My Days Off: Television

By Geeky Gem

In this series of blogs I have been telling you all about the things I get u to when I have a day off. This time around I am going to share with you some of the television shows I am currently watching and some I have on my list.

Criminal Minds

As you may know me a little bt by know, you will know I have a habit of not getting into certain shows once it has been on a while. Criminal MInds is one of these shows, I had seen the odd episode here and there and then a friend in work lent me season one and boy am I gripped. I love it, it’s a fantastic show about B.A.U ( Behavioral Analysis Unit) who are called into to find some of the most twisted people out there. It really is a good show.

Game Of Thrones: Season 2

Now season 2 pick up where season one left off and boy does it start off as it means to go on. I haven’t finished season 2 yet but I better get a move on as season 3 starts soon and I for one can not wait. The North remembers is a great season opener and it just gets better and better.

American Horror Story: Asylum

This season is as every bit as good as the first season. The best thing is you don’t have to have seen season one to enjoy the whole host of new and disturbing characters that walk the halls of Briarcliff Asylum. Full of twists and turns and some messed up story lines AHS: Asylum is brilliant from start to finish.

The Walking Dead: Season 3

Now did you really think I could go on without mentioning The Walking Dead. I think we all know how I feel about this show, so I wont go on about it too much. It’s just getting better and better. Watch it, just watch it.

Arrow

Now Arrow is on my list of shows I have yet to watch, and was I really going to miss it. No as it’s based on the comic book character The Green Arrow and we all know how I feel about comics.  The Story is about  billionaire playboy Oliver Queen who after a violent shipwreck goes missing and presumed dead for five years. However he is later found alive on a remote island in the Pacific. This looks good and I will get round to watching it.

There we have it for another week, see you soon and happy watching.

Wednesday Whimsy

By: Caelrona

Hiya all! Another week, another blog post. It’s Wednesday again, and so here I am to bring you a dash of geek. This past weekend I went to see the new release Warm Bodies in theaters with a couple of friends. My popcorn was amazing, because we went to a theater with the flavored pop-corn salt thingies, and the movie was pretty good too. I mean, it’s nothing I’m super excited about, but it wasn’t bad at all, it just wasn’t as good as, say, Zombieland. It just had too much chick-flick in it to be something that I could really love. But anyway, I would hate to ruin it for those of you who have yet to watch it, so instead of telling you about it I thought I’d instead use it for inspiration. Between it and the new episodes of The Walking Dead airing this coming Sunday, I’m in a zombie mood. So here we have my Top 5 Worst Zombie Types.

Number 5: Suiciders from Dead Island

These zombies are gross. The game booklet describes them thusly; “This poor creature trapped in a disfigured, pulsing form retains a semblance of awareness even though its instincts drive it to get close to an uninfected survivor and attack with a self-destructive explosion. Fighting suiciders in a confined space is or from close range is… suicidal.” So yeah, they are big, walking pustules of infection waiting to explode themselves to kill you, and if you survive the explosion you’ll be covered in their nasty infectious puss. Gross. Also they attempt to garner your sympathy by uttering a creepy ‘Help Me’ when ever you come near them. No thanks!

Number 4: Rage Virus Zombies from 28 Day/Weeks Later

Zombies that can run? Screw that shit! If the zombie apocalypse ever happens then I want the dumb, slow, dead kind. I do not want running live ones!

Number 3: Bonies from Warm Bodies

Now, I don’t want to ruin the movie for those of you who haven’t seen it, so I’ll keep this short. They are zombies that have peeled all their flesh off. That’s right. Skeleton zombies. Creepy as fuck. Oh, and they can run.

Number 2: Mutations from Resident Evil

In basically every Resident Evil there are always weird mutated zombie-things. From the wall-crawling Lickers that bite Rain Ocampo in the very first Resident Evil movie, to the huge, muscled Axeman that Alice fights in the shower room of the prison in the 4^th Resident Evil movie, to the tunnel-digging Majini also from the 4^th movie. I dislike them intensely. Mainly because of their creepy factor, but also I just dislike the entire premise of them. While they have backstory and purpose in the games, they really just make very little sense at all in the movies.

