10
In this emotionally poignant issue, it is clear that there was yet another casualty in the prison assault. Carl Grimes’ childhood died as well. Children in the zombie apocalypse must either grow up and adapt at a rapid (and decidedly cruel) rate, or they simply will not last very long. Thankfully, Carl seems to have adapted exponentially since the zombie outbreak began. While he is quite handy with his pistol, Carl has learned even more nuanced survival skills from observing his father and former community as they dealt with roamers. Not only is he relatively calm around them, but he is able to invoke a little bit of strategy in dealing with them. Sure, that strategy fell apart with the addition of an unexpected roamer (don’t you just hate it when that happens), but even then he was able to improvise and deliver effective gunshots under pressure. The jury is in. Carl Grimes is officially a badass. But that badassery came at a tremendous cost that no child should have to pay.
The toll such a becoming has taken on Carl is apparent in his dual displays of honest fear and irrational anger. The fear is certainly understandable. Carl has lost every member of his family except for his ailing father, and the thought of losing Rick as well terrifies him. Carl tries relentlessly (and utterly unconvincingly) throughout most of the issue to make himself believe that he doesn’t need his dad to survive. But despite his capable handling of the roamers, Carl knows he is not cut out to survive alone in this world. The boy still needs his daddy, and he has no desire to go on should that daddy be snatched away.
It has been said by many a philosopher (and Yoda) that anger is a natural consequence of fear, and this certainly rings true when it comes to Carl’s tumultuous range of emotions in this issue. Pushed to a point where the fear over losing his father is almost unbearable, Carl decides that it is much easier to yell and scream at an unconscious Rick. He bitterly declares that he no longer needs Rick (and convinces no one), and he even blames Rick for the loss of his mother and baby sister. This is what therapy looks like in the zombie apocalypse.
Poor Rick! As if he isn’t already beating himself up enough! I really hope he was completely unconscious during Carl’s outburst and did not hear all that. But in all honesty Carl should not be held at fault for all the blame he is hurling at Rick. The reason why frightened people so easily give in to their anger is because anger is simply easier than fear. Anger gives one the illusion (fleeting though it may be) of invulnerability, but admitting the extent of one’s fear leaves them feeling exposed and shaken. It is a defense mechanism to aid someone from being completely capsized by their overwhelming levels of fear. Given what Carl has endured as a young boy, it is completely understandable that he would resort to this defense mechanism in the wake of his present circumstances. Kirkman delivers what appears to be a very realistic portrayal of a damaged child’s inner psychology. One wonders what his own childhood was like! Lol
Anyway, this issue was compelling because of the completely real, earned, and understandable flurry of human emotions that racked poor Carl. This poor kid just needs a hug and to be told everything is going to be okay (even though he’s more than world weary enough to know better). But sadly his incapacitated father cannot provide either of those commodities right now. Carl admits as the issue closes that he is scared, and as a reader of this epic series, I am more than a little afraid myself. These two are desperately in need of a little ray of hope from some unexpected quarter. I hope they get it soon, or the transcendent darkness may end up consuming them both. more
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