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The Walking Dead (Single Issues)
The Walking Dead #157
NEW STORY ARC. "THE WHISPERER WAR," Part One. The time has come. The forces are aligning. The war has begun! Has Rick brought about the demise of everything he's built? Or will he triumph once again? Know this... there will be a cost.
Unknown Binding
Published August 3, 2016
16 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,779 books6,968 followersRobert 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 19, 2020
This is a review of the entire 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.
***
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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.
***
My Social Media
My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
My Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/michael_sor...
My Wattpad Account: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Michael-...
My Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/SorbelloHorror
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April 6, 2017
Negan brings Rick a present.
December 15, 2017
"There is no cause for worry."
January 16, 2019
I'm liking the build-up to this new conflict, although it seems to echo All-Out War and the conflict with the Governor. The Walking Dead may need to step up its game after this War and address new concepts, like the most pressing one: what/who exactly caused this zombie apocalypse?
Either way, Kirkman keeps saying this story will be a lot different from anything we saw before, so I'm hopeful it will turn out that way.
Either way, Kirkman keeps saying this story will be a lot different from anything we saw before, so I'm hopeful it will turn out that way.
December 1, 2018
This is a random Walking Dead comic I picked up from an antique store. It's far ahead of where I am in the comics, but I don't care. It was fun to read it knowing that the Whisperers are going to be the main antagonists in the show. What I read was extremely engrossing. I can't wait to watch and read what comes next!
October 24, 2017
Wow, trust can be a tricky thing!
November 6, 2019
The build up to the war with the dead
November 22, 2016
One whole isue to have Negan return and have preparations for war. Yeah. Fast not.
October 8, 2016
I agree with Dwight that Magna or whatever her name is, should have shot Negan. Sure, he did a good thing in killing Alpha, but that doesn't change the fact that he killed Glenn.
The whole conversation with Dwight and Negan, had me agreeing with Dwight. I don't trust Negan at all. He's really just not a good guy at all. Negan's attachment to Lucille is downright creepy.
Also, gross. I know that Negan has Alpha's head in the bag. I wonder how Rick's going to react to that. I have a feeling he's going to freak the fuck out.
As for Beta, he can fuck off for all I care. The guy's just a damn prick. If he think he and his people are going to take on Rick's people and win, he's delusional.
Both sides will have tremendous loss, but Rick and his people will always win. That's what makes him such a good character to set the series around.
Well, the talk between Negan, Rick and Andrea isn't going well for Negan. I felt like Negan was too eager to take the deal that Rick offered. I can't help feeling suspicious.
I like the conversation between Rick and Dwight. And I agree with what Rick said. They put together an army to defend the place and when the Whisperers fall back to regroup, kill them all.
I'm glad that Dwight agreed to work with Negan. I just hope that he doesn't end up being right and Negan kills him and a whole bunch of others.
Aww, I really like Jesus and Aaron together. And Alex saying that he thought Aaron and Jesus should get together, was awesome. I'm glad they're all getting along.
I like that Michonne told Carl and Lydia to stay back and help protect Maggie and the others. I get the feeling that the Whisperers aren't just going to attack Rick's group. They're going to attack all the communities.
I like Dwight's plan and hope that Negan doesn't say or do anything to screw it up. Though I get the feeling that that's exactly what's going to happen.
The conversation between the two men from the Kingdom has me worried. The one who was bitching the whole time might try to attack Michonne or Rick.
Yeah, so Eugene's radio friend makes me think that she and HER group will turn out to be evil. I don't know. I just have a bad feeling about that woman and her people.
Andrea and Rick always make me laugh. I like their conversations. I'm glad that Andrea always knows the right thing to say to Rick to assure him that he's doing the right thing.
Oh man. That pile that looked like zombies. Wonder if it was zombies, or if it was just a bunch of the Whisperers. I just hope that things don't go too badly for everyone.
Love this issue and can't wait to read the next one.
