That’s right, we’re talking today’s issue of the Walking Dead and we’re not going to shy away from spoilers in the discussion.  If you have yet to read it, then back off or else I may ruin this issue for you.

Otherwise, carry on and enjoy.

From Image Comics, Robert Kirkman, and for the 100th issue in a row Charlie Adlard.

 

There are a lot of people who hate the Walking Dead when “nothing happens”.  It can be the comic book or the TV show.  Fans of both (or consumers of both, fan might be too strong a word here), get upset when no one is bitten by a zombie or people aren’t viciously shot or attacked in some way.

These fans are morons.

The reason we all care about the characters within the Walking Dead is because so much time has been allowed to set up the personal investments.  If nothing is known about a character, then that character’s death does not matter.  No one cared about the random Negan thugs that Carl shot two issues ago.  Sure, there were a lot of deaths and it was interesting.  But no one cared about those deaths.  Then in the last issue this tragic love story is built up and destroyed very quickly, but enough for the readers to care and become interested in this tale.  Gruesome tale though it is.

Which brings me to the point of this issue.  No, “nothing” happens.  Its all build up.  But it is going to be the most intense, stomach churning, painful month of waiting.  That is how tension is built.  That is how masters of their crafts suck in loyalists and their hard earned monies.

We know three things going into 107.  Rick loves his son and will do anything by any means to protect his son.  Negan is the type of man so demented he demands new words stronger than “fucked up” to adequately describe him.  Third and final bit of knowledge, something horrible has happened to Carl.

That is how you build tension!  Sure, “nothing” happened in this issue.  But the words, the build up.  Is there anyone who wont be knocking down the doors in a month to read the next issue?  Does anyone see this ending well?

The Walking Dead has forced me to stop reading and walk away to collect myself twice.  Lori’s death.  Carl’s head wound.  I am now 30 days and counting from having issue 107 take everything out of me.  Of that I am sure.