Finally brought #48 home. The story is seriously effed up. The two individuals who I most wanted to survive did not make it - and it hurt a little to read it. On the bright side, I doubt that the bad guys will come after any survivors. I squarely blame the one person who, as time has gone by, clearly is the stupidest and least likable character in the book: Rick. If it hadn't been for him, they would have never gone off looking for the crew of the helicopter and therefore would have never encountered the community ruled by the Governor. Indirectly, Rick brought this down on his friends and family. Every death at the prison can be laid at his feet. I seriously was hoping that he was one of the casualties, but oh well. Life goes on and the Dead keep Walking.

(Highly recommend the series still, though. It literally keeps you on your toes from issue to issue. It's always the first comic that I read when I bring my stack home.)

I think the reason why Rick is characterized with these poor choices is to create the protagonist that isn't perfect. In a sense, Rick is the tragic hero, suffering from his one flaw that brings about his downfall (and others close to him). In addition, I think Kirkman wants to build on Rick's flaws so that the character comes to a climax - a revelation and recognition that he is the one at fault for everything.

*Goes back to lurking*

Well, in issue #49 that came out earlier this week:

Rick needs to die and get out of the series. Seriously. I am tired of his bad choices and then his moping about them. Way to get your wife and baby killed, Einstein...

I suspect that Rick will die next issue (#50) to cap the milestone issue. It can follow Carl for a bit, which is a very cool idea- the end of the world through a child's eyes. At some point I trust Kirkman will check in with the others who survived the disaster at the prison.

Did anyone pick up the reprint of #1 that shipped this week? I loved the cover (basically the art of #50, with Rick in Carl's place) and it reprinted the pitch he originally made to Image. It is very different than the final version and casts doubt on Kirkman's assertion that the similarities between TWD and 28 Days Later were nothing more than coincidence. A must for the series TWD fan, despite the $3.99 price tag.

Thanks for telling us about the #1 reprint. I'll try to pick up a copy...

The thing I love most about this book is the fact that the real horror comes from the human aspect. The complete psychos like the Governor. But it can always be worse because of the zombies. Its like sitting on a powder keg.