Now issue 156 of The Walking Dead cements a new reign of power for Rick and Negan. The issue focuses on Negan who has safely made it to the Whisperers territory. He begins to abide by their rules and way of life to gain acceptances and trust. Due to him following the rules and helping out with the betterment of the group, Negan gains Alpha’s trust. He also gains close quarter access, which grants him the opportunity to take an action benefiting the 4 communities and significantly hurting the Whisperers.
The Good:
The issue does provide an inside look into many aspects of the Whisperers lives as experienced by Negan. These include the way the Whisperers hunt food, interact with the undead and obtain their skins. As a result this provides answers on how they have survived for so long as they have mastered a variety of useful skills. On the other hand Negan witnesses and is stopped from interfering when a women is going to be raped. This is due to the process that the Whisperers have established to get your skin you must show that you are strong and can survive on your own. If you cannot then you are not ready to be part of the group. This generates a foil between Alpha and Negan. As Alpha is representing a state of a natural world while Negan is representing a social contract world where certain crimes are stopped. As a result of this the comic creates an interesting foil between the two characters and their ideologies that sparks a philosophical and practical debate. Despite having differing opinions the two appear to be having an intimate moment, as the title of the comic suggests, but a plot twist occurs resulting in Negan decapitating Alpha. Thus this expands where the comic can possibly go as Negan is working for Rick as well as showing some elements of rehabilitation as he recognizes the benefits of civilization.
The Bad:
Since issue 144 Alpha has been the major antagonist that the 4 communities have faced. With her death a major void is filled on many levels. The first being Alpha has directly caused 2 major changes the first being the formation of Rick’s army and the second establishing territory lines. Now with Alpha gone the Whisperers are significantly weakened thus the initial purpose of the army is no longer relevant and appears as a side issue. And a similar scenario occurs within the territory’s boundaries as the Whisperers, due to Alpha’s death, can’t enforce the boundaries making what she did a moot point. Finally, Alpha kept control and made the Whisperers a threat under her command, with her gone it raise the question can another character rise to her level and have the same effect as she did.
Conclusion:
The Walking Dead, issue 156, is one hell of a way to end the 26th comic arc for the series. Despite the problem that is presented with Alpha’s death the comic is extremely satisfying. Mostly due to it focusing on Negan’s actions and the choices he makes and the consequences that ensue. Furthermore, the comic does create many options where the comic can explore plot, character development, and ideas of governing and surviving. Without a doubt The Walking Dead, issue 156, is a must read for comic fans.
