Product Description
JUST IN TIME FOR THE ALL-NEW TELEVISION SERIES ON AMC! This hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series, all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers, and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie on paper that never ends. Collects The Walking Dead #61-72. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

These dead don't rot
The sixth collected hardcover edition of The Walking Dead finds survivors Rick, Carl, and the rest of the now small crew taking on even more horrors in this zombie-laden world.Without giving too much away, writer Robert Kirkman manages to inject a delicious (no pun intended) twist with Dale, and concluding with a new sense of hope for the survivors as they finally find themselves in Washington and surprisingly in safety as well, but there are promises of future terrors just over the horizon.From the beginning, The Walking Dead has been an intelligent and thought-provoking ongoing saga of a world overrun by a zombie apocalypse, and since then Robert Kirkman has taken the series to unprecedented new heights as he continues to prove that the worst thing to encounter in this world aren't the walking corpses themselves, but the human survivors who, to put it lightly, haven't adapted all that well.You'll never find a better horror tale in comics, period.Let's only hope that Kirkman and Frank Darabont manage to weave the same kind of horror magic in the television realm when The Walking Dead premieres on AMC on Halloween night.

A Segment Of Horror, A Segment Of Calm--A Human Interlude Provides Danger Too
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted.A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season starting 10/31/10 is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that). But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this. Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner! In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer. Book Six collects the following two chapters.

"Volume 11: Fear The Hunters" instantly became one of my favorites in the entire series! Just as the story seemed to be tapering down, this episode has Rick getting his mojo back after having been sullen and unsure since the prison riot. One of the most morally ambiguous chapters, we see the toll this new world has had on the camp's children--and it isn't pretty. Andrea and Dale, long in the periphery, step up into leading roles and the group discovers religion when they take in a priest with a shady past. But when our crew is hunted and then confronts another extremist group intent on eating them--yes, I said it--it's not something you're likely to forget. Drama, carnage, and moral consequence all play equal roles in this unforgettable edition!

"Volume 12: Life Among Them" gets the team back on the road to Washington D.C. But while their reason for going to D.C. always seemed like a hastily (and sloppily) drawn plot point, it soon becomes clear why it seemed so sketchy. However, the group are recruited by another community--and things might be just too good to be true. Entering a private housing sub-division, we get echoes of days gone by (when the team thought they were safe in Volume 2). This time, however, they are joining a group. Kids are playing in the streets, wives exchange recipes, cocktail parties are held, and holidays are observed. Somewhat hopeful, somewhat wary--confusion and acceptance are at war. While not a lot of actual action, we do seem to be gearing up for some major developments as suspicions fester. A nice interlude.
... Read more

Product Description
Introducing the first eight volumes of this fan-favorite series collected into one massive paperback collection!Collects The Walking Dead #1-48. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

what a deal
I got into the walking dead when I bought the first volume at comic con. I was hooked and thought wow this is gonna cost me a lot to get all the volumes but then I saw this deal and its such a good bargain. I recommend this compendium to anyone starting out with these series. I couldn't put the book down once i started.

An Amazing Collection of the Best Comic Book Currently Running
The Walking Dead is simply a magnum opus for comic books. The artwork is nothing short of beautiful and the writing firmly establishes the comic as a piece of literary art. The Walking Dead expands on the traditional story of a zombie apocalypse and shows the long term effects on humanity a devastating such as this would have. This comic masterfully captures the essence of humanity by not focusing on the zombies themselves. This allows the reader to emphasize with the characters as they are portrayed realistically with all the flaws people have amplified by horrific circumstances.

This collection is well worth your money and will leave you wanting to know what happens next the minute you finish the last page. Robert Kirkman's dedication to the medium proves the validity of comics as an art-form well worth the time invested to read.

great read
This is one of the best fictional storiesthat i have read in a long timeTHE WALKING DEAD has me hooked . i normally do not care about zombie books etc but a friend recommended i check this out so i boughtbook 1 and thats all it took . after that i ordered the walking dead compendium from amazon and as soon as i got it i read it all the same day .i could not put it down the story is great . be warned however that this book is a bit heavy ( for a book ) so holding it in your palm for as long as i did might be too uncomfortablefor someother than that its amust have to any collection

An excellent read
I have to say next to the resident evil books this one kept me up till 4 in the morning because I just couldn't put it down. If you've been longing for a good zombie Comic then you should pick this up.

We are the real zombies
I'm not a comic book guy, but I enjoyed all 8 volumes included in this compendium. If you're not a zombie-fan, don't dismay. It's about the people who survive and how an event like zombies would change them. Eagerly awaiting the next compendium so I can read them all at once (much better than waiting month to month). ... Read more

Product Description
Do you feel manipulated, controlled, or lied to? Are you the focus of intense, violent, and irrational rages? Do you feel you are 'walking on eggshells' to avoid the next confrontation?

If the answer is 'yes,' someone you care about may have borderline personality disorder (BPD). Stop Walking on Eggshells has already helped nearly half a million people with friends and family members suffering from BPD understand this destructive disorder, set boundaries, and help their loved ones stop relying on dangerous BPD behaviors. This fully revised edition has been updated with the very latest BPD research and includes coping and communication skills you can use to stabilize your relationship with the BPD sufferer in your life.

This compassionate guide will enable you to:
• Make sense out of the chaos
• Stand up for yourself and assert your needs
• Defuse arguments and conflicts
• Protect yourself and others from violent behavior

Customer Reviews (207)

Changed my life!!!
This book changed my life!!! It opened my eyes to BPD and what I had been living with for almost 5 years with my wife. I always knew something was wrong, but never knew what. It didn't save my marriage, but nothing could have done that. It allowed me to get free with a clear conscience and know that I wasn't at fault, that it wasn't me that was broken and that had destroyed the marriage.

i liked the book because it was insightful.
I have a much better understanding of BPD as well as the loved-one who has it.It helps you empathize because of the additional knowledge gained and be able to better understand where the BPD person is coming from.

Awesome!
This book was amazing.It was exactly what I needed to hear about how to communicate with someone with BPD.

Stop Walking on Eggshells

This is an incredibly well written book in easy to understand language. Everything in it is useful from understanding yourself to understanding the person that is inflicted with a behavioral disorder and causing the emotional abuse. If nothing else, this book will provide anyone that is a victim of emotional abuse some sence of direction and self worth, but it does provide so much more.Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder

Helps me understand
I married a BPD person and had two children, divorced after 24 yrs of marriage.After reading this book, it has opened my eyes to the person I was married to, his mother, and now my daughter.How people can operate without a conscience has been beyond my comprehension.Then to justify their behavior, they twist the truth and blame others.To readStop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder that this behavior is really a mental illness, even in high functioning persons, helps me understand what I must do to have a (hopefully) decent relationship with my daughter and keep my sanity.I recommend this book highly to anyone who is living with or has lived with someone who shows signs of borderline personality disorder.It is well written and advises non-BPD's how to take care of themselves. ... Read more

Product Description
Life in the community is as near as Rick and his group can ever hope to come to life returning to normal. So why is Rick so on edge? Will his behavior spell doom for everyone else? Will they let it get that far? ... Read more

Product Description
At long last, the survivors of Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard's acclaimed post-apocalyptic survival adventure find the hope they've longed look for. Can a town not yet ravaged by the horrors unleashed on Earth possibly be all it's hoped for? Is there a far more sinister secret behind their newfound safe haven? Even worse, can people forever changed by the worst in humanity ever hope to get back to their old selves? The next chapter of The Walking Dead is primed to change everything! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

A precursor to big upcoming events
*** Spoilers for those who aren't caught up with the series!! ***

Rick Grimes and his band of survivors are on the move again. In the last book, they encountered cannibals and horrible things had to be done to ensure their safety. Carl, Rick's son, is dealing with the aftermath of killing Billy, another child who was a great danger to the whole group. The group encounters a lone man on the road named Aaron, who wants them to come with him and live in his safe haven. Rick is immediately suspicious. In the past, another group claimed something similar and it ended very badly. The rest of the group is more enthused to have a stable place to stay and find the newcomer to be trustworthy. They go to this safe haven and find a stable community, headed by an ex-Senator. Everything seems a little too perfect to Rick. Plus they seem to have no safeguards against other human attackers. Is Rick just being paranoid or there really something nefarious going on in this community? Can these survivors who have seen so many horrors integrate back into normal society?

The Walking Dead is an excellent series. This is one in the series that is more a precursor to and setting up of events to come. Action wise, not much happens in this one. However, many important issues are brought up and there is more character development than anything else. The relationship between Rick and his son Carl is especially interesting to me. Carl isn't a hardened killer, even though he has killed countless zombies. He is still emotionally affected by his first human murder, but he holds it together because it's needed for the survival of the group. Rick understands Carl's decision, but wishes he didn't have to do things like this. He, after all, is still a child.

The other big event of this narrative is the invitation to live in the safe haven. Rick is immediately on his guard and thinks it's too good to be true. The others start out as accepting, but grow to be more and more suspicious. This situation is the most like life before the zombie apocalypse than anything they have experienced since. Will the survivors ever be able to integrate into a society such as this one? They have been fighting for survival for about two years. Many of their problems have come from humans, such as the cannibals from the last one and the sadistic governor. Events like these take a toll on them and make them into different people.

Although not the most action packed book in the series, I enjoyed the emotional and psychological implications presented. Something big is going to be happening in the next book and I can't wait to read it!

Fine series remains fine.
Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead: Life Among Them (Image, 2010)

As I write this, we are less than six weeks away from the premiere of the AMC adaptation of The Walking Dead, and the anticipation level is excruciating. Granted, at least half of us are already asking "are they going to screw this up as bad as CW did Legend of the Seeker?", but you know the drill. And this is the atmosphere in which I (finally!) got my hands on Life Among Them, the twelfth book in the series. (I've had it on hold from the library for about five months now.) The group, now whittled down almost to a core, has almost made it to Washington, DC, when a startling revelation changes everything... or does it? Rick and Abraham decide to plow on to Washington anyway to see if they can scavenge some supplies, and there they find out that the title of this book does not mean what they think it means, not at all. (Sorry, couldn't think of any other way to do that without a spoiler, cheesy as it is.) There's nothing I can say about The Walking Dead that I haven't already said in earlier reviews, and the simple fact is that the steadiness of the quality of the series makes it one of the great pleasures in comics today. If you're curious about the upcoming series, what better way to prepare than to read the books? ****

The saga continues.... (with some twists!)
Further development of Rick and his crew continues. The story takes quite a twist in the second half (no spoilers, don't worry!) and goes in a direction that you would may have never expected!

