The Walking Dead #80

Written by Robert Kirkman
Art by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn

And now, eighty issues after the comic started, Robert Kirkman brings us to the place that many zombie movies live and die in.  After the events of the last few issues, as gunfire has ripped around the perimeter of the Community, a herd of walkers has now surrounded every living member of the cast (except for Andrea).  The walls of the Community are surrounded by hundreds of walkers, and Rick and the crew have to figure out what to do.

It reminds me of the characters trapped in shopping malls in zombie films.  The concerns shift to supplies and guarding the perimeter.  Except, this is The Walking Dead, so it's handled so much better than we're used to.

Rick is basically exerting his semi-official leadership, organizing patrols, watchmen, and engineering squads to keep the members of the Community safe while they try to think of ways to clear out the herd.  It's interesting how the people who live in this place hold Rick and his group separate - they practically lionize them as being more capable, which is interesting, as nothing in this comic is ever guaranteed.

While all this is going on, we also see a lot of interesting interactions between characters.  Rick is sought out by the woman he rescued from an abusive husband, while Abraham seems to have something going on with the woman he rescued a while back.  Also, Morgan and Michonne are getting closer, although she's also started talking to her sword again...

I love this comic, and the way in which it has stayed fresh over such a long run.  I'm excited about this arc, as it is easy to believe that the wall may not hold, and Rick will be on the run again, although I hope not.