It has been awhile since I read the first volume, Days Gone Bye. I was planning to knock this series out by the end of the year and before the AMC TV series starts up. It is amazing how time flies. As related in my last review, the creator, Robert Kirkman, explains in his introduction that his series is not set out to scare people but explore how people would survive in a post apocalyptic America. He wants to take different path by following one character, Rick Grimes, and his struggle against the walking dead and a changed world.
Summary
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. This volume follows our band of survivors on their tragic journey in search of shelter. Characters live and die as they brave a treacherous landscape littered with packs of the walking dead.
Days Gone Bye ended with a cliff hanger with Rick Grimes killing his best friend Shane. The only problem is that Shane slept with Rick’s wife while he was helping her and her son escape from the city. Now we learn that Lori is pregnant and she is not sure who the father is. Talk about awkward.
Review
The theme of Miles Behind Us is home, in that finding a safe home for the little band of travelers to live. After traveling in a cramped RV for some they happen upon a gated community known as Wiltshire Estates. This seems a safe enough place to stay. This is where the cool story telling comes into full effect. While our weary travelers locate a house to stay the night, the reader is shown a sign outside the community that was covered with snow but is now melting. It says ALL DEAD DO NOT ENTER. Uh oh…this is not good.
The last portion of the book is what makes the series so special. The group ends up at farm that is left mostly untouched by the zombie outbreak. The little dramas and heart to heart discussions that place by the survivors are for the most realistic. Each of them are struggling against their own personal demons and how the world has changes. At least they can feel safe here, that is until they discover what framer Herschel is keeping inside his barn.
Again, the art is down in black and white but I have always liked this style. It allows more emotion and expression to come across the panels and it works very well with this story.
The theme of Miles Behind Us is home, in that finding a safe home for the little band of travelers to live. After traveling in a cramped RV for some they happen upon a gated community known as Wiltshire Estates. This seems a safe enough place to stay. This is where the cool story telling comes into full effect. While our weary travelers locate a house to stay the night, the reader is shown a sign outside the community that was covered with snow but is now melting. It says ALL DEAD DO NOT ENTER. Uh oh…this is not good.
The last portion of the book is what makes the series so special. The group ends up at farm that is left mostly untouched by the zombie outbreak. The little dramas and heart to heart discussions that place by the survivors are for the most realistic. Each of them are struggling against their own personal demons and how the world has changes. At least they can feel safe here, that is until they discover what framer Herschel is keeping inside his barn.
Again, the art is down in black and white but I have always liked this style. It allows more emotion and expression to come across the panels and it works very well with this story.
Last Word
I really enjoyed the second volume of The Walking Dead much more than the first. Days Gone Bye seemed rushed to get to a certain point. Miles Behind Us moves a slower allowing more character development. I can see why AMC has picked this up as a series as the story telling is very thought provoking and addicting.
I really enjoyed the second volume of The Walking Dead much more than the first. Days Gone Bye seemed rushed to get to a certain point. Miles Behind Us moves a slower allowing more character development. I can see why AMC has picked this up as a series as the story telling is very thought provoking and addicting.
My Rating
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