 

Number 1: Reavers from Serenity/Firefly

The Reavers from Serenity/Firefly aren’t actually zombies, I know. But they’re cannibalistic, and kill everything so it is close enough for me have always kind of considered them as sort of zombies. Anyway, one thing is for certain; I absolutely, positively do not want able-bodied, running zombies who can think and use weapons and technology. That would be horrible.

 

There we have it! My Top 5 Worst Zombie Types. Of course there are individual zombies I dislike intensely, these types are my least favorite. Well, I should rephrase that. I enjoy watching them; they would be my least favorite kinds to have to deal with. but anyway,  all this talk of zombies has given me some cravings… No, not for human brains. For a zombie movie marathon! Or a zombie tv-show marathon… ooh, now I’m even more excited for the new episodes of the Walking Dead! I suppose I will survive the few days we have until the first one airs. Hopefully ya’ll can too!

Until next time,

Caelrona – signing off! ❤

Wednesday Whimsy

By Caelrona

Hiya all! Caelrona here.. but wait, it is Wednesday! For those of you who skipped the last Wednesday post, the short of it is that HMS has given up his Wednesday slot and passed the torch, so to say, on to me. That’s right; from now on I’ll be handling the Wednesday posts, and although I can’t be promising it’ll always be whimsical I shall do my best! HMS did a lovely little intro for me last week, which I encourage you to read if you’ve not done so already. As HMS has done, and dear GeekyGems did the week before last, I shall attempt to tell you about random geeky goings-ons from ‘round my way. Not entirely certain I’ll be any good at that sort of thing, and I will probably end up blathering on until you’re quite ready to swat me but we shall give it a go! Anyway, on to the post!

Recently I’ve found myself with an awful lot of time on my hands. Since I’m more or less am done with my PS3 for a while (I had some sort of skin reaction to the controller. What? My PS1 never did that! Different plastic maybe?) I’ve moved on to random computer games. I’m on hiatus from World of Warcraft, even though I seriously am wanting to play with the new Pandaren race (So much) and I managed to burn myself out on Sims, even with the new Supernatural EP and all my mods. What does that leave me? Don’t laugh, but it’s left me Minecraft and Maplestory. Not really a combination most people would consider, but I’ve been splitting some of my free time betwixt the two and have been thoroughly enjoying myself. Want cutesy adorable gameplay? Maplestory it is! Want to fight zombies and have my wits scared out of me by the creepers (and damn them anyway, stupid hissing noise!)? Minecraft it is!

But alas, even those cannot fill all my spare time – indeed, I’ve played neither for nearly a week thanks to a combination of unpleasant circumstances. For one, I lost my internet connection for a good while, which is why you’ve not seen me posting here at All Geek To Me. I shall spare you the boring details of attempting to restore settings to a nearly 10 year old router and get it to working. That nightmare was enough to put three very tech-savvy people into fits of rage that only geeks can manage in the face of uncooperative technology. Finally, I broke down and got a new router, which after a small hiccough, has been performing admirably well. The second setback is that I’ve been physically unable to play videogames – or, in fact, type particularly well. I’ve sprained my left hand rather badly and after three weeks of putting it aside I’ve been forced to visit a doctor about it, who wrapped it up quite well and set me to resting it. I feel like I’ve grown a flipper in place of a hand, and I’m sure you can see how this is quite the disadvantage for someone who wishes to type or play video games. I must admit, I’ve removed my bandages just to type up this post because typing one handed is incredibly bothersome.

Aside from all that, there are quite a few things I can do even with a bandaged flipper for a hand. Once such thing just happens to be one of my other favorite past times – reading. Among other books, I re-read the Harry Potter series this past weekend, and I must say; dearie me but it has been too long. I should really take a weekend to read them more often. Of course that sort of made it all the better. I couldn’t remember exact details; only my love – or hate – for certain characters and a general remembrance of the plot line. Thusly events were fresh and new for me when they happened, causing all the same (perhaps worse?) emotions and wrenching feelings that reading through the very first time brought to me. Of course not much has changed – I still find myself agreeing with James and Sirius that Snivellus – apologies, Professor Snape – was a despicable, whiny, pansy-assed, mean-spirited git who should’ve grown a pair of balls. I also still find myself mourning the loss of most of the characters you’d expect – Sirius, Dumbledore, Fred, Remus, Tonks and the like.

