Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Walking Dead #131Walking Dead #131
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard, Gaudiano & Rathburn

Walking Dead continues to world build (or is it New World build?) as this issue is mostly conversations and setup. The bulk of the issue showcases Maggie and Carl. Two of the main cast that hasn't seen much panel time since the leap forward of two years. The book has a nice pace to it and is definitely taking its time in allowing the readers to get to know the characters again. On the flip side the read is boring by Walking Dead standards. You can't go wrong picking this comic book up but this is not one of the more memorable issues in the series.

Maggie gets the most analysis in this issue. She has changed a lot in the two years and this is Kirkman's opportunity to show how much. She is a leader, and much like Rick, she has a trusted few that she allows her feelings to be known. Maggie has to kick a few butts into gear in this issue and then she turns to Rick and speaks her mind about her motives. Maggie also has a potential love interest that she continually spurns. This is a new character and the development is one that is worth keeping an eye on.

Carl is expanded as well as Sophia is reintroduced into the book. This allows both characters to play off each other in a way that is easier to level set how they've grown relative to each other. Neither character was ever all that interesting. This is a chance to change that a bit as they get older.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsThere is a zombie threat in the book that doesn't quite get underway. The book also contains a little bit of noise making among those that Rick leaves behind in his town. This will play out more in the issues to come I'm sure.

The art is very strong in this issue. For the most part the book is point-of-view one-on-one conversations and the art is up to the task of presenting the reactions and facial expressions to match the dialogue. The comic also manages to show Sophia as she had been, but slightly older. This is not such an easy task but this book does it well. This is a good visual story especially when you consider the lack of action.

Walking Dead is one of the best comic books out there. If you are new to the book then just hang in there with these slower issues. Kirkman is trying to roll his cast out and it is taking some time to let the readers know them again. Hopefully things will pick up soon. A solid, but ordinary read.

3 out of 5 Geek Goggles