Opportunities are only good when you strike. Walking Dead issue 165 continues to explore the after math of the herd breaching the Alexandria Safezone. The issue follows 2 different groups; those within the Safezone and those outside of it. The group within the Safezone is made up of the community members mostly focusing on Rick, Negan, and Siddiq. The group outside of the Safezone is attempting to lead the herd towards the ocean under the leadership of Dwight, Eugene, Andrea, and Maggie. Both groups continue to face obstacles as they attempt to execute their plans.
The Good:
The comic continues to explore the relationship between Rick and Negan. As both men are reliant on each other in order to survive the herds attack. This is demonstrated as Negan goes out first to help thin the herd due to Rick’s injury. When Negan beg becomes overwhelmed Rick shoots several members of the herd allowing Negan to survive and retreat back to safety. This shows that despite the men’s differences in the past they compliment each other, which is helping them survive. As they help one another they are beginning to form a new bond of working together, as they are effective as a team. This hints at the possibility that once this crisis is over an alliance will be formed with these men that will benefit the communities. As this is occurring a radio transmission is answered by Siddiq as the person is looking for Eugene. With this occurring it confirms that the world is a smaller place, as there are other people who have technology like the 4 communities. Also while this transmission is occurring gunshots are in the background, thus revealing information to the people on the other line. While we don’t know how this is interpreted to this other group of people, it does reveal that the Safezone does have weapons and can be viewed as a threat. With this information out there, we can safely assume that it will be used soon as the 4 communities come into contact with this new group. The final element the comic does well is showing how valuable Eugene’s contribution in the last several years has been to the communities in helping to develop tactics to deal with the herd. We see this as he is leading the charge in steering the herd to the ocean. Furthermore, we see him act selflessly as he makes the decision to help distract the herd so the others can escape. This shows that despite being tired and exhausted he is willing to do what ever it takes to ensure that, even if it means risking his own life.
The Bad:
The comic’s major flaw is since the Whisperer war began it has been hyped that the Saviors would attack the Safezone at its weakest point. In this issue they begin this attack with only thinning out the herd and capturing Dwight and Heath. This is not what was hyped that the Saviors would do; as a result this is a let down and does not meet the expectations that were given over the last few issues. Furthermore, the Saviors have made it clear that they are ruthless and want to take Rick out of power, yet, in this issue they seem reasonable and tactical, which does not match up with some of their actions. With some of their actions and how they are portrayed it adds a layer of confusion to the comic that could have been smoother. The second issue with the comic is the ending as Eugene and Andrea narrowly escape the herd to be revealed that there is a problem. This problem appears to be with one of them possibly being injured or infected. There is nothing wrong with ending a comic on a cliffhanger, but with the Walking Dead it adds no value to the story as fans have been reading and will continue to read The Walking Dead regardless of the endings to each issue.
The Verdict:
The Walking Dead, since issue 50, has had good, average, and bad issues. Each of these issues has been better than most comics that have come out at the same time. Now, issue 165 was an average issue, as it did not address any new events or situations rather it continued to show the aftermath of the herd breaching the Safezone. Furthermore, the Saviors have begun to make their move but have not done anything significant that has any changes on the 4 communities so far. In many ways this comic felt like a set up issue as it addresses the new threat of the Saviors’ attack while eluding to the an even greater situation with the people on the radio. Walking Dead 165 is not a home run but, just like any other issue in the series, if you don’t read it you will be lost in the next one.
