Title: The Walking Dead, Vol. 20: All Out War Part 1
Author: Robert Kirkman
First published June 4, 2014
136 pages, Comics
ISBN: 9781607068822 (ISBN10: 1607068826)
Rating: 4.22
Overview
Indulge in the forbidden and the seductive with The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance. With 30 short stories by the biggest names in paranormal romance, you’ll be drawn into a world of hot-blooded passion and inhuman desires.
From the infectiously sexy “Fade to Black” by Sherri Erwin to the haunting “Dreams” by Keri Arthur, this collection will leave you thirsting for more. Lose yourself in tales of dangerous liaisons, forbidden love and the darkest desires of the undead.
These ain’t your mother’s vampires!
About the Author
Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer who has made a name for himself through his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible, Ultimate X-Men, and Marvel Zombies. He has even collaborated with Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt.
Interestingly, Robert is one of the five partners of Image Comics, but he didn’t co-found the publisher like the other four.
Robert’s first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. He teamed up with his childhood friend, Tony Moore, to create the popular Battle Pope series that was released in late 2001.
Battle Pope enjoyed a successful run of over 2 years alongside other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In 2002, Robert began working for another company when he wrote a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, with Cory Walker as the Battle Pope backup story artist. Robert then went on to create his own projects, including Tech Jacket, Invincible, and The Walking Dead.
Editoral Review
In Robert Kirkman’s graphic novel, The Walking Dead, Vol. 20: All Out War Part 1, readers are taken on a journey through a post-apocalyptic world where zombies walk and humans fight for survival.
Kirkman is a well-established comic book writer who has been producing the highly popular series since 2003. Known for his ability to create memorable characters and devise intricate plots, Kirkman’s work has garnered a large and devoted following.
All Out War Part 1, published on June 4, 2014, marks the beginning of a two part storyline that pits survivors against each other in a brutal conflict. The Walking Dead is a subgenre of horror and falls under the broader category of science fiction.
The comic book explores themes of survival, morality, and humanity’s capacity for change. Set in a world where a virus has turned the majority of the population into zombies, the survivors struggle to find safety and maintain a sense of community in a world overrun by the undead.
The novel is published by Image Comics and is suitable for adult readers. The Walking Dead, Vol.
20: All Out War Part 1, opens with a dangerous confrontation between Rick Grimes, the leader of one of the largest groups of survivors, and Negan, the ruthless leader of a group known as the Saviors. The result of this encounter is a violent and bloody conflict that threatens to tear apart the fragile alliances that have been formed between different survivor groups.
Alongside Grimes, other main characters include Michonne and Carl, both of whom play important roles in the unfolding events. Kirkman’s novel is well-constructed, and the pacing is excellent.
The action remains intense throughout, and is punctuated by moments of calm that allow readers to catch their breath and reflect on the larger themes at play. The characters are complex and well-written, with intricate backstories that add depth to their actions and motivations.
The violence is graphic and disturbing but is integral to the storyline and never gratuitous. One of the strengths of The Walking Dead, Vol.
20: All Out War Part 1, is Kirkman’s ability to create a vivid and believable world. The setting is post-apocalyptic, but there is a sense of realism to the world that makes it easy to suspend disbelief.
The characters feel like real people, and their struggles and conflicts are relatable even in the context of a zombie-infested world. Kirkman has created a world that is both horrifying and fascinating, and readers will be eager to see how it all plays out.
There are some limitations to the novel, however. The sheer number of characters and factions can be overwhelming, and it can be difficult to keep track of everyone.
Additionally, some of the conflicts and plot developments feel overly contrived and shoehorned in for the sake of drama. Kirkman also occasionally falls back on tired tropes, such as the evil villain who revels in his own cruelty.
Overall, The Walking Dead, Vol. 20: All Out War Part 1, is an engaging and well-written graphic novel that will appeal to fans of the genre as well as those who are new to the series.
Kirkman’s strengths as a writer are on display, and the world he has created is both haunting and thought-provoking. If you are looking for a graphic novel that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant, look no further than The Walking Dead.
Score: 8.5/10
