The Walking Dead #114
The game has changed and a change we have been waiting long enough for the story to reach. Up till now Kirkman has been moving pieces though at the pace he was moving, many readers were losing faith that the story was getting anywhere any time soon. This issue has finally gotten us to that point where we can say it was worth it to stick with it to this very moment.
The last issue ended with a cliffhanger which could have led to just about any possible outcome in favor of Negan or Rick. Rick has been put into that position of power, and this time it has never meant more than it did now. As representation of the humanity we keep in the wake of a post-apocalyptic world, he and his crew really show just how far they have come, even when the odds don’t seem to be in their favor. In fact the odds are almost never in their favor and this issue takes advantage of the reader’s anticipation to see how they get themselves out of another life threatening situation.
The only thing that I do find tiresome at this point is the foul language of Negan. It seemed pretty natural before, but up to now it just feels forced. It might not matter to some, but it’s distracting when you’re trying to make sense of why he feels the need to speak so excessively in that nature. It could easily be toned down without hurting his character.
Again Negan really comes out as that well written villain. Driven by ego, power, fear, and yet is one that the fans can still come to enjoy whenever he starts talking. Kirkman really makes Negan into someone you care for because he consistently shoves him against the wall and tests how far it would take to push him over the edge when he really doesn’t act like traditional villains. There are many layers to his character that have been displayed and his complexities as someone who basks in self-glorification sells him as someone more memorable than any other foe they have faced since the start.
Aside from this, a solid issue and the story is now moving in a direction that readers can feel drawn to. Took a while, but we are reaching that climax of the story whether anything can go and things are somewhat moving towards an end. Negan is prepared to do what he has to in order to ensure his authority is met without question, and Rick is trying to make his final move and do so without the chance is error like moves he’s made up to this point.
