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Image Comics
Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art and Lettering by: Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, and Cliff Rathburn
A lot happens in this issue! The dialogue tends to weigh down the story at times, except for Negan’s, which is always welcome, but the issue is pretty solid. We finally get a name for the person Eugene has been talking to on the radio. We also meet Alpha’s Beta (there had to be one, right?), Negan meets Alpha (and falls in love), and Rick thinks he’s become a better leader.
The issue starts out with Andrea and Maggie chatting it up. With all the violence, it’s nice that they can sometimes take a breath and act like there isn’t a zombie apocalypse going on all around them. Michonne and Aaron are on Negan’s tail, who is heading to the Whisperers after all. As they come across Brandon, who Negan left for dead but hasn’t turned yet, Michonne says “We’ll worry about him on the way back.” But will they?
As Michonne notes that Negan—a fugitive—crossed the border and they’re just trying to catch him, not hurt the Whisperers, Beta steps up and says, “Then we have the advantage,” and stabs Aaron in the gut. Perhaps this is the reason for Beta—Kirkman didn’t want a random Whisperer taking out a major character. However, Alpha herself could’ve achieved this. I’ll be interested to see the part Beta plays in the larger story.
Back at Alexandria, Eugene tells the mystery person on the radio more about himself and his people, and she reveals her name is Stephanie. But is Stephanie to be trusted? Is she playing Eugene? I have a feeling that she’ll be a big part of the story in the not-too-distant future. Also, as Andrea returns, she is appalled at the Silence the Whispers “propaganda” plastered all over the walls. As she asks Rick what happened, he says, “I became a better leader.” Is that what he really believes, though? Last issue was all about the guilt and burden he carries with him. He seemed pretty shaken up when Paul shot Marco, and under his leadership, Negan escaped. And because of Rick, Aaron has been killed. (Hopefully Michonne will make it out alive.) Are these signs of a good leader?
The cover features Michonne and Aaron surrounded by Whisperers, much like what happens to them in the issue. You actually see Beta in between Michonne and Aaron on the cover, because as Negan points out when he meets Beta, “You some kind of rebel? Won’t wear the full skin suit? Just the skin helmet? You just hang out behind the others saying, ‘Pay no attention to me,’ hoping the dead won’t notice your chin?” (Again, Negan’s dialogue is some of the best yet.) The orange background really allows the artwork to pop. The issue’s title “Led to Slaughter” plays into this scene, as they’re being led to slaughter unaware of their impending doom. But by who? My guess is Rick. He sent them out to catch Negan.
I’m super excited that Negan met Alpha and can’t wait to see where the story goes. Negan’s one-liners throughout are particularly entertaining, and I hope we continue to see more of them in the issues to come. With Eugene’s mystery person finally revealing herself, it’ll be interesting to see how that story evolves. Will she be the next big bad?