This is the BEST series I've read in a VERY long time. I waited a long time to pick this series up because the idea of a monthly "zombie" book didn't appeal to me very much. Plus, it was black and white and I didn't see what the big deal would be. But, after several people recommended it heavily and told me to give it a try, I finally started to come around. Then I started seeing the whispers of this being converted into a television show on AMC (slated for Fall of 2010) and would be directed/produced by one of my favorite directors, Frank Darabont. I couldn't very well refuse to give it a try if Mr. Darabont himself was going to be involved in a series. So I picked up the compendium and started in. It is immediately addictive! Kirkman's writing is so conversational, its easy to skip right over the artwork and that would be a mistake! The artwork is great! The artist(s) changed between some of the chapters but the feel of the book remains constant throughout and the artwork gets even better as the book goes along! Its as if the team gets into the groove and create seamless scenes and dialogue spots and action points without ever looking disconnected. That's difficult to do without color! The greatest thing about this series (not just this one compendium) is that its ongoing. It doesn't just show you a slice of life in the middle of a zombie apocalypse as so many movies have done in years past. Instead, this shows us what we would probably do if it really happened! The human interactions are the best and there are so many emotional moments that the book becomes hard to read at times. There is attachment to these characters and their quest for survival. Hats off to Kirkman, Adlard, Moore, Rathburn and Wooton. These guys have put together an AMAZING, heartfelt, emotional, gory, disgusting series and I can't wait for more (and I can't wait for the television series!!)!!Read full review
I became entrenched with the the TV series. After each show, I would have email discussions with a friend of mine dissecting each scene. Towards the end of the first season, he told me it was based on a comic book series. I was shocked! I thought comics were for kids and a story line so complex could never be based on a comic book. I had never read a comic before and through my friends encouragement I gave it a try. He suggested the Compendium instead of the individual comics or the book collections. I ordered it through Ebay and once it arrived, I couldn't put it down until it was finished. I loved it! The Compendium and TV story lines are close but different enough that it was exciting. Some different characters, mixed story lines, and different twists made both highly enjoyable. The way it was written and drawn, I felt like I was right there with them fighting off the walkers. If you have never read a comic before like me, you must give this one a try. You'll be hooked like me and can't wait until Compendium 2 is released. It was my first read into comics and you know they say that you never forget your first!Read full review
A HEFTY BOOK!!! - I'm a BIG fan of both Kirkman & the dead tv series (who isn't these days, am I right?). I purchased this book on a whim - I'm more of a comic and pulp kind of reader, someone who likes to do his reading in bed right before sleepytime. That said, this is NOT the best book to read lying down!! Weighing in at almost 5 pounds (my postal scale read 4 pounds 12 ounces), it's a challenge to keep it positioned on my chest while reading in bed on my back! Not a BIG problem in general, but if you're like me and enjoy reading a good read (and this is a crazy good read!!) in bed before nodding off, it's something to be considered.
An amazing compendium from this lengthy series. As always, zombie stories are not about the zombies themselves, but the survivors and their loss of humanity which seems to come with the desire to survive at all costs. While the television show is entertaining, these stories are filled with heart pounding action. Like the fear of what will jump out of the darkness in most scary stories, the turn of each page brings actions which terrify you and make you glad you are only reading a book. Believable characters in an otherwise impossible situation... at least I pray it is impossible, because the zombies are the least of our worries. I bought three of these and gave them to my relatives for Christmas 2010, because nothing says "Christmas" like Zombie stories. Happy Holidays Everyone!
I think that The Walking Dead Compendium easily had the potential to be a 5 star book. The premise is incredibly interesting and the characters draw you in immediately from the outset. Action is in abundance as well as drama and twists and turns. It will definitely hold your attention as there are not many periods of the story where time just simply passes by and the characters are sitting around. Unfortunately, I think this also works against the story in some ways. The author almost feels as though there always has to be some sort of shock or some sort of action, no matter what. Initially, it is understandable that the characters experience hardship and that this new zombie epidemic makes people do some pretty bad things. Unfortunately, at around halfway through the book, the author seems to have the desire to bludgeon the reader and main characters with exaggerated punishments of all kinds. I know that this is a comic book, but a large component of what makes it entertaining is that the characters feel real and behave in a realistic manner. One other gripe is the artist change part of the way through the book. I enjoy the cartoony style of the original artist. The second artist, Charlie Adlard, is simply terrible. There are numerous moments where I could not tell characters apart. One thing you'll notice when he takes over are the number of physical changes the characters take on. I think this is because there are many people out there who were unable to tell which character they are looking at, so the author had to add scars, hair changes, and various other alterations. Mr. Adlard's work improves eventually, but it takes a while.Read full review
This is something every zombie fan should have on the shelf. The basis for the AMC series THE WALKING DEAD, this compendium is even better, as a given. The t.v. series is nothing like it. There are a lot of major differences, but I can't argue with the show...still a great set of plots. I finished this very quickly...it will definitely leave you wanting more. It ends tragically, though, as can be expected. Robert Kirkman has said that in the first few books, Rick changes. Now I know why. Reading this may change how you think you'd survive the Z apocalypse....can't wait to read compendium 2!
After receiving the Compendium I was very surprised at how heavy and big the edition is. The storyline that was used for the AMC series "The Walking Dead" was what interested me in getting the compendium in the first place. The only thing I was disappointed in is that the comics/artwork inside is black and white. I'm not sure if that is how all compendiums are because this is the first one I have purchased, but if it were in color it would be even greater! All in all a great purchase to get caught up in the story to the graphic novels!
I, like many others, became interested in "The Walking Dead" when AMC made a series out of these comics. I have never read a comic before-- except the ones in the Sunday paper. However, this one has me hooked! You get the thrill of the zombie apocalypse tale while keeping the story centered on the characters and how they are coping. You just have to read it to fully understand how great this story is. If you're trying to decide whether or not to get it-- just do it. It's a great price and you will be... DYING... for more. Ha.
The flow and development of the story moves quicker than the show. Way better in my opinion. There are events that occur in the comic that simply can't be shown on TV. Great book. I'm almost done with the second...can't wait to see how this unfolds.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I can't wait for THE WALKING DEAD: COMPENDIUM 2!!! This first one is simply Awesome. You see unlike most Zombie movies that focus on the horror of being eaten, Walking Dead intead make that threat dangerous but puts it in the backdrop as the real stories involve the human dynamic among surviving groups and individuals and how they comingle in this post apocalyptic world. This book collects the first 48 issues and the series has gained a rep for its great story telling and has been nicknamed "the never ending zombie flick"
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