The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman

2. The Walking Dead (Compendium One) by Robert Kirkman

Type: Graphic Novel Review
Title: The Walking Dead (Compendium One)
Author: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Ablard, Tony Moore, and Cliff Rathburn
Publication/Year: Image Comics, May 19, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1-60706-076-5
Ages: 15 and above
Pages: Issues #1-48 of the comic books
Genre: Zombies, Sci-Fi, Horror

Reader's Annotation: Join Rick Grimes, a small-time police officer who suddenly wakes up and finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world filled with flesh-eating zombies.  This graphic novel is not for the faint-hearted.

Plot Summary: This compilation of comic books begins with Rick Grimes, a police officer who wakes up in a hospital, only to discover that civilization has come to a halt and zombies wander the Earth.  Having finally joined with his family, this novel follows the story of a family trying to survive in this post-apocalyptic world.  From Atlanta, to a farmhouse, to the prison, this novel chronicles the journey of post-apocalyptic survival.

Critical Evaluation: It seems as though everything in television, movies, books, magazines, games are not zombie related.  Although I believe that we are at the tailwind of their popularity, this is the novel that started it all. Very gruesome, and with plenty of vulgar language, this graphic novel is for mature readers only.

What makes this graphic novel appealing is the great graphic illustrations of the characters, and the manner in which they are able to depict the various tones and mood of the different scenes.  As a reader you are sucked into the life of Rick Grimes and survive with his family.  Each character brings a different perspective and life before the zombie disease broke out, and adds to the community group they are in.

Even if you are not a huge zombie fan, the survivalist in humans can understand the way that people may act if they are forced to survive in this post-apocalyptic world.  Highly recommended for teens who just need to read and may not be interested in reading in general.  This graphic novel, although very vulgar, will inspire teenagers to read more and more graphic novels.  

Challenge Issues:

• Excessive and Graphic Violence
• Foul Language 
• Sexual Art

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Become familiar with the made-up world and the its' positive contents.
• Refer to the imagery and artwork, which can inspire Young Adults to take up drawing.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.