Luckily for my poor strained eyes there is something else besides reading that doesn’t require the usage of two good hands. That would be watching television. Not something I do very often, admittedly, but when I do I make it count. Recently I’ve been watching the new season of Walking Dead, which is quite excellent. Mostly I love how Lori is getting treated like dirt because I never particularly liked that skinny little cheater anyway. Every single episode something happens and I hope she’ll get bitten, but does it happen? Of course not. However, I have to say I’m super excited about the possibility of a zombie baby – Holy cow wouldn’t it be amazing if it ate its way out of her stomach?! – but I have a strong feeling that the series won’t be going that direction. Not only because it would be wonderfully morbid, but also because the graphic novel doesn’t go there. Although it certainly wouldn’t be the first diversion the TV series took. Carl is turning into a disrespectful little pervert, but I suppose that is what happens when you go through puberty during the zombie apocalypse with Lori for a mother. I’m also enjoying the way Carol’s character has developed – the weak simpering crazy lady from the comics is much improved in the television version.

Ah, but it pains me to write this (no, seriously =P ) this post must be coming to a close now. Hopefully by this time next week I’ll have my bandages off for good and regained full usage of my poor hand.

Until next time;

Caelrona – signing off! ❤

Wednesday Whimsy!

 

By Geeky Gem

Wednesday Whimsy by Geeky Gem, what’s this I hear you say? Well Mr Beefnuts have given me special permission to write this weeks whimsy. Now I am going to try to stick to his format and basically talk about a few things I have been doing over the past few weeks.

Well that being said shall we begin?

I have recently brought myself an Xbox 360 and have already started losing many hours of my life to gaming, I havent done this for some time. Yes, I still own my Playstation 3 and I am not about to dump it but I have wanted to get one for some time, so I did. this is the part where I tell you what games I have been playing one might surprise you one may not.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean

I really enjoy the Lego games they can be real fun and nice easy bit of gaming if you don’t fancy anything to taxing. This one follows all four movies as you play as many characters to become a True Pirate.  The other game I have been playing is this bad boy –

Skyrim

This is my first Elder Scrolls game that I have played and so far I love it, I turned it on to play it and then all of a sudden it was five later. I have feeling I am going to lose a lot more time to this game and I can’t wait. Did i mention it has Dragons? Just saying.

The other thing I like to do when I am not gaming is reading and at the moment I am reading both a book and a graphic novel. My current book is new and was recommended to me by some one I have met online though Pottermore. So Thanks Olivia.

City of Bones

This is a book by Cassandra Clare and is the first book in The Mortal Instruments series note this is soon to be a major movie release. This is not however the reason I picked up the book, it was purely because Olivia said I would like it ans she was not wrong. The story is simple Clary Fray has witnessed a murder but this was no normal murder the victim was a demon and now she is plunged into a world of demon hunters. I am really enjoying it, so if it sounds like the book for you give it try.

My graphic novel of choice at the moment is not a re-read of part one but a first time read of part 2.

Kick Ass

I loved Kick Ass, the first graphic novel was fantastic and I cant wait to read Kick Ass 2 let alone see the new movie due out soon. It’s just so fast paced and so out there. The art is fantastic and if you have never read it you really need there is so much more to it than what you see in the movie.

Another of my pass times is watching Television and not one but two of my favourite shows have started again the US and even with one of them showing here at the same time the other isnt and for the first time in ages I couldn’t wait and I have seen it.

Dexter Season 7

If you have never seen Dexter then shame on you, it is a brilliant show and as it enters its last two season we are drawn into the final chapters of  Dexter’s story. How will it end, hopefully not the way his life started covered in blood, who I am kidding of course that is how it will end. Season 7 starts where season 6 left off with Deb finding Dexter in a less than perfect situation.

