The Walking Dead Deluxe #10 is full of iconic moments from Otis bringing Rick and a bleeding out Carl back to safety, the introduction of Hershel Greene and his iconic family farm and even the first interactions between Maggie and Glenn. But that isn’t to say it’s the most exciting issue we’ve had so far…
Somehow, despite being such an important issue for so many plotlines to come in the future, the story we find in TWD Deluxe #10 isn’t one that has you on the edge of your seat. It’s an interesting contrast that brings out yet another unexpected aspect of this series within the opportunity to read it again. The first time around, before the worldwide popularity of unforgettable interpretations like Scott Wilson’s Hershel from the TV series, this issue could easily be described as just OK when compared to what has come before. There just isn’t as much action or tense drama and the walls of text can become a bit intimidating. But now, it’s an entirely new experience.
As a longtime fan of the series, this issue feels epic and even nostalgic now. Like a memory you fondly reminisce on from time to time that is always welcome. Sure, things are bad now, with Carl struggling to recover from his gunshot wound and even Glenn fighting his own insecurities, but knowing what these characters will face in the future makes this moment in time a heartfelt experience. I didn’t expect to have such intense feelings when seeing the first oversized wide panel revealing Hershel’s farm, but I did. It might not be the most exciting issue of TWD you will read, but I guarantee that you won’t be forgetting it anytime soon and that is a credit to every single creator involved. From Adlard’s priceless character depictions to Wooton’s incredibly strong lettering that carries the entire pacing of the issue, this issue features a powerhouse of creative talent channeled in a way that you just might not expect.
With the introduction of so many important characters and moments, I was actually surprised to see a more dialed-in approach to colors from the always talented Dave McCaig, but still impressed nonetheless. The atmosphere the colors bring are a surreal sense of normalcy. The harsh tones of danger and grief have subsided and in their place we find softer glows from the blue skies and sunlight hitting the farm. Then, just as sunset begins to settle into the horizon and the pinks turn to darker purples with heavier shadows, everything culminates into a classic TWD cliffhanger that leaves you terrified all over again.
Hershel is keeping all of their dead ones in the barn.
And here we go full throttle into the farm storyline! It’s so different from what we saw in the often talked about (and not always in a positive way) second season of TWD TV series and though I won’t spend a lot of time on the differences, one of the most noticeable is the size of Hershel’s family. Instead of just Maggie and Beth, we have Hershel’s eldest daughter Lacey, son Arnold, daughter Maggie, youngest son Billy, and daughters Rachel and Susie. Plus we still have Otis and Patricia. Quite the group! I think this brings a more lively atmosphere (pun fully intended) to the farm. It captures the mood that McCaig delivers in the colors with a more uplifting sentiment, almost reinforcing the notion of preserving humanity alongside the scared and pregnant Lori and Rick, so it is worth mentioning.
Kirkman mostly sticks to fun little quips and minor details in the “Cutting Room Floor” portion of The Walking Dead Deluxe #10 like his somewhat cringing at how much time was spent on Glenn venting about his lust for Carol. Even funnier, however, is the acknowledgement of Kirkman’s penchant for character’s names starting with the letter “M”, such as Michonne, Maggie, Milton, Merle, Morgan…you get the point. It wasn’t something I had noticed before and now I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget it!
Ultimately, The Walking Dead Deluxe #10 is a wonderful experience as a longtime fan. But for those fans who followed the show first and are reading through the comics here for the first time, I’m especially envious. Savor the moment here, because things are certainly going to get worse as we push onward!