After the earth shattering events of past issues, Lori is left dealing with the choices she's made and the events that have transpired of no fault of her own. Meanwhile steps are made to turn the prison into a home. Things are winding down and life is becoming more bearable. If only they could forget what they just went through.
Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
Jumping into The Walking Dead Issue #20 after the thrilling introduction of Michonne in the previous issue was exhilarating. The series continues to expand its roster of complex characters while diving deeper into the dangers of the world and the psychological toll of survival. This issue strikes a unique balance between the calm, everyday moments within the group and the intensity of clearing out the prison and dealing with constant threats. I was especially interested to see how Michonne’s introduction and interaction with the group would develop further.
The issue opens with a grim and strangely humorous scene: a walker trips on the disemboweled corpse of Thomas Richards, its intestines getting tangled in his rib cage. This grotesque scene immediately pulls the reader back into the harsh, unforgiving world of The Walking Dead. Glenn and Maggie make their first appearance in this issue, with Glenn testing out a new strategy for clearing walkers from the prison fences. Armed with a knife, he stabs a walker through the head while Maggie watches, somewhat troubled. Their tension hints at unresolved emotions after Maggie’s traumatic experience of killing Thomas in the previous arc.
Before they can delve into their issues, Glenn is called away as Andrea gathers the group in the cafeteria for an announcement. Andrea’s role within the group has subtly shifted, and we see her becoming a more self-reliant and proactive figure. She hands out prison jumpsuits, a utilitarian but necessary gesture, which lightens the tone momentarily. Andrea also mentions plans to sew new clothes for the group, showing her initiative to adapt and support the group in a non-combat role. It’s small moments like these that help build a sense of camaraderie in an otherwise bleak world, even though the group’s response to the jumpsuits is lukewarm at best. It’s a reminder that while the physical fight for survival is always present, the emotional and psychological battle is just as significant.
Meanwhile, the tension between Rick and Lori continues to simmer. Lori is still deeply shaken, not only from her pregnancy but from the constant threat of danger that lurks within their group. Her concerns about Axel and Patricia highlight the fragile trust between the prisoners and the survivors. It’s interesting how Lori, despite being married to Rick, has a clearer sense of who might still be a threat, even though Rick tries to reassure her by reminding her that the most significant threats, Thomas and Dexter, are gone.
The next emotional thread comes when Otis confronts Patricia. His anger towards her naivety and dangerous decisions is palpable. He’s brutally honest, telling her that she’s “dead to him,” leaving her in tears. This interaction further deepens the emotional scars within the group, showing how even though external threats loom large, internal relationships are fracturing under the pressure of survival.
A more lighthearted moment follows when Tyreese and Carol are shown relaxing in the gym, lying on the floor and discussing their day-to-day lives. It’s an interesting snapshot of how people try to find normalcy in a chaotic world. However, Carol’s jealousy begins to surface when Tyreese starts a friendly conversation with Michonne. Michonne, previously shown as stoic and isolated, lets down her guard, recognizing Tyreese as a former football player for The Falcons. This is one of the first moments where we see Michonne's more personable side. The interaction is brief but humanizing, showing that Michonne is more than just the deadly warrior with a katana—we’re beginning to see glimpses of her past and personality, a stark contrast to the hardened survivor facade she initially presented.
Glenn and Maggie’s relationship takes another emotional turn when Glenn tries to approach her after the earlier awkwardness. Maggie opens up, saying she doesn’t want to push Glenn away despite the trauma she’s gone through. Their bond, forged in the fire of survival, seems to grow stronger as they reconcile. This moment of vulnerability adds a layer of tenderness that balances the heavier themes in the story.
In the yard, Axel attempts to bridge the gap between himself and the rest of the survivors. His conversation with Hershel reveals how isolated he feels from the group due to his past as a prisoner. While Axel tries to clear his name and establish trust, Hershel’s silent judgment speaks volumes, showing the deep divide between the prisoners and survivors. Axel’s frustration is understandable, and when he snaps with a "Fuck you, too," it’s a harsh reminder that everyone is constantly on edge, and trust is a fragile thing in this new world.
