Maybe freeing Pamela wasn’t the best idea, Rick. The Walking Dead Issue 190, called, “Storm The Gates,” was full of tense moments, reunions, and an homage to the OTHER Governor of The Walking Dead’s past. We have a lot to cover so tell us in our comments below what YOU thought of the new issue. We’ll send the best commenter a Robert Kirkman-signed copy!
Previously: While repairing a train, Eugene and Stephanie were trapped by a herd of walkers. Only through Eugene’s ingenuity – and a fire extinguisher – were they able to escape unscathed. Laura’s daring daytime prison break of Mercer forces Rick to help Governor Milton escape from the Commonwealth before her own guards turn on her. But the people of Commonwealth aren’t as supportive of the coup as Mercer hoped, and he appeals to Rick once more to secure the community’s trust.
I gotta say, I’m just really shocked T Dog died in this issue.
First good issue in a while…I like how all the different storylines came together in this issue…Im thinking the govs army turns against her and rick is going to be assassinated by the gov or her kid somehow…
This group just can’t stay out of trouble. I understand Ricks hesitation but everything has felt off about the Commonwealth from the start! I’m with Mercer, overthrow the bitch and get rid of her snot nosed kid!
I loved this comic one of the best
Do we or do we not trust Milton!?! I’m going with NO! But then again, can we trust Mercer?!
Damn it! Another Dwight rant post here – he died for nothing. While before I tried to vindicate Rick, now I have to say it clearly: Rick should have let him kill that crazy witch. Rick saved her life at least two times and she rewards him with this? Not even Negan can save this situation. I guess the end of Rick Grimes is coming.
This doesn’t look good, but that Greenville army may not be the biggest one, there were also some peasants with pitchforks visible, who may not be very fond of dying for Pamela. It is now obvious that Rick has to join Mercer, as Pamela cannot be trusted anymore. She is way too dangerous, her lust for power veiled her vision. Sebastian ditto.
Another stunning issue — so fast-moving. I loved Maggie’s arrival although bringing along Herschel into what she clearly feared would be a warzone was… surprising. I loved Michonne and Elodie’s crew and the herd/swarm terminology bit was a great touch.
As much as Pamela’s decision at the end is infuriating, I feared last issue that she’d suspect a ruse and if Rick had worse intentions, he would have basically had her as a captive. From her viewpoint, it makes sense. So… who survives next month?
It really feels like Rick’s number could be up. It would certainly make him a symbol that would endure in the universe for a long time. I’m not sure I’m ready for a book without him though and there’s still so much to explore. While Carl’s in danger, it would be crazy for him to die as he’s really the heart of the book.
I’m really worried about Jesus and Aaron — they didn’t appear to be hostages but they’re absolutely at risk by proximity to the Greenville forces. The only card they may have is to go for Sebastian as a hostage but I wouldn’t bet on both of them surviving. It would be a grim irony after Jesus and Aaron turned down the request to go to the Commonwealth in #169 for them to be killed like this. And I definitely feel that Jesus, even after nearly 100 issues, has so much more story to tell. I want to know more about who he was before. (Then again, we only got Andrea’s reaction to Carl killing Ben after Andrea died).
Michonne was awesome this issue protecting Elodie. If Elodie dies, I’ll be disappointed because I feel we’ve seen the darkness in Michonne so thoroughly explored that it would almost feel repetitive. If Michonne dies… well, so soon after Andrea, I’m not quite sure how it would move the dial. Similarly, Maggie. It would be a really odd exit for her. And Herschel would be beyond tragic.
Siddiq, Magna, Yumiko and Dante have to be very much at risk though. They’ve all developed into major, interesting, developed characters and in the early days of the comic this usually meant a death was just around the corner. Mercer, Laura, Pamela and Sebastian are also obviously vulnerable although I guess Sebastian will live because… well, the Sebastians of this world always do. Then there’s Lance who could fill an important role as a hostage/go-between. And of course, Eugene and Stephanie. I’ll be gutted if either of them go down.
