Customer Reviews

The Walking Dead Volume 3: Safety Behind Bars (v. 3)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"The Walking Dead" is one of the best comic stories I've read, and I've been into the medium since the early 70s. This is the third collection of the ongoing series; the first two are "Days Gone Bye" and "Miles Behind Us." The plot is this: America has been overrun with cannibalistic zombies, and the few remaining human survivors struggle to hang on. The main protagonist is Rick Grimes, a cop who awakens out of a coma (a la "28 Days Later") to this new and horrifying state of affairs. After some close calls, he reunites with his wife and young son. He soon becomes the leader of a group trying to find sanctuary in a world gone mad.

In "Safety Behind Bars," we pick up with Rick and company as they attempt to put down roots in a maximum-security prison. Rick is certain that it will be an easily defensible home, but he hadn't reckoned on finding four living occupants - and they aren't guards. The two factions settle into an uneasy truce, but events conspire to bring about yet another cliffhanger confrontation (that's why I hate waiting for the next installment).

I enjoy this series for a number of reasons. First, it accomplishes what the creator intended: to show what happens after the typical zombie movie ends. Robert Kirkman's desire is to follow Rick for years and watch him grow and change as a person who's trapped in an extreme situation. Second, the story centers on what we really want to see in a good zombie yarn: how the humans react to and deal with a post-apocalyptic world. Finally, Rick, his family, and the others are three-dimensional characters, with strengths and weaknesses that come to light under duress and create the series' bread-and-butter conflicts. The excellent writing accomplishes these goals in an original and compelling way, and has kept me hooked on "The Walking Dead." In fact, when I saw this edition at a Stockholm sci-fi store, I bought it there instead of waiting until I got home (even though it cost more and I had to carry it around in my pack). That's how much I like it.

Some reviewers have wished for the return of the original artist who did the "Days Gone Bye" story arc. I initially wanted that as well after comparing it to the penciling in "Miles Behind Us." But the current illustrator has hit his stride with "Safety Behind Bars," and I've come to appreciate his darker and rougher style (be advised that the series is in black and white, but it really fits the tale's grim nature). I have only two issues with this format. The first is waiting six months for the next one. Second, it would be cool if the letters pages from the comics were reprinted. I guess these are the downsides of buying the collection vs. the actual series.

Even with the zombie genre at the point of over-saturation, "The Walking Dead" stands out as an excellent character study that transcends its subject matter. I recommend reading the first two collections before diving into this one. Bravo to Mr. Kirkman for creating a fascinating new world.

Safety Beind Bars is the third collected volume of Robert Kirikman's excellent The Walking Dead comic book series from Image Comics. This volume collects issues 13 through 18 and it continues that journey and travails of surviving in a world overrun by the undead. As the tagline of the books proclaim, in a world ruled by the dead we are forced to finally start living. This is so true in Safety Behind Bars as Kirkman and returning artist Charlie Adlard tell the story of Rick Grimes and his band of survivors as they come across what they think will be their salvation from the threat of the hungry dead: an abandoned prison complex.

The last we saw Rick, Tyrese, Lori and their ragtag band of survivors they had just been forced off the the presumably safety of the Herschel farm after the tragic events which transpired within its fences. But Safety Behind Bars starts off with the group discovering an abandoned prison complex that may just solve their shelter, safety and food problems. Once again, Kirkman's writing is tight and to the point. The characters of Rick and the rest of the survivors continue to evolve as the days and months pass by in the journey to survive. What they find in the abandoned prison is both safety and danger, but not in the way of most people thought it would come in. Sure there are still zombies both inside and outside of the prison's security fences, but as the enormity of the crisis finally crashes on everyone --- that there won't be a rescue --- the survivors reach the threshold of their breaking points to the detriment of everyone involved. It's especially tragic for Tyrese as a tragedy pushes him to acting on his base instincts in an act of vengeance that is both understandable and horrifying.

More people are introduced to the group in the form of surviving group of inmates left behind by fleeing prison guards. This new group acts to change the group dynamics and even add more conflict to what Rick and his group thought was going to be safety from the dead. Instead, human nature --- as Kirkman sees it --- causes more problems and danger than the dead represent. The events of The Walking Dead has really changed everyone involved and we lose more people to both living and the dead.

