I just finished trades 2 and 3....time to buy more.

Mike

I just finished issue 48 (I finally bought the compodium - I think that's how it's spelled. #1 - 48). I really disliked how it ended. I was really into the book hoping for something good to happen, but it didn't. If you're into doom and gloom and movies that have bad endings then this series is definitely for you, but I think my walking dead days are over (lol).
Oh well - off to the next book.

Oh well, I finally kissed goodbye to my #5 - #73 run last weekend. $330 for the run was a pretty decent price, although if I'd broken out the earlier issues I think I may have made a bit more.
But it was nice to see the run going to a serious buyer - he drove over 200 miles to pick them up!

So now to stock up on trades and compendiums.

My 1-48 compendium should be arriving soon. Can't wait to pick up where the first HC trade left off (issue 12).

Steve, you have some immense reading ahead of you

Just finished trades 4 and 5 (ended with number 30) and was left hanging at a very critical juncture. Will have to get number 6 soon.

Mike

I left off at #73 and am itching for more. It's a homage to a title that has you impatient enough to not be able to wait for the trade. And the TV series is coming soon

Just finished the WD Compendium (1-48).

Very entertaining read. Do I wait for the next compendium of start buying TPBs?

I started vol. 1 after buying it from Jon/Pointfive and coming highly recommended as a comic-academic nerd. While I can certainly see where Kirkman is trying to rise above the standard of horror-porn that I think most of the grotesque comics tend towards(i.e. the Marvel Zombie line), I'm finding it is simply not a good fit for me. The dynamics, so far, between the living are interesting and there are some thought-provoking questions he raises--values of day to day life, survival instincts over humanity, etc. But every time the actual zombie characters arrive on the scene, I am visually put off and disengaged from the narrative. Under normal circumstances, I would simply ask whether or not those elements are necessary and if they are there simply for shock / entertainment value. And though I do believe that is part of why the undead are there, they are also the very integral vehicle by which Kirkman is able to open these discussions to begin with. So, finding myself more than a bit turned off by the method of his discussion but not necessarily condemning the quality of the series, I think it's probably fair to say that I won't be continuing past vol. 1.

TPBs. They're always available under cover, then when you've read them you can sell them on and buy the compendium

Just sold my TPBs for $96 on eBay (which is exactly what I paid piecemeal ).
To me, WD is a soap opera where I'm only interested in what happens next. Don't feel the need to re-read them.

They're available here at around $9 each, including free shipping to the States

I couldn't remember where I read this but I'm actually excited about tonights premiere of the Dead on TV. My wife told me it received 4 stars in People mag. I'm guessing it'll be like the old Star Trek episodes, where you have the core cast and the extras in red shirts (the ones you know are going to die), but with better make-up.
We go all out on Halloween (my wife makes the props and I put them out), which means it'll be a late night and a long day at work tomorrow. But it's a lot of fun - Happy Halloween.

I just watched the trailer on AMC and wow - looks like a gore fest!

I'll second that.
In late September, taking a day off work just so I could stay up late and watch a TV show sounded really stupid. Now I wish I would have done it.

It's on my DVR. Now I need for my wife to go to bed early tonight so I can watch it!!!

I watched it last night and one thing I can say is they've perfected the head shot.

I'm not sure if we are going to get it in Canada. AMC is available but few people have it.

Mike

Two more days to go until the premier over here. Can't wait

So I finally watched the premiere...

Very impressive and worth every bit of hype.

First, the quality is cinematic. With the directing, acting and cinematography, you truly feel like you are watching a film, not a TV show. The casting thus far is spot on. Andrew Lincoln as Rick is perfect.

From what I can recall, the storyline has no significant differences from the comics. Even the most anal-retentive comic nerd should be happy that the show does not stray far from the book (at least in the first episode).

The makeup and effects are extremely realistic and not for the faint. This is a very violent show with gruesome images or death and decay. Certainly not for kids.

The only thing that struck me as out-of-place is a song that is played in the final scene as the first episode ends. It doesn't fit in my view. Anyone else feel the same?

