Sweet Tooth #10 – Review

by Jeff Lemire (writer & artist), Jose Villarrubia (colors), and Pat Brosseau (letters)

The Story: Singh uses hypnosis to lead Gus through his past on a search for answers.

What’s Good: After falling just the tiniest bit short of his usual gold standard last month, Lemire kicks us in the teeth with one of his best issues of Sweet Tooth yet.

Lemire removes Jepperd this month, allowing for a more focused issue that develops the relationship between Singh and Gus.  What makes this so superb, and so intriguing, is that Lemire returns to the juxtaposition between science and the humanities.  In my usage of the word “humanities,” I mean that which escapes the dull rationalism of scientific figures:  religion, emotion, and childhood innocence in the case of Sweet Tooth.

The conflict between these two sides becomes a major, yet subtle, theme as Singh struggles to probe through Gus’ memories.  He repeatedly, almost desperately, asks Gus whether there are any scientific instruments, numbers, or notations in the cabin of his youth, and each time he is befuddled when told that this is not the case.  The cabin is a science-free zone dominated by bizarre mix of zealous religion and childhood experience and, as such, both Gus and his father reject science as the evil justifications and misguided machinations of sinful men.  The result is a sense of Singh’s inability to understand Gus’ world.  There must be a scientific explanation for Gus’ existence, but there is simply no evidence to support this no matter how much Singh desires it.  Eventually, Singh even falls to cynicism; for lack of empirical evidence, he believes Gus’ mother to have never existed.  Of course, at issue’s end, he is proven dead wrong.

The Walking Dead #68 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Charlie Adlard (pencils & inks), Cliff Rathburn (gray tones), and Rus Wooton (letters)

The Story: A mysterious new character, Aaron, makes our group a utopian offer.  But can he be trusted?

What’s Good: With this issue, Kirkman begins his next big arc and it looks to be a great one, if only because it uses the series’ age to its advantage.

This entire book hinges on the emotional wear and tear that the group has seen.  They’ve suffered so much death and horror that trusting an outsider, or believing in the possibility of something good, is almost impossible.  Aaron’s reception by the group serves as a chilling reminder of everything Rick and company have gone through.   That said, while their trust issues are merited, Kirkman also does a good job of making Aaron seem just nice enough to highlight how broken and dysfunctional our group has become; justified or not, they’ve become a paranoid and violent bunch.

Perhaps Kirkman’s greatest achievement however, is that in making a “trust issue themed” installment that draws upon the series’ lengthy run, he also fully involves the reader.  While five years of comics means that our characters have suffered a lot, it also means that we have read just as much.  With Kirkman’s distinctively merciless style, full of shocks, sudden deaths, and twisted developments, it’s perhaps even harder for us to trust Aaron than it is for the characters themselves.  Throughout the Walking Dead, we’ve constantly been hit with evil from around the corner, so really, it’s hard not to look at Aaron with a sense of dread, waiting for the shoe to drop as we wonder what awful surprise Kirkman has in store for us this time.  Our suspicion and paranoia, created by Kirkman over 67 issues, is the same anxiety that has come to paralyze Rick.

Finally, Charlie Adlard does a fantastic job this month with his illustrations of Aaron. Adlard manages to draw a “nice guy,” but there definitely is something quietly sinister about his appearance.  His facial expressions are dead on.

The Walking Dead #60 – Review

By Robert Kirkman (Writer), Charlie Adlard (Pencils & Inks), and Cliff Rathburn (Gray Tones)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Sixty issues in and The Walking Dead is still going strong. I continue to be amazed at how well Robert Kirkman keeps adding twists, turns, and depth to a story that initially, seemed extremely familiar (simple, even). I can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeve next.

The Story: Rick, Carl, Abraham, and Morgan attempt to elude the massive zombie herd they came across last issue. Meanwhile, Dale begins truly thinking about settling down with Amanda and the kids at a farm that seems almost too perfect for words.

What’s Good: It’s been a while since the zombies truly felt like the massive threat they once where, so the obvious highlight of The Walking Dead #60 is the intensity that is generated by the herd. The less obvious highlights are the quiet moments that the creative team handles so well. The most notable of which is a scene in which Morgan makes a grim, graphic discovery that really hits hard thanks to the fantastic work by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn. Also worth a mention is how effortlessly Robert Kirkman reestablishes Dale, the kids, and Maggie in the issue. The character moments are quiet, but they will linger in your mind (especially the one with the kids).