As usual with the Walking Dead series, it's not just a story of zombies, but how people change in the face of such a constant threat. Rick's group seems to be changing regularly, some faces going, other new faces joining, but I found myself riveted to my seat, wanting to know what happened next with every turn of the page.

This volume makes another great addition to the Walking Dead series.

My only complaint is that often the release dates get pushed back, but I'd honestly rather have a good story than a fast one!

Zombies
A great continuation of the path Rick and other survivors are making while fighting the onslaught of the "Undead".

Still amazing!
still the best series around. Kirkman still manages to put our characters in new and interesting scenarios as well as delving further into our characters psyche. great stuff and i can't wait for the TV show as well. ... Read more

Product Description
This hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers, and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie on paper that never ends. Collects The Walking Dead #49-60. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

The Walking Dead Book 5
This is a great series on zombies. I read them faster than they are made. Keep up the good work and looking forward to the next volumes.

Regrouping And Rebuilding--A Zombie Epic Slows Down
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted. A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that). But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this. Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner! In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer. This book contains the following two chapters.

"Chapter Nine: Here We Remain" deals with the aftermath of the fateful prison massacre. It is a decidedly more subdued event as Rick and Carl regroup. There are some genuinely creepy moments as Rick adjusts to his personal losses. But more than anything, he seems to have lost his identity. Rediscovering some of the other survivors, Rick no longer wants to hold a position of authority--he can't deal with the responsibility any longer. A major highlight of this episode involves Rick and Michonne's growing closeness as we finally crack some of her mysterious allure. A necessary chapter of respite, but when new characters show up at the end--I'm not really crazy about the new direction. Spinning a rather ridiculous tall tale about traveling to Washington DC, the new group containing a self-proclaimed "scientist," easily enlist the crew to go with them. A little far fetched considering the circumstances. One of my least favorite for this reason.

"Chapter Ten: What We Become" chronicles the caravan on the initial stages of the journey to Washington DC. While I'm not crazy about the new characters leading this expedition, Abraham does provide an alpha male challenge to Rick. Highlights of this chapter include an eerie dream sequence, a moment of weakness for Maggie, and an act of brutality that bind Rick, Carl and Abraham in a discussion about the animalistic nature of this new world. But perhaps the scariest thing in the series thus far is the "herd" of zombies that is introduced proving, once again, that the calm is always followed by the storm in "The Walking Dead." The sequence leaves our heroes on the run once more. Good, but not great--since the loss at the prison, the group still has some rebounding to do.

Keeps getting better!!
walking dead is one if not the best zombie comic out there. every time i get the latest book I can't put it down.

delivery date pushed back repeatedly
but totally worth the wait, so excited for the show this fall (they're filming in my neighborhood right now!).

Beware of Herds
It's The Walking Dead Book 5, if you haven't read books 1-4 then you don't know and shouldn't be looking here yet. The story continues and it's awesome. Slowly, like a roaming zombie we're finding out more about what/how this mess got started. Glorious black and white art fills each page. ... Read more

Product Description
No one is safe in the aftermath of the most shocking Walking Dead storyline yet! The remaining survivors continue the road to Washington DC, but not everyone will make it out alive! Collects issues #61-66 of the New York Times best-selling series, The Walking Dead! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

After A Brief Respite, A Brilliant Return To Form
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted.A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that).But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this.Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner!In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer.

"Volume 11:Fear The Hunters" instantly became one of my favorites in the entire series!Just as the story seemed to be tapering down, this episode has Rick getting his mojo back after having been sullen and unsure since the prison riot.One of the most morally ambiguous chapters, we see the toll this new world has had on the camp's children--and it isn't pretty.Andrea and Dale, long in the periphery, step up into leading roles and the group discovers religion when they take in a priest with a shady past.But when our crew is hunted and then confronts another extremist group intent on eating them--yes, I said it--it's not something you're likely to forget.Drama, carnage, and moral consequence all play equal roles in this unforgettable edition!

Wicked
I love zombie stories so it does not take a masterpiece for me to like this saga, volume 11 in particular. But definitely, we are in the presence of a masterpiece indeed. The story line, the art, everything is great. Volume 11 is full of exciting passages: The cannibals, the
insane little twin killing his brother with Carl taking justice in his own hands &c. However, I would have fancied better Morgan telling Rick what he saw, rather than the lad (Carl) confessing his crime to Rick (I have not gotten hold of volume 12, so I don't know how Rick reacted
to his son's confession). Morgan re-appearance in the previous volume has been nice, and Michonne fancing him adds the reading extra spice.
5 stars, mates!

F the hunters
love the boy. so much it was crazy good. love the fact they killed of one of my hated characters.

i love zombies
another great volume to the walking dead series. i ordered mine in time for comic-con and got robert kirkman to sign it

Kirkman never fails.
Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead, vol. 11: Fear the Hunters (Image Comics, 2009)

The release of a new volume of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead is always cause for celebration (or at least it is when my library finally gets it in). Even when Kirkman takes a long digression from the main storyline, he's bound to make it gripping. Such is the case with Fear the Hunters, a book that generally stays away from the zombies and gives the dwindling group a far more fearsome predator to combat (telling you what would be a spoiler). When the confrontation occurs, some members of the group, including Rick, discover things they might not want to know about themselves. Still, newfound knowledge or not, Washington, DC awaits... another solid volume in one of the best American series being published today. If you haven't yet discovered The Walking Dead, pick up Days Gone Bye at your earliest convenience and get sucked in. ****
... Read more

Product Description
Walking is an essay which was presented in a lecture in 1861, and published posthumously. It is the source of the quote: " In wildness is the preservation of the world. " ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

This book is a "must read" classic.
This charming little book catches the essence of Thoreau.This is a new publication of an well-worn and inspiring little book.If you think you just dont't "get" Thoreau, just try this book.

Great essay but...
This is one of Thoreau's best essays. But you can find it free in about fifty places on the internet.

A true classic on your kindle
I've always loved Walden and Thoreau's other books. The Kindle makes it easy to take it with you. When you are out walking you can have Thoreau's classic words with you.

The book is great, no noticed typos in the book.

Wisdom you cannot afford to overlook.
Thoreau is always amazing regardless of which work I read.Walking is a great short read with numerous valuable ideas which aid in one's thinking.Whether you agree or disagree with Thoreau, you will be conditioned to think for yourself and decide what is best for you, making life all that much better.I highly recommend this book to any "Outdoor Philosopher".

Josh

Walking
It took a little longer than expected for the book to arrive, but it was in excellent condition. ... Read more

Product Description
Out on their own, danger lurking around every corner, our ragged band of survivors tries to live long enough to reach Washington D.C. Continuing the long-running saga, Robert Kirkman continues to take us to places we've never been. The 10th book in this series collects The Walking Dead #55-60. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

On The Road Again And Redefining Humanity
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted. A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that). But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this. Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner! In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer.

"Chapter Ten:What We Become" chronicles the caravan on the initial stages of the journey to Washington DC.While I'm not crazy about the new characters leading this expedition, Abraham does provide an alpha male challenge to Rick.Highlights of this chapter include an eerie dream sequence, a moment of weakness for Maggie, and an act of brutality that bind Rick, Carl and Abraham in a discussion about the animalistic nature of this new world.But perhaps the scariest thing in the series thus far is the "herd" of zombies that is introduced proving, once again, that the calm is always followed by the storm in "The Walking Dead."The sequence leaves our heroes on the run once more.Good, but not great--since the loss at the prison, the group still has some rebounding to do.

still top notch
What can I say other than, it is still great, still top notch. Read it. Love it.

Continuation of a Great Ongoing Comic Book
Walking Dead is a really good ongoing series about the consequences of a zombie outbreak. Instead of focusing on a zombie outbreak and seeing how the protagonists survive, in this comic we get to see what happens over a long period of time. The greatest aspect of Walking Dead is that anything can happen to the characters, the status quo changes all the time.

Now, let's talk about this volume in particular. We get to see a character we hadn't seen since Volume 1. The bad news is that now this character is depressed as his son became a zombie. In this volume we learn more about the consequences of using guns to kill zombies, by seeing a huge group of zombies become attracted to our heroes and we get to see more tension between the humans, in this case seeing Rick and Abraham square it off.

The comic continues to be good and while it moves slowly, it reads quickly and it is always a pleasure for me to read.
Great series.

cliff hanger
This edition of the continuing life of survivors post zombie apocalypse is great. The story has it's ups and downs but is a worthwhile read.

Awesome Zombie Thrill-Kill!!!
If you're a nut for zombies like I am, you will greatly appreciate this awesome and absorbing story from Robert Kirkman. Several of the slightly more generic zombie motifs are given new life (undead life, if you will) here in comic form, making a story that could have been the same-old thing interesting. This particular volume is a real money-saver, giving you the whole series through issue 48 (or through volume 8) for a fraction of the cost of individual issues or volumes. Little on the heavier side for toting around, but jam-packed awesomeness for perusal at home. If you like zombies, do yourself a favor and buy this! Hours of zombie-action will follow. ... Read more

Product Description
In the last volume we learned that no one is safe. Now, after the staggering losses they've sustained, Rick and Carl are left to pick up the pieces and carry on, knowing that they could join their fallen friends and family at any moment. This volume collects The Walking Dead issues #49-54. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Great zombieness continues
I have really enjoyed Kirkman's work on "The Walking Dead".He has great characters and is able to add depth to a genre that is easily played out by lesser minds.I was eagerly awaiting this book, as the last one ended in a way that was unexpected from a pop/Hollywood culture point of view.Here again he doesn't disappoint as Carl tries to accept his place a boy growing into a man and Rick works to find his way to regain any self-confidence he once had.Old friends return and some new ones are found...or are they?My only problem with Kirkman is keeping track of his characters.It is easy sometimes to forget who is who and I find that I often have to re-read portions of the last book to refresh my memory.

Respite From The Storm--The Aftermath
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted.A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that).But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this.Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner!In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer.