After the Negan and whisperer arcs were relative slow-burns, the Commonwealth story really seems to have escalated quickly. Where on Earth does the comic go after #192? I can’t wait to see the #193 cover because it really feels like anything could happen. I just hope Alexandria and the communities aren’t vulnerable to herds or the Saviours with so many of their leaders in the Commonwealth.
Really fascinating theories! Though just a point, Carl won’t die in the initial clash as he is on the cover of 192 with a street littered with bodies
On the second thought , maybe Pamela’s “attack” will end with nobody standing up for her and the mighty Rick Grimes will have to beg the crowd, so they won’t lynch her.
Yeah, could go either way. Kirkman has done some pretty big plot shifts before…
For starters what an amamzing little cliffhanger at the end of the issue just counting down the days till next months issue but if princess does we riot ??
I loved how michonne still kicks ass despite trying to settle down with Elodie… once a warrior always a warrior.
On top of this I love how fast paced this issue was compared to some of the recent issues prior but I just can’t wait to see the final pay off to all the build up there’s been but at the same time I don’t want to considering how well you’ve written the issue to manage to get so many major characters in one dangerous scene?
I must add how much I loved the diol ogre between magna and Yumiko, it just added some light onto what could have been a dark scene and also the panels of mercer and ricks group taking out the scragglers was just amazing it was so well illustrated and just showed how strong our survivors are.
Pamela will regret that call to attack for sure!
Great issue , the story just keeps getting better
Im still waiting for aliens ?
Governer in #42 “KILL THEM ALL”
Negan in #119 “ATTACK”
Pamela in #190 “ATTACK”
hmmmmm I see a trend?
I was very excited for this issue especially since the hiatus for the show to come back has just started. I was able to avoid most spoilers but knew something in the end was coming. I loved the Herd moment and learning that the Commonwealth calls them “swarms” which makes sense. They aren’t as developed as our group when it comes to dealing with survival. My favorite page although brief was the Rick & Carl father son heartbreaking moment. I really really really hope Kirkman gives us some more of them soon, even more so that we miss out on that relationship in the show. Cliffhanger was brilliant. This is an apocalypse. War. Is. Always. Inevitable. Will be curious to see if it lasts til issue 200. DONT KILL RICK. 9/10 star issue.
Jeez, everything was going so amazing, everyone was coming together and things going good…… I was even letting out some “Awh yes!!!” comments while I read. Then Pamela got back on this absolute bs and I just sat my phone down and face palmed. UGHHHHHHH WHYYYYY. The fact we are so close to #200 makes me queasy that some really bad is about to happen smh.
The last three pages made me feel angry and anxious. Mr. Grimes, I don’t feel so good.
It’s official folks, we are in the count down to issue 200!!! And what a way to start this count down by announcing a new war! That’s right, the war for control of the Commonwealth has began!
But setting aside all that, really liked this issue. Frist off while the walker herd (or swarm depending on which you prefer) was a tad bit underwhelming, But it is hard to top the giant whisper herd.
It is nice to see Rick talk some sense in to Mercer after he started the uprising. I still hold onto my opinion that Mercer isn’t a bad guy, just a good person, doing the right thing, just the wrong way. And might I add that I like Rick still doesn’t want to fight. also It’s nice to see more of Magna and Yumiko.
Michonne is still a badass, but was that ever in question?
Now there are two big things about this issue to me.
Frist, Pamela. Sometimes I like her, sometimes I hate her. She jumped to the idea of Rick has set up this whole thing to overthrow her. Even after Rick shot Dwight when he threatened to kill her. More then likely everything that has happened over the past few days has her paranoid about her spot at the top of the Commonwealth.
Now the big thing that’s bugging me. Robert Kirkman has teased a big death near, not in issue 200. And it would just so happen that a ton of BIG characters are now at the Commonwealth, in case Kirkman wants to kill them off.