What’s Not So Good: Kirkman always handles his characters with the utmost care. That’s why I find the way (new cast member) Dr. Eugene is used so annoying. He seems to speak simply as a plot device and nothing more. His words make an impact, but I feel that they would be more effective if we knew more about the character or his previous situation.

My other complaint has to do with the herd. While I really like the way the herd is used, both as a set piece and a plot device, I wish more time was spent with it. A minor complaint, yes, but still something that disappointed me about the issue. Some hardcore zombie stuff is always welcome and the herd offers lots of potential for it.

Conclusion: As usual, the creative team behind The Walking Dead delivers in nearly every way. Issue sixty is about as solid as they come and serves as a great example of why the series is such a success. Highly recommended.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

The Walking Dead #57 – Review

By Robert Kirkman (Writer), Charlie Adlard (Pencils & Inks), and Cliff Rathburn (Gray Tones)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’m definitely digging what Robert Kirkman is doing with the new cast members, especially in regards to Abraham. His standoff with Rick and subsequent breakdown left me itching for more. So without further delay, allow me to just get on with the review process.

The Story: The survivors find a good place to rest for a few days near an interstate highway, and Rick suggests taking a trip to the police station he worked at to look for supplies. He eventually heads out With Carl and Abraham, and as expected the group runs into a major problem along the way.

What’s Good: Unfortunately, I can’t go into a whole lot of detail about what makes The Walking Dead #57 so effective without spoiling anything. However, I can say that the issue has a certain intensity about it that has been lacking for some time. Instead of a quiet or subdued character moment, Kirkman delivers one that hits with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.It works brilliantly, especially considering that it plays upon a timeless question that nearly every parent must ponder at some point.

What’s Not So Good: I rarely say this, but a few panels this time around look a bit rushed. While it doesn’t really diminish the issue as a whole,  it’s noticeable enough to warrant a mention. That said, the detail is there when it absolutely counts the most, so I can’t complain too much.

Conclusion: Some way, some how The Walking Dead just keeps getting better and better. As a result, I’m quickly running out of ways to praise the series. Oh well, I’ll keep doing it as long as the quality is there. Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Cliff Rathburn have put together a story that definitely deserves all the acclaim it can get.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

The Walking Dead #56 – Review

By Robert Kirkman (Writer), Charlie Adlard (Pencils, Inks, & Cover), and Cliff Rathburn (Grey Tones & Cover Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I really can’t say enough about how much I am enjoying the current Walking Dead arc. Robert Kirkman continues to put on a clinic about how and when to toss a twist or bit of information into a long-running story to make sure it hits with maximum impact. And now that I have the next chapter in my hand, I can’t wait to see what comes about as a result of the intriguing notion that the zombies may be slowly starving to death and Maggie’s apparent suicide.

The Story: Unsurprisingly, The Walking Dead #56 is a fairly slow, character-driven issue that centers around Maggie’s actions. I’ll keep from going into more detail to avoid heading into spoiler territory, but I can say that the events that take place allow Kirkman to put a spotlight on the tensions inherent in the eclectic group of survivors. In particular, the dynamic that exists between Rick and Abraham, the most prominent of the new cast members.

What’s Good: If you are a regular to this site, chances are you already know what I am going to say in this section. Robert Kirkman continues to do what he does best by delivering another issue driven almost entirely by the incredible strength of his cast. Obviously, Maggie’s actions have a huge impact on the simmering group, and reactions are written in a way that is both extremely effective and unquestionably realistic. I continue to find myself amazed by the depth of The Walking Dead.

Visually, the issue is pretty much business as usual. Don’t take that as a negative though. Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn continue to display an impressive visual range with their character work and their handling of the action beats.

What’s Not So Good (Possible Spoilers Ahead!!): I have little doubt that many longtime readers will find some frustration with how things play out in the book. It’s a classic Walking Dead moment, for both good and bad. While I have no real problem with it personally, it definitely warrants mentioning as a negative because similar things have happened a few too many times before. In short, your reaction to the opening few pages will probably play a large part in how you feel about the issue as a whole.

Conclusion: The Walking Dead #56 is another strong chapter in a series that continues to impress, but some may find themselves a bit irritated by it. I can’t say that I blame you if you do.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

Some great character moments here, but Rick leaving himself open while he takes a piss seems a bit out of character. I love what Robert Kirkman is doing with Abraham. Conflict and tension is what drives this book (with the zombies taking a secondary role as the background threat), and it’s clear that an emotional basket case like Abraham is going to cause lots of trouble for our team of survivors. We’ve been so focused on a new direction and the zombie menace that we forgot how many loonies there are in this bunch! Bring it on!

Grade: B+

– J. Montes