Also, one possible "flaw" for geeks. The setting is someone around Atlanta, yet I am pretty sure I saw a palm tree in one of the scenes in Rick's neighborhood. I'm presuming it was shot in a California neighborhood or studio lot where there could very well be palm trees.

The challenge with this show will be keeping it true to the book, yet not so grim and depressing, it becomes difficult to watch.

Looking forward to episode #2.

It premiered over here last night and I thought it was great. Very well shot, great acting, nicely worked subtle changes to the book's storyline... It's a winner in the making.
The effects for the zombies is top notch, definitely looks as if the budget for the series was a fair size and oyu don't usually expect this kind of level of make up in a TV series.

The music at the end was strange, I wondered myself why they decided to include that at the end.

One big shout out to FX (the channel that are airing TWD over here), they ran the premier straight through with no commercial breaks. I certainly hope they stick to that for the whole season. The episode ran at just under 70 minutes, and seriously it felt like I'd only been watching for 20.

I didn't mind the song at the end so much.

"Space Junk" - Wang Chung (1997)


The lyrics make sense metaphorically and the quick sort-of "bounce" in the beat helps to lighten the horrific scenes that are taking place. At least that's how I saw it.
However, I can't imagine sitting around a table when making the show thinking, "I bet Space Junk by Wang Chung would fit great here". I'm guessing somebody lost a bet.

I agree that it was probably included to end the first episode on a less than utterly horrific and hopeless note.

That will be the challenge of this show... staying true to the storyline and finding appropriate ways to keep viewers engaged. Comic fans like us will watch even if it is horribly grim... however we are not enough to keep it on the air. It's a delicate line they must balance to keep moderate fans or non comic fans coming back.

It isn't broadcast in Canada yet (as far as I know) so I watched it on AMC's website. I was surprised it worked as usually streaming video from US TV sites is blocked. Maybe this is available because no one in Canada has picked up the show. Here are my thoughts:

- I agree with all the comments about the quality of production, but I thought it was a bit slow and boring at times. Maybe that is because I have read the comic so the story line wasn't new.
- The music made perfect sense to me. I think they chose it because of the "Welcome to my world." line and I didn't find that to be very uplifting. It just added to the depression for me as it impressed the idea that this is now the way the world is going to be and there is no way out.
- I think that the series will be successful if they focus on the relationships between the living characters (like they do in the comics). I am enjoying Smallville not because of the Superman action, but because of the characters and their personal relationships. This is what they need to do in Walking Dead as well.

Mike M

I've now watched episodes 2 - 4.

At this point, it has diverted from the comic storyline a bit. The "Atlanta" arc is greatly expanded in the show and introduces situations and characters that were not in the book. I think it's good and true to the franchise... however, I think it's time they moved on. Hopefully with episode 5 the progress the plot a bit.

I'm up to episode #3 and I'm enjoying it immensely even though it is moving away from the books. It's been a while since I read any WD so I've forgotten a lot of the early stuff.

I won't print any spoilers, but episode 5 really opens up a new arc far and away from the books. And it seems as if it may be really good.

Looking forward to the finale this Sunday, however I just know it's going to leave us all on the edge for a LOOOONG time until Season Two.

I think as someone else pointed out that it's there to give viewers some hope instead of just all doom and gloom (end of episode 5). So I agree Steve, I think it was an interesting touch to add.

There are a few people on other message boards bemoaning the differences from the comic storylines and the new characters the show has created.

I really don't see it as a problem at all. From my view, I wouldn't want to see a straight regurgitation of the comic and I appreciate seeing things unfold slightly differently. It keeps it fresh. The premise is 100% identical... just some new characters and subplots have been introduced.

Dare I say it, but....

I revisited some of the comics last night. After seeing the show, the comics suddenly seem very sparse. Many pages of "establishing shots" and a bit light on plot development sometimes.

I'd have to agree Steve. I am definitely enjoying the TV show more than the books I think. Really that's testament to the quality of the show as I absolutely loved the books.

One plot point I've been wondering about is Shane? They haven't really played up his relationship with the wife. I wonder how long they plan on keeping him around? I did read the director/producer fired the entire staff because he had written most of the episodes himself so who knows who will be back next season.