The Walking Dead

Last week I came down with what I assume is some sort of bubonic plague. I've essentially not left my couch or bed for close to a week. During my lapse through the American Thanksgiving and kick-off to "Winter-holiday" season, I picked up my roommates The Walking Dead graphic novels written by Robert Kirkman. I have also caught up on the television series of the same name on AMC.

The correlations between the two are; well, basic to say the least. Some similar characters, which includes the major characters. I must say that I'm not upset that the television series takes liberties in its story. There are some very big differences that happen in the television series opposed to the comics; yet, the differences are played out quite well.

What I want to bring up is the art style in the novels. The art is purely shades of gray, black, and white but the art is fantastic. The limited "colors" used can be intentionally weaved to play on major themes of human emotion. In one pane, for example, a characters shading with a black face during a tense moment can convey more than the words being said. For instance, in one pane Rick Grimes (the main character) discusses how he ruthlessly murdered a man to protect his people. This discussion comes within an issue of Rick telling his people that there is to be no killing whatsoever. Ricks face is depicted in black in contrast to the sharp white and gray shades of the faces in the background. The look of disgust on the peoples faces in the background tells the whole story along with the dialogue; however, the shadowed face tells more. Rick has betrayed his words, betrayed his people, and has become nothing more than a shadow of what he once was.

Maybe I'm looking into this one a little much - let me pose another example.

During this same issue, Mishonne (basically action-girl) is seeking vengeance to some horrible atrocities done against her. In her dialogue box she simply states that she can't leave quite yet. The shading is drawn perfectly to detail exactly what is going to happen - foreshadowing in its simplest form, also a pun. The shadowing gives Mishonne a sunken appearance or an appearance that is gaunt and shows outlines her skull. I feel that this was done intentionally to tell a tale of her deathly intentions or perhaps to show her grim emotion. Mishonne is about to act in a way that if she does carry out her intentions than she is leaving part of her behind. The death-skull visage; in my opinion, shows the metaphorical death of a part of Mishonne.

Of course, The Walking Dead isn't just a zombie tale. In fact, I see it more of a depressive correlation to the human condition and the struggle we all face. The zombies themselves represent nothing more than hurdles and strife though through the story the zombies are physically a very real problem. The characters constantly go through periods of loss, happiness, unity, and then back to loss - much in the way that people have to deal with loss and seek happiness and companionship.

These themes are present in many forms of entertainment media so nothing new under the sun, I guess. Still - I find it interesting to see how an isolated group of characters interact with one another with their real threat outside their fences at all times. Also, the interactions between the main group of characters and living outsiders is interesting as these interactions show the true nature of the main characters. Similarly to reality, it is the interactions with others that define us. Our values, morals, and ethics are tested each day with each person we meet.

I suppose for now I'll get back to reading some more and nursing this plague. If I succumb to this plague - maybe next time I write I'll be reporting from the other end as one of The Walking Dead.