owlyreadsalot's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
alexandr1ne's review
5.0
This was sick. It's hard to believe how tame the TV adaptation is in comparison, and I'm saying that as a fan. (Well, a fan of seasons 1-6, anyway, and even then I have my reservations, but I digress.) TV-Governor is a kitten compared to his comic-book counterpart.
I'm someone that enjoys optimism in my fiction. Or, more accurately, I don't believe that pessimism necessarily = realism. I don't think 'human nature' is an objective, scientific, quantifiable thing, for infinite reasons: nature versus nurture, we're all products of our environment, we all contain multitudes, etc, etc. And media that is grimdark just for the sake of being, well, grim and dark, and which posits that this is somehow the essence of humankind - it's not what I gravitate towards, that's for sure.
Yet, for some reason, I loved this. I could not believe how shocking it was. Genuinely, the shit that's in here could not make it onto television. Particularly not American television, where sex and gore is fine and dandy, but the f-bomb is a no-no. That's because this wasn't just a gore-fest; this was a shocking, disturbing slideshow of some of the most depraved parts of humanity. Even more shocking than the absolute torture porn this contains was how much I enjoyed it. I mean, I tore through this thing, and I'm already itching to start Compendium Two. It's some of the best that the slasher-horror genre has to offer, in any medium.
Don't get me wrong. The Walking Dead has its problems, and there are aspects I think were improved upon tenfold in the show, not least of which is the handling of almost all its female characters. It also added some much-needed depth in places the comics lacked, though the comics certainly have their own nuances, too. But it's also clear that the kernel which grew a great, compelling horror story is firmly rooted right here, in the source material.
('Shocking' count: 3)
I'm someone that enjoys optimism in my fiction. Or, more accurately, I don't believe that pessimism necessarily = realism. I don't think 'human nature' is an objective, scientific, quantifiable thing, for infinite reasons: nature versus nurture, we're all products of our environment, we all contain multitudes, etc, etc. And media that is grimdark just for the sake of being, well, grim and dark, and which posits that this is somehow the essence of humankind - it's not what I gravitate towards, that's for sure.
Yet, for some reason, I loved this. I could not believe how shocking it was. Genuinely, the shit that's in here could not make it onto television. Particularly not American television, where sex and gore is fine and dandy, but the f-bomb is a no-no. That's because this wasn't just a gore-fest; this was a shocking, disturbing slideshow of some of the most depraved parts of humanity. Even more shocking than the absolute torture porn this contains was how much I enjoyed it. I mean, I tore through this thing, and I'm already itching to start Compendium Two. It's some of the best that the slasher-horror genre has to offer, in any medium.
Don't get me wrong. The Walking Dead has its problems, and there are aspects I think were improved upon tenfold in the show, not least of which is the handling of almost all its female characters. It also added some much-needed depth in places the comics lacked, though the comics certainly have their own nuances, too. But it's also clear that the kernel which grew a great, compelling horror story is firmly rooted right here, in the source material.
('Shocking' count: 3)
ronsos's review
4.0
So. Many. Zombies.
This is a pretty straightforward zombie apocalypse tale. I wasn't really looking for yet another telling of that type of story, but this is really well done. Insight into the human condition and all of that.
This is a pretty straightforward zombie apocalypse tale. I wasn't really looking for yet another telling of that type of story, but this is really well done. Insight into the human condition and all of that.
ohmariagilbert's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Never seen the show but comic is super entertaining!
pinotandprose's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Gore, Sexual content, Rape, Racial slurs, Murder, Suicide, Racism, and Sexual assault
blackbird9805's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alice_digest's review
3.0
I was given this hefty beast to read by my Boyfriend as part of the "essential" pile of reading he collected for me. Seriously this book is so heavy.. not one for carrying around. I did watch some of the TV series but was never hugely into it and check out after season one. I'd always been curious about the comic books, as I knew there were some differences between page and screen. Firstly, I did enjoy reading this much more than I enjoyed the TV series. Mainly because most of the most annoying characters get killed off in the comics! What a relief. Secondly.. I'm not sure I get all the hype over this.. It was OK, entertaining enough but my interest really did waver as a I ploughed my way through the pages.
