Welcome to the third edition of Walking Dead Wednesday here at Somewhatnerdy. As I have said before, we are big Walking Dead fans. But not everyone has read the Walking Dead comics, so every two weeks, I will post a review on one of the trades that are out there for you to enjoy in book stores around the world. Today’s focus is Volume 3: Safety Behind Bars. This trade collects issues # 13-18 and takes place in a prison. Sound familiar?
We begin as Volume 2 ended; Rick and the gang come across a prison. Tyreese and Rick think that they can reclaim the prison and make it a home for their bunch of traveler’s. Rick makes a plan of action and assigns everyone in the group to a task. Rick, Andrea, and Tyreese have the task of clearing the prison of zombies. Everything seems to be going well for now. Rick makes the decision to stay in the RV another night until they know what lurks inside.
The next morning, Rick and Tyreese go in the prison to check out not only the zombie count, but to see if there is any food. Well, they come across the cafeteria and not only do they find food, they find four inmates as well. The inmates are glad to see others that are alive and invite them to join them in the cafeteria. Rick gets the others and they enjoy a nice meal. After eating, Rick goes on a tour of the prison with Dexter. The other three inmates are named Axel, Thomas, and Andrew. Rick cannot help but look on the Brightside of life and this gift he has been given. Sure he has to share a prison with inmates, but it beats being on the road surrounded by Walkers.
Knowing how protected they are in the prison; Rick goes back to the farm to get Hershel and his family. They may have had differences but he feels it is the right thing to do. Hershel takes him up on his offer and is glad to have the protection of the prison. Meanwhile, in another area of the prison, Tyreese’s daughter is shot. While she is in his arms, she turns and tries to bite him. Her boyfriend kills her and in a blind rage, Tyreese kills the boyfriend. When Rick finds out that Tyreese’s daughter turned without being bitten, he thought about Shane. He knew he had to see for sure. Rick decides to go to where they buried Shane and make sure he doesn’t harm anyone again. While he is away, someone is killing the children. Lori locks up Dexter thinking it was him. It turns out it was one of the other prisoners. Rick comes back from his mission only to find out what has happened. Immediately he feels guilt which causes him to find out who the murderer is. While he is talking to Tyreese about what has going on, the prisoner known as Thomas advances Andrea and threatens to cut her head off. Well, bingo, he is the killer. Andrea manages to get away only to run in Rick’s direction. Well, Rick loses it and bashes his head in. Leaves Thomas alive, but the damage is done.
What happens to Thomas? Will another prisoner turn on the group? Well, to answer that question you will have to read the trade. I have told you too much already.
As always, you cannot go wrong with zombies. I give this trade a perfect rating of 10 out of 10.
Creator/Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler/Inker: Charlie Adlard
Publisher: Image Comics