The climax of the issue comes when Rick, Tyreese, Dale, Allen, and Axel enter A-Block to clear out the remaining walkers. What starts as a standard clearing mission quickly escalates when Allen is unexpectedly bitten by a lurker on the ankle. This moment is intense and shocking. The suddenness of the bite adds to the ongoing unpredictability of the world they’re living in. Rick’s reaction is a mixture of shock and resignation, and the group’s attempts to remain calm in the face of disaster are palpable. We also see the group's luck turn slightly as they discover a generator in A-Block, potentially offering a solution to their power problems. But the joy of finding the generator is immediately undercut by the gravity of Allen’s situation, leaving the reader on a cliffhanger, wondering if they’ll be able to save him.
This issue of The Walking Dead continues to masterfully juggle character development, tension, and the constant threat of death. Andrea’s decision to take on the role of the group’s seamstress shows her growing independence and resourcefulness. In contrast, Otis' outburst towards Patricia was jarring, and his racism adds layers of ugliness to his character.
The moment with Michonne in the gym was one of the highlights for me. We see a more relaxed, human side of her that the TV adaptation didn’t show as much early on. Her conversation with Tyreese about football was unexpected, and it made her feel more real, more relatable—something beyond the stoic, sword-wielding warrior we’ve come to know.
Allen’s bite was a shocking twist, and the fact that it mirrors what happens to Hershel in the TV series adds an extra layer of anxiety for comic readers. As someone who appreciates how the comic universe diverges from the TV show, it’s moments like these that keep me on edge, unsure of what the fate of certain characters will be.
Finally, finding the generator was a great way to end the issue on a hopeful yet tense note. I’m eager to see what happens next—will they be able to save Allen? How will the group deal with the growing tension between members, and will Michonne fully integrate herself into the survivors?
The stakes are high, and the group dynamic is more complex than ever, making this issue a fantastic continuation of the series.
Alright, now I'm starting to get angry. Not necessarily at Kirkman, but ... Otis just got back from the farm, he makes it in alive, he hears about what Patricia has done, so he goes to her and dehumanizes her, Andrew, and Dexter by calling Andrew and Dexter niggers. Ick. It's true to the character (I guess, we don't really know Otis well), but it just feels like the scene is there for it's shock value. To me, shock alone is not a good enough reason to include something. Especially something as shaming as this scene was. I can't even explain all that was wrong with it.
I knew Allen was going to be trouble when they were clearing out the a-block. He's pretty much done for now. He's been bitten. On the plus side, they did find a library! That's good. Though, not sure how much good it is really going to do them. I still don't see them staying here forever. Perhaps some of them will. However, I really see Rick moving on eventually. Perhaps Hershel will take over as official "leader" of the prison once it is all cleared out and "safe."
Michonne is the name of the sword wielding badass chick who has just joined the story. We got one little scene with her in the gym, and she seems to be catching the attention of Tyreese. I'm not sure if I like this. He's already in a relationship ... it just seems like conflict for conflict's sake. It doesn't seem like his character would go there. I don't know. We'll have to see...
Michonne’s dialogue makes it clear a week has passed since her arrival (TWD #19) and Andrea has been busy which means nice new custom-fit orange jumpsuits for all of the gang (making it an easier job for Deluxe colourist McCraig I bet). Maggie and Glen double down in their relationship; I am sure that has a happy ending.. right? The gang find something that just might make life easier and another team gets a “bite”. These prison issues of TWD still prove to be atmospheric in colour. Kirkman and Adlard were on a roll here so it’s nice that the colour doesn’t deprive the series of anything at all.
Kirkman notes in the behind the scenes run down that “I’m not re-reading these old letters columns we’re sometimes reprinting”, me neither Robert, me neither.