Now you dont have to be a genuis to figure out what other show i am about to mention, all you to have done is read my blogs and know me a little.

The Walking Dead Season 3

This is the story arc I have been waiting for, The Walking Dead survivors are back and they have a whole new situation to deal with and this has one of the most evil comic book villains coming up and I for one can not wait. The Governor is just pure evil and I hope they play it out like that, the season opener was really good and i cant wait to see what else they have coming up.

Well there we have it folks, my first and maybe last whimsy. That being said I have really enjoyed sharing this with you. What is it the young people say Laters.

Autumn of Terror: My Favourite Monsters Part 2

By @hmsbeefnuts

Yesterday I brought you part one of a two part blog about my favourite versions of all the classic monsters. Well guess what? Here is part two, so you know the deal, here comes some more monsters that I love, and some more honourable mentions that I love almost, but not quite, as much. Part One can be found here. Part Two starts…. Now.

ZOMBIES

Zombies really don’t have that much in the name of variety. You have your standard undead, raised by magic, meteorites or simply if Hell is full with souls, and your voodoo type slave zombies. I happen to like the undead type, and what better, more horrible zombies than the Nazi variety. Call of Duty is a great game and the zombie mode is always fun. The scary thing about zombies is that on there own, they can be quite manageable, it is only when there are a crowd that things become a problem. When that crowd comes running screaming towards you, dressed like nazis, shit has really hit the fan, all one can hope is the magic box grants you a ray gun…

HONOURABLE MENTION

Little girl rage zombies, well that is just scary as shit right?

WITCHES

Responsible for more children’s nightmares than any other monster on this list, The Wicked Witch of the West is the perfect embodiment of evilness. Green skin, perfect witchy outfit, broom stick, hatred of children and general goodness, and if that’s not enough, she has flying blue monkey soldiers, and it doesnt get more evil than that.

HONOURABLE MENTION

The head witch is very scary. That moment when she takes her face off, absolutely terrifying, and she looks grotesque. Imagine waking up to that? No thanks.

MUMMIES

I like my Mummies wrapped in bandages and the Hammer mummy looks creepiest to me. Boris Karloff may be one of my favourite horror actors, but then so is Christopher Lee, and his eyes are way creepier than the Universal Mummy.

HONOURABLE MENTION

If Karloff had stayed in the bandages all the way through the film, he would have been my ultimate choice, however, he doesn’t and is quickly portrayed as a Dracula type figure. Love that black and white picture though.

MR. HYDE

I have always loved this look for Mr. Hyde. Very simian looking, very primal, and a brilliant transformation scene. It has to be this version of Hyde, it is the greatest.

HONOURABLE MENTION

Forget the film, the comic version of this Mr  Hyde is king. The way he deals with the invisable man alone proves this.

HUNCHBACK

Lon Chaney Snr. old school make up job, say no more.

HONOURABLE MENTION

Bela Lugosi played an evil hunchback assisstant in Son of Frankenstein, almost the best.

Autumn of Terror: Scary Ass Television

By Geeky Gem

Here at AGTM, whenever we decide to have a theme that will run for a month, we sit down and have a good think about how to plan the month. We each come up with a list of things we would like to write about, this is how I came up with little blog. We all know that I watch way to much television, it occurred to me that I could use this as I have also watched some scary television. I this blog I shall share 10 really good ones with you, shall we begin?

The Twilight Zone

I used to love this show, I often caught episodes on repeat. One of the many reason’s I think I liked it was due to the fact I found it scarier as it was in black in white. I am not sure why this is but I did, it is at this point I should tell you, I do not scare easily so the shows on this list neer truly made me jump out of my seat but I loved them all the same. Each week was something new and a twist would just come out which would make you go “ooooo i didnt see tht coming.” which was kind of the point.

