At a time when I'm
waiting to see if the tv adaptation will actually manage to get up on its feet, the latest trade volume leaves me wondering if the comic is starting to totter and stumble a bit. Given Kirkman's purpose and pacing, it's hard to tell. Much of that purpose is to just keep on showing life keeping on after a zombie apocalypse. Zombie apocalypse or no, life usually doesn't keep on at a narratively satisfying pace, or follow an arc of rising action, and Kirkman's storytelling often reflects that, sometimes to a fault.
This volume is all about the survivors uneasily settling into their new home, a gated community on the outskirts of DC. There are various incidents (some armed outside group's surprisingly abortive attempt to intrude), and even what might be called developments (Rick getting thrust into leadership--
again), but it still feels kind of plodding and aimless.
I wonder if that two-page spread of zombies attracted by the gunfight represents the next Governor-in-a-tank-level threat? Kirkman raised the specter of a herd--by which he means hundreds or even thousands--of zombies, way back in Vol. 9, and has brought it up a few times since. As bad as things have gotten with the zombies, I don't think we've yet seen how bad they could be. We're five volumes out now from Vol. 8, the last time Kirkman blew everything sky high, so I hope something grand and spectacular is in the works for the pretty near future.
Oh, P.S., fuck that fucking preacher. Granted, I'm not following too many comics these days, but that contemptible slimeball is certainly my least favorite character of the moment. I loved the response he got from Douglas when he tried to stab the folks who saved him in the back.
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