The Walking Dead Deluxe
Issue: 8

Publisher: @imagecomics & @skyboundent
Writer: @robkirkman
Artist: @charlie_adlard
Colorist: @dave.mccaig
Cover: @dfinchartist
Original Cover: @coloneltonymoore
Letterer: @ruswooton

Lori is pregnant in the middle of an apocalypse. Winter is settling in and Rick, and with the rest of camp are desperate to get out of Dale’s RV and to find a more suitable place to live. Their search for better living conditions leads them to Wiltshire Estates, but not everything within this idyllic gated community is what it seems.

Issue eight serves as a bridge issue that will set up what is to come. Rick has assumed leadership of the survivors and now takes on the responsibility to keep them safe and find better living conditions. If that wasn’t stressful enough, Lori is pregnant and he questions of the child is even his. Not to mention Dale is in is ear instigating the whole situation. Dale is annoying but adds something more this this story in the form of family drama and gossip then just your typical apocalyptic tale. This issue does well in the form of character developments with Donna and Tyreese. Being a fan of the show, it’s fun to see the differences between the two mediums. Once again, rereading this series in full color is such a joy and makes me further appreciate how great this series is. Another great thing about this is the new covers on the front and the original cover of the issue on the back. It’s awesome to see more artwork from cover to cover.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Reviewed by: @mcruz2189 of The Comic Book Club of Instagram
Follow: @the_comic_book_club on Instagram for more reviews! more

Issue 8 serves as more of a bridge issue that will just become connecting tissue for the whole arc. Kirkman explores the reveal from the last issue but there really isn't a lot of exciting matter going on outside of some good dialogue and some more information about the new character Tyrese.

This is admittedly somewhat of a filler issue, but it is necessary in setting up what comes next. Some interesting character development does take place, particularly from Donna. She at first has always been a very judgmental sort, and she continuously frowned upon Andrea and Dale’s unorthodox relationship. To be honest, I get her concerns. The age difference coupled with the reality that both Dale and Andrea have both recently suffered devastating losses does not necessarily place them in the best mindset to start a healthy relationship. However, that being said, ideal conditions are no such thing in the zombie apocalypse, and sometimes (right or wrong) sex is a welcome distraction from the horror lurking constantly around them. Perhaps the redeeming part is that Andrea and Dale really do develop genuine feelings for each other, and their relationship is one of the more interesting ones. Donna realizes this, and she is just happy to see Andrea starting to come out of her depression. Her love for Andrea overrides her judgment, which is a pretty beautiful thing.

It’s also worth mentioning that Wiltshire Estates represents quite a bit of foreshadowing. It is a gated community not so different from the haven the group will find in Alexandria. However, the sad irony is that very few members of this early group will get to experience life in Alexandria. They must settle for only a very small foretaste of it, and that small taste may prove more bitter than anyone realizes. Sanctuaries in this world just do not come along so easily. more