Title: The Walking Dead Volume 18

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2013

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; A to Z - W

Following the events of "Something to Fear," Rick and the other survivors start their new life under Negan and the Savior's rule...but not everyone agrees to go along. Also, who is Ezekiel? And why does he have a tiger? Collects The Walking Dead #103-108.

Wow! First I had remind myself of where the story left off since I last read a volume back in 2013. Once I refreshed my memory, I realized just how scary Negan was from the last volume. And in this volume he lives up to some of his threats. Scary dude. I like how the series is now more about different groups of people trying to get along instead of just about the zombies. That could have gotten boring really fast.

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 19 

Author: Robert Kirkman 

Publisher: Image Comics 2013 

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie 

Pages: 136 

Rating: 4/5 stars 

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Rick. Ezekiel. Gregory. Negan. Each man holds the fate of their community in their hands... and WAR is on the horizon! This volume collects THE WALKING DEAD #109-114, the prelude to ALL OUT WAR-the epic battle that will change the world of THE WALKING DEAD for years to come.

Obviously this volume is more of a prelude to the coming war with Negan. Although we do get some interesting insight inside some of the other character, especially Ezekiel. Very interesting guy...

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 20

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

The biggest storyline in Walking Dead history starts here! It's Rick versus Negan with a little help from everyone else! - Collects issues #115-120.

Holy crap, I was on the edge of my seat throughout this entire volume. I was so scared our favorite characters were going to be killed and they nearly were. Most live to fight another day, but the war is definitely not over yet...

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 21

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Alexandria has been destroyed. Can Rick rally the other communities against Negan's army? This second part of the game-changing "All Out War" story arc collects The Walking Dead #121-126.

The conclusion to the big war was epic. I think this might have even been better than the war with the Governor. Maybe... At any rate, it was a nice conclusion to a chapter in the saga.

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 22

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

They've survived the walkers. Survived war with a ruthless enemy. And now, in THE WALKING DEAD, hope for the future emerges. A perfect jumping-on point for readers, Volume 22 of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series marks a new era for THE WALKING DEAD as the survivors pick up the pieces of their shared humanity to create A NEW BEGINNING. In the aftermath of ALL OUT WAR, Rick Grimes and his allies begin to rebuild their communities. But in the world of the dead, tranquility is only temporary. How long will it be before a new, unexpected foe emerges? Find out in A NEW BEGINNING. Collects THE WALKING DEAD #127-132.

This volume lures you in with a nice little storyline about new additions to the community. But somewhere in the middle you start to wonder if there isn't something else out there. That bit of dread stays with you throughout the rest of the volume. And then the reveal at the end shows you that the dread you felt was real, very real.  Quite an explosive volume to end on...