"Chapter Nine:Here We Remain" deals with the aftermath of the fateful prison massacre.It is a decidedly more subdued event as Rick and Carl regroup.There are some genuinely creepy moments as Rick adjusts to his personal losses.But more than anything, he seems to have lost his identity.Rediscovering some of the other survivors, Rick no longer wants to hold a position of authority--he can't deal with the responsibility any longer.A major highlight of this episode involves Rick and Michonne's growing closeness as we finally crack some of her mysterious allure.A necessary chapter of respite, but when new characters show up at the end--I'm not really crazy about the new direction.Spinning a rather ridiculous tall tale about traveling to Washington DC, the new group containing a self-proclaimed "scientist," easily enlist the crew to go with them.A little far fetched considering the circumstances.One of my least favorite for this reason.

aftermath
After the prison is destroyed (well, for Rick, et al at least) and our beloved cast is decimated, we pick up and see how they pick themselves up. We see Carl grow up, characters reunited, and some new interesting characters are introduced and the ante is upped. It'll be interesting to see where it all heads.

Changes, New Directions, and maybe a little Trusting?
Everyone is tucked in, waiting for the siege to be over in volume 8. You knew it was going to be alright, that Rick and everyone would be fine, and that the baby would be in the loving arms of its mother. Then I blinked and, well, everything was not fine. As the title suggests, things have gone really badly now and the people who are here have scattered. Some have gone places we might expect them to travel, some have wandered off, and some have gone crazy. This leaves a new door open and new people to enter, much to the distrust of just about everyone.
And Rick? Just ask his telephone how he's doing. It might just tell you.

Volume 8 REALLY caught me off-guard and, by the look of it, i was not alone. After a while you come to expect specific things to happen and, well, they didn't exactly play out like my mind was picturing them. I'm not saying that was a bad thing, either, because the way the story goes has to have things happen like this. It also has to show us that the new world is a brutal place and that having is sometimes worse than being cold, wet, and hungry.

The group of people we begin to pick up in this are faces that you really don't know what to do with. They have a plan and the plan sounds a little out there, but what does it matter now? With everyone on the fence, the world is going to have some unexpected moments. Besides, people need something to believe in and, well, this may be something they can believe in. Or it could be another town with another man and a tank, all aiming for the survivors. Who knows? Well, Kirkman does and so does the book.

I've made it to 11 now - almost 12 if you count the individual slices, and this stuff is getting good. Not only do you have the things you needed to have happen, but you have event that will take everyone else down corridors that you migh not have seen coming. Should they listen - should they learn from what they saw - what should they have learned? The one thing i know for sure is that the world broke easily and it will never let the people we knew be who they were again.

Great product and price
Item arrived on time and for a great price.Bought this as a gift and the recipient was pleased. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (13)

waking Israel
I find Fletcher's book a great study of what ths country is all about. It is written without prejudice, all factions are represented in a most honest approach, which in itself is quite remarkable, considering the polarization within the country! It is strongly recommended.

Walked Israel with the author
Cried a lot, laughed a lot.Overall, a great personal account, written in a human language!Thank you!

The Heart and Soul of a Nation
Fletcher, Martin. "Walking Israel: A Personal Search for the Soul of a Nation", Thomas Dunne Books, 2010.

The Heart and Soul of a Nation

Amos Lassen

Martin Fletcher is a respected foreign correspondents in television news having won five Emmys and other awards. For the last thirty years he has been the head of the NBC News Bureau in Tel Aviv so it is certain that he knows Israel. Fletcher decided to take a vacation and spend several weeks walking the 100-mile coastline from Lebanon to Gaza and then telling us what he found. As he walked along the beaches and visited the towns, he interviewed a wide variety of individual people along the way and gave a lot of personal opinions. What he gives us is a look at the heart and soul of the nation of Israel.

He had a recorder with him and recorded interviews with Arabs who lived in Israel, both Arabs and Jews who homes had been destroyed, members of the modern kibbutz communities, holocaust survivors and soldiers in the Israeli army. In other words, he touched representatives of society of Israel.
The book brings to life both the ancient history and the ancient conflicts to light of the area and we learn about small towns where Arabs and Jews live together in peace. We learn that not Arabs have been displaces but Israelis as well.
We get real people stories that show the Israelis as they are. They have problems but most want peace. Fletcher's plan for was to walk the coast and he would talk about anything people wanted to talk about. But his plan was to walk the coast and he did leave it and go inland. There are some real characters they he spoke with but the stories are really only interesting at face value. Depth seems to be lacking here yet that does not make them uninteresting.
One particularly interesting chapter to me is "Remaking Utopia" about the rise and fall of the kibbutz movement (I was and still am a member of a kibbutz). So much has happened to the kibbutz movement that it is hard to get the whole story. The history of the socialist kibbutz that is touched upon is interesting in that they such an important part of the building of the nation but once state support was gone, they began to fail. We now see a re-emergence of the kibbutz but it is totally different from what it once was. The stories included are diverse and that is what we need to see here as so often we do not get a picture of the various people who live in Israel.
We see that the distance from politics allows people to open up and we learn that everyone involved, Arab and Jew, want to live in peace. The two groups work together in the small villages and there they live in peace. When I lived on the Golan, most of my friends were Arabs in the region and we all got along just fine.
Fletcher shares the description of the geography and a quick overview of its history and while we learn about others, we do not really learn about the author. The book is a good social commentary for those who are interested in Israeli affairs. It is especially helpful for those who do not know much about the people and what they believe and how they act.
Personally I did not learn much from the book but then again I spent many years in Israel and I do not think there is much new to tell me. I enjoyed the read for what it was but it is by no means a definitive look at the country.

A journalist's search for his soul
Martin Fletcher says he was tired of Israel's bad press, and so in 2008 he undertook to trek 110 miles along the country's coast in search of positive, uplifting, real people stories that would show the Israelis as they are: quirky but generally hospitable peace seekers.That's the elevator pitch, but what he found -- and what the reader soon surmises -- is that the coast of Israel is not the Cinque Terre, and he can only fill so much space with his descriptions of sandy beaches, heavy backpacks, and oppressive heat. He can't even make it through the initial segment of his journey without embarking on his first digression. By the time he's halfway through the book, he outright confesses: "My plan for Walking Israel was to walk the cost, but not to limit myself to people and events on the coast; I would follow issues that arose wherever they should take me."With that, he heads inland to Jerusalem to meet up with an Israeli Arab, leaving me to wonder why he even bothered to use the walk as a framework for the book.

That quibble aside, the book is mildly interesting for its portrayal of various characters.Fletcher has a whole crew of them eager to relate their anecdotes.Most of the stories are not particularly memorable, and because the narrative makes so many jumps in place and time, never missing a chance to go off on another tangent, the reader who is looking for clarity and understanding may instead find her/himself ensconced in a verbal bath of giggles, groans, and warm fuzzies.

Conversely, Fletcher's self-portrayal is both poignant and somewhat repellent.We see a man who is haunted by the realization that he may be past his prime.His descriptions of his physical condition are merely sad; his forays into Tel Aviv nightclubs to try to recapture his youth and his clumsy attempt to flirt with a not-quite-single woman made me cringe.

Fletcher is not a bad writer, but as a foot soldier/road warrior he lacks energy.The exceptions: two lively chapters that show the reporter in his element.The first, Remaking Utopia, is an account of the rise, fall, and reinvention of the kibbutzim.The other, We're All in This Together, is a vivid portrayal of his experience in Ashkelon, a city under siege. (Both chapters are based on events that occurred months after he finished his walk!)

The reader who makes it to the Gaza-ish end of the walk will be rewarded with Fletcher's platitudinous take on the country's predicament.He likes the people; the politics he's not so sure about. All in all, not a bad journey, but one that barely begins to fulfill the expectations established by the subtitle.

Who is today's Israel?
"Since my youth, I have been fascinated with the founding of modern-day Israel, so I began this book with eagerness.As the author walks along the coast line of the country, he meets and introduces the reader to a wealth of Jews, Arabs and Palestinians.

I found the accounts most interesting but was dismayed that the solutions to the challenging conflicts still seem generations away.The author presents intriguing and, at times, paradoxical experiences that reflect an uncertain future. A book worth reading!"MW ... Read more

Product Description
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family, he must now sort through all the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (108)

Great!
I highly enjoyed this book.Once I had finished reading it I wanted to buy the rest of the series!I was pumped to find our that they have turned this in to a mini series!I can't wait to get it also!I hope it's as good as the book.Love, love, love the illustrations.

Honey! why are you eating my foot ?
I hesitated to pick this up to begin with,why you ask? well I had seen lots of horror and zombie flicks prior to this graphic novels release and thought I had seen it all before.I am so glad I did finally pick this up because it is as good as everyone says.Only way I can describe it is like a tv series or soap but with zombies in it.I would love to see zombies in sex in the city and wipe everyone out but that's another story.don't hesitate to pick this up as you will definitely find someone in the story you can relate too or root to get eaten.There are very Gorey scenes and extreme graphic content that will no doubt have zombie fans drooling with a hunger for more.This is more than just another zombie flick,its a story about how people would deal with an outbreak of the walking dead and the crumble of society in which human nature seems to be the real threat and evil.
Trust me, walk on over and read the walking dead with us .

The best
This is the best comic I've ever read. I'm going to buy the other ones for sure. It's not a lame story about zombies, it's a story about Rick's life during the hardest time of his life, dealing with the zombies, fighting for his life, and his family's too. And it really makes you think about society these days, so yeah, it's pretty cool. :)

The Walking Dead is DOA
This collection of the first six issues of the lengthy "The Walking Dead" series (soon to be a television series) suffers from the same defects as the whole current crop of comic books and graphic novels. They are all graphics-heavy and narrative-light. This is a perfect example: as narrative, it is boring and pointless. Even the graphics lean toward the pedestrian. Why the authors in the preface had the notion that these pasty panels would actually frighten anyone is beyond me. The only frightening thing about this volume is that it is followed by many others in the series.

Awesome Zombie & Human Mayhem
Dang. As a longtime comic book reader and a lifelong admirer of zombies, I've never read the highly acclaimed The Walking Deadby Robert Kirkman. Why? Because I've never had the funds to purchase all current volumes and catch up, nor did my library have them shelved. Then, upon hearing about AMCs anticipated series based on the comics, I happened to check my current local library, not really expecting any results. Color me surprised. The library has every trade paperback that's currently out.

