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175 reviews for:
The Walking Dead, Vol. 16: A Larger World
Cliff Rathburn, Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard
4.0 AVERAGE
175 reviews for:
The Walking Dead, Vol. 16: A Larger World
Cliff Rathburn, Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard
4.0 AVERAGE
I haven't been patiently consuming this series episode by episode, volume by volume over the course of years. I gobbled down all 96 issues essentially back-to-back thanks to the Compendiums (which weigh a ton each and are a bitch to maneuver let me tell you).
This volume -- A Larger World -- is where Compendium 2 leaves off, a bit of a cliff-hanger you might say. I decided to re-read it in preparation of getting to [b: Vol. 17: Something to Fear|15720319|The Walking Dead, Vol. 17 Something to Fear|Robert Kirkman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1350694947s/15720319.jpg|21392961]. I'm all caught up now, and forced to get my dose of Walking Dead shenanigans doled out piecemeal like the rest of you suckers. But maybe that's a good thing, because too much of this world at any one time can really mess with your head.
I get the feeling Kirkman is setting us up to really put the hurt on this time. Hasn't he already? Hells yeah, but something tells me he's just getting started and that makes me both weary and wary. Everything in this issue is glossy with optimism:
Spoiler
the new guy Paul Monroe (a.k.a Jesus) turns out not to be a Charles Manson-esque kook. He's got a normal, functioning community behind him with almost 200 members called Hilltop. They are farming and thriving. What's not to appreciate? Rick goes through his usual "I can't trust you get the fuck out of my face or I'll bite it off" routine, but eventually learns to relax (even after he's forced to kill one of their people in self-defense -- it really was self-defense this time). Glenn is smitten with the community, and Rick is forced to admit it's time to start living again, rather than merely surviving. In the Hilltop he sees that as not just a possibility but a reality, a reachable goal.BUT... cause there's always a but right? There's a new baddy in the neighborhood -- Negan. After what we've been through with the Governor, the idea of upping the ante some more makes me very uneasy. Rick can talk all he wants about building a new life with meaning and getting back to raising their children, but I can't imagine he's going to get his people to the promised land any time soon, if at all. I've called this story bleak and nihilistic before and I still stand by that. Kirkman wants to show us the very worst of humanity it seems, and I don't think he's finished doing that yet. And that makes me very afraid. Very afraid indeed.
“We can finally stop surviving… And start living.” I wonder what happens with this newfound community, The Hilltop!
Enter my favorite character in the entire franchise - - Jesus! From his kung-fu to his peaceful nature, Jesus is an absolute bad-ass.
Negan is finally being mentioned as Rick's world opens up to the possibilities of the union among other communities.
Negan is finally being mentioned as Rick's world opens up to the possibilities of the union among other communities.
4 stars. We are moving into the Negan arc ladies and gentlemen and I am fucking excited. I hear his arc is much better in the comics than the show so I’m super pumped to see how it plays out. This was a really good volume with the introduction of Jesus and his people. Things are going to get nuts from here and I’m excited and scared to see what happens next.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A new big good and a new big bad. Yeah didn't want it to get stale. Would have preferred backstory. But now the team will have to do hunting. And some defensing. The new guy is kind of a superhero, basically ridiculous. But a pretty good read. Even with Rick being Rick. And less zombies. 3.5 of 5.
Well it suddenly got a bit more interesting. Rick and the group have been approached by a man named 'Jesus' who suggests a trading relationship with a nearby colony. Of course, it's not as simple as that. The cliffhanger at the end of this volume was tantalising. I am glad the story is starting to have a bit more substance. I can't wait to read on and find out what happens.
I was afraid that this book was going to stall out or just repeat itself and I didn't see how Kirkman was going to write his way out of it. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at this new direction and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Last two volumes have dragged on. The plot keeps repeating itself, with the same drama and conflict. The introductions of The Hilltop and Negan are interesting enough to keep me reading these...