was shot. I have never read a comic book that evokes so much emotion.
  • My heart was so tender when Abe and the rest of the group came out of hiding to help Rick and Michonne fight of the walkers.

Quotes


  • Abe: "Ok people it's pretty obvious what we're doing here - - If it's dead FUCKING kill it!"
  • Rick: "I know but what choice do we have? The thing to keep in mind -- about other people's children -- they're not our children."