American Horror Story

Well what can I say about American Horror Story, at first I didn’t know what to make of it but I knew I liked it. After watching the first episode I found it hard to get my mind around the fact that the guys who made this scary ass show had in fact made Glee. Wat the hell how can this be the same guys? it’s a fantastic scary show with twist and turns each week and keeps you guessing right untill the end. If you havent seen it you really must before the new season starts.

Goosebumps

When I was younger this was one of the shows that I got my love for scares from. I loved the books and i read loads of them R.L Stine got them just right, so when the show came about I was overjoyed and I watched every one. Some of my favourite ones where ones that had come direct from the books, they were really good and not to scary for kids well they didn’t scare me any way.

The Walking Dead

If I am not mistaken, everyone knows how I feel about this show. That being said I will keep it brief, folks it has zombies what’s not to like. For more awesomeness check out the comics the really are worth your time, I can’t wait for season 3 and the glorious things it will bring.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

This is another show I watched as a kid, the show was based on a group of kids who ech week would gather at a campsite and tell each other a scary story in order to scare each other. It was really good, my brother wasnt really allowed to watch this one as it was a bit scarier than Goosebumps.

The Outer Limits

Ahhh, The Outer Limits, i loved this show. I watched this one with my parents every week, and every week it was different. Much like the Twilight Zone but so different as well. Plus it had an awesome intro, We are controlling transmission, We will control the horizontal, We will control the vertical, We will control all that you see and hear. Brilliant.

The X- Files

When I was a teenager I was obsessed with this show. I mean I never missed a show, I had books, videos and a glow in the dark clock. It was everything I always wanted in a show. I wanted to believe and I trusted no one.

American Gothic

Now it wasnt untill a few years ago did I catch this little gem, on re-run on the horror channel. That made me think how did I miss this, it’s a good show. The Evil Sheriff wants to control the whole town but he has a dark secret. What more could ask for, well except a dead sister that comes back to guide the young Caleb.

Tales from the Crypt

I have touched on the cartoon version of this show before, but here I shall be talking about the show that was made for adults.  As with a few shows on this list, it was a different story each week that the Cryptkeeper wold tell you about usually opening with some sort of pun that would take you into the show. This show was good, sometimes it was funny and other times it coud be real scary, it would also have famous A-list actors and director pop in and out of episodes which was always good.

Masters of Horror

Masters of Horror, is brilliant. Each episode is written or directed by a member of the Masters of Horror informal social group of international film writers and directors. It claims people such John Carpenter, Joe Dante, Mark Garris and Tobe Hooper as members, this show was dark and edgy and each week you didn’t know what would be next. Well worth a watch.

There we have t folks, some scary ass television, if you haent seen any of theses shows and you like this ind of thing give them a go.

Summer Knights: My Favorite Comic Book Guys

By Geeky Gem

We here at All Geek like our comics, which at times can cause a debate over the best writers, artists and story arcs. However, there is one thing we do agree on, and that is comic books on a whole are a great way to spend some time. This got me thinking, just who do I spend my time reading? It would appear just looking at my loans from the library this past year that I have already started picking my comics by certain people. That brings me to this article and the list of the writers I enjoy the most in no real order.

Frank Miller

Frank Miller is a comic book artist, writer and movie director. He is best known for his dark, film-noire comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns along with Sin City and 300. The latter two both being turned into movies and reaching even more fans all over the world. I like Miller’s style; it’s just so rich and reaches the dark side of any subject matter he looks into. When you look at 300 and then watch the movie his pages are right there on the screen, which always look fantastic.

Jeph Loeb

Joseph “Jeph” Loeb III is a film and television writer, producer and award winning comic book writer. Loeb was a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.  He was also the writer for the films Commando and Teen Wolf he was also a writer and Co-Executive Producer on the show Heroes from its premiere in 2006 to November 2008. In 2010, Loeb became Head of Television for Marvel in charge of drama, comedy and animation.

Loeb is a four-time Eisner Award winner and five time Wizard Fan Award winner, Loeb’s comic book work  on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, The Avengers and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Many of these works he has done with artist Tim Sale.  I like Jeph’s style as well, I can really get lost in one of story’s it’s that easy.  Some of the work he has done is that good I just couldn’t put it down.

