I cannot for the life of me think of a single other comic book series that has gripped me so entirely. Robert Kirkman has created a world where characters introduced a mere five issues prior can become integral to plot points… characters whom you suddenly find yourself caring for very deeply.
Issue 83 of The Walking Dead, titled “No Way Out, Part Four“, contains the most dramatic moment in the entire series. This is saying a lot, and anyone who has read all prior 82 issues without having gotten to 83 should take a moment and think about the weight of that statement. Remember the death of Shane and Lori. Picture Rick’s hand coming off. Think of Dale being cannibalized. The list goes on and on. More has happened in 83 issues than has occurred in popular long-running series.
However nothing like this. I’d have thought something like this would have been saved for an anniversary issue (say, 100), however nope… there it is for you to stumble upon, and if you’re anything like me, your heart will have skipped a beat at what is now the most gripping single pannel in the entire series.
As it is impossible to say much about this issue without spoiling it for others, the remainder of the review will continue below. I strongly urge you not to click the following link unless you have read the issue. In the words of Vince in his vidcast, “You’ve been warned”.
I could probably end the review with this image and my point would be proven. As shocking as it is however, the fact that the build-up to this point was not as shocking probably says more about what we have come to expect from a Walking Dead issue. Allow me to explain.
Prior to this heart-wrenching panel, Rick had decided that his household should make their way out of the relative safety of their home, after the gates to the fenced-in neighborhood had given way to a horde of zombies. In order to get past the zombies, he decided they would use the same tactic he’d used before, and smear zombie juice all over their clothes.
Rick’s new girlfriend Jessie and her son Ron joined him… as well as Carl, of course. Maggie decided to stay in the house with Sophia. As Carl has become accustomed to dodging zombies, he had no problems staying calm under the pressure of having zombies bustling up against him, as they made their way toward the neighborhood gates.
Ron, however, was a basket case, and sure enough, he attracted the attention of the zombies and got turned into a light afternoon snack. Jessie, as would be expected, freaked. Despite Rick telling her there was nothing she could do, she would not let go of him, and herself attracted the attention of zombies. As they started tearing her apart, Carl started screaming as well, because Jessie would not let go of his hand… meaning he’d soon be next on the zombies’ menu list.
Rick, in a battle-hardened moment, used his axe to slice Jessie’s hand clean off. Her scream of pain rattles the panel as she was still alive at this point.
Now, perhaps 50 issues ago, this would have been enough to shock us into submission. Over the last few issues, we’ve seen Rick and Jessie get very close. Rick hasn’t had anyone to replace Lori, and Jessie was good for him. That said, we know that Kirkman won’t allow Rick to have anything nice. Perhaps not even his son.
During that intense scene described earlier, Douglas had entered the courtyard, clearly off his rocker, gun blasting away like a gangsta wannabe. Despite Rick’s shouts for him to stop firing, the dumb bastard just kept at it… which inevitably led to Carl taking a shot to the eye.
I don’t know how in the hell he could have survived such a shot, as clearly he’d have lost some brain matter. However the issue ends with Rick declaring he’s still breathing, and carrying him to the infirmary to get patched up.
Allow me to say that upon seeing that shot above the first time, I very literally caught my breath.
Kirkman, you bastard, you have me. Apparently you are able to play with my emotions like a cat with a ball of yarn.
And I cannot wait until issue #84.
The Walking Dead Issue 83
Image Comics
Story: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn (Gray Tones, Cover Colors)