Being a huge fan of the show, I wanted to see how the original writing started and how the show writers followed and deviated from the comics. My dislikes were that the comics are much more crude, crass, and unnecessarily violent. I did like the change in relationships and how people worked together differently, and the comics have a different creepiness feel than you get watching it on TV. Overall, I prefer the show, and probably will not finish out the comic book series.
Rick Grimes is a strong-willed deputy who missed the end of the world because he was in a coma for a month after getting shot in the line of duty. Shaken, starving and confused, Rick escapes the horror of the abandoned hospital only to be met with something far more terrible. Not only has the world ended, but the dead have learned to walk and to kill without mercy. After learning that his wife and son have fled to Atlanta from a single survivor and his son, Rick goes on a journey to reunite with his family and search for more survivors.
Rick quickly has to come to terms with the fact that the world has ended and only a select few survived. The dead have risen from their graves and they prey on the living. In a world where every minute feels like hours, where there's no such thing as law and order, where finding a small meal is a tremendous task, the walking dead are quite possibly the least threatening thing for the survivors to have on their breaking minds. Humanity is pushed to the brink of destruction, forcing them to embrace their cruel and primal nature in order to survive. Sometimes you have to be more concerned about who you let into your community so they don't kill you in your sleep and steal everything you once cared about. Rick has no choice but to abandon the ways of law and order that he's upheld as an officer for so long in order to protect the few loved ones he has left. He has to become a monster to protect his crew or risk being devoured by those who became more monstrous than him and even the walking dead.
Despite zombies running the world and having the series named after them, what really sets this series apart from the average zombie apocalypse tale is the focus on realism and the daily struggles, flaws and depth of the characters. There's plenty of badass zombie killing action, but the action often takes a back seat to give the characters plenty of times to share their extremely tragic yet endearing stories, grow through mutual suffering and learn to adapt to a world that has left them to die. Even after the world has ended, many people still can't see eye to eye. They turn on each other and kill each other when they should come together. Others form alliances in spite of their differences and try to rebuild over the corpse of everything that was lost. The daily human drama and conflict is more intense than any monster apocalypse could hope to be.
We watch Rick struggle to balance his old moral code with the many necessary evils he has to commit in order to survive and make the world a better place for the ones he holds close. We watch people like Glen, Dale and Maggie attempt to find love in spite of having every reason to be filled with fear, hate and self-loathing. Characters like Michonne have to learn how to forgive themselves and convince themselves they deserve to be loved despite all the blood on their hands. We watch the weak like Carl and Andrea become strong and sometimes the strong become evil like The Governor. Even monsters like the wicked yet oddly lovable Negan are given the chance to find new ways of redeeming themselves by struggling alongside the other survivors that have all been changed by the horrors of the fallen world.
The pacing is extremely slow and I can understand why that may be a turnoff for a lot of people, but I eventually learned to enjoy watching the characters grow, overcome their trauma, find meaning in life and learn to love again. The characters are forced to do many terrible things to survive and it haunts them every waking moment. The ways they overcome these regrets is very realistic, human and hopeful. The slow pacing really gives the feeling that we're living beside these people. The way every tiny detail of their lives and who they are is explored makes them feel very real and believable.
When I first started reading the series, I wasn't expecting it to have such an uplifting ending. It seemed so bleak and nihilistic for a long time and things would go horribly wrong even when they seemed to be going so well, but the finale channels all the pain, suffering and betrayal of the previous volumes and tops it off with a very touching and inspiring finish. This was never a story about hopelessness. It's about learning to appreciate the little things, learning to forgive yourself and learning to move on even when it's hard. When everything seems lost there's always more to be found, even when we believe otherwise because we convince ourselves that we don't deserve to be happy ever again. Instead of dwelling on what was lost, strive to try and make things better than they were before.