Alan Moore

Now Alan Moore penned one of my all time favorite Batman graphic novels so to me it was a crime to leave him off the list. The graphic novel in question is The Killing Joke if you didn’t know. Alan Oswald Moore is a writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchman, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He is frequently described as the best graphic novel writer in history, he has also been described as “one of the most important British writers of the last fifty years”. He has occasionally used such pseudonyms as Curt Vile, Jill de Ray, and Translucia Baboon.

Alan Moore was picked up by DC Comics and became the one of the first comic writers living in Britain to do prominent work in America; he worked on big name characters such as Batman in which he wrote the Killing Joke and Superman in which he wrote Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? The Killing Joke was one of the first Batman graphic novels I read and it will stay with me forever because it was frankly fantastic. I have since read more of Moore’s work and I just can’t get over how much he brings to the characters he writes for.

　

Mike Mignola

Many people may know that I have a bit of thing for Hellboy and that I think he totally rocks. The gentleman I’m about to tell you about now created Hellboy. Michael Joseph “Mike” Mignola again as are the rest of the people on this list is a comic book artist and writer who as I mentioned created the comic book series Hellboy for Dark Horse Comics. He has worked for animation projects such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the adaptation of his one shot comic book The Amazing Screw-On Head.

Up until 1994 Mignola had only ever illustrated the work of others. In 1994 he illustrated his own work, his first Hellboy story, The Seed of Destruction, which was scripted by John Byrne, and published by Dark  Horse Comics, followed by further stories, with associated merchandise. The Hellboy story Wolves of St. August and later stories were scripted by Mignola, though other writers and artists have also worked on the character. All major story arcs were drawn by Mike Mignola, but in 2007 artist Duncan Fegredo took over drawing, with Mignola remaining on as writer and cover artist. He also writes the spin-off BPRD with John Arcudi which is drawn by Guy Davis with Mignola as cover artist. The 2008 one -shot In the Chapel of Moloch was the first Hellboy comic he provided the script and art for since The Island in 2005. The reason I like Mignola so much was that he took the risk in creating Hellboy and running with it. All comic book writers take risks with their characters and its one thing I admire about them. Hellboy is just so rich and deep with elements of darkness. It’s a great read.

Robert Kirkman

If you know me at all, and I hope some of you do by now. Then you’ll know not only do I like things that go bump in the night but I like zombies. A little too much some people may say but I can’t help it. There is just something about the end of the world being bought on by the reanimated corpses’ of the dead that I find fascinating.  That being said, it seems only right that I tell you little about the man who is in the zombie spot light right now.

Robert Kirkman is a comic book writer best known for his work on The Waking Dead and Invincible which are published by Image Comics. He is also known for his work on Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies which he did for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of its co-founders.

Although The Walking Dead has zombies in, they are not the main focus of the comic it is all about the characters. It’s about how they cope with trying to live day to day in a world no overrun with the dead. I have touched n this subject in other articles about The Waking Dead which can be found on the site.

That brings us to the end of this list I hope you had a good time looking at just some of the guys that keep me reading comics.

The Walking Dead: Part 2

The Television Show

By Geeky Gem

Last time I talked to about The Walking Dead, I regaled you with the tale of how good the comics are. Now I shall share with you my thoughts on the AMC show based on the afore mentioned comics.

 

When I first heard that some fantastic folk in America had decided to turn Robert Kirkman’s epic comic into a show, I squealed like only a geek can, I was so excited. I waited for months as filming started, and promos appeared all over the place. I read everything I could; I was totally up to date with the comic at the time so that was all good. 

Then casting began. I won’t lie to you, most of the cast are people I have not heard about. There were a handful of cast members that I did know, for example Andrew Lincoln who was cast as Rick was an excellent pick. He brings Rick to life, and really shows how deep source martial is.

As for crew, the show was created by Frank Darabont, best known for such great films as The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. He joined the wave of film makers coming back to television. A trend that also saw Alan Ball bringing us True Blood, and Stephen Spielberg, Falling Skies and Terra Nova.

