In today’s age many comics do not make it to issue 150. The Walking Dead, which can be purchased here, is the latest comic to join this small club. The Walking Dead 150 is a game changer for the entire series as it show a darker side to Rick. In particular his ability to use fear to control people allows him to remain in charge of the Alexandria safe zone. For several issues we have seen a power struggle occur between Rick and the people of the four communities this issue re-establishes why Rick is the leader of these 4 communities as he begins to manipulate his people.
Summary:
The issue focuses on Rick as he is laying out his plan for militarization to Eugene. The plan is to create an army that will be able to attack and defend against threats while satisfying the people’s thirst for justice. As Rick is leaving he is attacked by Morton and Vincent, who’s goal is to scare Rick into taking action. Morton almost kills Rick and is stopped by Vincent. This allows Rick the opportunity to bite into Morton’s jugular causing him to die do to blood loss. Rick is later found by Maggie and is treated but immediately goes to speak to everybody, covered in blood, to explain his position on recent events that have occurred. His position is that he is scared about how things might go back to the way they were. Rick further goes on to state that things will not go back to the way they were, as he will not let that happen. While Rick is finishing his speech Vincent is captured and is brought to Rick who forgives him for attacking him. This leads to Rick stating that he needs everybody in the community to be involved in his militarization of the four communities to eliminate the Whisperers and any threat moving forward.
Analyze:
Throughout 150 issues of The Walking Dead we have seen Rick Grimes change as a leader due to circumstances. Issue 150 has brought in another change, as Rick has taken on the role of becoming a necessary evil to maintain order and safety. In order to do this Rick is utilizing tricks from previous leaders he has encountered such as the Governor and Negan. Both these previous leaders had used fear to manipulate people in order to back up their ideas to ensure that they maintain power. Rick is using the fear of his people in the four communities as he is providing an answer that makes them feel safe. Rick’s solution to this problem is to create a military with him in charge that will eliminate the Whisperers. The creation of the military will ensure that Rick is never challenged again as he controls guns and people. Thus Rick has manipulated the situation that the Whisperers have created and turned it into an Us (the four communities) versus Them (The Whisperers) situation as the Whisperers are the cause of him being attacked and they are making everybody scared. The only way to stop them from being scared is to eliminate them by forming a military that will give Rick new enforcement power.
Issue 150 ushers in a new transformation as Rick has begun to manipulate his own people following in the suit of the Governor and Negan. It is too early to tell if Rick’s manipulation will be similar or different than his predecessors but it is necessary due to the events that have taken place if the Grimes want to survive.
