Walking Dead #65

Really, I'd be okay regardless of what happens to Dale in this issue. Back during the beginning of the series, (probably through the eigth trade or so) I really liked Dale. Now he's just become a pain.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this issue. I'm loving the Hunters story arc.

Very curious to find out what happens to the hunters.  It's another bit of info as to the nature of the zombies.  Will they turn or not?

I really liked Dale too and while the writing is on the wall for him, I'm curious to see what happens.  I feel like he has a big part to play in this arc still before he invariably dies.  But I don't see him surviving this.

I want some Carl Badassery in this issue!!! Its been like two issues since Carl did something completely badass. 

Carl is on his way to being one severely psychotic adult.  Maybe that is what happens in issue #75 instead of the "aliens landing" joke that's been in the lettercol for years.  We flash forward 15 years and see what Carl's like at age 22.

Perhaps working a dead-end job at S-Mart. (drum fill)

@JMS74 - I don't take it as Carl being "psychotic", I think he's just growing up fast and basically doing what needs to be done.  It was pretty fucked up when he killed that kid, but he was doing it for the safety of everyone else.  He's Rick's son in every way

I really like what Kirkman has done with Carl. I like how he's really made him seem like a child who's experienceed too much in his life, and is forced to assume the role of an adult simply for survival and personal protection. He's very possibly my favorite character in the series.

Does anyone else feel like the series needs to start winding down and rap up soon? I feel like the first , i dunno, 8 arcs were all very strong but not it seems to be dying down a little. 

no

I think that the tenth arc wasnt as strong as the others, but there is still a lot to be explored in the series, and many questions still to be answered. In my opinion, the series needs to start winding down once the characters themselves stop becoming interesting, and that has yet to happen. I no longer like Dale at all, but I'm still interested in reading about Rick, Carl, Andrea, Abarham, Michonne, and all the others. So in short, no, I think the series still has a long way to go, especially once they get to D.C., which will open a whole new set of situations for the characters to respond to and fit into.

I dont feel that it needs to wind up, I dont think this arc has been as good as previous ones but its comparing great stuff to awesome stuff. I guess it depends what direction the books take when they get to DC, I am very worried that they will explain why everyone is zombies, dont do it Kirkman.

@thepunishermax: I'm still enjoying Dale, I think he lost more loved ones than anyone else, and he wanted to commit suicide but was "saved" by cannibals who ate his leg, how is that not interesting? . But my favorite character is still Carl, and Abraham has catapulted to #2 in recent issues. 

@rift1128 - nope, i feel like it is as good as ever, "the hunters" are messed up and then we get the next story arc which brings about a sense of normalcy in a town that has survived and thrived through the zombie outbreak and how the survivors learn to cope with a return to civilization

too good to end 

@shenanigans. I agree. Kirkman shouldn't explain the zombies. They're much better left as a mystery. Especially if his explanation isnt a good one, it could kind of bring down the whole series.

Kirkman won't explain the zombies.  He is smart enough to know that that will turn some people off to his book if he gives too many answers.

And explaining the zombies wouldn't add to the book, I'd say.

@drakedangerz I dont think he should explain them either, but he has already hinted at them (through comments made by Eugene) being a virus that broke out of some experiment that Eugene was involved with. Thats why I'm worried that once they get to DC, then they'll explain it all and it will kind of hurt the series.

@thepunishermax- I remember that but they didn't fully believe that he was who he says he was and I don't either until he proves it. I hope they get to dc and find he's full of shit and Carl kills him.

@shenanigans thats something that I was thinking about too. If Eugene does happen to be telling the truth, I bet Kirkman will kill him off before he says what really happened.

I'm almost positive that Eugene is full of shit.

agreed

Only knowing what the people in the book know, makes this book what it is.  You feel like you are standing there with them.  Going through all of this together.  I love it and cant put it down.

@twoolridge Agree 100%. The mystery is maintained beautifully in this series and that's for me why it's so awesome. Great issue and it's definitely heading towards major events.