For me after Dwight’s death in issue 196 (has it been 4 months already?) there are only a few deaths that would top it. Rick, Carl, Michonne, Maggie, Eugene or Jesus.
After everything in the past few issue’s and now with Pamela Starting a war, I’m worried for Rick. His death would be the biggest one to date. Also Robert Kirkman has said no character is bigger then the story and Rick could die at any point and the story would then follow Carl, which would be cool.
So Robert Kirkman on the off chance that you read this, I’m on the edge of my chair. The story so far has been incredible and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here. I can’t begin to think of what going to happen next. I would be lying if I said that I’d been with the story from the beginning, but i’m definitely staying for the end.
Such a great issue!! Rick did everything to save her community and that’s the thanks she gets. In away he also made her look weak. I’m hoping he has enough people with him that if they are attacked they can defend themselves.
Favorite line was Your moms a badass.
My new favorite team up Magna & Maggie. I’d love to see more of them and Magna’s and Yumiko’s little convo reminded me of Episode 15 when they split up. And one went to hilltop and the other found the pike victims.
I’m interested to see what the others think of the commonwealth.
I love that Maggie’s group saved the day with the horde.
I’m eager to see what comes next
Definitely setting up for war
And the fact that Maggie sent one group then showed up with so many people gave the illusion to Milton that Rick is trying to take the commonwealth from her. After Dwight tried to kill her and Mercer was conspiring against her she doesn’t trust anyone.
I’m glad we finally found out where Elodie went after the explosion
Maggie and Company to the rescue! I didn’t see this one coming even though there has been build up for Maggie to show up in the last few issues. So Rick Grimes saves Pamela and then she immediately returns with an army… I like how Pamela said the army of Greenville stands with me. That makes me think that there are several armies under her command. In the letter hacks Robert Kirkman talks about how the new Governor is starting to act like the old one… which makes sense if you notice that behind Maggie, Brianna has baby Hershall. Pamela is going to shoot at babies… messed up. I love swarms – Robert Kirkman has got to be running out of names to call the roamers /groups. Still super excited about this little skirmish. I think it’s going to draw the herd back into the city and make everyone work together, but who knows who will die before that. Maybe Pamela will die and Rick will take absolute control. I think Magna is getting set up to take control of Alexandria and Rick take control of the commonwealth.
More and More it feels like the lead up to 200 is setting up for the end of the comic. We made it to Alexandria in issue 69… more than 100 issues ago. We met the kingdom in issue 108. The rest of the comic will probably take place in this larger- larger world? or extra large world? I’m still hoping for cowboy robbing the train Eugene is setting up. I also want a religious cult enemy. Like Prophet that a cult follows . It’s hard to believe they’d have a big enough group to take on Rick or the commonwealth, but the whisperers had lots of people. It can be a zombie cult.
I’m excited to see where Carl character is going. I hope at the end of 300 issues that Carl becomes the main character. All in all, I loved the issue. Really excited for 192 and 200. I’m afraid for a major character death in 192 or 200…. Great things happening. Super excited.
This comic is like a Roller Coaster, I Love It!!! Pamela’s going to feel pretty stupid once she finds out who she’s F**king with!!
If they fight, they bring back the herd.
Not a good idea.
It is a Mexican Zombie here stand off.
Someone on a chat group posted that they expect the Compendium #4 to be published after the 8th volume is complete, which would be Issue 192. So the length of 144 to 192 seems about right. I originally thought they might take Compendium #4 to Issue 200 but that would be 56 issues. So…. they always have pretty big cliffhangers at the end of those. I am highly concerned we’ll see quite a bit of death & destruction and 192 will end with all of us freaked out.
I dont know why Rick thinks the commonwealth is different. If anything the walking dead has taught me it’s not to trust anyone. Michonne needs to get her daughter out of there. I love herds I love this story. Rick has to step up. He knows it’s only a matter of time before he has to take over. I’m glad he is not rushing in to it. Not like Alexandera.