The Walking Dead Issue 182 helped Rick round out his grand tour of his allied communities to Governor Milton. Things seemed to go almost too well…which, knowing this book, means something terrible could be in store for us soon. Although it seems like the calm before the storm, we still want to hear what YOUR reactions were to the issue! Best comment below wins a Robert Kirkman-signed copy of the issue – so get commenting!
UPDATE: Pistal has won our Walking Dead Issue 182 comment contest! We loved your analysis and think you might be on to something with that last theory. For everyone else – make sure to comment in next month’s issue and YOU could win a Robert Kirkman-signed copy.
Previously: When a horde of walkers blocks their return trip from Oceanside, Rick uses the opportunity to show how capable his forces are to is new Commonwealth visitors. The situation is well in hand when the Governor veers from the path and draws Princess and Mercer in danger. They fight their way out and Princess plants a victory kiss on Mercer…but the Governor’s reckless behavior was all just a way to show how capable her forces are, as well.
STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN
ART: CHARLIE ADLARD, STEFANO GAUDIANO & CLIFF RATHBURN
COVER: CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART
15TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT: BILL SIENKIEWICZ
August 1st
32 PAGES | Black & White | Mature | $3.99
John, the savage new leader of the Saviors, has turned over a new leaf… just in time for an alliance with The Commonwealth?
An odd issue. No major twists or character development but lots of important moments, a lot of reference to the history of the book and great world building.
I love that we got more development of John. Since he first appeared waaay back, I thought he was an interesting design but then he had a long leave of absence and, since his return, he’s been hard to get a good read on. He’s still hard – with Christopher, he comes across as idealistic. With Pamela, quite creepy. William briefly features – another leader who is difficult to pin down through underdevelopment. I do think one lingering flaw in the time jump is that we never really got to explore the links with the Kingdom and the Sanctuary being developed and, as a result, a lot of the secondary characters are a real question mark. Three years since Ezekiel died, the most interesting thing about the Kingdom is that it used to have a king who had a tiger.
Where are Mercer’s marines? I really hope we get an answer on that someday. I like that this seemed to be in direct response to a previous letter hack.
Rick catching himself not thinking about Andrea. It’s a first step in moving on but it’s still hard. I like that it’s taking Rick a long time but I also like that he’s lost his cane.
Don’t know what was with Maggie. Pamela’s a bit creepy but she came off really badly in that scene. I like it as a scene because I love imperfect characters but it felt a bit weird too. I’m surprised the ex-whisperers didn’t make an appearance. I thought they, rather than Maggie’s attitude, were more likely to cause wrinkles at the Hilltop.
As for Pamela, I like that she has a quite cynical read on the Sanctuary. It seems like she understands that Rick is necessary to the five communities even if he’s not truly upper class. Still, having a small town cop in charge of the communities wouldn’t look right. I wonder how they’ll square that circle?
We got a subtle timeline update here – tomatoes nearly ripe. That puts it, I guess, sometime in summer and approaching four years since the dead started walking.
I still don’t trust Milton and I think Maggie saw right through her. I didn’t like how Milton said to Rick change his way of thinking, it seemed like she wants to brainwash him. I hoping he’ll change her. I’m glad her visit seemed to take his mind off Andrea.
Loved the Rick and Carl reuniting moment.
John is a very interesting character and I think what he tells Christopher was interesting and important. I liked it.
The cover seemed missleading. I definitely thought the issue was going inna totally different direction. But I liked the issue. I liked seeing each community again. I couldn’t remember who was running the Kingdom or if it was even still there, so for me it was a nice recap.
I’m definitely eager to see where we go from here. Will Rick go to the commonwealth? I think he should. I think Mercer wants to change and he’s seeing Ricks way as an opportunity. I’m excited to see where we go from here. It’s nice and refreshing to not just be focused on a villain. We went from The Governor to Negan to the Whispers and I’m liking the focus on the communities.
LOVED this issue! I’m going to copy my response from http://www.roamersandlurkers.com and add on a few more thoughts to this discussion too:
“I LOVED it! John did quite an amazing number on the Saviors and the Sanctuary and boy, did I gain MASSIVE respect for him for changing everything for the better! Seeing the Kingdom, even for a semi-splash page, was nice, and the mention of Ezekiel! Shiva…! I’m gonna cry… but before that, seeing Dwight actually realizing his mistakes and thoughts made me pretty happy because he’s one of my favorites (yes, he killed Abraham, but he was dead to me before I began reading so HA!) and I’m happy to see him with Laura! Rick’s expression though… also, the HILLTOP is nearly complete! Neat! It was so heartwarming to see Rick and Carl reunite and catch up. This upcoming trip to the Commonwealth sure is going to be interesting, huh? Can’t wait!!”
