Greg Reviews ‘The Walking Dead’

Read Time:3 Minute, 24 Second

My esteemed publisher, Michael J. Scott, recently posted on Facebook his new found love for The Walking Dead, an AMC television show. I had to chuckle a little bit, mostly because I wanted to ask him, “Where have you been? Living under a rock?”   The Walking Dead has been on for two seasons, and the comic book has been around for longer than that in its original format. In fact, it has done something very few series have been able to do in the last ten years-it recently published its 100th issue.

Pic from tvlicious.com
Pic from tvlicious.com

For those of you who have never heard of this landmark series, let me fill you in on the basic plot: Georgia Deputy Rick Grimes was shot in the line of duty and fell into a coma, only to wake up in an abandoned hospital. Stumbling on weakened legs, he discovers that it’s not just a case of nurses falling asleep on the job. The hospital, and the surrounding area have been overrun by zombies. Making his way back to his home, he finds it equally empty and his family gone, with no idea what happened to them. Eventually, he meets a fellow survivor and his son, who tell him what he’s missed. A zombie plague has wiped out human civilization and what remains is a day-to-day existence where you have to hide or fight to stay alive. This is a world where human comfort no longer exists; no television, no computers, and no cellphones. After arming himself, Rick sets out to find his missing family, or die trying.

There is more to the story than that brief synopsis of course, but if I said more, I’d be blowing some of the surprises. The Walking Dead isn’t just another zombie tale, it’s also an analysis of what makes us human; of how far we are willing to go, not only to survive, but to simply retain our humanity in the face of an inhuman world. What Rick faces will force him to confront his darkest fears and nightmares, and in the end, will what he encounters change him? If you’ve seen the series up to this point, then you already know some of the answers to those questions, and if you’re smart enough to have read the comic up to now, you’ll see how much Rick has changed, and it’s not all for the better.

Although the television show is first-rate, the comic book is by far and away, superior. It kind of makes the show seem watered down, in my opinion. I don’t read the single issues- I read the trade editions that come out every six months or so. Whenever one comes out, I buy it, race home, and mind-gobble it up like a fat kid with a gift card at 31 Flavors. Sorry, I know that’s a horrible and insensitive analogy, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

The advantage to reading the series is that it takes place far in advance of where the show is, and though there are a few differences, such as (SPOILER ALERT!) Dale dying earlier than he was supposed to. But that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Being a life-long comic book geek, there are few series that I have enjoyed as much as The Walking Dead. If you’re not watching the show, you should be slapped. If you’re not reading the comic book, you need a good ass-kicking.

That being the case, Mike said that he ‘didn’t have the time to read the comic.’ I guess that means I need to fly down to Georgia and give him a good, swift kick in the rear. You think?

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About Post Author

Gregory B. Gonzalez

Gregory B. Gonzalez is an angry black man who isn't actually black. No, really- he told us to say that! His parents once had him tested for Tourette's, but when the doctor came back with his results, he said, "No, he's fine. Your son is just an a**hole!" It's been downhill ever since. He lives like the Unabomber, only without the explosives. Feel free to contact him provided you can actually locate him. Just keep in mind that he'll probably make fun of you to your face. We here at MMA can't stand him, so if you want him, he's all yours!
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11 years ago

AnonymousNot- Aww…. shucks! You’re making me blush with all this praise! Now just because I’m the shiny new toy here at MMA, don’t forget that we have a stable of great writers to read from! And yeah, I LOVE THE WALKING DEAD, too!

AnonymousNot
11 years ago

What a great thread and great review Greg. Love your stuff dude….and LOVE The Walking Dead!

11 years ago

Bill, if Alabama football had zombies, I’d probably be watching that, too! =)

Bill Formby
Reply to  greg gonzalez
11 years ago

lol Greg. I’ll keep you up with Alabama football and you keep me up with the zombies. Deal?

Reply to  Bill Formby
11 years ago

Deal!!!

Reply to  greg gonzalez
11 years ago

LOL LOL LOL!!! Roll Zombie Tide Roll….

