The Walking Dead, Volume 10: What We Become by Robert Kirkman

Book Details
The Walking Dead, Volume 10: What We Become by Robert Kirkman
Paperback, 136 Pages
2009, Image Comics
ISBN: 1607060752
Series: Book 10 of The Walking Dead

Synopsis
Out on their own, danger lurking around every corner, our ragged band of survivors tries to live long enough to reach Washington D.C. Continuing the long-running saga, Robert Kirkman continues to take us to places we've never been. The 10th book in this series collects The Walking Dead #55-60.

Review
What We Become does well to get the series moving again after Here We Remain, but things aren't perfectly back on track yet. The title is spot on, which many of the characters worrying about what they've started to become since the zombies rose, but occasionally the line between surviving and downright crazy is blurrier than it should be.

Rick and his phone are already getting on my nerves. I can see how it connects him to Michonne and allows for more understanding of her character, but Rick really needs to be less crazy to be a compelling main character. I never much liked Lori in life and I shouldn't have to continue to experience her spouting off about stuff in death. Maggie's selfish and obviously crazy behavior at least accomplished something. The altercation between Rick and Abraham that follows sets both men on the path towards understanding - eventually.

The Carl in danger plot twist is stunningly uncomfortable, revisiting the horrors of man theme in the most despicable manner. I'm having a hard time deciding whether to applaud Kirkman for going there or hating him for it. Definitely haunting.

Those following the series will enjoy finally knowing what happened to some early characters, although the outcome of their return isn't remotely clear yet. Neither is what's going to happen to the remaining group. People are pretty much off their rockers at this point, even the kids, and many seem to be regressing into whiny "I don't wanna" versions of their former selves.

The zombie gore and mayhem are ramped up in What We Become, giving the volume much needed action between deep conversation. The tenth volume isn't quite as good as some of the earlier ones, but at least the story seems to be moving again.

Rating