Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Walking Dead #129
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard, Gaudiano & Rathburn
Walking Dead is a fast-paced comic book that advances a number of plots forward. In some cases the role reversal continues as Rick is appearing more like a dictator and Negan more of the sympathetic victim of Rick's will. The comic is a good read but stops short of showcasing the new world or growing the character's personalities. You can't go wrong picking this book up though.
The brunt of the book is Rick accompanying Carl to the Hilltop community for his new apprenticeship. This serves a couple purposes. It allows the reader to get a handle on Rick and Carl's strange relationship as his boy tries to breakthrough to manhood while his dad holds him back. It also allows the reader to see how Rick's body is letting him down when he needs it most, such as fighting zombies. Finally, it gives the reader a glimpse into how unforgiving of a leader Rick can be when he's angered. Perhaps Rick is a dictator to be feared as Negan was.
The rest of the book zooms the Negan plot thread forward. As you might have guessed, with Rick gone, the newcomers get curious and wander into the prison. You can imagine how that went.
The comic book certainly moves fast. There are a lot of plots that get tiny bits of panel time in the book. The drawback is I don't really feel like we are getting more than surface scratching in terms of character growth. Character growth and exploration used to be a building block to this comic.
The artwork is a wide range. There are several panels that are breathtakingly gorgeous. The double page spread of Rick and Carl leaving their community is so detailed and comprehensive I can't help but stare at it. On the other hand, the scene with the pair of men, one wounded, running through the field is followed by a panel of them on a small path through a forest. It's a very confusing book at times artistically.
Walking Dead is a great, great comic book. Some issues are sacrificed to build up to some big payoff down the road. This issue feels like this is the small step before the big one. It's a good read but not a whole lot happens in it. An average Walking Dead comic book is still among the very best reads you can find. Definitely pick this up.
3 out of 5 Geek Goggles
