THE WALKING DEAD #25 REVIEW

[Rictor]

Reviewer: Alan Bergin, alan_bergin@yahoo.com
Story Title: Untitled

Creator/Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciller/Inker: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover: Charlie Adlard
Publisher: Erik Larsen
Published by: Image Comics

The Walking Dead #25 lurks into it's milestone 25th issue, not so much with great aplomb, but with more of the same dialogue-heavy, actionless writing that has characterized the book since Kirkman & Adlard traded their RV for the comfort of a cellblock. It's tried & tested and always quite good, but given the fact that this issue will be a jumping-on point for many (the big 2 5, a new arc, the previous 24 issues being collected in TPB and hard-cover format), one has to wonder whether "more of the same" is sufficent to not only garner the attention of the newbies but also to satisfy the appetite of many a TWD veteran.

This particular outing makes for a fine, familiar read. Rick and co continue to prep their prison-home in an effort to make it more liveable. Their main focus concerns the search for gasoline, which they need to power their generator. On the one hand, this is an understandable and thoroughly acceptable course of action as TWD has never been a book that has been big on all-action thrills. Kirkman instead chooses to occupy himself with everyday concerns and the study of the human condition. The ghoulish threat outside the prison gates has always played second fiddle to the often frayed character relations within. The best examples of Zombie pop-culture in the past would have tended to echo Kirkman's direction here so with that said; The Walking Dead #25 could be viewed as another solid addition to the series, as the characters discuss their relationship to one-another and look to improve their collective plight. The dialogue is as cleverly-scripted as ever and Otis; the book's resident slack-jawed yokel, provides the best line:

SPOILER!
Dale: Keep moving along. Don't linger or get them too riled up. We want them to follow us, not push the fence over to get us.
Otis: Some day old man, yer gonna have to learn that not everyone is a complete dumb ass.
Dale:Just you right?
...lengthy pause...
Otis: **** you.

It's good. It's solid. It's what we've come to expect. In saying that though, 25 issues in and I was expecting a little more.

Kirkman was noted as saying in a previous letter column that he wasn't going to make a big deal out of this, the 25th issue of his sleeper hit. And why not? He has a story to tell and he has every right to tell it at his own pace. While this line of thinking may be acceptable to some, as an avid TWD fan, I find it a little disappointing. We've been in the prison surroundings for 13 issues now and quite frankly, I'm a little weary of them. Don't get me wrong, It's unrealistic to think that in a world of the undead, the survivors should up and leave their best chance of survival in order to furnish the audience with a brand new direction, but while their decision to stay is acceptable, I'm strongly of the opinion that the book needs to be re-invogorated in some capacity. The issue's cover would seem to suggest that we would be visited by some fresh blood (of the human kind) and while this isn't necessarily a false assumption, the final non-sighting of a SPOILER! helicopter in the sky comes across as a pretty weak finish to a series of enjoyable yet familiar scenes. What I’m getting at here is, of course there will be more survivors, so why should the addition of another be of any real consequence? Legitimate criticism, or have I spent to long, staring at a half-empty glass? The possibility of SPOILER! evacuation seems like a slim one. Kirkman has worked too long and hard to renovate his surroundings and tweak the character dynamic, to just up and bail. I like the story that I've read so far, but I had hoped for more with the 25th installment. I have faith in Kirkman though, so I'm quite content to sit back and see how the most recent arrival(s) will affect our miserable little group.

Charlie Adlard once again does a fine job of depicting our living/undead chums. His moodier stylings aren't really being put to the test here, as again he's charged with the task of drawing the characters as they chat, argue amongst themselves etc. The facial expressions are fitting and he does his job well, but I can't help but hope that his talents will be put to increased use in the issues that are to come.

So there you have it; it's a good, well-drawn slice of TWD action, but it's very much a case of same old, same ol'. The Image solicitations for the book states that "Everything is different now" and while this would seem to come across as a blatant lie, it might point to the possibility of welcome change on the horizon. While I'm enjoying my undead fix, I long for a bit more bite for my buck

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[Paul Shinn]

Hmm...a little harsh maybe, but I can see your point. Personally, "more of the same" when "the same" is as good as this, is fine by me! In the letters page to this issue, Kirkman points out that while it's been quite a few issues, not that much time has passed since they've been in the prison. They moved around a lot to begin with, and that's understandable - I'm sure there would be a real sense of moving on, trying to get to safety. But now they are safe (at least for the moment) so why wouldn't they stay put? I've really enjoyed the past couple of issues and the characterisation between Tyresse and Rick which has been building for ages. I think this will be the calm before the storm though... as soon as they ventured past the gates, I was just waiting for it all to go to hell. Who's to say the helicopter's inhabitants will be friendly? And from up in the sky are they really going to be able to tell regular humans from zombies?? I for one can't wait to find out...

[James Groves]

I agree this was a pretty low-key issue with nothing that really stood out to the reader. Still a good issue, but lacked that one defining moment that made the hairs on on the back of yer neck stand up.

Good, solid issue.