Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Walking Dead #73Walking Dead #73
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard & Rathburn

Walking Dead has a seemingly quiet issue this month as we follow along a couple of characters in their new daily lives living in a functioning town. However, the issue is accomplishing the impossible as it is turning the group of protagonists into antagonists in just a couple of short scenes. Characters that the reader has followed for years, that they have come to cheer for, are now being seen in a new light: aggressors. This is another step in that process as the main group begins to turn the corner in this issue. What might be seen as caution for some could be seen as an act of war by another. Things will explode soon.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsRick and most of his group have been heroes throughout much of this series. Sure there have been tough decisions but they have come across as characters that look to do the right thing and protect their own while trying to carve out their own safe zone. This is problematic because they are guests among Douglas' people. Douglas and company invited them to live safely among them, but by abiding by their rules. It didn't seem like much to ask.

However, Rick has his own ideas about safety and rules. Douglas took Rick and company's weapons but in this issue Rick, with Glenn's help, finds a way to steal them back. This isn't going to go over well when Rick is caught. It's further complicated because Douglas gave Rick the job of being a cop in the town. Rick's actions aren't the only ones that are going to make the hosts leery of the newcomers.

Abraham, while out on construction duty, finds himself in a pickle with some of the other construction workers when they are surrounded by zombies. Abraham breaks formation and rescues one of the other workers that was cut off from the group. Not only does he show he knows how to handle himself in a fight, but he is also proving to be superior to the others in leadership and general survival. However, he comes across as a rebel that breaks formation which is not good when you stack it up with the other levels of distrust that Rick and Glenn are pushing through.

This issue may read like a bunch of random scenes of different characters doing various day to day things, but that's only the surface. The overall point of the issue is to string together a bunch of instances where Rick, Abraham, Glenn and others make themselves look untrustworthy to their hosts. It's done very believably in this issue. I can't wait to see the blowup as a result of this.

4 out of 5 Geek Goggles