Discussion Winner
This month’s winner is BarbaLucy! We loved your take on Beta’s true identity, Dante’s rejection, and Eugene’s radio intel. Congrats!
THE WALKING DEAD issue #160 is out, and hopefully you’ve read it, cherished it, promised to love and to hold it from this day forward, for better, for worse, yadda yadda yadda, and are now DYING to talk about it. That almost certainly being the case, let us know what you thought down below! We’ll be awarding our favorite comment with a signed issue of THE WALKING DEAD #160!
PREVIOUSLY: Lucille is dead, broken in Negan’s beating of Beta. Though victorious, Dwight’s army will be overwhelmed by walkers, unless they use the Whisperers’ own tactics to survive. Meanwhile, Vincent marches back toward Alexandria alone after the Saviors rejected Rick’s call to arms.
I think Lydia shot the Whisperer in the head because she’s pregnant…and she knows how that group would take care of her baby.
Come on, we’ve all seen this coming!
Well… Pregnant or not, she chose a side, and now she’s a target for the Whisperers.
Definitely but I feel like something came over her. I thought she would have sided with them when she broke up with Carl last issue.
Same.
She’s been broken, abused, and raped at the hands of the Whisperers. Not even her own mother acted like a mother. I don’t think she needs to be pregnant to have a compelling reason to break rank and kill the Whisperers. She’s heard the stories from our survivors. She’s seen what they can do. She sees a world in which she can actually live instead of merely survive. Her being pregnant with Carl’s kid would be interesting… but if that comes to pass (which I don’t think it will) I don’t think she would know it yet. She’s breaking rank because she sees absolutely no reason to live like a Whisperer anymore and every reason to live like a human being.
You bring up a good point! Robert did say “Stay tuned” when asked about if Carl will be a dad so I think we all know that plot point is inevitable. To me, this just seemed like a good time to introduce it before the end of the war and set up something new to come. But you’re right, there’s no sure fire way she would know unless of course she stole a pregnancy test…which there have been no signs of.
You know shit is going to hit the fan when Rick has his Jacket back. And it hit the fan hard and on fire.
So my prediction was true, Beta actually split his forces. Oh, poor Hilltop, this is the end, they are outnumbered. And poor rejected Dante, I feel that his time is coming.
Meanwhile, Beta is going to storm Alexandria. I hope that Negan is ready for the rematch!
Thumbs up to Lydia, though.
I loved this issue! When, Lydia shot the Whisperer I got more excited then a teen girl at a, Justin Bieber concert. Ever since she joined, Rick’s group I have been suspicious of her but now I think she’s with them… I hope haha
Which teen-ager had better chance of killing Negan? Lydia for revenge or Carl who repeatedly promised Negan that he will kill him
I mean, Lydia may have broken poor baby Carls heart, but at least shes on his side! Im nervous to see whether or not the hilltop will fall. It will definitely be very different after this issue if it does not. I love how now that everyone has somewhat settled down for some time, and some aspects of “The Hearts Desire” can be seen flowing throughout the group(s). Love every bit of this comic!
Carl looked terrified in those panels but God, the relief he must have felt as he patted himself down, realizing he was fine. And now he’s rushed into a burning building to help save Sophia (and Hershel Jr., I guess). I *need* to see the outcome of that.
Loved this issue! It’s getting intense! My heart was pounding. The Glenn mention was fitting, considering we just suffered his loss, again, on the TV show. I also finally have a reason to like Lydia. And if Hershel dies, we riot! I’m definitely scared for Hilltop.
I thought it was amazing, definitely one of my favorite story arcs in the series.
Letter Hacks mention, that they are going to do something, what they haven’t done in a while… Damn, better be safe, Hershel!
I agree baby Hershel better be safe. When I saw that in the letter hacks I thought the same thing. Let’s just hope this prediction is wrong.
I thought the letter hack mention was the destruction of a community
I was thinking death of a MAJOR Survivor.
Another amazing issue. And no Negan. Although he’s my favourite, the comic is so rich with characters that giving him a break is no bad thing. Dwight continues to be a legend — his scene with Laura about why they won’t follow the lead of the whisperers is a stand-out.