I immediately checked out Volumes 1-8, and now offer my review of Volume 1, Days Gone Bye.

The story begins with Rick, a police officer from Kentucky, and his partner out on patrol. Rick gets shot and goes into a coma. When he wakes up a month later in an abandoned hospital, he's disoriented and confused. And then he sees them. Zombies, decayed and grisly. Terrified, he fleas from the hospital onto a world overrun and destroyed.

Days Gone Bye sounds like so many other zombie stories, and in many ways it is. Countless undead roam the world, hungry and devouring anything with meat on it. A ragtag group of survivors try to press on with life despite the fact that nearly everyone they loved is dead and gone. Heck, even some of the characters are stock characters, cliched and familiar. But through it all, Days Gone Bye was still powerful.

What makes it so is the drama. Kirkman takes the familiar character and works with it, sculpting something new and exciting. The writing is solid. Dialog flows smoothly. Each character is unique and Kirkman gives life and light to all. They have their own voice, and I found most of them very believable.

With each turn of the page the tension grows. The dichotomy is beautiful. On one hand you've got a populated world of undead, flesh-hungry monsters lurking always off the page, threatening the safety of the group. On the other, you've got the mounting squabbles and secrets of the survivors. When I finished Volume 1, I literally exclaimed, "Wow." The thing definitely packed a punch. Thankfully I already have Volume 2 at my disposal.

In addition to the fine story telling, the illustrations (by Tony Moore) fit the plot nicely. The whole thing has a retro feel to it, being done in simple blacks & whites. The lack of color makes things gloomier. Spookier. Plus, the drawings of the zombies were just cool.

The Walking Dead is something I'm looking forward to getting into. If the rest of the series is as good as Days Gone Bye, then I see a bright, albeit dim and bloody, road ahead of me. I easily recommend this book to anyone interested in zombies, intense drama, good-undead fun, or post-apocalyptic scenarios. It was a quick, enjoyable read that left me hungry for more. ... Read more

Product Description

"This is a series of stories of what it looks like to walk with God, over the course of about a year."

So begins a remarkable narrative of one man's journey learning to hear the voice of God. In Walking wtih God by John Eldredge, the details are intimate and personal. The invitation is for us all. What if we could hear from God . . . often? What difference would it make?

All day long we are making choices. It adds up to an enormous amount of decisions in a lifetime. How do we know what to do?

We have two options.

We can trudge through on our own, doing our best to figure it all out.

Or, we can walk with God. As in, learn to hear his voice. Really. We can live life with God. He offers to speak to us and guide us. Every day. It is an incredible offer. To accept that offer is to enter into an adventure filled with joy and risk, transformation and breakthrough. And more clarity than we ever thought possible.

Customer Reviews (65)

Gooooooood stuuuuuuuuuuuuff!!!!!!!!!
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn how to hear God in a very practical way.

Helped Me to Abide in Christ
For mature audiences only.Your average secular person would read this book and think John Eldredge is 100% nuts.I would say he's 10% nuts. Eh, who isn't?The other 90% was a blessing and an answer to my prayer on how to abide in Jesus.

John shared his prayer journal from one year of his life to role model what a personal relationship with God and Jesus look like.I picked up some great tips on how to abide in Jesus (the theme God keeps bringing up in MY walk).Thanks, John!

Here they are in order of helpfulness to my walk:

1. Before I add more projects to my Outlook task list, pray and ask God, "should I do this?"Not all good works need to be accomplished by Yours Truly.Love this advice. It kills 2 birds with one stone.Listening for God's voice every time I start a project triggers more "abiding".Better time management.

2. When I do ask God about something, "ask the next question."For example, if I sense that God is leading me to take on a project, talk with Him about how to do it.For me, the effect of this book is constant conversations and listening to God throughout my day.Pray without ceasing!The words John hears from God rang true to my own experience of Him.

3. Appreciate the gifts God gives me every day that are not on "my list".There are certain things I pray for all the time (since Jesus told me to ask persistently for those things I believe are God's will).But sometimes this persistence makes me blind to the other neat little things God gives.Like the stars last night.Or "little people" hugs from our youngest congregants.Our Father just loves to give us good gifts and show us His love.

4. Take spiritual warfare seriously.I don't buy into all his beliefs - this is where the 10% nutty part came in.He thinks objects can be conduits of evil or we have to say all these long prayers about every little thing.But, I do recognize some force that works mischievously against my harmony with God.I especially like what he said about being careful with "your agreements" (code for beliefs).So I wrote a sermon about that this week!

5. God wants to give you JOY and REST.It's OK to take a break from God's work and just enjoy good things.In fact, when he asked God "should I do this?" the answer was often "no, take a break and do that thing that brings you joy!"Like writing this review :)

John is a highly introspective person, thus his walk is a little different from mine.I would even venture to say he's excessively introspective and maybe a little paranoid (that "daily prayer" at the end of the book would kill my relationship with God fast).But the beautiful thing is that God walks with each of us right where we are and each of us will have a different kind of relationship.Part of the reason John can give this kind of spiritual advice is because he is so internally aware.

Walking with God
Excellent book regarding spiritual warfare. Author gives plenty of personal examples of what he did and did not do. Easy reading, but difficult application for most humans. Highly recommended for those believing in spiritual warfare.

This book really challenged me to engage God more deeply.
Is this book the Bible?No.
Is John Elderidge perfect?No.
Did this book challenge me to engage God on a whole new level?Absolutely!

I read some of the negative reviews and I think they miss a couple things.For one, this is John's story, so he is vulnerably sharing his own personal perspective.It is NOT a prescription for all people.As such, of course it's going to talk about life from his perspective.In addition, it is about deepening our relationship with God through a constant, rich, interactive conversation with Him.Therefore, it is relevant to talk to Him about every little thing in our lives, and John shares his experience of doing so.While some critics belittle him for asking God whether or not to buy a dog, they prove that they don't understand true relationship.As a married man, and as a father, I'm learning new things about communication every day.Would I buy a dog without consulting my wife and family?No.Then why not ask God?As a father, I'm learning more and more every day about how God must feel about my lack of interest in him while he is utterly interested in me.

Two more thoughts.

I happened to pick up The Screwtape Letters to read at home while I was reading this book at my office.What a fantastic campanion to this book.It was so cool to be reading from the God-oriented perspective in one and the Satanic perspective in the other.I highly recommend reading them together.

This book is not designed to sit down and read through.Don't take it to the beach or on a plane.Just read one section at a time and put it down and pray about it.It'll take a while to get through that way, but you'll be able to test what you are learning as you go and I got so much out of reading it in that way.

Some good, but mostly bad
Very disappointed with this book.As the book progresses, John becomes more and more bent on asking God everything: Should he adopt a puppy, should he stay late for work, should he chop down a Christmas tree on Friday... he even asks God where his watch is.

To me, this type of highly introspective faith is very dangerous.If something goes wrong, it must be our fault for not listening to God.John gets thrown off a horse at one point, and the first thing he does is try to evaluate where he went wrong with God.He reasons he asked him if he should ride a horse, but that he didn't ask WHERE he should go... Because he failed to ask this question is the reason why God let him be injured.

In the same light, if things go right, this type of approaches gives the wrong impression that is must be because I was so good in hearing God and doing exactly what he told me.

Even stranger, he uses Romans 4 to claim that he heard his dead dog bark from heaven.I do know that scripture says the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, and I do not know of any dogs who've personally accepted Christ.

Very strange.Even though there are some very good entries from time-to-time, I'd avoid this book to save yourself from possibly adopting this type of relationship with God.This book really turned me off from John Edlredge. ... Read more

Product Description
This hardcover features the first 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers and anyone needing a slightly heavy object with which to fend off the walking dead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (67)

Reads like a primer for life in Zombieville
About once a year or so I wander into "Aguilonia Comics" here in Troy, New York. Usually the owner and I swap insults about the current state of da comic's biz and alike. Eventually I'll ask him what he likes and recommends, last month he recommended "The Walking Dead" series.I bought a reprint of the first issue. And like Tyrone Biggles I was hooked and cooked in a heartbeat. I immediately came here and bought Books 1 - 3 of "The Walking Dead".Well written and well illustrated this gritty series tells what life would be like in the Zombie Apocalypse. Plenty violent and profane it does not shy away from the problems and stresses that would face the few normal people left alive who are desperate to avoid being the blue plate special for the undead.

Like the best apocalyptic fiction you realize quickly what man becomes when thin veneer of "civilization" is stripped away. You look into the pages of this mirror and you wonder who or what you would become if placed under the same threats as these folks. In this world even the best of people will do down, dirty and desperate things... Riveting fiction.

Da Worfster

Awesome Series, Awesome price!
I have been reading this book since it came out. I haven't actually purchased a comic in years, just download the .cbr files usually, but I knew when the hardcover came out I would spend my $ on them. Great writing, pacing, and art (especially the first few issues).

Fans of horror films and the post apocalyptic genre will love it. Even my wife likes this and she hates everything I love so there ya go. GET THIS BOOK NOW!!!

Cool Zombies that meet a Good Storyline
Finally, the humanity is brought back to zombie stories.The relationships and interactions between characters is great.Just when you start getting to know them, a zombie attacks and throws people and emotions in to a tailspin.Sometimes I wish it were in color because the men all seem to look the same in some frames, but I still very much appreciate the style.

love it but...
I bought the comics first then bought the book.The book is missing a comic and book 5 did the same thing the editer should be shot this is still by far the best zombie set you will ever read but I hate to say it buy the comics less of a mess up.

The Beginning of the End:A Zombie Epic Arrives
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted.A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that).But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this.Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner!In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer.Book One collects the following two chapters.

"Chapter One: Days Gone By" is the jumping off point--and, in truth, sets things up in a fairly typical way.After being involved in a shoot-out, cop Rick awakes from a coma isolated, but not alone, in a local hospital.Apparently, in the time he was out, something has shifted in the world and now the dead walk.The chapter introduces Rick and many other principles as he tries to figure out what is happening as he crosses the state to locate his family.On the outskirts of Atlanta, Rick is reunited with his wife Lori, son Carl, and police partner Shane with a group of other survivors.At this stage, hope is still alive and people are just waiting to be rescued and order restored.While the set-up has been quite familiar, the chapter highlight involves a very real human betrayal that redefines the mindset of all involved.A lot of characters are introduced to set the basis for the rest of the story.Good, with an emotionally charged finale, this is a worthy introduction that gets our band of survivors on the road.

