Powerful Pages - The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman (2003 - 2019)
In a surprise move, writer Robert Kirkman brought his comic book powerhouse The Walking Dead to an end in July without any fanfare. The end of the line for the written exploits of his beloved hero Rick Grimes came in issue 193. That's quite a run for a series that truly came from out of nowhere, a title the creator himself acknowledges had little chance of surviving a dozen issues. Instead, it became a major brand in and of itself, leading to a massive hit for AMC in the form of a television series. That show has produced one spinoff already with others waiting in the wings, and there are feature films in the production line. The property has also yielded novels, board games, and video games, as well as collectibles and apparel. It is undoubtedly one of the most successful and culturally significant comic series of its time, and the franchise lives on despite the abrupt conclusion to the books that launched this phenomenon.
I am a fan of both the comics and the television show, though I have always favored the former--and I have always tried to make that clear. Fans of the show, which has always had its ups and downs, need to understand that there is a vastly superior undistilled format of this story out there. Now, I'm not going to argue that the comics haven't seen their fair share of ups and downs, no series can last that long without a few hiccups. I will state, however, that the peaks have always been far higher while the valleys have rarely cut that deep. In fact, I will hail Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead as one of the finest stories ever penned, and those who cherish a grand opus in the horror genre will find few alternatives as big, bold, and insightful. Truthfully, if I am searching for a signature work of similar breadth, only a few candidates come to mind. While Stephen King's The Stand is a finer offering, I would rank this alongside Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons. Some might say that's high praise for a comic, but I rate Alan Moore's Watchmen among the best things ever written, and I view the format no differently than I view books, screenplays, essays, songs, or poems. Okay, that's a lie: poems are always dead last where literature is concerned.
In addition to my love for the written word, I'll claim some expertise here as a horror fanatic who has some serious love for the zombie sub-genre. And I'll ramp up the praise here by stating that I'm not sure that anyone other than dear departed George Romero himself has done as much for that niche. Where zombie tales are concerned, I would rank only the original Dawn of the Dead above Kirkman's comics, and I see that as debatable. It's not just that this series revitalized the zombie craze, it took it to even greater heights. It did so by presenting an epic journey, the story of one man who forever changed the landscape of a searing apocalyptic vision. Rick Grimes faced incredible odds. He encountered devious villains. He won fierce battles and suffered heartbreaking losses. Unlike many protagonists, he also made devestating mistakes. This character's story gave readers so much to enjoy, so much to mourn, so much to debate, and so much to savor. I don't think the medium had ever seen anything like it, and I'm not sure we'll ever experience anything to rival this gargantuan undertaking again.
In taking us on this journey, Kirkman actually took us on numerous journeys, and many of these episodes would rate as epics on their own. In the beginning, Rick struggled to find purchase in a terrible new world; zombies were the greatest threat in this grim environment, but there were other threats, to include his best friend. Then came Hershel's farm, and that gave way to one of the richest and most celebrated arcs, the prison storyline. Kirkman introduced us to the Governor during this chapter of The Walking Dead, and in facing this vile foe, our hero would lose damn near everything. Then came Alexandria, and something that genuinely resembled hope. Later we would meet Negan, one of the most hated baddies ever to grace the printed page. Negan earned this status by virtue of maybe the biggest shock Kirkman ever assailed his devoted audience with, and major jolts have been one of the staples of The Walking Dead from the very beginning. The Whisperers would soon join the fray, representing perhaps the creepiest fiends to appear in these pages. The tale would reach its unexpected end in the Commonwealth, another gripping piece of this unforgettable puzzle. There were other stories woven into this mammoth tapestry, introducing us to countless characters we would come to love or hate. AMC has brough most of these players, places, and events to the small screen, often to tremendous effect. And yet, aside from where Jon Bernthal's work as Shane is concerned, it has repeatedly fallen well short of the mark.
Like most readers, I am sad to see this story come to an end. However, I cannot find fault with Kirkman's decision, and I found the last beat in this tale to be a powerful one. The Walking Dead ended in much the same way that it began--the finale was equal parts unforseen and satisfying. It came as a surprise, and it resonated because it worked on such a personal level. In telling his tale and establishing Rick Grimes as a legend, I feel that Robert Kirkman has done something truly legendary. I give this saga my highest recommendation, and I can't thank those involved enough for nearly two decades of stupendous zombie excitement. Lest I forget, let me note here that while I think Kirkman's vision and talent are the primary ingredients in The Walking Dead's success, the artwork has always been a perfect match to his gruesome musings. The initial run was brought to life by Tony Moore, who is also credited as the co-creator, and Charlie Adlard took over from there--though Moore still handled the covers until issue #25. The stability represented therein, which is a true rarity in this industry, is yet another driving force behind the scope and the magnificence of this once-in-a-lifetime venture. In summary, there are few works of art that have meant so much to me, and I am truly sorry to be writing what I hope is both a rave review and a fond farewell.
Final Grade: A+
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