– Beta’s face. Because he’s so tall, I can’t imagine he’s likely to be famous and scars aren’t all that significant if you’re wearing dead skin so what can his secret be?
– Another war starting before this one ends… I sort of hope there isn’t another war with the Saviours and if Sherry’s in charge, I can’t see direct conflict is her style. But I do think the dynamic among the groups is interesting. Really don’t like William at the Kingdom. But I’m pleased that the Sanctuary characters especially are getting fleshed out. I do feel like the time jump was a missed opportunity to get to know the characters, especially from the Kingdom with Michonne there.
If Sophia dies next month when she’s only been in a handful of the last sixty issues, I’m going to be disappointed. Her death should have a big impact but it’s difficult to feel that way when she’s been so under-utilised.
– I love Maggie’s response. I was worried we were going down the cliched “one person dies, the other regrets” but I don’t think we are — they’re both clear where they stand.
– Great ending with Lydia. I still find her difficult to like or root for much but that was a great “fuck yeah!”
– Great seeing more of Heath. I’ve never been a huge fan of his but he was quite a major player until the time jump and, since then, he’s been in the background.
– There are lots of great Hilltop characters so I’m worried for people like Earl.
5 weeks for the next one! And with Charlie Adlard now being the comics laureate (congrats, btw) I guess we’re not going to be having any double-shipping anytime soon. Argh!
I loved the issue especially with Carl being safe from the arrows shot from the whisperers. Seeing Michonne and Dwight sneak through the whisperers group and kill some was really exciting. But I predict that baby Hershel will die from the house being caught on fire I hope I’m wrong but the letter hacks fueled my prediction it’s been a while since a kid got killed off last time was Lori and her baby. Now I’m waiting for 161 keep up the amazing work.
STRESS. I AM STRESSED. I was not expecting a full-blown attack on Hilltop. This is crazy. I’m a little concerned about why Beta McTwoblades is obsessed with having his identity hidden. Man, I’m on to you. Carl and Maggie running into a burning building with no protection or hesitation = total hero status. I hope everyone makes it out unscathed somehow. And DAMN, Lydia. Glad to see she’s finally dedicated to protecting this community against her old group. Not sure I can fully trust her since she doesn’t know about her mother’s death yet, but her shooting that whisperer in the head had me like:
I thought the guy told her mother was dead
Ah, I just re-read. You’re right, he did. Then I trust her even more now! Hope she doesn’t blow it. Bring on 161.
IF YOU GUYS KILL BABY HERSHEL! I WILL RIOT! There’s all these shirts around saying “If Daryl dies we riot!” But no! That’s wrong!! IF BABY HERSHEL DIES WE RIOT!
Love this whole arc! I predict tough times for the next and last issue of the war. It seems to me like Dante is going to die to save Maggie and Herschel. Maggie never catches a break it seems. Love it guys!! Please pick me for the winner of the signed copy!!!!! Thanks
Michonne and Dwight took a stab at annihilating parts of the Whisperer herd, and they killed it! The Whisperers couldn’t bear to face bare-faced Beta, and they quickly shook their heads when asked about it so their heads wouldn’t be SHUKKED! Maggie shut down Dante by opening up about Glenn! The Hilltop was highlighted with fiery arrows in the sky! Heath and Vincent found out you can’t lead the Saviors to a slaughter, but you can make them cowardly shrink! Sophia must hurdle passed the fire like a matador to mush Hershel with a pacifier out the door! Lydia in the end BLAMMED the Whisperer, but who could begin to blame her?!
Man Robert sure knows how to hook a reader, this war is intense I underestimated the wisperers but boy have they proven to be ruthless. Can’t wait till the next issue until then thank God th3 show airs every week instead of every month because id that were the case id volunteer to be lucilled
That whole conversation with Dante… he could very well die in the next two issues, but I sure hope not. He’s pretty cool. From the letter hacks, they say they’re doing something they haven’t done in a while… while it seems obvious, I can only guess it means Hershel’s death (or, OR, an issue where mad characters die like issue 48… now that I think about it, it really seems like that… shit -_-)
EITHER WAY, CAN’T WAIT FOR ISSUE 61!