The whole conversation with Dwight and Negan, had me agreeing with Dwight. I don't trust Negan at all. He's really just not a good guy at all. Negan's attachment to Lucille is downright creepy.
Also, gross. I know that Negan has Alpha's head in the bag. I wonder how Rick's going to react to that. I have a feeling he's going to freak the fuck out.
As for Beta, he can fuck off for all I care. The guy's just a damn prick. If he think he and his people are going to take on Rick's people and win, he's delusional.
Both sides will have tremendous loss, but Rick and his people will always win. That's what makes him such a good character to set the series around.
Well, the talk between Negan, Rick and Andrea isn't going well for Negan. I felt like Negan was too eager to take the deal that Rick offered. I can't help feeling suspicious.
I like the conversation between Rick and Dwight. And I agree with what Rick said. They put together an army to defend the place and when the Whisperers fall back to regroup, kill them all.
I'm glad that Dwight agreed to work with Negan. I just hope that he doesn't end up being right and Negan kills him and a whole bunch of others.
Aww, I really like Jesus and Aaron together. And Alex saying that he thought Aaron and Jesus should get together, was awesome. I'm glad they're all getting along.
I like that Michonne told Carl and Lydia to stay back and help protect Maggie and the others. I get the feeling that the Whisperers aren't just going to attack Rick's group. They're going to attack all the communities.
I like Dwight's plan and hope that Negan doesn't say or do anything to screw it up. Though I get the feeling that that's exactly what's going to happen.
The conversation between the two men from the Kingdom has me worried. The one who was bitching the whole time might try to attack Michonne or Rick.
Yeah, so Eugene's radio friend makes me think that she and HER group will turn out to be evil. I don't know. I just have a bad feeling about that woman and her people.
Andrea and Rick always make me laugh. I like their conversations. I'm glad that Andrea always knows the right thing to say to Rick to assure him that he's doing the right thing.
Oh man. That pile that looked like zombies. Wonder if it was zombies, or if it was just a bunch of the Whisperers. I just hope that things don't go too badly for everyone.
Love this issue and can't wait to read the next one.
December 28, 2016
I do not like this ''WAR'' episodes or stories, but I must admit this one is much different than the ones with Governor and Negan.
August 6, 2016
Ah.. and it finally starts here.
Whisperer War Part 1.
I have to say.. I would give this one 2 stars because from the looks of it... Rick... well is not gonna be involved much in it. I hate of what he slowly becomes. Like he's an old man or something. Sure, he's absolutely beat up, walking with a damn crane, no hand and he's barely doing anything at all besides giving orders. And that's just SAD.
IF.. all of this shit that's happening is for The Walking Dead to be a comic that I'll have to read about Dwight's and Jesus' and Michonne's badass action-packed moments.. then all of it is going to ruins faster than I thought.
Rick Kirkman. RICK. We can't watch the main protagonist be a secondary character who says do this and do that and what should I do? Have I made the right decision? This is what's been happening this far with Rick and nothing else. All the tension and fun is long gone.
Yeah, the new arc sounds nice, yeah, the Whisperers ever since they showed up, I couldn't wait to see what happens and it was a really smart and fresh idea to bring to the series, but where's Rick's involvement? Rick has become the old man who yells "get off my lawn" tells his kid to do this and not do that and at the end of the day not much else is going on for him.
Sad.
I hope it gets better. For Rick.
PS. Negan is still awesome.
Whisperer War Part 1.
I have to say.. I would give this one 2 stars because from the looks of it... Rick... well is not gonna be involved much in it. I hate of what he slowly becomes. Like he's an old man or something. Sure, he's absolutely beat up, walking with a damn crane, no hand and he's barely doing anything at all besides giving orders. And that's just SAD.
IF.. all of this shit that's happening is for The Walking Dead to be a comic that I'll have to read about Dwight's and Jesus' and Michonne's badass action-packed moments.. then all of it is going to ruins faster than I thought.
Rick Kirkman. RICK. We can't watch the main protagonist be a secondary character who says do this and do that and what should I do? Have I made the right decision? This is what's been happening this far with Rick and nothing else. All the tension and fun is long gone.