Bill Formby
11 years ago

I think I will simply trust the judgement of you and Mike on this Greg. I am not into the zombie thing or the whole zombie virus phenom. For the most part I am trying to cut back on my TV time and increase my time with my grand kids and outside with my dog. As it is I spend so much time tethered to my computer working for two schools or running up and down the road on my consulting gig that the only TV time I want to spend has to be mindless drivel that requires no brain activity at all. American Dad, Family Guy, and South Park all get recorded along with such drivel as Mega Shark, Sharktapus, and Piranha.No real plot, no characters to keep up with, just silliness to let my mind unwind before falling asleep.

Reply to  Bill Formby
11 years ago

This is one of those shows Bill. No thinking required, which is why I love it.

Bill Formby
Reply to  Professor Mike
11 years ago

I don’t know. Sounds like Greg is all up into the thing. That I don’t need. I am fanatical enough about Alabama Football. That’s all I need.

Jason
11 years ago

The Walking Dead was something I found on a whim when season 1 was going to start. I had missed episode 1, but thanks to on demand, was able to watch it. I was hooked from the first scene on. To me, it is the single best show on tv. (I want to give a swift kick in the ass to the people who run the golden globes for not giving a nomination to the walking dead, that really has me pissed). I don’t have cable anymore, but I am hoping a for a miracle in February that maybe we get it back….at least for 3-4 months so I can see the second half of season 3. I hate to admit, I have never read the comic. When I first saw the show, I wanted too, still do. The problem, my local store can’t keep it in stock. I am on a budget, I can’t go get everything the day it comes out, that screws me over with the comic. I would prefer to get the anthology books myself, as the comics do tend to get tore up really easilly if you don’t have the boards and plastic covers. If I were to have one thing that has vaulted to the top of my bucket list, it is that I really want to play a walker on the show. I would be tempted to give my right arm up for that…..lol. I agree with your review, and I find it very interesting that of the 10+ million viewers, 4+ million…..are women. So, if you are a woman, this show has much to offer for you as well as men. (a critically acclaimed sitcom, modern family, has less viewers than The Walking Dead, another little factoid.)

lincoln82
11 years ago

Did anyone see the last episode of season 3, at least the last one so far? Unbelievable cliff hanger! Now I can’t wait until mid February when they return.

Dale Fisk
11 years ago

It’s just fun entertainment, but it does actually carry some important messages, but like Mike I want to be entertained so I try to ignore the social redeeming value stuff 🙂

Peter Lake
11 years ago

Great review Greg, and I can’t believe Mike hadn’t watched it earlier. I’ve been yapping about it for a couple of years now. The Walking Dead is the best man.

11 years ago

I don’t understand the obsession with zombies. There are people who seriously believe they are real and prepare for the zombie apocalypse.

This must be a symptom of something in the American psyche, escapism or something darker.

I have to remember the words of Albert Einstein though, “Never attribute evil intent to that which can be accounted for by simple stupidity.”

Not necessarily you, Mike and Greg, regarding it as entertainment or a medium for another message is not the same as being a zombie-fearing wacko.

Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

James- what makes you think I don’t have a machete in my closet? Besides, I live across the street from a cemetery. I’m at ground zero for the zombie apocalypse!

anonymous
11 years ago

I’m not a zombie fan normally but when I checked this series out, on a lark, I couldn’t stop watching and before I knew series one and two and half of three were behind me. This show is different from what you would think, and I recommend it as well. Good review man but screw the comics. I want live action…. 🙂

Reply to  anonymous
11 years ago

Anonymous- reading actually makes you smarter. Watching all that tv will rot you brain! =P

Admin
11 years ago

OK. Let’s be clear: I never said I hadn’t heard of the show, or the novels, or even the comics for that matter. Of course I had, but I hadn’t gotten around to watching the TV series. When I did I was blown away. Highly recommended.

Reply to  Professor Mike
11 years ago

“JOOOOOOIIIIIINNNNN USSSSSSSS, MMMMMIIIIIIKEEEEE!!!! MMMMMMMMM……..BRRRRAAAAAAAIIIIIINS!!!!!!”

Reply to  greg gonzalez
11 years ago

LOL Greg!!

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