 

Now this is where I would usually tell you how much the comic is like the show. Well, in this case, I can’t do that. The show is very different from the comic, in more ways than one, to tell you them all would take me forever. I will say just a few things on it. For example there are some characters in the show that are not in comic, the show goes a different way to the comic, so what you really need to know is that you kind of have to view them as two different things and they stand alone.

 However the show can really get to the heart of the human condition just as much as the comic can and at the end of the day that is what this show is all about. Kirkman’s work has translated so well to the screen that I don’t miss an episode and with the casting of one of the most evil villains in comic book history just been revealed, (The Governor for those who haven’t heard) I know I will carry on watching this fantastic show. Each week I hate the fact I have to wait a week to watch another and that’s what a good show should do. The mid season cliff hanger for season two was brilliant. Now the show is back for the second half of season two and it just keeps getting better. There is just something about this show that keeps me coming back each week. Even with my knowledge of the comics, this doesn’t stop me because as I said, it is very different from the comics. I think that’s why I like it so much. If you haven’t seen it, it really is a much see show, come on jump on the band wagon and see what all the fuss is about.

The Walking Dead

The Comics

By Geeky Gem

 

Oh The Walking Dead, how much do I love this comic? It is brilliant, now I know there is a television show as well, but in this article, I want to share my thoughts on the comic, and then I will move onto the show at another point in time. Well, The Walking Dead is a monthly black and white comic book series that chronicles the travels of Rick Grimes, his family and the survivors of a zombie apocalypse.

The Walking Dead was first issued in 2003 by publisher Image Comics, the comic was created by Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, who was later replaced by Charlie Adlard.

When Rick Grimes, a Kentucky police officer is shot in the line of duty, he awakes from a coma to a whole new world. The town, in fact the world, has been overrun with walking corpses. When Rick safely exists the hospital, he makes straight for Atlanta in order to find his wife and son. Can you blame him, I am sure anyone of us would have done the same. 

In most stories like this Rick wouldn’t find his family for a long time, or in fact not at all. However in this story, he does find find his family, and will stop at nothing to make sure they survive and stay together. On their journey to find somewhere safe to live, they encounter a number of other survivors, they form a group as each person they meet seems to have something they need. As the group grows you can imaging not all of them make it, with characters’ frequently being killed off in some rather gruesome ways. They don’t all get killed by zombies, which is a welcome change, as a zombie induced death would get on your nerves after a while.

Robert Kirkman has written some amazing characters into this fantastic piece of work. There is of course Rick, who I mentioned was a police officer, there is Glenn a boy he meets in Atlanta and is the go getter of the group, Dale who’s kind of the father figure but is also pretty handy with a gun and my favorite character is Michonne, she is fantastic. Her entrance scene is brilliant she walks in with two zombies in tow and a big sword. 

Now besides the characters I have mentioned above, there are a whole lot more but I don’t want to mention some of them as they give away big plots and will ruin the story if you haven’t read them. Instead I will tell you a little more about the art work, Tony Moore did a brilliant job on the first 7 issues of this comic and he continued to do the cover art right up to issue 24, now the sad thing about this is that Kirkman and Moore are no longer speaking, and are currently going to court over the matter of the comic. This however sad it is, cannot over shadow what is a brilliantly illustrated piece of work. Adlard was more than a capable artist to take over from Moore and I have had the joy of seeing him in person at a Comic Expo I attended last year with Kirkie Chick and BlitzEvo. He was really good, and the panel he was on was really fun, and he was excited by his work and even appears in the first season of the show as a zombie. Anyway his work is brilliant it’s amazing what he can do with black and white.

If you are fans of the show but have yet to read these fantastic comics, you really should, you are missing out. If you have read this and are watching the show then you might want to check out the new novel called Rise of the Governor, which gives a much more detailed pre story to one of the most evil villains in comic history. If you have done all this, then I have no more to teach you, and I hope you continue to enjoy The Walking Dead as much as I do.