Yeah, the new arc sounds nice, yeah, the Whisperers ever since they showed up, I couldn't wait to see what happens and it was a really smart and fresh idea to bring to the series, but where's Rick's involvement? Rick has become the old man who yells "get off my lawn" tells his kid to do this and not do that and at the end of the day not much else is going on for him.
Sad.
I hope it gets better. For Rick.
PS. Negan is still awesome.
March 5, 2020
In the first of the six part arc The Whisperer's War we devote first issue to planning and preparation for the war. It's no wonder The Walking Dead is a legendary series, it truly deserves all the praise it can get. I love The Walking Dead and it's style. It's wonderful and I love the journey taken with Rick and the group as they roam the wasteland in search of life and stability.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
September 16, 2016
Call to arms
Everyone is rallying. Rick is seeking out more allies. He's keeping both eyes on Negan. He misses being in the fray-Rick is older,walks with a cane, the years haven't been kind to him. Carl and Lydia want to be apart of the action,but Maggie and Andrea don't want them involved and I don't blame them. Carl is too smitten and blinded by Lydia who I get bad vibes from. Dwight,Michonne, and the others warrior up once again, ready for action.
Everyone is rallying. Rick is seeking out more allies. He's keeping both eyes on Negan. He misses being in the fray-Rick is older,walks with a cane, the years haven't been kind to him. Carl and Lydia want to be apart of the action,but Maggie and Andrea don't want them involved and I don't blame them. Carl is too smitten and blinded by Lydia who I get bad vibes from. Dwight,Michonne, and the others warrior up once again, ready for action.
August 5, 2016
Glad to see that Rick is giving Negan a chance. Don't get me wrong. It's totally possible that Negan could be planning something really bad. But having Rick lock him up again would've been repetitive. Glad this is going somewhere. Can't wait to see how they continue fighting the Whisperers now that Alpha is gone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2017
Ill be the first to admit not a lot happened in this issue but its still getting 5 stars from me.The writing is top notch and i love that we get issues like this where things are way more dialogue based then action based.The tension is really heating up.The Whisper War is about to begin and frankly im scared to death at who we may lose in this war.
October 12, 2016
I have no idea if Negan is being remotely sincere, but if his stated intentions are at all true, this is actually a lot more intriguing than his previous role. It also seems pretty clear that the overall state of play is going to be radically altered very soon...!
October 23, 2016
Negan comes back with the head of Alpha, leader of the Whisperers to gain trust from Rick. Rick let's him remain free. The Whisperers War has just begun, as a large herd of walkers head towards Alexiandria....
August 24, 2016
¡Que comience la guerra!
August 7, 2016
This could get interesting!
August 3, 2016
Now the war begins...
August 4, 2016
Very nice start to the whisper war. I think the artwork in 157 was fantastic.
August 4, 2016
Oh Negan, What is your plan??? That reach for Lucille...
THEY ARE COMING!!!!!!
This is going to be good.
THEY ARE COMING!!!!!!
This is going to be good.
August 21, 2016
Quite liking the 16-panel grid layout! Good story, too.
September 6, 2016
3.5 stars. Ready for the war
October 16, 2016
Rick: “We are safe, and we are doing everything in our power to remain safe. There is no cause for worry”.
Hmmm honey, the issue is called "The Whisperer War. Part 1 of 6.
Hmmm honey, the issue is called "The Whisperer War. Part 1 of 6.
October 26, 2016
You can read my review on my blog at Once Upon A Book
November 4, 2016
I'm really intrigued to find out if Negan is being sincere or not.
Rick continues with the false hope; while the Whisperers make their way to group.
Rick continues with the false hope; while the Whisperers make their way to group.
January 4, 2017
Preparations are underway for the Whisperer threat and Rick gains a very unlikely ally.
January 19, 2017
could be a decent setup or could be a pointless issue. we'll see
August 5, 2016
Shits about to get real...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews