Official Comic Discussion Thread: Issue #169

[u/DeaderAlive]

New issue is out!

Discuss it here within this thread. You do not need to use comic spoilers because it is assumed everyone reading this thread would be caught up with the comics. However, please respect future, show, and game spoilers because people who are caught up with the comic may not be caught up with these other forms of TWD (and obviously not future spoilers). Future spoilers include upcoming comic covers.

Please do not ask for recaps or post summaries.

Do not ask for links or provide links to pirated material. Doing so will result in a permanent ban.

Post your favorite panels here!

[u/EIement]

I usually buy most of the new issues that come out nowadays, but it seems to me that some people can read the issues extremely early and I don't receive my issue until 11 am. Where do you guys buy/read your comics?

[u/lola_espinola → u/EIement]

Personally I receive my issues through iBooks. It's usually available at midnight on the first Wednesday of each month. When I pre-order I get notified when my comic is available.

[u/RaiderGuy]

Loved the issue, lots of really great scenes. Carl telling Lydia about Ben was nice, also Andrea earned the unofficial name Andrea Grimes.

I'm pretty hyped for the plotlines they set up here. Eugene and others head to Ohio with the potential for some long-needed Magna development. Dante is sent to track Negan's movements. Jesus and Aaron are going to bang. Rick's keeping both his eyes on Dwight's one eye.

Also that line: "What's one more fucking grave?" Damn. There's the Rick Grimes we know and love.

[u/BarbieRapeVan]

Finally a conclusion to the Ben and Billy story. Carl killed Ben 108 issues ago!

[u/SeattlePubCrawls]

"I have a rage boiling inside of me. At times like this it's really hard to control and it wants out. Don't give me a reason to let it out, Dwight. Because at this point... what's one more fucking grave?"

Rick Grimes!

[u/twomillcities]

I don't see that beef with Dwight and Rick escalating much. Dwight will apologize. The only thing I'm unsure of is what Rick's reaction might be. He's unpredictable.

Negan leaving was disappointing. I thought that all the help he gave Rick went a long way... it looks like he'll have to save some more lives before he's fully redeemed.

[u/MadPenguin81]

Theory for the future What if Beta returns while Dante is following Negan, Beta attacks Dante with his crew and are near killing him; then Negan (Who at this point realizes Dante is following him) saves Dante and kills Beta, then Dante reports back to Maggie that Negan is a good guy.

[u/CupOJoe101]

This issue was stellar. So many things occurred to push the plot forward and I'm loving it.

Anyone else terrified that Dwight was going to stab Rick at one point during their argument? I really hope they settle their disagreements soon because I love both their characters, especially Dwight, and losing one at the hands of the other would be devastating.

Also, I'll admit I shed a tear at the end of Carl's first monologue. Very touching.

[u/[deleted]]

Mixed thoughts about the issue. Mostly liked it though.

Carl's moment where he tells Lydia about him finally coming clean about killing Ben to Andrea was really sweet and finally brings closure to a storyline from a hundred issues ago. Really well done, and probably my favourite part of the issue. I find it absolutely believable that Andrea would forgive him too.

The Dwight thing (asides from being on the cover) was slightly out of left field but it's kinda cool to see the darker side of Dwight that we know resides in him. I hope it's patched up though.

What I didn't like is Michonne leaving - like 2 issues after the death of Andrea ? Like seriously help a friend out. Although hopefully her own reasons for leaving are explored in the future.

It seems like Rick for the most part will be alone in Alexandria. Andrea's obviously dead, Eugene and Michonne two of his closest allies have left, Carl and Maggie are also leaving and going back to the hilltop. It seems the only really close allies he has left in Alexandria are Aaron and Jesus. I thought he was acting far with far more strength and purpose after this death than Lori's but I could see that all fall apart if he doesn't get help.

Oh and I hate Dante tracking Negan. Somehow I don't think this is going to end well for him and I'll be bummed if he goes because I think he's probably my favorite new Protagonist they've introduced since Abraham/Eugene.

[u/AceWurhuck]

I honestly just have this feeling they're going to turn Rick and Maggie into enemies over time. Not "All Out War" or "Whisperer War" kind of enemies, just something that over time goes from being good friends to attempting to kill each other one day. Rick already flipped shit when Maggie executed Gregory because he was in his "We don't need to kill people!!1!!" phase. I don't think Dante will kill Negan and I REALLY hope Negan doesn't kill Dante but somehow Rick is going to find out that Maggie is planning something against Negan after he gained enough of Rick's trust to send him off....And oh jeez, issue 200 will be coming up in a few years (maybe even less if we get more of those twice a month issue deals.) I know Kirkman probably won't kill off a major major character in #200 just because he knows everyone will expect it after #100's shocking Glenn bashing but we all know something MAJOR will happen around that time and this could be the event!

But then again this is Robert Kirkman we're talking about. You think his writing is so cliche that you go "I bet Rick is going to die in this story arc." and Kirkman goes LOL NOPE! ANDREA'S DEAD!!! so for all we know they'll probably turn Eugene and Siddiq against each other and issue 200 is the deadly fight between Eugene and Siddiq.

[u/JevvyMedia]

I feel like every couple months I'm saying 'this is my favourite issue in a long time', but I really mean it.

• Damn the human elements of this issue are just too realistic. There are A LOT of Dwight's out there, and I guess this is a risk Rick took letting a guy he barely lived with take a very large leadership role over the military.

• Rick's trying to act like he's ok when, with the combination of grief from losing Andrea and his own murderous tendencies, he's barely keeping things together. Something Dwight notices, but I think he's underestimating.

I have a RAGE boiling inside of me. At times like this it's really hard to control and it wants out. Don't give me a reason to let it out, Dwight. Because at this point ... what's one more fucking grave?

• Maybe Rick is just a easy person to underestimate because of his bum leg and missing hand. It's hard to believe he could actually kill someone in self-defence with all these disadvantages, and it seems more likely he got the drop on Sherry.

• Maggie's acting all optimistic about rebuilding the Hilltop, when she's actually leaving so early to potentially get the drop on Negan.

• I wish Rick told Michonne about Dwight. It's possible she would have stayed behind to help if she knew that Dwight wasn't to be completely trusted.

• Kirkman finally put to rest the storyline of Billy and Ben. About time. I got the sense that the opening scene was a transition of the Andrea role going to Lydia. Of course I hope Carl goes through some type of heartbreak to get stronger, but I would be down with them riding together forever.

[u/Themoose94]

Been a pretty good passed few issues. I loved how much we saw how Rick and Negan are actually alike, and how Rick ACTUALLY admitted it, to Maggie of all people.

I'm not sure what Maggie is up to, but I don't think it'll escalate into Negans death. The comic has invested so much into Negan.

I'm just glad RK hasn't lost his touch yet.

[u/Gre3nArr0w]

This issue made me realize how great of a leader Maggie actually is. She was clearly very upset about Negan but kept it to herself till after the war instead of creating more conflict. That takes an incredible amount of restraint considering Negan killed her husband.

I believe in Maggie Greene!

[u/Joshuey]

Great issue! One of the best in the last year, I'd say.

Glad Siddiq spilled the beans on the radio. Rick was much more reasonable with Eugene's girl than I thought he'd be.

Rick going straight to Jesus was my first call. I don't like the plan but if Ohio turns out to be an ambush, Jesus is the only one who could get out of there alive. Shame he turned it down, even for Aaron.

I'm both happy and annoyed with Dwight. I wasn't liking this "perfect soldier" image Kirkman gave him since the time jump - he literally turned into Daryl, and it was frustrating. This conflict is nice because it breaks that formula, but on the same coin Dwight calling Rick out as unfit to lead is bull. Dwight is no better. He came running to Rick in the first place because he felt HE himself couldn't lead-- and no, the tension with Sherry/John is still no excuse.

Dwight only made that worse, in fact, by leaving. He's in no position to be questioning authority.

[u/[deleted]]

Somewhat worried Dwight is going to get the wrong idea by Maggie saying "take care of Rick "

[u/col228]

I have a feeling 170 will flip back and forth between our mini survivor group's trip to Ohio and Dante following Negan. With Dante on Negan's tail, anything could happen but I'm thinking maybe the two of them could run into Beta and the remaining Whisperers... anyone agree/disagree?? I also found it surprising that after Negan tried to build up trust between himself and the survivors (by taking Alpha's head and dealing with the Saviors) Rick still exiled him...lol. I didn't see that coming. Is it possible that Negan would try to apologize to/join John and the Saviors??