"Chapter Two:Miles Behind Us" picks up with Rick, Lori, Carl and the entourage seeking out refuge.Having given up on immediate rescue--the group now just pursues safety.This section is most notable for the introduction of Tyreese, a natural leader who forges a strong alliance with Rick.The group stills thinks that they can wait out the zombie problem if they can just find somewhere isolated and secure.A gated community seems just perfect and the group is thrilled by the prospect of some normalcy.But all is not as it seems, and "The Walking Dead" establishes that no one is safe.Chapter Two destroys what little innocence is left in our band as they face their first real losses as a new unit.It is well plotted, well orchestrated and genuinely harrowing as the group come to understand that safety is an illusion.While Chapter One was an effective plot set-up, this one really sets the tone of danger.Excellent.
... Read more

Product Description
This hardcover features issues #13-24 of the hit series along with the covers for each of the issues, all in one oversized hardcover volume. Continuing the tale of Rick Grimes and his band of survivors from the zombie apocalypse that has ravaged the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

The goodness just keeps a comin
About once a year or so I wander into "Aguilonia Comics" here in Troy, New York. Usually the owner and I swap insults about the current state of da comic's biz and alike. Eventually I'll ask him what he likes and recommends, last month he recommended "The Walking Dead" series.I bought a reprint of the first issue. And like Tyrone Biggles I was hooked and cooked in a heartbeat. I immediately came here and bought Books 1 - 3 of "The Walking Dead".Well written and well illustrated this gritty series tells what life would be like in the Zombie Apocalypse. Plenty violent and profane it does not shy away from the problems and stresses that would face the few normal people left alive who are desperate to avoid being the blue plate special for the undead.

Like the best apocalyptic fiction you realize quickly what man becomes when thin veneer of "civilization" is stripped away. You look into the pages of this mirror and you wonder who or what you would become if placed under the same threats as these folks. In this world even the best of people will do down, dirty and desperate things... Riveting fiction. In Volume 2 you follow along as the intrepid survivors look beyond the basic needs of food and shelter from the elements towards security from the wander hoards of zombies.Mistakes are made and hard truths are confronted. Great page turning fictio.

Da Worfster

Great addition to a great series!
This is fantastic collection of a years worth of the Walking Dead comics.The story does not disappoint, as it still focuses more on the moral quandries the humans face with each other, than, "Oh look more zombies lets shoot and kill them," like so many other zombie comics do.This a great read!

he never sent it to me
i was excited to see this book at such a great price so naturally i ordered it but get this he does not even have the book because he never sent it to me

A New Beginning?:The Zombie Epic Reaches An Emotional High
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted. A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that). But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this. Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner! In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer. Book Two collects the following two chapters.

"Chapter Three: Safety Behind Bars" finds our ragtag band of survivors moving into a new safe haven. This one has real promise--it's a well secured prison. While Chapter Two has forced us to confront the fact that no one is safe, new hope springs alive. Still wary from their encounter on Herschel's farm, the group extends an olive branch to the family to share the safety of their new digs. So a community starts to form again and the group begins to grow with the newcomers as well as four inmates that were alive in the prison. Building a safe structure takes the primary focus of this chapter but all the new people are still wary of trusting one another. Jockeying for dominance and leadership, this bloody good chapter makes us confront that the zombies are not the only dangers inherent in the new world. With murder, suicide, and betrayal--its starting to get harder to determine the good guys from the bad. And in true cliff hanger fashion, the safe haven may be slipping from their grasp--or actually, it may be ripped away!

"Chapter Four: The Heart's Desire" wraps up the prison cliff hanger from the previous chapter. Among other things, Rick takes another controversial step to defend his tribe. Is he losing his humanity or doing whatever is necessary to survive? As a new character is introduced, the enigmatic warrior Michonne, things start to unravel for Tyreese. Still haunted by his daughters death and what he did in its aftermath, his relationship with Michonne threatens those he is already involved with. The series retains its heart with the continuation of the love affair between Glenn and Maggie including a racy nude scene. But the destruction of Rick and Tyreese's friendship packs a huge wallop. Easily one of the more dramatic chapters, the series hits an all time high with Rick's "We are the Walking Dead" speech--an absolutely unforgettable moment of raw emotion.

thewalking dead vol.2
Book two in the ongoing(hopefully neverending)series of blood, brains and mayhem. The survivors continue their journey trying to assimulate some form of a life after the mysterious initial outbreak. Their path from book one brings them to the door step of an abandoned prision... What lies behind the walls? Roamers? survivors? personal demons? bikini clad vampire chicks from hell? ummm no, none of that last one but plenty of the first 3! ... Read more

Product Description
The hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long-time fans, new readers, and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie on paper that never ends. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Craziest book of them all
Wow, after reading the first 3 books of this wonderful series, I wasn't prepared for the carnage that erupted inside. An absolute must read for anyone who has read the first 3. If you haven't then get it now. This series isn't just about zombies, It's about the human condition and how people survive in a world with a destroyed society.

Exposing Human Nature Through Zonbie Apocalypse
I had to read the first two books (hardback) for an anthropology class in its relation to changing culture in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.And this book is perfect for highlighting not only that, but also the natural condition of the human heart when once simple everyday necessities become rare luxuries.Betrayal, murder, suicide, desperation, and more quickly become norms in the newly established societies of the remaining survivors.The most important theme, however, is that of unity as strangers unite and work together to combat the walking dead and re-establish as civilized society as possible.I had never read a comic novel before I was assigned this one in my college class, and I am lucky I was introduced to such a great first read!This is a highly addicting series though so be WARNED!

The End of Complacency:The Brutal Continuation of a Zombie Classic
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted. A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that). But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this. Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner! In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer. Book Four collects the following two chapters.

"Chapter Seven: The Calm Before" is a relatively peaceful edition of "The Walking Dead" as the name might imply. A small band rounding up supplies faces down more of the "Governor's" men. Then the group, wary of being discovered by their newfound enemy, starts to become complacent when no sign is of attack comes over the next few weeks. We see normalcy start to return as Rick and Lori confront unpleasant aspects of their relationship, Lori gives birth, Maggie and Glenn consider a family, Michonne starts to thaw, the new "doctor" gets comfortable. But in this peace, one of the crew finally goes over the deep end with unpleasant consequences. Sometimes sweet, sometimes sorrowful--this edition sets up real hope and is really great in furthering the character development aspects of the story. This makes it an unexpectedly strong entry in the series! But all is shot with one heck of cliff hanger!

"Chapter Eight: Made To Suffer" reintroduces the "Governor" and what happened in the aftermath of Michonne's visit. The rest of the volume is an all out assault as the "Governor" and his crew try to break into the prison. With some of the protagonists considering departure, it leaves an even smaller band to deal with the onslaught. Non-stop action fuels this story and there are severe casualties. In a brilliant and bold move, all expectations are thwarted in the bloody confrontation. "The Walking Dead," which has already established itself as an epic in zombie literature, bravely pushes to the next level! Riveting, heartbreaking, and very surprising--nothing will ever be the same after this battle! My favorite so far--if only for its audacity and "take no prisoners" approach!

Fun read.
I am interested by this storyline because I like zombie stories/movies and this takes the idea and shows what the world would be like if those movies continued.It uses black and white illustrations and this works very well.If you have seen the other zombie graphic novels out there with color, you know how much better this series is and how great the illustrators are.Some stories are a little cliche but still, if you like zombie stories or movies, get these books and enjoy.I can't wait for the next book.

Always good, slowing slightly
The rapid-fire pacing of the earlier books is giving way to slower, more methodical pace as Kirkman's zombie epic marches on. Kirkman's a master at the art of hooking a reader in with constant revelations, and some of the ones in here will have you up late, flipping pages long into the night to see what happens next. ... Read more

Product Description
This hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series along with the cover art - all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie on paper that never ends. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Meet the Neighbors!
About once a year or so I wander into "Aguilonia Comics" here in Troy, New York. Usually the owner and I swap insults about the current state of da comic's biz and alike. Eventually I'll ask him what he likes and recommends, last month he recommended "The Walking Dead" series.I bought a reprint of the first issue. And like Tyrone Biggles I was hooked and cooked in a heartbeat. I immediately came here and bought Books 1 - 3 of "The Walking Dead".Well written and well illustrated this gritty series tells what life would be like in the Zombie Apocalypse. Plenty violent and profane it does not shy away from the problems and stresses that would face the few normal people left alive who are desperate to avoid being the blue plate special for the undead.

Like the best apocalyptic fiction you realize quickly what man becomes when thin veneer of "civilization" is stripped away. You look into the pages of this mirror and you wonder who or what you would become if placed under the same threats as these folks. In this world even the best of people will do down, dirty and desperate things... Riveting fiction. In Book 3 the inevitable happens when our group meets others as organized as themselves but far more ruthless. It soon becomes obvious that there are worse things than can happen to you in this world than being bitten or eaten by Zombies... much worse things.

Da Worfster

More To Fear From Each Other:The Zombie Epic Continues
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted. A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that). But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this. Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner! In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer. Book Three collects the following two chapters.

"Chapter Five: The Best Defense" takes things in a new direction. Tracking a downed helicopter, Rick, Glenn and Michonne head off to look for survivors. What they discover instead is another encampment--a whole town fenced off and self sufficient! Perhaps less involving in the initial trek, the chapter picks up with the introduction of the town's "Governor." When our traveling trio discover that their new friend might not be an ally, it's already too late. Most notable for its extreme violence and brutality, both Rick and Glenn suffer severely at the hands of this new madman. Most of the material back at the prison is relatively uninvolving making this a weaker entry in the series. But the danger that Rick in Michonne find themselves in has very real consequences that set up a new storyline for the future. Essential, but somewhat unpleasant.

"Chapter Six: This Sorrowful Life" picks up with Rick, Glenn and Michonne held captive as the ruthless "Governor" tries to extract the location of their camp. Finding unexpected allies in the doctor, his young assistant, and a perimeter guard Martinez--a plot to escape has been hatched. The escape is exciting, but the real action comes when Michonne seeks retribution against the "Governor." In easily the series most disturbing sequences, let's just say Michonne means business! "The Walking Dead" has continually blurred the lines between "good" and "bad" and amped up the moral question of what makes a hero--and within this installment we see one of our protagonists exact horrifying vengeance! Returning to the prison, the camp has been overrun and our heroes must again face a zombie hoard. But in the midst of this, a very human betrayal is discovered and Rick is once again faced with the choice of murder. An action packed volume!

Continuing a Great Zombie Series
The Walking Dead graphic novel series is an outstanding story for fans of the "Romero" school of the zombie apocalypse.There are no sprinting zombies or special infected undead from "Left For Dead" here.These are rotting creatures that seek human flesh.This story is a drama/horror of a group of survivors and progressively gets darker and darker.I've been following it for 3 years now and am fully entertained every time.I prefer the first issues/volumes for when the outbreak first happens, but these later ones are great also.This is NOT a series for young children.A great buy!

Holy @%#$ing @#$%! ...seriously
((((((DO NOT READ THE OTHER REVIEWS UNLESS YOU WANT THE PLOT SPOILED))))) I really don't think there is a way to describe the amount of talent that goes into this book without dropping some F-bombs.but I'll try...
Speaking generally about the entire series so I don't give anything away... Lets just say that I honestly can't remember the last time words and images had this big of an impact on me.I work at a comic book store and I read everything.Honestly.My @$$ is kicked.This book has made the biggest impact on me than ANY other series I have read.YOU HAVE TO READ THE WHOLE THING.Kirman slows down the story from time to time but only if its necessary, and then pulls you right back in.You are in good hands.This book has EVERYTHING!If this review is the one that talks you into reading the series... your welcome =o)trust me.. you will want to thank me later.

It just keeps getting better and better!!!
These WALKING DEAD books just keep getting better and better. After finishing BOOK #2 I was wondering if the series would get repetitive and boring. But I was dead wrong. Robert Kirkman just manages to keep things surprisingly unpredictable.

At the same time, it is amazing how intense the story get at certain times. I find it also very funny the way Kirkman appears to pay some nice homages now and then to George Romero. News people on a helicopter? Very nice, Mr. Kirkman. Now I cannot wait to put my hands on Book #4.

This series is truly amazing and I can only say that it puts to shame 90% of all zombie films out there.

This series is mandatory reading for any true zombie connoisseur! ... Read more

Product Description
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. This volume follows our band of survivors on their tragic journey in search of shelter. Characters live and die as they brave a treacherous landscape littered with packs of the walking dead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Better than Volume 1
After the string of deaths from Days Gone Bye, some at the hands of zombies, others from disgruntled survivors, Rick has decided it's time for the gang to hit the road. Everyone piles into the smelly RV and goes in search of food and shelter.

I really enjoyed Volume Two of The Walking Dead. The characters felt more defined. The tension felt higher. Kirkman is doing great at sewing seeds of distrust in everybody, for both the reader and the characters. Throw in how quickly things can turn from good to horrible and this volume had me flying through the pages wondering what was going to happen next.

There was one scene that, with a simple page turn, disrupted everything. It caught me totally off guard, enough so that I realized that everything is vulnerable.

Another thing that made Miles Behind Us exceptional was the deep questions asked late in the book. How human are zombies? Should they be pitied and saved or should they be killed? And how far should a family go to help others? Are they expected to risk their lives for strangers? Many of these questions are too deep in the grey area to answer, and both sides have logical reasons behind their thoughts.

As with the previous volume, the black & white illustrations add to the story. Somehow, bleak tones make everything more serious, more dangerous. There were a few panels that I thought looked off, but for the most part the drawings were exceptional.

Overall, Miles Behind Us is a heck of a sequel to Volume One's Days Gone Bye, so much that I think I enjoyed it better than the first. Kirkman is finding his feet with the characters, slowly revealing more about their views and opinions. His plot is getting thicker and there is still much to be discovered. Highly recommend.

Searching For A New Home:A Loss Of Innocence And Life
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted.A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that).But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this.Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner!In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer.

"Chapter Two:Miles Behind Us" picks up with Rick, Lori, Carl and the entourage seeking out refuge.Having given up on immediate rescue--the group now just pursues safety.This section is most notable for the introduction of Tyreese, a natural leader who forges a strong alliance with Rick.The group stills thinks that they can wait out the zombie problem if they can just find somewhere isolated and secure.A gated community seems just perfect and the group is thrilled by the prospect of some normalcy.But all is not as it seems, and "The Walking Dead" establishes that no one is safe.Chapter Two destroys what little innocence is left in our band as they face their first real losses as a new unit.It is well plotted, well orchestrated and genuinely harrowing as the group come to understand that safety is an illusion.Things go from bad to good to bad again as they regroup with a local farmer and his family for a brief respite and new horrors.While Chapter One was an effective plot set-up, this one really sets the tone of danger.Excellent.

Comparatively to the first installment of the series, we're given better story and more melodrama, but worse art
After the death of Shane, Rick decides that the group needs to move away from the dangerous outskirts of Atlanta.Along the way they pick up a few new people along the trip: Tyrese, his daughter, and her boyfriend.The group begins to get to know each other as they travel trying to find a place to settle...Of course, nothing is that easy in the zombie apocalypse.

THE WALKING DEAD is compulsively easy to read.Just think "soap opera zombie apocalypse" to get to the reason why it's so fun and quick to read.The story focuses almost completely on human relations (as dramatic as those have been and will continue to be) while never really losing sight of the zombie-infested world.That being said, I'm not kidding at all when I describe this as a zombie soap opera, so if you can't abide some clunky dialogue and melodramatic plot lines, then venture no further.(Seriously, even the series's primary concern, after not getting eaten by zombies, is who gets to sleep with who.After that: betrayals and pressure-cooking personalities until they explode all over the page.If that's not soap opera and melodrama, I don't know what is.)

However, for those of you with a sense of humor and who are just looking for a bit of entertainment, THE WALKING DEAD delivers in spades.I mean, it'll never get onto my "best of zombies" lists or even my favorite graphic novels, but I can't deny how ravenous I was to finish this series.It's kind of like junk food.You know it's bad for you, but it's just too easy to snack on at times.

Something I noticed about the series is that the more the group travels, the better I like them.The more they stay in one place the more desperate the plots become.Volume 2 is almost completely a "road" installment and thusone of the stronger volumes, in my opinion.Plus, this volume introduces the reader to a large number of new people.One of my favorite characters for the series is Tyrese (also: Andrea and Michonne), who is introduced here along with his daughter and her boyfriend (who I like a lot less--or rather, not at all).After that we get Hershel and the large number of family and neighbors at hits farm.Of course, I don't really care for any of them much.I eventually developed a grudging respect for Hershel himself, but that definitely wasn't for any of his actions this early in the series.

Speaking of new characters: this is also the volume where everyone decides that "Oh snap, the world is practically ended and if I don't get some now, it may never happen again."Yeah, it's almost put in those exact words for several characters.Still, I can't help but wonder with all this sexing going on how there aren't more babies popping up.I mean, unless these women had long term birth control (like an IUD or Implanon) or boxes of condoms amongst the supplies, it's a little amazing that sex is looked on so lightly in this end times.Actually, I'll save this rant for later, because there's a specific scene a few volumes ahead that I want to rant on.

In a soap opera everyone has to pair off.For proper betrayals, fights, and drama there has to be sex, after all.However, it makes me wonder if that's a more or less realistic view.It's an interesting topic for discussion anyway: If you were one of the few survivors of the zombie apocalypse would you immediately look to form a new romantic attachment for security or whatever despite (a) not knowing the other person very well, (b) losing your loved ones, (c) the complete lack of birth control, (d) the person most likely not even being compatible with your personality at all--it's not exactly a wide selection remaining...Anyway, I suppose all speculation can only remain speculation until the zombies are upon us.Kirkman thinks that the human race is hard-wired into sex and maybe that's a logical view.Plus, good for the drama, so who am I to argue?

Now, I do have a serious complaint about "Miles Behind Us".The artist of the first volume,Tony Moore, left and Charlie Adlard has taken over.Now, I don't want to call Adlard's art "bad," but it lacks the precision and cleanness of Moore's that so appealed to me.Many panels look awkward or just plain ugly.Just about the only panels I really liked in the whole book were the very first panel with Lori against the skyline and the first full panel of Tyrese and family.Otherwise, I just had a hard time getting into Adlard's art.It's probably no fault of his own and only due to the fact that he has to take over for what Moore established, but all the same it was a huge disappointment.However, I wills say that the heavier shading and darker tones of this volume probably suit the overall town of the series better.I know my eyes will get used to non-Moore art with time, but for now I'm a bit sad to see him go.

I wanted to include a scanned image to show the difference between the two art styles (probably one of my two favorite panels), but my scanner is currently out of commission.However, I'll try really hard to remember to add one later when I get it working again!If you're curious, feel free to (nicely) harass me until I get it done.

Good writing crappy artwork
The story and writing continue to make interesting developments as the survivors try to survive winter. Storywise it continues to be interesting and cool. However the artist was replaced by this second volume and goes from Tony Moores AMAZING A+ to charlie adlards C grade work .Luckily like i mentioned the storylines are strong enough to carry the series and is still worth buying if you liked the first volume. there is always the what could have been if the original artist stayed on but i still love this series and will get the next one.

Best zombie comic series so far.
Robet kirkman is one of the best writers of his time. The walking dead is truely a master piece. I know this is a review for number vol. 2. But things keep getting better and betterfurther into the series. I hope he never stops writing the story following Rick and the people he meets while trying to survive a zombie invasion. ... Read more

Product Description
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: there is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. This volume follows our band of survivors as they set up a permanent camp inside a prison. Relationships change, characters die, and our team of survivors learn there's something far more deadly than zombies out there: each other. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

More Walking Dead
Flat out one of the best graphic novel series ever. The apocalyptic zombie world is bad, but the actions of humans are worse. Every volume gets grittier and more nihilistic.
A must read.

The Killer Inside--Zombies Aren't The Only Concern!
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted.A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that).But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this.Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner!In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer.

"Chapter Three:Safety Behind Bars" finds our ragtag band of survivors moving into a new safe haven.This one has real promise--it's a well secured prison.While Chapter Two has forced us to confront the fact that no one is safe, new hope springs alive.Still wary from their encounter on Herschel's farm, the group extends an olive branch to the family to share the safety of their new digs.So a community starts to form again and the group begins to grow with the newcomers as well as four inmates that were alive in the prison.Building a safe structure takes the primary focus of this chapter but all the new people are still wary of trusting one another.Jockeying for dominance and leadership, this bloody good chapter makes us confront that the zombies are not the only dangers inherent in the new world.With murder, suicide, and betrayal--its starting to get harder to determine the good guys from the bad.And in true cliff hanger fashion, the safe haven may be slipping from their grasp--or actually, it may be ripped away!

By far my least favorite volume of THE WALKING DEAD
Rick and his fellows begin to clean out the prison to make it inhabitable and are shocked to find that they aren't alone.A group of four men--prisoners--already occupy the jail.The two groups have trouble mixing and Rick's group has a lot of building drama of its own.Oh, and there's a serial killer on the loose in the prison.

Of all the volumes currently released of THE WALKING DEAD, I just might like volume 3 the least of all.I'm very glad that I bought volumes 3-6 at the same time, or I may never have gotten past this one.Honestly, I sort of like to forget about this particular serial killer arc, because it's just so ridiculously done.I mean, we already have zombies and people snapping and all sorts of badness--so why do we need to throw in the incredibly rare murderer-of-little-girls?It just makes the whole thing tip over from pleasant melodrama into "please, please don't continue this arc in the next volume" territory.

Ignoring the silly serial killer storyline, the remainder of the volume isn't much better for me.Let's start with what I liked, because that'll be quick and start on a good note.Luckily, the horrible killer storyline begins to develop a better one: the tension between convicts and Rick's group.Particularly this comes into play when Rick just steps in and makes calls over the convicts as if it's his right.This is actually where Rick becomes off-and-on annoying and it's not entirely unrelated to this development.

I liked the developing friendship between Sophia and Carl.It's adorable and the perfect swatch of normality for the series, which is otherwise filled with complete and utter craziness.Also, I find comparing Sophia to her mother, Carol, quiet interesting, since if one wanted to interpret Sophia in a much more sad way the little girl is merely mirroring the actions and weaknesses of the mother.However, even so, she's adorable and so is Carl when they're together.

Similarly, this volume works to develop and set up a bunch of parallels for one of my favorite relationships in the entire series: the similarities, differences, and camaraderie of Tyrese and Rick.They're both leader types, they both are incredibly capable, they get along well (so far), they banter with each other as well as the rest of the group, and they're both starting to get a taste of how the zombie apocalypse can fundamentally change a person...

What else did I like?Well, it's getting a bit thin and I don't want to spoil anything, but I liked pretty much every scene with Tyrese (particularly the miracle) and Andrea gaining her scar.Actually, along with the scar, her personality changes slightly and she begins to become the Andrea I love after this.

What didn't I like?Quite a lot.A lot of the personal drama in this volume is just plain bad.I'm glad that we've wrapped up the arc between Tyrese's daughter and her boyfriend.Because, outside of the serial killer thing, that's me second least favorite arc in all of THE WALKING DEAD.It's unfortunate for this volume that it gets to house both...Or maybe it's just unfortunate for me.

Then there's the skeeviness prevalent throughout the whole graphic novel.Pretty much any reference to sex makes me think: "I'd have liked this graphic novel a whole lot better with that scene."Well, with two exceptions.(And there's a whole lot of sex in this volume, so that's not saying as much as it sounds like.)Plus, THE WALKING DEAD has a way of perverting everything I would otherwise root for in a graphic novel.For instance, the romantic relationship between Dexter and Andrew.I love LGBTQ relationships in my fiction.Well, good depictions.The Dexter and Andrew relationship doesn't "put me off", but it makes me think about all the things that could have been instead.I wish that Kirkman would have created gay characters who weren't scheming convicts and opposed to the main group.And the same for Carol.While I enjoy her descent into crazy, I wish it didn't destroy the one honest female-to-female friendship THE WALKING DEAD has.And I won't even touch the whole serial killer thing (who apparently likes to chop the heads off of girls) or Axel randomly spying on Lori and Carol in the showers.In fact, I won't even touch any sexuality in this issue.It's all so shot full of melodrama and obviously focused towards a boy audience, so it would probably be a complete waste of my time.To top it all off, I'm still stuck with the dull art of Adlard (as I suspect I will forever and always be).It eventually grew on me, but I'll forever prefer that first volume's art.

On the bright side, the next volume introduces Michonne and things start getting really good.Because Michonne is just plain awesome.

Dear God, if there is a zombie apocalypse please keep me away from Rick Grimes!
Sometimes, I'll read a good book and hear it's going to be made into a movie or TV series.And, I'll feel a little concerned that they won't be able to produce a product as good as the source material.Well, with the Walking Dead (which AMC has ordered a pilot episode for), I felt the exact opposite.Here, I had read a book that could only benefit from another writer.Below are some of the antics of Rick and his pals that drove me nuts (includes SPOILERS).

When we left Rick and his gang at the end of volume two, he was suggesting they set up shop in a large prison complex.He states, "there can't be that many [zombies]" to be cleared out.This despite the fact that there are clearly zombies in the prison yard and the gate to the prison is sill closed.So actually, there could be an entire prison population worth of zombies in there.But this doesn't occur to Rick for some reason.

So they decide to start cleaning house.Rick needs to be reminded by Andrea (whom he trained to shoot a gun) that she should go with him and Tyreese as she is the best shot.Rick doesn't argue, although when another wave of zombies descends on Rick, Andrea and Tyreese who does Rick wisely send to get more ammunition?Former professional athlete Tyreese?Nope.He sends crack-shot Andrea to get bullets instead of using her to shoot zombies.Great call Coach Grimes!

After defeating the zombies they then encounter four prisoners who have survived the zombie assault.But these are no ordinary prisoners!They are the four least curious prisoners who have ever lived.They give Rick a tour of the compound.Upon entering the garage prisoner Dexter remarks "I've never been in here."Really?!You've been free for weeks (months?), holed-up in a prison also occupied by hungry zombies and you didn't scour the place to see what equipment you had available (in this case cars, buses, and motorcycles)?Prisoners are, if nothing else, resourceful.It makes little sense that only while giving a tour to a stranger that they'd start to take stock of their surroundings.

The same can be said of the prison guns.The prisoners know the location of the where the guards' weapons are kept in the prison.But they don't make an effort to get them until threatened by the stupidity of Rick Grime.Now, Rick is a dangerous moron, no doubt.But you'd think sharing a prison with zombies might have put "retrieve guns" higher on the prisoners' do-to list.

Rick tells his gang about the four prisoners inside.His wife then, very validly, points out that shacking up with prisoners might pose some safety risks.Not the craziest idea.Rick patronizingly tells her that "... so far we've got no reason to treat them like criminals."Actually, you have every reason to treat them like criminals based on the fact that they are incarcerated criminals!Wasn't Rick a cop!?If anything shouldn't he be more wary and knowledgeable about what criminals are capable of?The best part his wife (who's always good for a laugh) relents and agrees with him!Then to add insult to he chalks up concern to her pregnancy hormones!

Let's be clear, if your pregnant wife starts to cry because you forgot to water the plants, then hormones are probably an accurate assessment.If she starts to cry because you don't believe her when she suggests that criminals might be prone to criminal activity, her tears probably have less to do with hormones and more to do with the fact that she now realizes she's married to an absolute moron.To his wife's credit, when prisoner Thomas later beheads two young girls and stabs Andrea, she at least doesn't say "I told you so."Lori, when will you respect yourself enough to realize you deserve much better?

Rick's got some other good ideas too.He wants to bring Hershel and his clan to the prison.You might remember Hershel as the farmer who pulled a gun on Rick and came close to killing him.Alternately, you might remember him as the guy who believes zombies are a national treasure that need to be preserved until they can be restored to life.(Side note - I loved Hershel's theory on zombies and wanted to see it explored further).To be fair, Rick has a vision of growing crops at the prison (something Hershel could greatly assist), but it seems like he is putting the cart before the horse somewhat.

Rick then decides to drive several hours back to Shane's grave to kill zombie Shane - which is always the polite thing to do.But he decides he can't tell his wife what he's going to do - the crazy old ball and chain might suggest that he's lucky to be alive and taking any unnecessary risks is foolish.Foolish like a fox!Killing a zombie that, when he was alive tried to kill Rick, is far more important than protecting his wife, children and companions.Do zombies have souls?Do they feel pain?Do they ache to be freed of their undead existence?These are heady, philosophicaland ethical questions that need to be answered ASAP!Paging Professor Rick Grimes!Rick then further thumbs his nose at danger by choosing a motorcycle over an enclosed vehicle.

Later, Patricia frees Thomas in an effort to save him from being executed by Rick.I get what the author was going for, but it's tough to understand why Patricia chooses such a crazy course of action.She and Thomas have a brief three panel exchange earlier.I guess we're to infer that that sparked a larger friendship or romance.But it's far from clear, and Patricia just comes across as some sort of insane, one-dimensional, "the death penalty is wrong" talking point.

I practically cheered out loud when Dale and Andrea start contemplating leaving Rick's band.Good for you two!Get as far away from this buffoon as possible!Dale, you've totally scored with Andrea - a beautiful woman at least thirty years your junior.Don't let Rick Grimes screw this up for you!If you need further convincing please have a word with Farmer Hershel.He met Rick, and since then he's lost several sons and daughters.

Similarly, I cheered for Dexter when he pulls a gun on Rick at the end and tells him and his group to get the hell out of his prison.Dexter, if you let Rick live then the zombies have already won!