I think the main issue I have is how repetitive it gets. It is just a cycle of them finding a new place to live, thinking they are safe, and then finding out things are worse than ever.. and one of the main ones (at least) gets killed off. And repeat. Ok yes I suppose that is the reality of the life they all have to lead now.. all they have to do it survive but.. it wasn't lighting my fire. The stuff with the Governor towards the end of this collection was action packed and I suppose more "interesting" but I also found it so incredibly dark that I found it really hard to read. I just didn't like the scenes with the rape at all (I know it's not meant to be fun to read those bits but I found it really upsetting) and the implications about what was going on with his daughter.. I wasn't enjoyable for me to read about. It's not often that I get upset, and I wouldn't call myself sensitive, but that really got to me.
The other issue is that I don't particularly care about any of the characters. I'm not emotionally invested in anybody so it's hard to get excited when they're repeatedly threatened. I'm not sure why I didn't get attached (not even to little Carl really, poor little bugger). I should care about Rick perhaps but he's a bit of a bossy control-freak and he can be a jerk. I suppose I found the more interesting characters hard to like. I mean like Michonne, she's super tough and awesome but.. also kind of a massive bitch so I just didn't like her much. And of course the more difficult and pressurised the situation got the more everybody starts to crack and behave more erratically until I felt like I was just reading about a load of crazy people who'd probably end up killing each other if nobody else got there first.
I know I'm being really negative but I actually didn't hate it. Parts of it were really entertaining. I just didn't love it. I wanted to love it, and kind of expected to love it.. but I was disappointed. My expectations were probably too high. Maybe I shouldn't have gone from The Sandman to this! I don't know if I'll read Compendium two.. I'll possibly be persuaded to some time in the future!
I think the main issue I have is how repetitive it gets. It is just a cycle of them finding a new place to live, thinking they are safe, and then finding out things are worse than ever.. and one of the main ones (at least) gets killed off. And repeat. Ok yes I suppose that is the reality of the life they all have to lead now.. all they have to do it survive but.. it wasn't lighting my fire. The stuff with the Governor towards the end of this collection was action packed and I suppose more "interesting" but I also found it so incredibly dark that I found it really hard to read. I just didn't like the scenes with the rape at all (I know it's not meant to be fun to read those bits but I found it really upsetting) and the implications about what was going on with his daughter.. I wasn't enjoyable for me to read about. It's not often that I get upset, and I wouldn't call myself sensitive, but that really got to me.
The other issue is that I don't particularly care about any of the characters. I'm not emotionally invested in anybody so it's hard to get excited when they're repeatedly threatened. I'm not sure why I didn't get attached (not even to little Carl really, poor little bugger). I should care about Rick perhaps but he's a bit of a bossy control-freak and he can be a jerk. I suppose I found the more interesting characters hard to like. I mean like Michonne, she's super tough and awesome but.. also kind of a massive bitch so I just didn't like her much. And of course the more difficult and pressurised the situation got the more everybody starts to crack and behave more erratically until I felt like I was just reading about a load of crazy people who'd probably end up killing each other if nobody else got there first.
I know I'm being really negative but I actually didn't hate it. Parts of it were really entertaining. I just didn't love it. I wanted to love it, and kind of expected to love it.. but I was disappointed. My expectations were probably too high. Maybe I shouldn't have gone from The Sandman to this! I don't know if I'll read Compendium two.. I'll possibly be persuaded to some time in the future!
jennajak's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nathaniel_1206's review
5.0
Horror works best if the author is not too attached to the characters, but at the same time able and willing to make sure the audience is connected to them. This is why The Walking Dead works. Kirkman takes the time to make sure the audience builds a comfort level with the characters, maybe even affection, then he lowers the boom. Its quite an effective boom. I didn't expect the events of the last issue. I expected Kirkman to want to hold on to certain obvious characters. To a certain extent he did, perhaps only for continuity's sake, but he offed other characters I had thought untouchable. The sense of unknown and danger permeate the story. Even when the characters seem to have found relative safety, Kirkman still finds ways to include the sense of danger.
I am not a fan of Zombie/Horror books. This is the first Kirkman I've ever read, and this is really terrific stuff. It's entertaining, funny in parts, touching, disgusting, terrifying, with characters who aren't perfect, and you're opinion of them changes over the course of the story. I was very impressed. Recommended.
I am not a fan of Zombie/Horror books. This is the first Kirkman I've ever read, and this is really terrific stuff. It's entertaining, funny in parts, touching, disgusting, terrifying, with characters who aren't perfect, and you're opinion of them changes over the course of the story. I was very impressed. Recommended.