The Walking Dead #146

By Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn

The Walking Dead is without a doubt one of the most successful indie comics ever. It’s spawned 2 television shows as well as a weekly series that went along with the show. While the show is beloved by many, the book has been better and they’ve been doing it longer. As we inch closer to issue 150, we get some signs of division in the ranks. This can only spell even more trouble for our survivors.

There really isn’t much to say about what Robert Kirkman has done on this title. He consistently puts out entertaining issues each month. This time around, we see the fallout from the many deaths of the survivors. Kirkman takes it easy on much of the dialogue this issue and lets the silence speak volumes. He does play the conflict between the two parties very well. Whether you side with Rick or Maggie, you can see both points of view. One of the things Kirkman has continued to do so well is make everyone interesting. Even if you don’t like a character, you still are interested to see what they are going to do next. Kirkman has really done a wonderful job with Eugene, and he continues to make strides this issue as he deals with losing Rosita. This is another fine issue from the man who built an insanely awesome universe.

The pencils this issue were handled by Charlie Adlard with gray tones by Cliff Rathburn. This is 100% an Adlard issue. Many of the first pages of this issue have no dialogue and we rely on Adlard’s pictures to tell us the story. From those first few pages, Adlard paints us a community that has been through the ringer. The faces on so many of the characters are met with tears and frowns, and Adlard makes all of them different. There are some good use of close-ups this issue as well. The look on Maggie’s face as she tells Rick about Gregory is awesome. Adlard really stepped up to the plate this issue and made this book look great. The gray tones by Cliff Rathburn should not go unnoticed. For as awesome as Adlard makes this book look, Rathburn’s tones really give it a dreary feeling. This is an art tandem that is absolutely on the same page, and it shows each month.

The Walking Dead continues to be one of the best books to come out each month. Robert Kirkman is a wizard with his pen and keeps finding ways to keep us hooked. The art for this book continues to be close to perfect. There is a reason why this comic continues to be a top seller month after month and it has everything to do with the creative team.