The Walking Dead, Volume 16: A Larger World

On the road again...

How do you learn to trust again when the human enemy is proving itself to be far more dangerous than the dead? How can you bring yourself to believe that trading with another tribe will be safe, that the danger of another walled city is in not taking the trade agreement rather than taking it? How desperate must you be to trust? Or how paranoid not to? These are the main thrust of this issue, and what an interesting issue it is.

People can all experience the same thing but see it in different ways. Is wanting a new civilization, a new life without fear naive? Foolish? Visionary? Is there a way to think of the future, and not simply live in the moment, terrified of all the threats that lie ahead?

So many questions, and show more so much fun moving forward. What will come next? And just how terrifying could Negan be? show less

Well it suddenly got a bit more interesting. Rick and the group have been approached by a man named 'Jesus' who suggests a trading relationship with a nearby colony. Of course, it's not as simple as that. The cliffhanger at the end of this volume was tantalising. I am glad the story is starting to have a bit more substance. I can't wait to read on and find out what happens.

This series just continues to amaze me. The creative team continues to mine the depths of the human condition against a backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. In this particular edition, we're brought new hope for the band of survivors. Yeah, can't think that'll last too long.

Kirkman manages to insert needed energy into a series that has been concentrating on character for a while, whilst they acclimatise to relative safety. As usual its a new direction not a rehash. More and more this comic is about exploration of apocalypse survival and less about eating brains and I love it. Long may it continue.

The group meet Paul "Jesus" Monroe While out scavenging, interrogate him for his actual motives, and are relieved that The Hilltop haven turns out to look like the truth. Finally a chance for this group to feel some hope - as Rick says, "We can finally stop surviving ... and start living." Naturally, there are obstacles - or we wouldn't have a story - but, with what this group has been through, it should be something that can be conquered. Shouldn't it? Looking forward to seeing if the group can get some respite at last.

Okay, I read several of these volumes yesterday all in a row, but I'm going to try to put a little review on each one :) In this one, I got a little annoyed at Rick, but let's be honest, all the hell he's been through, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he's a bit paranoid. I think what really threw me off was his sudden change of heart. It seemed really out of the blue. I get that it moved the story along, but still. I did like how everyone had a different view of the Hilltop and once it was pointed out it was easy to see :) And it's nice to know that there are decent people still out in the world. Even if they are idiots :P

I can see the need to expand the story, and when starting up a new arc there is nothing to be done but a bunch of exposition, but this volume was particularly heavy on the set-up and light on the pay off. In addition, the dialogue was hokier than usual and the drawing often seemed a little sloppy. Here is hoping for a return to form in Volume 17!

[full review here: http://spacebeer.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-walking-dead-volume-16-larger-world.ht... ]