The volume ends in an even bigger cliffhanger than the previous two collected volumes. Like the best drama series on TV, The Walking Dead hooks you in with great writing, well-drawn characters and a great hook that pulls the reader in and doesn't let go. The cliffhanger at the end of the book just reinforces it and it is an understatement, to say the least, that I will be anticipating the next volume with bated breath to see what Kirkman and Adlard has in store for Rick and his people.

Like many readers, I've been an on again/off again comicbook fan for many years... In the last couple of years (since the year 2000) I've returned to the fold, this time taking advantage of the many top-quality graphic novels out there, and Robert Kirkman's "Walking Dead" was one of the titles most frequently recommended to me since I started this reading spree. It lives up to the hype.

I just finished reading books 1-4, which collect the first twenty-four issues of the comic, and man, I can't wait for book #5 to come out. The series tells the story of a guy named Rick, a small-town cop and self-described Barney Fife who wakes up from a hospital stay to find the world changed around him -- it's zombie time, but zombie time with twist. The twist is that, unlike all the movies and TV shows we've all seen, "The Walking Dead" has a much longer, open-ended story arc -- Kirkman and co. don't have to wrap things up in a tidy, two-hour package, so there is space for the story to unfold at its own pace, with character development that's more prolonged and in-depth than the usual zombie flick allows. By the end of Book 4, the crisis has lasted about a year and Rick and his band of survivors are about twelve strong, having lost about an equal number of family and friends over the course of the story. It's a taut, grim, reflective plot line that keeps your interest and compels you to read. I, for one, hope this isn't just another one of those neat B&W comix that kind of fizzle out, but rather that Kirkman really gets the chance to do what he says he wants to do, and follow Rick's saga as far as he can. Anyway, I'm hooked. As long as he keeps writing this series, I'll be first in line to buy it. [copyright joesixpack @ slipcue.com ]

Sometimes, I'll read a good book and hear it's going to be made into a movie or TV series. And, I'll feel a little concerned that they won't be able to produce a product as good as the source material. Well, with the Walking Dead (which AMC has ordered a pilot episode for), I felt the exact opposite. Here, I had read a book that could only benefit from another writer. Below are some of the antics of Rick and his pals that drove me nuts (includes SPOILERS).

When we left Rick and his gang at the end of volume two, he was suggesting they set up shop in a large prison complex. He states, "there can't be that many [zombies]" to be cleared out. This despite the fact that there are clearly zombies in the prison yard and the gate to the prison is sill closed. So actually, there could be an entire prison population worth of zombies in there. But this doesn't occur to Rick for some reason.

So they decide to start cleaning house. Rick needs to be reminded by Andrea (whom he trained to shoot a gun) that she should go with him and Tyreese as she is the best shot. Rick doesn't argue, although when another wave of zombies descends on Rick, Andrea and Tyreese who does Rick wisely send to get more ammunition? Former professional athlete Tyreese? Nope. He sends crack-shot Andrea to get bullets instead of using her to shoot zombies. Great call Coach Grimes!

After defeating the zombies they then encounter four prisoners who have survived the zombie assault. But these are no ordinary prisoners! They are the four least curious prisoners who have ever lived. They give Rick a tour of the compound. Upon entering the garage prisoner Dexter remarks "I've never been in here." Really?! You've been free for weeks (months?), holed-up in a prison also occupied by hungry zombies and you didn't scour the place to see what equipment you had available (in this case cars, buses, and motorcycles)? Prisoners are, if nothing else, resourceful. It makes little sense that only while giving a tour to a stranger that they'd start to take stock of their surroundings.

The same can be said of the prison guns. The prisoners know the location of the where the guards' weapons are kept in the prison. But they don't make an effort to get them until threatened by the stupidity of Rick Grime. Now, Rick is a dangerous moron, no doubt. But you'd think sharing a prison with zombies might have put "retrieve guns" higher on the prisoners' do-to list.