I've never been a huge fan of zombie apocalypse stories, but The Walking Dead had enough heart and strong social commentary to make me stick by the characters until the end and I enjoyed every moment of their long trial.
A little slower issue but it was okay. Otis is a racist so let's hope he dies a slow & painful death soon, Michonne working her guns out, good to see, Maggie & Glenn are on good terms again, Allen got bit, wondering if he's going to get his leg chopped off like Hershel did from the series & Dale and Tyreese find a generator. Things are going too smoothly so I am assuming the Governor is going to show up soon. x
After defending the prison against internal threats (prisoners) and external threats (zombies) our group has to take a hard look at what 'laws' will be followed. The reason WD is so much better than most 'zombie' books is because of the 'Lord of the Flies' questions that keep coming up; survival at what cost - and who enforces the rules - as everything falls apart.
This one was a little boring because much of the action has died down. The prison is now becoming home. However, this is an issue that is building into the future and has background on a few characters which kept it interesting. The major question is "is Rick going crazy?"
This is a short review. Sorry. It has been a while since I read it. I was excited to see Michonne again. I love reading these in Kindle format because I can see so much more. I can enlarge the cell and see the words and pictures so much better.
I have to admit that I really like when Rick and the group of survivors kill zombies and for this issue to open with zombies being killed immediately, well, I enjoyed that.
Also, I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen between Glenn and Maggie, like they will probably break up. Nothing good ever follows the words, 'We need to talk," or "I want to talk". Or any variation of the theme.
I like that Andrea decided to try and help their clothing situation. However, I do not think this was important enough to call a meeting of all of their group. She could have told one person and told them to spread the word.
I just feel like Andrea made a big deal out of nothing with the prison jumpsuits. She did not need to talk about the jumpsuits so much and call a big meeting. I feel it was overboard on her part.
I can not believe I am saying this, but Lori is right. She has a right to be concerned, or maybe worried is more accurate. And as for Rick, I know he is trying to calm her fears, but telling Lori that he will not let anything happen again, is a waste of time. He can not promise her or anyone else that.
I do not like Patricia, especially after what she did by siding with the prisoners. However, that said, I HATE how Otis spoke to her, and that he dropped the 'N' word. I HATE the 'N' word and feel like anyone who uses it is an ignorant fool.
When Otis told Patricia to 'shut her fucking mouth,' she should have kicked his ass. No man should talk to a woman that way. She is not an animal and does not have to tolerate being treated as one.
I do not like that Michonne just walked into the gym when Tyreese and Carol were about to have sex. I know there was a door on the gym a few issues ago, so she could have stood on the other side and knocked, to let them know she was there.
I think it is kind of weird that Tyreese and Michonne went from talking about how Michonne liked being in the prison, to talking about Tyreese's past as a football player.
Glenn and Maggie are my favorites. They are honest and direct with each other, though Maggie's obsession with sex is a little weird to me, given that she is the daughter of someone so religious.
I liked Axel's conversation with Hershel and then when Hershel did not reply, Axel was all, "Right then. Fuck you, too." I do not blame Hershel for being cautious, but I also do not blame Axel for the stuff he said.
I like that Rick was pretty nice to Axel, he asked the man for a favor and did not treat Axel like a piece of gum stuck on the bottom of his shoe. So I liked that scene between the two of them as they get along.
I like that Allen volunteered to help them make sure that A-Block was clear. It makes me think that he is starting to move on from his grief and will now be useful to the group instead of useless.
Allen should think before he acts. It is a good thing that Rick stopped Allen and explained to him why they were not going to be using the guns unless it was necessary.
Well, they found a library, that is good. It will give them something to do during the day when they are not out killing zombies, hunting or any of that stuff. Now they will not be bored all the time.
I am surprised that when Allen shot the zombie in the library, it did not attract ANY form of attention, be it from zombies, or from other members of the group. I assume the gunshot was loud.