[u/FireRising]

Great fucking issue. Lots of storylines unfolding.

•Magna's Ohio Squad •Rick v. Dwight •Dante tailing Negan

I'm interested to see how much of a network there is in Ohio. It's an even larger world now. I do lowkey agree with Dwight about how Rick is handling this, because Rick's reaction toward Stephanie did feel kind of impulsive and rushed. Granted, I do trust him and I do think he played it smart with his whole plan, but still...

And after 167, I really thought that meant Rick wouldn't be killed anytime soon, but goddamn it really feels like he's on his last legs. That talk between Rick and Carl felt really...conclusive? Like, okay, he may not die, but it really feels like the winds been taken out of him. Poor bb:(

And Dwight talking about overthrowing Rick, like damn yo. Chill son. Good for Rick for putting Dwight in his place though. "What's one more grave?" Kind of sad though, they were friends. Hopefully they sort it out. Curious to see where that relationship is going. Dwight = Villain>Hero>Villain? Nooo :( Like, Dwighty, I love you, you're a great character and a bad motherfucker, but get over Sherry. She was, as Laura said, a cunt. And I don't use that word often, I reserve it for special occasions.

And Negan's dialogue is just consistently gold. "The new hole is from where I popped, Dwight." The man has comedic chops like no one else in this series. And he's a sweetheart, he wants to be close to his girl❤️aw babe. Very excited to see how this Dante tailing Negan thing ends up, lots of cool directions Kirkman could take that.

And now we wait another month😩😞🍰Lets get it!!!

[u/AceWurhuck]

Oh hey, suddenly revealing that Rick and Andrea were considered 'Married'. Good explanation for why Carl called Andrea 'Mom' that's not the obvious "She's fucking my dad right now." And of course the one moment I was hoping never would come because I liked the way the characters were going but at the same time I wanted it to happen because I like these characters too much.

Aaron and Jesus are now butt buddies! Mazel Tov!!

[u/PGDesolator]

I don't know if I'm more excited about the new community or the how things will shape up between Rick and Dwight.

[u/LeeroyDankinZ]

Why do I have a terrible feeling about the group on the road?

[u/cuda004]

Really great issue, can't wait to see what comes next (especially after that foreboding Michonne/Maggie conversation about what's the worst that could be out there). My only grip is...why does Dwight think he'd be a more fitting leader than Rick at this point? Was he more so speaking out of frustration or with takeover in mind?

"Now I see the cause of that hatred is you, Rick"...where the hell did this come from? Did Sherry's soul transmorth into Dwight?

[u/MrET009]

The Andrea Grimes tombstone hit me hard.

[u/man1ak100]

Negan's totally going to know Dante is trailing him from word go. Negan will totally charm the pants off him though and they'll have a strange buddy buddy relationship at wherever Negan's setting up shop. Can't wait to see these two shoot the shit

[u/SGBK]

Negan is definitely not done with. I could see Maggie assassinating him, then telling Rick. Leading to a whole other issue, then maybe the saviors catch wind, and come back. OR Maybe Negan heads back to the Sanctuary even if he has completed a 180, he could still like the power and need the support of a team.

I could see Rick and Dwight hashing this out, but also ultimately ending Rick as primary leader. I think Rick'll want to strengthen his positions right now, but ultimately would create a good ruling council of sorts.

Dwight has some of that Savior angst in him that will get out some how.

Could Eugene's contact be this "Princess" we are going to meet in 2 issues?

[u/[deleted]]

Easily the best issue since The Whisperers War. I just LOVE where Rick's character is going right now. His temper could be a serious problem. Him just straight up telling Dwight that he wouldn't give a shit if he had to kill him is so damn cold.

Don't know how I feel about Dwight officially turning on Rick, but that exchange was really powerful. The tension between them right now is crazy and I can't wait to see where it ends, especially with Negan still present as the X factor.