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Author: Paul Tapner
Rating: 5
Review: Volume twenty four in the series of paperbacks which collect issues of the Walking Dead. A popular horror comic about people trying to survive after the world is overrun by Zombies. This collects issues 139-144 of the monthly comic. As ever it runs all the pages of black and white artwork together as one long narrative. But it's easy to tell where one issue ends and another starts. This is not a jumping on point. New readers should start with volume one. We left volume twenty three with many things going on. Maggie has a tough decision to make about Gregory. Eugene is putting a brave face on things. Rick's away doing things. And Carl's gone off after the girl he likes. And the potentially dangerous group she is part of. Meantime Rick's community are about to host a fair. Those looking for zombie action will get just one page of it here. But those looking for quality character drama and moral food for thought will get more than their money's worth. And then some. Every plotline gets attention and moves forward. One question that we've been awaiting two volumes for an answer to gets dealt with. It says a lot about the strength of the characterisation that the bulk of the first issue in this is just two characters talking. But it's a riveting and powerful piece of drama, such is the quality of the writing in how these people are portrayed. What it also does really well is surprise the reader. There are more than a few occasions when you will turn the page and gasp in surprise at what you see next. Any comic that can provoke a reaction like that is doing a really good job. The central question that has been hanging around the series for a few issues now of how good a choice Rick's new way of life is gets addressed once again. And it does make you consider the issues it presents. Throughout all of this you can't help but worry for these characters, since some have been around in the series for so long now you will have come to care for them. The sense of potential dread never goes away. Which will keep you turning the pages. Even if sometimes you might be dreading seeing what will come next. You won't forget the end of this volume. Ever. Roll on volume twenty five. Another five star read from a consistently excellent series.