Regarding Carl, I agree with you. In the TWD world he's a survivor doing what it takes. In ours, well let's just say as a new parent the exploration of how surviving a zombie outbreak has affected the kids is probably one of the most frightening things about TWD.

Damn fine reading.

This book should never end.  It should never have another creative team.

@unclebob- u havnt heard about loeb/land on the next arc?

This issue was crazy good as usual. The scene with the hunters and Rick was brilliant, they had no idea who they were trying to eat.

One of the best TWD issues in a loong time. Maybe POW? Dunno, but damn was it good. 5/5.

Great read. Me and a buddy where talking today about the groups food problem. We think some of the group ill be down with eating people and the other half will break off.

Rick is badass. I love this comic.

I did really enjoy this issue, but it didn't help against that claim in the letter page (on this site, not the comic's page) about Adlard's copy & paste skills. Maybe it's just that letter bringing it to my attention, but it stuck out. Or maybe it's that I'm reading the Superman: For Tomorrow TPB right now (I know, I know; my friend and I lend eachother books, it's his, and we've fast learned that we have differing tastes. Either way, I didn't want to poopoo the book based on hearsay, so I'm reading it). While I'm not a huge fan of Jim Lee, and this may be why his books take so long to come out when he works on one but, even when using the effect that comes as the result of a repeated panel, the guy draws it fresh. It's not even like Adlard puts enough detail to warrant such cheap (to me) tactics. I love TWD, but I think I'm just really down on Adlard right now.

Adlard's been doing a book a month(pencil, ink and covers) for more than a year now. (and 59 issues) 

Name me one other artist that produce a book a month(pencil, ink and covers) for more than 6 months straight?

And personnally I love the copy & paste technique, its more dramatic and helps establish places, moments in time, emotions and, of course, it saves time for the artist.

@rockingeek-Ottley

@drake not this year and not for a long time. But Ottley's one of my favorite artist with Cassaday.

@rockingeek-What are you talking about "not this year"?  Ottley has been inking and drawing and doing covers on time just as long as Adlard.  He would have to be if they are both part of Kirkman's "on time in 09" campaign.  Plus, LaRocca has been doing it for 18 issues on Iron Man. 

@rockingeek
It can add drama, but in the scene that this issue had the technique done, in my eyes, it didn't. Three page-width panels that could have, and perhaps should have had deviations in the image.

LaRocca don't ink and Rathburn inked the last 4 issues of invincible and the next arc is drawn by Walker.

If LaRocca doesn't ink, then whoever did the inking should talk to Marvel about not getting the credit.

This is the POW pick hands down. 

Matthew

@MisterJ I thought it was color over pencil like Cary Nord!?!

@Rockingeek-You may completely be correct, I really do not know, I was just looking at the listed credits on the site. 

If they are giving LaRocca inking credit, but there is really no inking being done, I wonder if he still gets that bump in his check, or why Marvel even lists an inker.  The word is that Eaglesham's work on FF was not going to be inked, just like you mention with Nord.  That comes out next week, so if there is no inker listed on that, there will be something to compare it to.

@MisterJ I checked my issues of uncanny he did and the first issues of Iron man and some say Artist others say penciler(in Uncanny 488 there's no credit), but on their solicitation all say penciler and inker. I'm pretty sure its color over pencil??? Normaly Miki's inking his stuff.

Eaglesham on FF is color on pencil, his first issue was last month and it was awesome(Hickman's kicking ass too).

All this for 3 talking/huging in a bed panels. Why redraw it?  

@Rockingeek-As far as the cut and paste issue goes, I completely agree with you.  If it is used for cinematic or dramatic effect, and the artist actually drew the first image, (and it looks good) why should I care?  I would only have a problem if I was recognizing poses that were spaced pages, or issues, apart.

I was just surprised about the LaRocca comment, because I remembered seeing an inker credit on the solicitation.  I just wonder why Marvel doesn't title it 'art' instead of putting two credit lines of 'penciler' and 'inker.'