Oh, no more #48 please… Just imagine that, Sophia and Hershel are burnt to death, Hilltop residents are slaughtered/eaten/bitten, Carl and Lydia are dragging crying Maggie from burning Hilltop, while fatally wounded Dante and few others are holding the last stand against the herd and the Whisperers.
With two more issues to go, it’s obvious Robert Kirkman will ride into the december issue #161 like an amazing DEATH SANTA, handing out carnage from his writer’s bag of toys ensuring we all have a joyous holiday season, waiting for #162 to drop with some resolution and rebound…or dull thud as the Survivors get kicked to the curb and/or flee to Ohio. I dunno, what’s good about this comic is it’s unpredictable.
I’m still having trouble with the Narrative reveal of Beta’s face. I can’t remember anyone fleeing into the wild in the series we already know, so it has to be someone famous pre-apocalypse? A wrestler? Actor? Athlete? Harry Osbourne? Death Santa?
At times in the last two years the narrative of Walking Dead has felt really overloaded as it strained to fit everything in, and while sometimes the grid style feels constrictive on the artwork, the short narrative beats and small vignettes are really working in “The whisperer war” to both unify and propel the story. When the artwork explodes out of those constraints, like the panel with Carl and the flaming arrows, it punches powerfully.
Dwight man, you can take the boy out of the Sanctuary, but you can’t take the Sanctuary out of the boy. Harsh!
Yes I agree, we will riot if baby Hershel is killed! Also Sophia who has been through hell and back. Great issue, much as I love Negan, it was nice to have a Negan-free issue to cleanse the palate.
I think Beta has to be the weirdest person of all. “Did you see my face?” Well… knock knock puddin head! You can see most of it anyway since his walker mask is more like a Batman mask. What is the deal with that? Does he have an ironed face, which would put him in Negan’s camp at some point? Does he have other scars or tattoos? Or does he have nice high cheek bones which would have made him a fashion model before the dead started walking. Weird.
Since Maggie ( and Dante) got Sophia to watch Hershel so he could talk to her alone away from the kids, I bet she really flips out on him now. Whether or not the kids are killed, Dante was the reason she was not there keeping them safe. Poor guy! And after she just cut his ass off too! I heard the crash when his face fell after that “NO”.
Since the Hilltop is coming down what we really need to see Eugene’s radio friends. If they are indeed friends and are indeed real people and not Lori-phonites.
I am really worried about Hershel, but not so much Sophia because she is old enough to get out of the house herself. I really hope they get to Hershel in time! Please! Please! Please! don’t kill Hershel. Maggie would be CRUSHED, and he is the only thing that we have left of Glenn. On the other hand I am so glad Lydia is still on there side, I loved how she said that they were going to kill all the whisperers. That was sooooo Awesome!
This issue was really good. That last page made me like Lydia a lot more now that she appears to be fully with the Hilltop community. At first I wasn’t sure but I’m glad she killed that Whisperer. I liked the flaming arrow attack, that would be great to see on the TV show someday. Jeez I hope little Hershel and Sophia are okay.
That was not at all how I thought Lydia was going to react to her Mother’s death! Very surprised by that ending, well done.
As much as I don’t want to see it happen, I have a feeling that Maggie is going to die in the next issue..
Loved the issue, Surprised about Lydia.Great to see Michonne..Worried for Hilltop….Letter Hacks..Salt in the wounds, man…..
Thanks for the Glenn “moment”, this month…That was awesome..Looking forward to a big close to the end of the war..and nervous..and I really want to see Beta’s face, since he’s so worried about it.