Onwards to more thoughts: It kinda almost feels like “A New Beginning” again to me, but obviously not the same. Like, we’re at a moment of peace like we were before, and seeing everyone pretty much happy makes me happy! Dante and Maggie, Dwight and Laura, etc. Getting to see a good portion of our current cast was nice this issue too! It was cute when Pamela realized how much she smiled, that was a nice moment, haha. Also everyone’s reaction to Michonne’s reunion with her daughter made me laugh. I forgot that everyone hadn’t known that yet. John’s honestly a pretty sweet and chill dude. Never thought he’d be anything more than that guy who appeared once trying to take down Jesus in 104 until his epic return in 157! CANNOT wait for the road trip to Ohio! Again!
Finally, I don’t mean to brag or anything, but I also got my 8th published letter this issue too. *kicks dirt off shoulder* I’m cool ?
SO I was going to ask when we would see Carl again and there he was! Glad to see him. As for the rest of this issue, I was surprised to see John being so positive when he has always been against the change, looking good there, or atleast it seems to be looking good. As for the Hilltop, Maggie has every right to be cautious and a little worried at the prospect of a new “Governor” coming in and looking around at all of the progress they have made, in all of the communities in general. Good to see that Dwight is getting a bit more normal as well, and not so off the hinges, he will be a good person to have backing Rick at the Commonwealth. Mercer could flip too I think, it seems that he would like the way our communities are being run vs. the Commonwealth. All in all looking forward to the next issue, I really hope that Rick and Pamela pull up to the Commonwealth and it is on fire, that would be something!
If the plot keeps thickening the way it does, I’m gonna need new pants. How do they keep you on your toes so well?? Love this series so much!!!
Everyone needs to go buy this issue and see the amazing artwork. Everyone.
My reaction after reading the last page…
”Annnnd that’s why you’re the best Rick!” and second thought
“Anyone account for Mercer and Princess?……it’s been a few hours….” lmao
I can’t wait for the Commonwealth/Gov. Milton try and survive the slow moving tornado of crazy Rick & crew seem to always bring with them…
I absolutely love how the ‘Ezekiel HAD a Tiger’ uote was brought back to life! Wish we got to see Pam’s reaction to the Kingdom and Negan story, but oh well. Loved this issue!
Ohh I’m waiting the #182. I’m from Spain and it is not sold here!! It has been sent from London. I will comment about it soon
Hey! I’m from Spain too! I suppose that you were born in 1997 or that you have 97 years xD. I was born in 1997, dude! Where are you from?
I fear the Greeks even when they are bringing gifts…
Maggie saw right through the fake smiles. It makes you wonder how many other settlements Governor Milton has shown us at, smiled through meetings at, and then come back with an ultimatum to join or die. I suspect that is where this is heading. However, it seems like her downfall is cracks are forming within her own. It’s hard to keep up the Stepford appearance.
When the cover with John and Pamela came out, everybody thought that something was going on. But I soon reevaluated it and thought that it may be a false lead, and it was (unless the Saviors will turn into a Trojan horse again). Seeing John being the leader and mentor to the young farmer and slightly scolding Mark makes me think that if the Commonwealth tries to enforce its rule over our communities, John will join the right side – he didn’t put neganism behind him to accept miltonism. He also gets plus points for dealing with Pamela in a more positive way than Maggie, who burst out a bit, instead of trying to play it nice and lull Pamela into believing that her plans were going as she had planned.
As the others pointed out, we will have to wait to see how the Commonwealth subdues smaller communities, it is through a peaceful way, or by force? I can see that Mercer is going to become a very important character, as brutes are loyal to him, which puts him in a powerful position. He would certainly prefer a humbler life (and busting some rotten heads) to being a tail of a spoiled brat (and busting some rotten heads).
And it’s great to see Dwight being back as Rick’s ally. I also hope that Eugene made sure they are bringing Michonne’s katana with them, just in case 🙂
When I see Gov Milton I see the Borg Queen saying “Prepare to be assimilated, Resistance is futile”. You know she is just waiting for her moment to take over. Glad Rick is savvy to that possibility. So it makes me wonder when Negan is going to waltz in and talk about his private parts and totally call out the Gov in his delicate way. I wish we had seen more of Michonne and Elodie but I am thinking that she will appear soon, and realize that all is not as it appears in the Commonwealth.
Issue 182 is great! I like so much how the relationships between the members of the communities are being building.