The Walking Dead Volume 7: The Calm Before [Paperback]

Robert Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD stands as one of the greatest horror comic books (arguably THE greatest) ever printed. The theme has been done before (zombies taking over the world - a few humans fighting to survive in the post-apocalyptic world), but never has a horror comic served up such an epic tale of humanity, the undead as well as the good and evil, strength and weakness that lie within the (beating) hearts of the characters. Unlike George Romero's : NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, readers are treated to the long term reality of zombie infestation. The relationships that develop between the surviving humans (love, jealously, fear and hope) are not simple 2-dimensional designs - to the reader, these characters live and breathe, and we celebrate their struggle, and mourn every single passing. My highest of recommendations to all potential readers - you will not be disappointed with this amazing graphic novel.

Other Recommendations:

ZOMBIE FACTORY:
Zombie Factory: 27 Tales of Bizarre Comix Madness from Beyond the Tomb

THE ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE:
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead

ESCAPE OF THE LIVING DEAD:
Escape Of The Living Dead Volume 1

I realize this is the review for Volume Seven of The Walking Dead series; however, can there be anything good coming in volume eight when the title of the seventh chapter is The Calm Before? Robert Kirkman takes an entire chapter to lull his readers into a bit of complacency. Perhaps he is trying to get his readers to experience the idea he is driving home in this volume: sit in safety long enough and you will forget how to protect yourself.

The lack of good times and warm moments seems all the more pronounced by the almost overwhelmingly good feelings provided here by things like a small wedding, and of course, the ultimate antithesis of death: birth. That's not to say there aren't some bad moments. Another chapter falls, one loses a leg. Kirkman has established his mythos by now, A bite like the one that claims 'Roger" in Dawn of the Dead is not a death sentence in Kirkman's world.

As has been the case throughout, the characters in this saga act in very real, very identifiable ways. The insecurities and uncertainties in all of us are manifested by the small band of survivors. Their beauty, and the power of this series comes from their `realness'. The Calm Before exposes the frailties more definitely and does an excellent job of setting the reader. It's the thrill of sitting in a dark movie theater, knowing something is going to jump out...then it does and you STILL jump. That is the last three pages of volume seven.

The last page is a return to the gut-wrenching, aggravating cliff hanger. This is the one that leaves you furious. Fortunately, those of you reading these reviews have the option of having chapter eight just a page away (if you own the hardcover compendium) or sitting beside you.

For those of you new to this series, I challenge you to just wait twenty-four hours. Savor the anguish of those inside the prison fence, living in their false security. Then...grab volume eight and quench your thirst for The Walking Dead.

This serie is amazing, well written, well drawn. Perfect atmosphere, its easy to identify yourself with the main characters. When the gruesome thing happened to the main character in vol.6 i could not help myself getting mad at the guy who did it. That explains my 5-star rating. Perfect material for a rainy sunday-afternoon with a bottle of pepsi and potato-chips.