The Walking Dead, Volume 17: Something to Fear

The Good: The previous volume was slow and full of setup that we could only hope would pay off. Something to Fear is everything a reader could have dreamed of and more. Absolutely mind blowing. Huge, unexpected twists that change EVERYTHING. The introduction of Negan will make the groups interactions with the Governor seem like a minor altercation. This is exactly what the series needed. Action, emotion, and a bad guy that will chill you to the bone. Absolutely renews my love of the series.

The Bad: Not a thing.

Lesson Learned: Anytime Rick begins to feel optimistic and like everyone has a good future... it's inevitably not true. Nope, not true at all. It means something bad is going to go down. In this case, the something comes in the form of meeting Negan in the flesh, and him exacting what he felt was adequate punishment for the Saviors that Rick and co. killed.

This is one of those issues that makes me very happy the comic is printed in black and white. Nobody needed to see the level of guts and gore present in this volume. Nobody needed the gut punch of that in technicolor to drive the point home. It was enough to be shocked and sickened, to realize the villain in this case has none of the 'humanity' (what little there was) that the show more Governor had. Here is what is essentially the biggest human evil one can imagine - what do we do now?

Apparently forgive Rick, but I'm not sure how much longer that can last. He got everyone into this trouble, after all, and he has yet to have a firm plan as to how to get them all out. How many more wars and squabbles can the people survive?

One thing I will give the Saviors at least: they do seem to realize how detrimental guns are. It's nice to see people using blunt weapons instead. Why has no one else fully realized that by using guns you're basically inviting more swarms? show less

I'm going to be honest, this one squicked me COMPLETELY OUT. If you've read this, I'm sure you'll know exactly which scene (and which death) I'm referring too. If you haven't read this one, be warned, it's majorly graphic. And not just because of the violence (though that was pretty horrific and I just... *shudders*), it's the emotional impact of what happened and when it happened and to whom. I seriously had to listen to Broadway showtunes last night so I wouldn't have that image in my head. It was awful. I'm actually scared to start watching the show again now, because I'm afraid they'll show that scene in awful, graphic detail and I don't think I can handle it.

Just when I think this series can't shock me anymore. It does.

I mean wow, this volume was an absolute mind mangle (thank you thesaurus lol) - GLENN IS DEAD! ABRAHAM IS DEAD! Oh my days....

To be fair I should know by now, reading this far into this series, that nobody is safe but when it happens it feels like a kick to the gut. Kirkman lulls the reader into this boring, kind of safe community - things start to look up get complacent - and BAM!, it was awesome.

I'm in such a state of shock.... I just don't have anything to add. I know that a lot of people would have hated this volume, but I love the fact that it's still shocking me. Great stuff.

The group runs into Negan's people; find out that their group is much larger, stronger, and infinitely more vicious than expected; and a huge loss to the group makes Rick agree to yield to the threat. Such a frustrating installment! I've gotten used to our group being the strong ones - no matter what, they should do what is morally right under the circumstances (I think we've left ethics behind quite a long time ago). Rick giving in to Negan is a painful read, but at least there's a light at the end of that tunnel in the guise of "Jesus." Let's hope that plan works out! Can't wait for the next installment to be published!

OMG! Just when you wonder what could possibly be next, you are slapped in the face with this volume. It is just another amazing addition to a great series.

Rick, his son, and the other survivors are in their reinforced community, but there is a new enemy, Negan. His rebels are threatening Rick's group and another community at the Hilltop. Rick wants to face Negan head on, but this enemy could be even worse than the Governor...

This graphic novel has all the cursing, blood, grit, and savagery I've come to know from Robert Kirkman in this series. He holds nothing back; it is just more brutal on top of brutal, which is something the TV series could benefit from. Just remember, you can't fall in love with any of the characters because at the show more next turn of the page they could be gone forever. show less

OMG! Just when you wonder what could possibly be next, you are slapped in the face with this volume. It is just another amazing addition to a great series.

Rick, his son, and the other survivors are in their reinforced community, but there is a new enemy, Negan. His rebels are threatening Rick's group and another community at the Hilltop. Rick wants to face Negan head on, but this enemy could be even worse than the Governor...

This graphic novel has all the cursing, blood, grit, and savagery I've come to know from Robert Kirkman in this series. He holds nothing back; it is just more brutal on top of brutal, which is something the TV series could benefit from. Just remember, you can't fall in love with any of the characters because at the show more next turn of the page they could be gone forever. show less