Amazing issue! I love the pace at which things are now moving at, it seems like lately each issue offers such an unexpected twist that moves the story in such a compelling way. This issue was definitely worth the wait, we got to finally see Maggie bring up Glenn and where she stands on all of this affection from Dante (which in this series most likely means his demise is coming up), we got a better look at how the Whisperers operate strategically (and an awesome panel of archer Whisperers with bows and flaming arrows), and the Carl/Lydia arc is definitely a highlight this month. It seemed like Lydia was gearing for her inevitable return to the Whisperers so i’m glad we finally got to see where she stands after hearing about the death of her mother (also it was just so satisfying to see Carl running towards the danger wearing classic Rick style trench coat). With this much awesome it’s going to be hard to top next month, can’t wait for the next issue 🙂
Dear Lydia…
I take it all back.
I was truly worried about which side she would choose for this war, but I think she is safely on the side of sanity and will fight for her Carl. Or at least die trying. It is not clear how close to the front of that battle she is (the Whisperer she killed could have just stepped out of the herd to grab her).
Keep up the good work, kid.
Now, about that attack: Only one spot was chosen, and even though there are differences and mistrust between the groups, this is the time for them to get their heads together and fight. The Whisperers have bows and flaming arrows; the communities have guns and ammo (should be a straightforward fight, right? Right?).
And Negan is nowhere to be seen.
Let us pray he does not prey.
Well done, lads!
Summarize the Whisperers’ plan to defeat the hilltop in one word or less:
I miss Negan.
I don’t think anyone is going to make it out of the hiltop. it’s pretty much over for all these Characters,
Rip Earl, Dante, Maggie, Lydia ect…
Carl might be safe tho…
also that Dante rejection tho…
In the end Dante is going to need more then one burn heal.
Dear Mr. Kirkman
If I ever become a Walker, I vow to eat all your enemies… But only if I win that signed issue #160.
Your friend – NinjaFysh
I can’t wait to see what happens after this attack! I’m prety sure each community will be attacked and will have to be saved by those already outside. Hoping to also see William develop further as The Kingdom’s leader and prove himself worthy through protection. Maybe Negan will finally take the oppurtunity to attack Rick if they get trapped together in Alexandria as it is under attack? I’m on board for anything that happens as long as I get to see Rick or Carl in a Whisperer mask!
Thank you for the amazing stories!
Dear Robert Kirkman, (Yeah, your like the god of comic books.) If Lydia is pregnant (which like everyone is freaking out about) and Coral..I mean Carl is the father..do you think he will tell Rick or just keep it a secret. Also, Dante got friendzoned by Maggie I felt bad for him. Do you think there is a Possibility of Maggie Changing her mind about Dante?
First, Negan and I would make beautiful babies. Second, Daryl and I would too. As someone who hasn’t read the series, I’ve heard there are differences. On that note, THANK YOU, for letting Daryl survive this long. I can’t even think that he may be “taken out”….ever. LOL. God Bless your imagination and talent!!!!
omg i hope lydia isnt pregnant EW too young anyway NOOOO WHY MAGGIE!? HES SO FUNNY JUST BE WITH HIM!
Great issue, The whisperer War is defiantly one of the best arcs yet. I think that Dante is going to save Hershel and Sophia or now that we know Lydia is defiantly not going to betray the Hilltop, she is going to save them but maybe die herself.
This issue was amazing and the variant cover with Rick looks fantastic. Both covers are a must have. Kirkman must be a sadistic mother fucker if he made Carl bust a nut in Lydia.
OMG. Please don’t kill Maggie or Hershel. That would be too cruel. I reckon Sophia has already taken Hershel out of the building and Maggie dies trying to save him. Dante then decides to raise him as if he were his own son… either that or it’s a complete blitz and everyone dies including Carl. Hope I’m not right.
Beta = Bill Murray?
Please let little Hershell turn. You supposedly “crossed the line” in the show, now “cross the line” in the comic.
Wait…
Too late! YAY!!!
Holy shit, a zombie baby would be so sick and awesome.
Wow, what a great issue. I’ve got to say, Charlie’s art is amazing! Especially with the walker panels. One thing I loved about this issue was the arrows coming over the gate and almost hitting Carl. I also love the fact that we now know Lydia is on our side! I thought she was going pull a fast one on us.
Dear TWD, please follow my BEAUTIFUL lady @LHKofficial. It would literally make her entire year.