THE WALKING DEAD issue #169 is out NOW! Alexandria is still on its heels in the wake of a massive last-ditch walker assault courtesy of the Whisperers. Will Alexandria continue to rebuild or crumble? Read the issue, mull it over, and come strong with a take in the comments below. We’ll be awarding our favorite comment with a SHIVA FORCE JESUS (bloody or clean, YOU PICK) from the latest MEGABOX!
UPDATE!
We are BACK from San Diego Comic Con and ready to update the comment winners on these babies. Here we go: the winner of the Issue #169 discussion is tippersezekielshiva! Loved your passion for waiting for the comics and the observation that despite how much people like yourself can count out Rick, he drops a “what’s another grave” line. What a man. The Carl and Lydia being the next Rick and Andrea is interesting and we’re glad you’re just as excited as we are for the road to Ohio. See you next month!
PREVIOUSLY: As the Alexandrians begin to repair their town, John and the Saviors demand answers. What they don’t expect is for Negan to be the one giving them. War between the two sides is averted, allowing Rick, his family, and friends to lay Andrea and the other fallen soldiers to rest.
First, I just want to say that I’m loving the parallels being drawn between Rick and Douglas Monroe. Giant walker herds, losing their spouse, introducing a capable group to the Alexandrian community, exiling a dangerous man, the appearance. It’s both worrying to see what will become of Rick now that someone is questioning how fit he is to lead.
But, onto the meat and potatoes. Jesus and Aaron is not a huge shock, but I wish there could’ve been more on-panel development of that. Even just a simple smirking glance could’ve sufficed. It’s great nonetheless.
And for the state of Rick. Or rather, the relationships of the communities. I have full faith in Maggie being on Rick’s side, but she is not too happy about Negan. Neither is Dwight. Honestly, I’m with them. I’m a huge fan of Negan, but Dwight and Maggie’s reactions are perfectly justified. He is a sociopath, he is willing to kill anyone without question. This is going to shift the political climate for the series.
I’m excited to see how the communities recover. And more so to see what happens with the VERY underdeveloped Kingdom. Oh! And Ohio silver away. I must have a bit of cheese with anything I do.
“Sociopath” doesn’t quite fit Negan.
I’d disagree, Neutral-Grey. He’s not so much a psychopath. While impulsive, he is also very calculating. And while lacking remorse, he’s not totally devoid of emotions nor emotional intelligence. What I’ve heard through some videos and articles, sociopaths develop rather than just being born with such attitudes and predispositions (cue zombie apocalypse and losing Lucille, then violently murdering a man). Granted, it is difficult to be exact. There’s a great deal of conflicting symptoms and information for sociopathy and psychopathy.
However, in their world such an affect wouldn’t be too insane. Honestly, point to most any character and they too would share similar traits (sav most of Alexandria pre-Rick and company). Negan just seems to be a bit worse.
In layman’s terms, “sociopath” is generally synonymous with someone who feels no remorse for their actions. They lack empathy. On the flip side, a “psychopath” is considered someone who not only lacks remorse but actively revels in the pain they inflict on others. Of course, these aren’t actual psychological terms. They’re just common terms people associate with Psychology (probably in large part due to “pop” psychology). Much like how “insane” isn’t actually a psychological term, it’s a legal term.
Negan has shown himself to feel emotion, though. He carries regrets and intentionally chose to bury them and stop feeling them. Sociopaths usually don’t choose to stop feeling for other people. Negan felt like he’d lost his wife again when his bat “died.” He explained to Rick the only way he could get people to be strong enough to live is to “trick” them with fear and order.
I don’t think “sociopath” is quite right for him. I’d say he has the potential for a dissociative disorder or an anti-social disorder, though, maybe. You raise good points, however. That took me by surprise, honestly. Not because I doubt you as an individual but because I’m used to seeing people throw around the word “sociopath” in almost any ambiguous character situation, not understanding what that word actually means.
Great issue. It’s nice to have a break from the action. I hope Dwight doesn’t do anything stupid… he’s my favorite character.
I’m so glad this issue addressed the Ben/Billy situation with Carl and Andrea. It was a really nice tie to make THAT become the event that began Carl calling Andrea “mom.”
Also, holy shit, Dwight. Take it down a notch. You say you don’t want to be part of the Saviors and their boiling hate but then you act just like them. Rick isn’t acting impulsively. He’s just acting. After the many events the communities just went through, they NEED action to re-inspire hope and feel like something positive is going on. Loved Rick’s argument back though. “What’s one more fucking grave?”
Uh, chill, Dwight, it’s not that long since you wanted to kill Sherry. Negan is right about her, hopefully you will realise that, otherwise Rick will have to bury another body (that was a truly dark warning).
Now it is time Magna and Yumiko to shine, I guess we will learn more about them during their voyage. And I can’t wait to see how Negan will do in his new house, hopefully not only Dante, but also Beta will lurk around.
This was great issue, I loved Carl’s confession, and Rick’s answer to Dwight, but Letter Hacks stole the show for me. The best Letter Hacks ever! There were laughs mixed with tears. It reminded me again how much I miss Andrea and how much I love this story.
Just wanna say Thank You!
