#Comic #Review: The Walking Dead Volume 2: Miles Behind Us

#talknerdytomelover's @ashleighmayes @kryptodies

HOOOOLYYYY crap, guys! If you thought the first Volume of "The Walking Dead" was intense, wait until you get the chance to crack open Volume TWO! I wasn't sure what direction it would head in, but I sure as heck didn't expect it to be THIS awesome! If you've been an AWESOME person and have been reading for a while, you'll remember that I reviewed Volume I: "Days Gone Bye". At the end of that Volume, Shane tries to kill Rick (because he wants Rick's wife...) only to be shot by Rick's son. The group is moving on and trying to find somewhere safe. That's where this Volume enters. Everyone is tired of being crammed into one RV. Naturally, tensions rise. Desperate for anything as a safe haven, Rick enters a gated community. After clearing out a few undead, the group determines that it is ok to stay the night. It's a mistake that one of them will have to pay dearly for...with their life. The snow melts and Rick sees a sign that says "All Dead Inside". As the hordes attack, Rick desperately pulls everyone into the RV. After a little while on the road, the group is hungry. Rick, Carl (his son), and a few men head out to hunt. Thinking that the group is a mob of flesh-eating monsters, a wandering survivor makes the mistake of shooting Rick's child son. The group takes Carl to a new home along the way and tensions soon rise over the ethics that accompany killing the undead. This causes the group to lose what seemed to be a permanent home. I'm trying to not give away too much, but the ending is the turning point. Rick's clan finds a prison and it seems to be the perfect place to hide away. There's fences, top-notch security measures, plenty of room, and the prospect of food.

Although I've said a lot, there's SO much more in the Volume that you should READ to find out (there's a surprise pregnancy!)!  On to the ratings! 


Of COURSE this book's going to get top-notch ratings! This girl's a sucker for the undead and the idea of a world with no rules and all survival!

Creativity of Writing: 5/5 Kirkman does an excellent job of developing the characters as the plot progresses. As a direct result of each incident, we can see how the characters react and grow. Emotions aren't often easy to depict in a two dimensional form, but "The Walking Dead" does an EXCELLENT job of showing the pain, agony, confusion, fear, and uncertainty that each person faces through loss and suffering. For someone to put their mind into the mindset of all of this ACTUALLY happening and to do it so accurately is AMAZING to me. There's nothing unchanging about this series. The story is weaved so delicately that it seems like a movie playing in the reader's mind. You get sucked in and YOUR emotions get caught up in the mess.

Creativity of Art: 4/5 The art is pretty good. I would love to see it in color, but hey...the story is far enough to catch my attention. The details are good and the people's expressions are accurately portrayed to match their feelings. The scenery is beautifully done and overall, the comic is a very easy one to look at.

Overall Casual Read Rating: 5/5 I'm in love with this series! It always sucks me in and won't let go. It takes you to a different world and different time. It captures your imagination and entertains your mind. It's what all comics should aspire to be.

Note to the Creator(s): Rock freaking on! I would marry you if I could. It's still my dream to meet you guys! I'm such a huge fan and want to THANK YOU for giving us such an amazing work of genius! 

Thanks for reading, Nerdlings! Check out my website for crazy often updates: www.kryptodies.com! Follow me on Twitter @ashleighmayes and @kryptodies! And also, PLEASE drop @RobertKirkman a line telling him how awesome I am and how he should totally do a Skype or in-person interview with me! I'd Nerdgasm  EVERYWHERE! 

#Comic #Review! "Beasts of Burden/Hellboy" One-Shot!

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @ashleighmayes @kryptodies

The issue opens with Hellboy defeating an evil...thing. After his work is done and the children are safe, he turns to notice a dog tugging on the back of his jacket. He follows the fleeing dog into the forrest where he encounters the pack we've all come to know and love- the dogs (and cats!) of Burden Hill! The animals are troubled by three feline bodies that seem to have been sacrificed. Snooping around, of course they find trouble. They wander into what seems to be a train segment. After worming their way into the depth of it, the gang encounters skull golems that steal Whitey away. Not to fear, dear readers! It's not the end of adorable little Whitey. Like true dogs/friends, the gang is loyal and doesn't give up until they find the stolen pup. Unfortunately, a witch plans to use Whitey's blood as part of a sacrifice/ritual to bring back the "stupid zombie-warlock guy" that they'd killed twice already. Before murder can be committed (she does get some of Whitey's blood though...), Hellboy murders the witch. As a result, billions and billions of rats flood the group. Luckily, Hellboy is freaking bad@$$ and blasts them all to smithereens. They escape, but it's not the end of their problems. "stupid zombie-warlock guy" is back and HUGE. Hellboy, once again, takes care of the problem. Why was the reanimated villain so weak? Because Pugs peed on the skull that the witch was using as part of the sacrifice! What's a dog to do when a stationary skull is mouthing off?? Yup! Show 'im who's boss!

Let me get on to the ratings before I write away all I've got planned!

Creativity of Writing: 5/5 This One-Shot really hit a home-run! As far as comedy, it had TONS of it! From Pugs peeing on the ritual skull to Whitey showing Hellboy the hair that he burned off of his butt...it's HILARIOUS! As always, the writing didn't come close to disappointing! There was TONS of action, a plethora of paranormal activity, and a few heart-tugging/suspenseful moments. Extremely well written in that the dialogue is easy to follow and the action is, too. I LOVE the development of Pugs, especially. He's gone from being a whiney, shy little guy to a beast that steals spell books from evil witches/warlocks/demonic forces and pees on ritual/possessed items...that talk! Crazy! I'm so happy to see that the characters aren't static. That really is a selling point for me. If the characters don't seem to grow and mature, then what's the point? They're BORING! The animals DEFINITELY aren't boring! I was happy to see that, for the most part, Hellboy was exactly the same as I remember. Evan Dorkin, you are amazing!

     
    

Creativity of Art: 5/5 Anyone who reads this website or knows me even a little knows that I LOVE Madam Jill Thompson. She's not only one of my two favorite comic artists (the other being Skottie Young!) ever, she's one of my favorite artists ever. Period. Her watercolor style is extremely tight and her details are impressive. When I see most watercolor, it's done in blotches. Not Ms. Jill's! Her backgrounds are stunning, too. Whether it's a landscape or a dreary underground dungeon, she's got it covered EXCELLENTLY. My favorite panel is when Pugs is explaining how the ritual blood became tainted. The animals are in COMPLETE disbelief and the expressions on their faces are PRICELESS!

Overall Casual Read Rating: 5/5 You've done it once again, guys! An awesome comic that never disappoints! This one-shot was so full of action that you've never got time to be bored and you're always on the edge of your seat!

Note to the Creator(s): Jill Thompson, Evan Dorkin, and Mike Mignola...you are an amazing team. I would LOVE to see more Hellboy/Beasts of Burden. In fact, get started on a nice, hardcover volume. :)

Read more awesome comic reviews at: www.kryptodies.com

Until next time, Nerdlings!

XOXO Ashleigh