Rick tells his gang about the four prisoners inside. His wife then, very validly, points out that shacking up with prisoners might pose some safety risks. Not the craziest idea. Rick patronizingly tells her that "... so far we've got no reason to treat them like criminals." Actually, you have every reason to treat them like criminals based on the fact that they are incarcerated criminals! Wasn't Rick a cop!? If anything shouldn't he be more wary and knowledgeable about what criminals are capable of? The best part his wife (who's always good for a laugh) relents and agrees with him! Then to add insult to he chalks up concern to her pregnancy hormones!

Let's be clear, if your pregnant wife starts to cry because you forgot to water the plants, then hormones are probably an accurate assessment. If she starts to cry because you don't believe her when she suggests that criminals might be prone to criminal activity, her tears probably have less to do with hormones and more to do with the fact that she now realizes she's married to an absolute moron. To his wife's credit, when prisoner Thomas later beheads two young girls and stabs Andrea, she at least doesn't say "I told you so." Lori, when will you respect yourself enough to realize you deserve much better?

Rick's got some other good ideas too. He wants to bring Hershel and his clan to the prison. You might remember Hershel as the farmer who pulled a gun on Rick and came close to killing him. Alternately, you might remember him as the guy who believes zombies are a national treasure that need to be preserved until they can be restored to life. (Side note - I loved Hershel's theory on zombies and wanted to see it explored further). To be fair, Rick has a vision of growing crops at the prison (something Hershel could greatly assist), but it seems like he is putting the cart before the horse somewhat.

Rick then decides to drive several hours back to Shane's grave to kill zombie Shane - which is always the polite thing to do. But he decides he can't tell his wife what he's going to do - the crazy old ball and chain might suggest that he's lucky to be alive and taking any unnecessary risks is foolish. Foolish like a fox! Killing a zombie that, when he was alive tried to kill Rick, is far more important than protecting his wife, children and companions. Do zombies have souls? Do they feel pain? Do they ache to be freed of their undead existence? These are heady, philosophical and ethical questions that need to be answered ASAP! Paging Professor Rick Grimes! Rick then further thumbs his nose at danger by choosing a motorcycle over an enclosed vehicle.

Later, Patricia frees Thomas in an effort to save him from being executed by Rick. I get what the author was going for, but it's tough to understand why Patricia chooses such a crazy course of action. She and Thomas have a brief three panel exchange earlier. I guess we're to infer that that sparked a larger friendship or romance. But it's far from clear, and Patricia just comes across as some sort of insane, one-dimensional, "the death penalty is wrong" talking point.

I practically cheered out loud when Dale and Andrea start contemplating leaving Rick's band. Good for you two! Get as far away from this buffoon as possible! Dale, you've totally scored with Andrea - a beautiful woman at least thirty years your junior. Don't let Rick Grimes screw this up for you! If you need further convincing please have a word with Farmer Hershel. He met Rick, and since then he's lost several sons and daughters.

Similarly, I cheered for Dexter when he pulls a gun on Rick at the end and tells him and his group to get the hell out of his prison. Dexter, if you let Rick live then the zombies have already won!

In a world where the dead rule, a band of the living take refuge in a prison. Seems a little too easy, but what could go wrong...don't worry about the dead ones. It's the living prisoners you need to watch out for. When Hershel opened that door and I turned the page...my jaw dropped to the floor. Totally wasn't expecting it. Volume 3 is the best so far.

Excellent story and artwork. The author really put some thought into the plotline. He did a great job of using the overall concept to examine other societal issues in a fresh way. If you are a fan of the zombie genre at all, then you are sure to enjoy this book.

Some may say this bit of the ongoing saga is a bit over done or even stolen from other sources...but I prefer to listen to what the author has said himself in his description of his own work.

He is taking his favorite things from all the zombie movies and stories he has ever experienced and laying the groundwork up to the point we all know. Yes, we have probably seen most of this before, but a new day is coming and we need this to see where the characters have been before we can branch off into new territory.

The author states he wants to make this series the zombie flick that never ends...he wants it to go on past where the end credits begin to roll on other series. With this part of the saga, we have reached that point and now it begins to change, and become unpredictable.