OH MY FRICKEN GOD!!! This ISSUE was AMAZING! I loved to dialogue even though it was one page but I still loved the page with Dwight and Negan and then carl and rick man. So glad that they are going to Ohio! Thumbs up Robert Kirkman, Thumbs Up ??!
Every Month I wait oustside the comic shop with my care allowance waiting for it to open with a smile beaming on my face. The cover shows Dwight trying to inflict his power and frustration and anger onto rick… I’ve been thinking that rick is getting weaker by every moment but I’ve never been proven so wrong in my life the way Charlie expresses the strength of ricks leadership is truly spectacular with Robert K adding a fantastic story, when rick replied with “what’s one more grave” really puts Dwight in his place clearly showing Ricks authority. It’s amazing the way a huge disaster can bring people together especially when carl reflects on the previouse apocalypse years and the responsibility he thought he should take on to provid for his group or family. It’s shows that from a hand full of roughly 15 people they’ve come a long way to secure the loves of 100 people and are starting to re build life to make it better. Rick has understood that his actions are no different to others. Carl and Lydia are growing into a new Andrea and Rick. Jesus feels safe enough to be settling down and re building his own life under the safety ricks provides for him as well as always being by Ricks side. The title “lines we cross” is definitely reflected on the lines and changes decisions that the characters make. Eugene may have found a new partner in Steph… the road to Ohio begins thanks so much Charlie, Robert and every one else and let’s bring on the road to Ohio ???
Absolutely fantastic issue! Love these dialogue heavy ones when they really do a great job of moving the plot along. Can’t wait for next month.
The entire issue was spectacular, but the end left me with one clear and powerful image(whether it’s accurate or not, it’s still a very striking one): someday soon – one day or, more likely, night – Maggie will take off alone to confront Negan because she can’t stand the idea of him running around; she has to get her own justice, whatever that is. She’s not gonna lose track of him, she’ll just… wait. And there won’t be anyone else there to mediate or save them – either one. They’ve been circling, albeit mostly without knowing it, for ages. And the moment that happens is the moment I want to see… although thanks to you guys’ genius, I can already picture it.
I can’t believe it’s come to this point with me. But if Maggie can’t let it go with Negan, I hope he kills her and not vice versa
I don’t think I could handle that.
And you know, after everything… I’m not 100% sure he would, unless it was literally him or her.
I can’t believe it’s gotten to that point with ME!
They better stay alive. Maggie will definitely visit Negan, but let’s say things go horribly wrong and she ends up being ambushed and abducted by lurking Beta. Then, Negan the man comes to the rescue, as his admiration for badass women forces him to.
I think Carl got his first chest hairs this issue….He is thinking like a man who will be running shit one day…
Was looking forward to this issue since I saw the cover. #169 of course did not dissapoint. Dwight thinks he can pull one over on rick, does he really KNOW WHO THE FUCK HE IS TALKING TO??? Now he does because badass rick told him he is not afraid to kill his ass. So much excitement for the new direction in this arc. Everyone is going off their separate ways again. And as we have seen throughout this great epic story that means a lot of interesting things will happen. So excited!!!!!
Kind of a weird twist for Dwight, I thought. But good issue. Can’t wait to see how Negan’s story develops.
Of all people Maggie sends Dante after Negan. Really tempting fate there Maggie. Beta is still out there, maybe Negan and Dante team up to take him down, now that would be an interesting team up.
She’s using him a bit. It ended up horribly the last time somebody tracked Negan. But I guess Dante will be fine, since he has to deliver Negan’s location to Maggie, so she can confront him.
BETA
NEGAN (you know Dante’s ass is dead already (jk))
THE HILLTOP IN RUINS
ALEXANDRIA IN (kind of) RUINS
DWIGHT THREATS
OHIO
But also what’s up with:
Oceanside
The Kingdom
THE PRINCESS?!
So much can and (probably) will happen on the road considering how long it’s been since we’ve seen the survivors travel and there’s no way they will JUST encounter the Ohio group.
But
WHY DID MICHONNE HAVE TO SAY “FAMOUS LAST WORDS?!”
As excited as I am to see story on Magna, I am terrified that Michonne won’t make it back. I know that IT’S MICHONNE but there are so many things (especially the first name in my comment) that could be her end.
Now that I think of it… our traveling group could use the whisperer disguise if in a sticky spot…. HMMMMMMMM???
Dwight is a coward. But it would be interesting if a campaign of sorts took place between the two characters. It would be interesting to finally put Rick in the ground too. I’ve learned not to try and get ahead of Bobby Kirk & Co. Keep reeling me in, Dads!
What an incredible issue. So much going on and so many pay-offs that have been years in the making. Maggie finding out about Negan. Stephanie & Ohio. And, of course, Ben and Billy — brilliant!
Also I love the way we have material for a diverse range of characters, especially with promising possibilities for Siddiq, Magna and Yumiko — brilliant that they’re getting more focus. I would have liked the Jesus/Aaron reveal on-panel but actually I also love the density of the story here that it comes up during a different kind of scene. The Dwight development is surprising but interesting — I hope Laura will talk him back into line. The boiling rage inside line is brilliant.
Very excited for where this goes next…
Dwight had always been a coward, and I can’t wait to see him do something dumb and get what he deserves. I don’t see Negan gathering an army again, so it’s interesting to see if there will be a new big bad or if Beta will hop back into the scene when no one expects it.