Safety Behind Bars, Or Danger?
The Walking Dead Volume 3: Safety Behind Bars

Grade: B+

Picking up after a slow volume 2, Safety Behind Bars begins with Rick and company finding what could be their new home: a gigantic prison. With three fences, gates, and guard towers protecting them, Rick immediately thinks it's the ideal place, and nobody wants to go back to sleeping in Dale's cramped R.V. There is a catch though--zombies swarm the yard, and there's probably more inside. Rick leads a team of the best shots to "clean up" the place, and they make their way inside. Going deeper into the prison they find that they could each have their own cell to sleep in, food to eat, and even a gym to exercise in. Yet they get a surprise--upon locating the cafeteria, it seems that four people still live inside the prison, and they're not guards. Is the price of protection behind bars worth living with murderers? Rick has to watch out for Carl, (his son) and Lori (who's pregnant) doesn't trust the inmates. Tensions rise, and it's just another volume in The Walking Dead...

Or is it? No, this volume marks the beginning of a long stay inside the prison, and it's a place where many, many people will perish. Do they choose to stay? Can they trust them? Who's more dangerous--the zombies walking outside, or the people breathing inside? What makes The Walking Dead so great are the questions it asks the reader and the answers it supplies, no matter how many lives are lost to answer them. Robert Kirkman--the writer--definitely has a hit here, and I for one am going to keep with it--no matter how many trees die in the process...;) ... Read more

Product Description
Life in the prison starts to get interesting for Rick Grimes and the rest of our survivors. Relationships heat up, fizzle out, and change entirely almost overnight. By the end of this volume, relationships between key characters are radically changed, setting the stage for future events in TheWalking Dead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Yay for Michonne! I mean, this is one of my favorite volumes of THE WALKING DEAD
After dealing with a serial killer targeting girls and women in what should have been a safe haven, one would think that things would get easier for our group of survivors. However, new troubles always come up. Unfortunately, when there's not a serial killer handy to cause some disturbances, the group begins to have internal issues. Particularly when a new survivor arrives some dissent begins within the group...

I'm going to assume that anyone reading this has at least read through the first four graphic novels. If you haven't yet finished the fourth, the review won't entirely spoil it for you, but I will be picking and choosing events that occur throughout the book, beginning to end, so if you want to approach it with a completely blank slate and not a single thing spoiled, turn back now.

First of all, I need to say: "Yay! Michonne!" Of all the characters in THE WALKING DEAD Michonne and Andrea are my favorites. The introduction of Michonne means good things for both of these women. Michonne is badass from the very beginning with her weapon of choice being a sword. (As a testament to her badassery: Michonne saves Otis immediately and also has been lugging around two zombies in chains with their lower jaws and arms removed to make them "safe"--they deter other zombies from attacking her.) And Andrea really starts coming into her "take charge" personality in this volume, too. This is a good timing for the two to start rocking the pages. After the last volume, which was my least favorite in the entire series, I needed some awesome to get me back into this series.

The book opens with Dexter and Rick arguing. Dexter, who was wrongly suspected of being the serial killer, has a mind to toss Rick's group of survivors out on their asses. In the first pages of the volume Rick decides to shoot Dexter in the middle of a zombie shoot out. This sets up a whole argument about crime and punishment in the post-apocalyptic world that could have been a whole lot more fascinating than it actually turns out to be. Of course, this builds on the whole Tyreese brutally murdering Chris and the issue of what should have been done with the serial killer of the previous volume. At that time Rick had sad "You kill, you die," but the rule doesn't seem to pan out very well for him. Like I said, this could have been fascinatingly developed, but I just didn't care either way. All too often it just boils down to what Rick wants and his realizations. Unfortunately, sometimes THE WALKING DEAD is all the more amazing because it is filtered somewhat through Rick and at other times it's a detriment. Well, and THE WALKING DEAD just isn't all that big on philosophical questions. It's mostly just touch on them and go.

Outside of the "crime and punishment in a post apocalyptic world" aspect, I really found that this volume is concerned with introducing and developing characters. I like that, even if it descends into melodrama from time to time. Of course, I humorously point out that Michonne's introduction is the perfect proof that THE WALKING DEAD was written by men and for men because after just a week in the prison she decides to drop to her knees and service Tyreese in the gym merely because he looks stressed out. It's a joke, but there's some truth to it, too. Outside of that moment, though, it is somewhat interesting to think that the pairs that were set up just because there was no one else (after all, Carol and Tyreese have nothing in common). So Michonne comes along and she does have things in common with Tyreese. They both like to work out and know NFL. I mean, it's completely logical that Tyreese would be drawn to the woman who actually suits him better.

Actually, I sort of enjoy the whole Carol-descends-into-utter-I-need-to-depend-on-someone-but-there's-no-one-who-wants-me insanity. This arc isn't quite the best sequence of that, but we're just getting warmed up. Also, Carol is codependent and annoying, so I'm pretty much okay with any torment Kirkman invents for her.

Kirman's strong point is interpersonal melodrama, after all. It's fun to watch these characters squirm. Indeed, I think that's the entire point of the series, really. Like the fight between Tyreese and Rick. It's actually a little silly, but it's completely compelling, isn't it?

However, the volume balances out the growing dramas above by ending others. Hershel finally starts acting like good father to Maggie, which I enjoyed immensely. In fact, I really started enjoying the Maggie/Glenn relationship here. It's nice to see some people acting relatively normal amidst the madness everywhere else.

Of course, the awkward handling of women is still there. This is THE WALKING DEAD we're talking about. Sure, I get a huge step forward with the appearance of Michonne and the growing awesomeness of Andrea, but I'm still utterly irritated by (1) the completely random/plot device-y Michonne on her knees scene and (2) the formation of the committee. The committee is a great idea, but I hate that Kirkman makes it entirely male (Dale, Rick, Hershel, and Tyreese) because no woman wanted to be in a decision-making position. Dale even says of the women: "I think they just want to be protected." Ugh. Sure, I can buy that for most of the weakly drawn women: Carol and Lori especially. And I can even understand Michonne sitting out because of being new and the drama with Carol. But what about Andrea? It would suit her character well indeed.

This series rocks!
Its the Walking Dead, it Rocks.nuff said.If you haven't been reading go back and start with book #1.If you have been reading, like what you've been reading so far and you are ready for this installment, go right ahead and dive in.

With Major Relationships Destroyed, "Dead" Reaches A New Emotional Highpoint
When I heard that AMC was going to produce a television series based on the zombie epic "The Walking Dead," I was both concerned and delighted.A bona fide classic in undead lore, "The Walking Dead" graphic novels are brutal and surprising--not really what I would picture for a basic cable TV show (the first season is slated for 6 episodes, we'll see if it goes beyond that).But AMC has produced terrific and prestigious shows like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," so I'm pretty stoked to see what they do with this.Add Frank Darabont of "Shawshank Redemption" fame as the creative force behind the show, and we just might have a winner!In anticipation, I've gone back through the volumes of "The Walking Dead" to discover again the many pleasures that this series has to offer.

"Chapter Four: The Heart's Desire" wraps up the prison cliff hanger from the previous chapter.Among other things, Rick takes another controversial step to defend his tribe.Is he losing his humanity or doing whatever is necessary to survive?As a new character is introduced, the enigmatic warrior Michonne, things start to unravel for Tyreese.Still haunted by his daughters death and what he did in its aftermath, his relationship with Michonne threatens those he is already involved with.The series retains its heart with the continuation of the love affair between Glenn and Maggie including a racy nude scene.But the destruction of Rick and Tyreese's friendship packs a huge wallop.Easily one of the more dramatic chapters, the series hits an all time high with Rick's "We are the Walking Dead" speech--an absolutely unforgettable moment of raw emotion.

Life Among the Dead
The Walking Dead has been an addictive series for me. I'm a big fan of zombie films and literature and this series hits the nail on the head. I've thoughouly enjoyed the first three books in the series, and this one was no different.

A lot of reviews have focused on the lack of zombie action in this fourth volume, but I do not find this to be a negative. This series is not a horror series per say, but more of the way that we would deal with life after a catastrophic zombie apocalypse. I think anyone would seek out a safe place to call home, away from the corpses shambling in the streets, as well as the horror and loss they represent. Of course, anyone who has ever lived with roommates will know that living with someone else is not all fun and games. Especially when there are different personalities with different backgrounds all in one place with literally nowhere else to go.

Tempers explode and bad things happen. Sure it's depressing, but wouldn't living in a world of the dead be a bit of a buzz kill? Some reviewers have said they think the book is getting too 'soap-opera-ish' with all the non-zombie related antics in this book. I, however, think that what goes on with the living is much more dangerous than what happens with the slow, moaning, and easily avoided ghouls. Dealing with human emotions and their volitile consequences can't simply be dealt with a hammer to the skull (in most cases).

If you've enjoyed this series thus far because of the human element, this book will continue to satisfy. I was shocked and saddened by many of the actions that took place, and I can't wait to see what horrible situation Kirkman will throw his characters into next.

Breaking down the lines of Communication while opening a door for the dead
The prison has many perks that people are starting to notice, and one of those things are extra guns in an untouched armory. The only problem is that this part of the prison was locked off because of the undead, and opening it could cause major damage. The group doesn't seem to enjoy listening to one leader, however, and especially now that rick sees to be losing a little more day-by-day. When the floodgates open and the rotting mouths want to feed, however, one has to wodner about what will happen. One also has to wonder if the place will shatter under its own emotive weight, with the people inside ready to feed on one another, or if things can be worked out and tempers can be chilled.

This is a book that is half dead and half emotive life, which makes for an interesting blend. Kirkman addicted me from the beginning by doing things like this, and now more things are happening and causing rifts in our already unstable group. That makes for good human drama in the middle of the prison, and it makes for good reading when bad things get really ugly. Remembering how the world popped off in the start of the books, one can only imagine how bad things can get when there is some room to move and second-guess and actually think in terms like "safety." Added to that is the usual array of stunning art, depicting emotions and the dead that seem so devoid of anything save death, and the feeling of a world that has gone qute mad. i personally love all of this, finding myself hooked by it more nad more as time goes on, and know it will stay this way until at least the 11th volume because i just finsihed the 10th.
That's quite a run - having that much good stuff to add to the fray.

If you love your zombies and you want something new, then go back to the beginning and have youself a blast. You might want to weigh the Books versus Volumes problem, however, because books collect more than one volume at a time. This is only a minor thing, however, and if this is the only thing tearing at our focus then we really have a good series in our hands. What's more, the series only gets better, making me happy to see someone really trying to see what the human interaction would be like in a state of undead horror. ... Read more