This volume covers comic issues 13-24. The hardback makes a pretty good value, and like the previous one, places the story in one long continuous arc (no pagination in the book or divisions other than two chapters). For readers who like to read their graphic novels in a compilation versus waiting for the monthly, this is a nice way to do it. Let's look at this volume then.

The drama continues to remain high. The author is keeping the suspense and tension alive as no character is safe. Anyone can die at any time and for any reason. The zombies are not the only thing that can kill you. The only small quibble I have with the series is that, while it is a pretty good human interest story--as in, there is good character development overall, readers will be interested in them, so on-- it is turning into a bit of a domestic drama at times, which is a form that I am just not interested in. However, the author manages to throw in a few twists and sudden turns so readers do not get too relaxed, or in my case bored, with the domestic stuff. And there were some twists and surprises in this part of the series. Fans will definitely enjoy this edition. People who have not read the comic but seen the show will likely enjoy this as well, keeping in mind that the show differs quite a bit from the comic. I may or not pick up the next volume; it would depend on my mood at the time. If nothing else, this series tends to be a pretty quick read given it has good pacing. As always, the art works very nicely with the story, adding to the feel of a post-apocalyptic world where the survivors are desperately trying to cling to what little humanity they have left. ( )

So, not listed among my book resolutions for 2013 was the intention to use the library more, especially when catching up with graphic novel series and seeking current science non-fiction. Well, I might have gotten a little carried away already. On the fourth I went and checked out six books and a movie. Of course, five of those books were graphic novels, but it's still excessive.

The first book off of the pile was Walking Dead. It was the most urgent as it was the series I'd read last. Reading it made me question the strategy of putting a hold on the next book in each series instead of, say, the next four books of a particular series, but of course you never can predict in which order the books will actually come.

Now that all the backstory is out of the way, I have to say again, I don't know why I like this series! But I really do. (MLD SPOILERS AHEAD.) Sure, some of the kicks they suffer in this installment seem a little excessive and unnecessary. Like the zombies aren't enough? And really, I don't care how much safer they felt in prison, what were the little girls doing playing without supervision?

But what continues to be interesting to me in this series, like what I like about most apocalyptic fiction, is when so many rules and traditions have had to be thrown out in the face of a new reality, what do you hold on to? What is non-negotiable? What offers a thread of continuity to the rest of human civilization?

There is a moment when they elect a council of four men to make their decisions for them that I am still withholding judgement on. But at least it was uncommented on, it was addressed in conversation that none of the women wanted that responsibility. That they, and some of the men, wanted to just be protected. Of course, there's Michonne -- it will be interesting to see how she settles into the group.

Need more! ( )

As I suspected, the second volume of The Walking Dead is much cleaner and more engaging than the first. The characters are developing better, the story is evening out and finding its rhythm in grander, more purposeful episodic arcs, the stakes are elevating.... There are still problems, inherent perhaps to the genre, but overall, I'm getting sucked into this world much faster than I did in the first volume, I care more, and I'm enjoying almost every page of this. ( )

This isn't much of a review, but here goes nothing. There was so much going on, it was almost overwhelming! I definitely enjoyed Book Two more than the previous one. I recently started to get into the comic series after playing the video game several months back. I'm not that big into comics, but I didn't expect to be sucked in like this. The drama and tension is a bit crazy and it definitely shows on just about every character. ( )