The Walking Dead #83 Review

Tagged with: Robert Kirkman  The Walking DeadThe Walking Dead #83

When reading The Walking Dead the term “shit hitting the fan” pops up in my mind often.  And by often I mean like every two or three issues.  However, to say the shit hit the fan in this issue is not only a gross image to picture, but it’s also a gross understatement.

I waited all night to review this only because I have no idea how to.  Everything about this book is a spoiler.  In many of my reviews, I will reveal things here and there because they are superhero books and most who read those reviews have already read the book or are in a situation where they don’t mind the spoilers.  Since this series often has huge cliffhangers and reach so many different readers, I try to refrain from spoilers for those who are waiting to get the trade or hasn’t gotten their copy yet.  So, that said, this review is going to be different than any I’ve ever done before.  I present to you: THE BULLET POINT RECAP!

Morgan finally passes away.  Michonne is with him and apologizes to him for being a bitch about some of the things he’s said about moving on.  He doesn’t survive to actually hear the apology.  Michonne is seen crying (maybe the first time we’ve seen her cry?).Rick is planning to leave Alexandria with the idea that he’ll figure out a way to get his friends out once he and Carl are safe.  With him are Michonne, Denise, Jessie, and Ron.  Maggie opts to stay behind instead of risking her and Sophia’s lives.Again, Rick chops up a walker to get some guts to help disguise the smell of being alive.Douglas tries to blow his own brains out with a handgun, but can’t bring himself to do it, so he decides to go outside to be eaten by zombies.The constant chatter between the escapees attracts attention.  Douglas freezing up and shooting at walkers encroaching on him creates more attention.The attention leads to a couple escapees becoming meals for zombies.Douglas is finally overcome by walkers, but he goes down still firing his gun.  A stray bullet tears through the head of another perfectly healthy, unbitten character in what is likely one of the biggest shocks in comics this year.

I knew this arc was going to create some “Oh shit!” moments, but Robert Kirkman really juices this issue with sadness, confusion, and tragedy.  It’s sad that Morgan finally passed away.  It’s even more unfortunate that he couldn’t hear Michonne’s apology because it’s the first time we’ve actually seen Michonne open up about herself.  Her character was always a badass, but we never really knew too much about her.  We were aware she had some issues, but never expected to see her actually confront it.  It was bound to happen, but if it never did, she would be remembered as one tough lady.

The gem of this issue is the series of events during the escape that went so horribly wrong.  First, the streets are full of zombies.  Next, Rick tries the old trick with the guts, but because those with him have never had to deal with a large group of roamers like this before (or even possibly grown complacent after living in safety for so long), they couldn’t keep their nerves in check like Rick and Carl.  So, chatter rises, drawing those zombies even closer.  Then, Douglas happens and everything goes to pot real quick.

This scene reminded me of the end of the issue a few months back that felt like it had a cadence to the ending.  Seeing each character in the last few moments of peace before the walls came down had a feeling to it that gave the reader anxiety and made my heart beat heavily with each passing frame.  The end has a similar effect even if the cadence was more of a cacophony confusion and disorganization.  I don’t think I took a breath for about a half an issue.  Each passing frame made my heart beat faster and faster until the two page splash that made me audibly gasp and say, “Oh my god!”

If you ever wondered if comics could make you feel the same way as watching a movie or reading a great, captivating novel…  The Walking Dead #83 proves that they can.

A COMIC BOOK BLOG RATINGProsConsUnbelievable tragedy that proves this is still one of the very best books in stores. This issue literally punches you in the gut and hovers over you menacingly while you try to catch your breath.Absolutely, positively none. I dare another single issue of a comic to try to do better than this for the rest of 2011. Rating100%

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By BlogsdnaTagged with: Robert Kirkman  The Walking Dead3 CommentsVanGoghXPosted on March 30, 2011 at 10:48 pm

You’re right on the mark about not being able to breath while reading this issue. Horrifying stuff!
That two-page spread was mind-numbing and heart-freezing… It made me physically ill and I wanted to vomit.
Another fantastic example of story-telling genius that so few have been able to convey in comics!

ReplyjimPosted on March 31, 2011 at 10:29 pm

Wow truely a shocking issue, it just goes to show you that anything can happen and nobody is safe.

ReplyTommyPosted on April 1, 2011 at 8:11 pm

I love this book, but I’m almost becoming desensitized by everyone dying. I wonder if Michonne dies in the next arc???

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This post was added on 30 Mar 2011, 20:49 by Geoff Arbuckle who has contributed 364 posts to this blog.

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