Oh well, there goes Allen. Wonder how long it is going to take for him to die and/or turn into a zombie. Apparently there still is no set time for a person to turn into a zombie in this series.
While I know that Tyreese and Dale are right to keep doing their search, I still think they should have gone to see what the gunshots were about, because you just never know. Rick and the other two could have been attacked, I mean, Allen WAS attacked.
Whoo! Tyreese and Dale found a generator, now let's see if the thing actually works and if it does, they can have a bit of electricity for a while. That will be majorly helpful.
LOVED this issue, though as you know, I can ALWAYS do with less or no Lori. Either works for me, I'm not picky. Just as long as she dies eventually.
After the earth shattering events of past issues, Lori is left dealing with the choices she's made and the events that have transpired of no fault of her own. Meanwhile steps are made to turn the prison into a home. Things are winding down and life is becoming more bearable. If only they could forget what they just went through.
The Best. Walker horde at the gates, starting to find ways to kill them through the gates without the use of firearms, Andrea making new cloths, all the couples seem to be getting along okay, finding the library and the generator.
The Worst. Allen seems to be finally turning around from losing his wife and then he gets bit by a walker while clearing out Block A. Everyone is on edge with everything that has happened since they got to the prison, dealing with a serial killer, walker hordes, an attempted take over and now emotions are running higher than ever and Axel has to go and b a smart ass to Hershel. Then Axel jumps on the defensive trying to smooth things over. It's not what I would call the worst, I actually like the humor and situation in it, but there are times when this humor isn't quite timed right and this would be one such time.
The Differences. Since at this point of the TV series, Allen hasn't joined the group he isn't the one that is bite inside the prison. It was actually Hershel who gets bitten and it happens not when they find the generator but actually upon the first encounter with the inmates in the cafeteria. Which you can imagine was a rude awakening for the inmates! They finally have their doors open to be introduced to a group of people trying to break into the prison to watching one of the group get bitten by a walker. I think I would have just sat back down and closed the doors myself.
Those Remembered. No one passes away in this issue except the walkers at the gates and the ones inside of Block A.
Recommend. To the fans of The Walking Dead Universe, zombies, horror dramas, prisons and apocalypse style stories.
Después de la tierra rompiendo acontecimientos de los números anteriores, Lori se deja tratar con las opciones que ha hecho y los acontecimientos que han ocurrido de causas ajenas a la suya. Mientras tanto se hacen pasos para activar la prisión en un hogar. Las cosas se están terminando y la vida es cada vez más soportable. Si sólo pudieran olvidar lo que acaba de pasar... Este cómic, el numero 20 es bastante tranquilo de echo solo aparecen 2 zombis, pero uno de ellos muy seguramente matará a alguien y digo seguramente ya que para saberlo tienes que leer el próximo cómic. También, al final del todo dos superivivientes descubren una máquina en la cárcel que les va a servir de ayuda...
حقا لا أصدق ما أراه بعينى من وصول الرسوم الكاريكاترية إلى هذا المستوى كم هى رائعة بما تحتوى من تفاصيل مذهلة تشعرك وكأنك داخل المشهد بالإضافة أنه يروق لى أسلوب الحوار بين الأشخاص بشدة
قصة ذلك العمل تدور حول انتشار أحد الأوبئة التى جعلت البشر أشبه بالزومبى من آكلى لحوم البشر ويستعرض محاولات بعض الناجين البقاء على ظهر الأرض فى ظل عدم وجود أدنى أمل فى استمرار الحياة بقيادة الشرطى ريك
بالاستمرار فى القراءة أشعر بروعة متابعة الأحداث ، فالقصة مشوقة حقا لا عجب حين تكون الصورة الأصل مبهرة هكذا ، فتكون النسخة -العمل التليفزيونى- أكثر من رائع
More insight to characters, more dramatic zombie action and an anti-cliffhanger ending stir things up in this issue. The relatively tame violence and character driven story gives a much needed breather after so many action driven and graphically violent stories.