Take it from someone who has read all the way to the latest issue...it does build on what has gone before...and it really holds your attention. I have enjoyed every word of it.

The Walking Dead series focuses on a world similar to the film "Night of the Living Dead." Robert Kirkman, the author, has stated in interviews that his goal is to make a zombie movie in comic book form that doesn't just end in a couple of hours. He wanted to create a persistent zombie world where we could see how the situation affected characters over time. This book gathers issues 13-18 of the series and focuses primarily on the survivors as they attempt to take over a prison to use as their new home base. As is often the case, it isn't just zombies that they have to worry about... man is his own worst enemy.

Walking Dead may be part of the zombie craze going on in comics right now, but it's certainly not empty exploitation. Robert Kirkman has created a riveting story that pulls you in and makes you want to read the next chapter as soon possible. The art is crude in a way but creates the perfect atmosphere to accompany the dangerous world with death lurking around every corner. This series is one of the best.

The best of the zombie movie genre (that is to say, Romero's films) usually have had a thing or two to say about human nature. Robert Kirkman has been doing this to some extent in "The Walking Dead" all along, but perhaps more conscientiously with the third volume "Safety Behind Bars". After the events of last volume, Rick, Lori and company find an abandoned prison which, ironically, is the perfect place to hide out from the dead wandering the world. But there are still a few human prisoners, and while they seem a reasonable lot, it soon becomes clear that even when the dead roam outside, and humanity is on the ropes, a serial killer still feels free to act on his sick desires.

Kirkman's strong suit is characterization. Indeed, this is the most important thing he brings to an otherwise standard genre piece. His characters act and interact like real people would under these circumstances. Despite the horror of the world, people are only so willing to trust one another, treat each other with decency, or to put their own self-interests on hold for the benefit of the survivors. Indeed, even when circumstances would appear to be black and white, they blend into gray almost immediately.

Granted, Kirkman is telling a sprawling epic story here. Not every character is important beyond eventually being cannon fodder (zombie food or otherwise). Don't have any revelations about life and your place in the world if you're not in the top tier characters, because two pages later you will be dead. Nonetheless, even if every character isn't the most important character, Kirkman does an excellent job of making each character distinct.

The artwork by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn is terrific. They fill this volume with decayed corpses, gut-wrenching gore and death, at the same time depicting quiet moments of smiling children, happy couples, and general peace. Particularly effective is the juxtaposition of the cold, bleak prison walls that are the only form of safety. Naturally, we also know that the prison isn't completely safe, because there are zombies in every dark corner, and creepy convicts walking in the bright sunlight.

While Kirkman has taken on other comic book projects, I sincerely hope he keeps this one on the front burner. It is thought-provoking, chilling, and, at odd-moments, heart-warming all at once.

The Walking Dead Volume 3: Safety Behind Bars

Grade: B+

Picking up after a slow volume 2, Safety Behind Bars begins with Rick and company finding what could be their new home: a gigantic prison. With three fences, gates, and guard towers protecting them, Rick immediately thinks it's the ideal place, and nobody wants to go back to sleeping in Dale's cramped R.V. There is a catch though--zombies swarm the yard, and there's probably more inside. Rick leads a team of the best shots to "clean up" the place, and they make their way inside. Going deeper into the prison they find that they could each have their own cell to sleep in, food to eat, and even a gym to exercise in. Yet they get a surprise--upon locating the cafeteria, it seems that four people still live inside the prison, and they're not guards. Is the price of protection behind bars worth living with murderers? Rick has to watch out for Carl, (his son) and Lori (who's pregnant) doesn't trust the inmates. Tensions rise, and it's just another volume in The Walking Dead...

Or is it? No, this volume marks the beginning of a long stay inside the prison, and it's a place where many, many people will perish. Do they choose to stay? Can they trust them? Who's more dangerous--the zombies walking outside, or the people breathing inside? What makes The Walking Dead so great are the questions it asks the reader and the answers it supplies, no matter how many lives are lost to answer them. Robert Kirkman--the writer--definitely has a hit here, and I for one am going to keep with it--no matter how many trees die in the process...;)