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Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: GrandMoffNick on February 16, 2014, 11:50 PM

Title: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on February 16, 2014, 11:50 PM
So I now have the first seven (plus some after that as well), sorry I am not a comic book guy so my terms may be wrong, graphic novels of The Walking Dead comics (the paper bound multi comics in one things). And I can't decide if I should start reading them (I have read the first one) or not. I want to so when Abraham shows up I can be all excited about him (or when Michonne did, etc.), but I also kind of like not knowing what is going to happen. Of course I know they are far from following the same story, but for instance I hadn't read the first set until after Shane died in the show and I didn't see that coming. At least not nearly as much as I have to guess the comic readers did.

So I would appreciate thoughts from others if anyone is so inclined. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Chris M on February 17, 2014, 06:41 AM
They are certainly a lot different and I've been debating the same thing.  I bought Compendium 1 and read that as the first half of season 4 was winding down.  It goes from the beginning up until the end of the prison run.  I don't think it would have ruined anything for me had I read it earlier.  That said, I'm in the same boat as you and can't decide if I want to start reading Compendium 2 just to see what "might" happen.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: JediJman on February 17, 2014, 11:19 AM
I have read all of the WD comics to date.  I started with the graphic novel collections like you have Nick, then switched over to monthly books around issue #85-90 I think.  Finally caught up and got tired of waiting 6 months for the next part of the story.  If you really like the show, you should read the comic.  The stories are so divergent now that it's like reading an alternate universe storyline or EU or maybe even an initial script for the show.  Yes, some parts of the story will overlap, but I don't think it would spoil anything for the show, since you never know where they're going to take things.  There are already so many differences between the two in the current storyline:

TV Andrea is dead, but continues to be a pivotal character in the books
Daryl and Beth and Sasha are all non-factors in the book versus the show
Shane lasted longer in the show, but Rick's wife died much sooner. 
Judith's story is very different, as was Sophia's
Carol is a totally different character in the book and was never banished from the group
There was no flu/plague in the book

It really is like a reading a vastly different story where some of the characters have similarities and some are totally different.  If you like Alternate Scenes, Expanded Universe, Marvel What If, etc. then you will like reading the book.  Besides, book Abraham totally rocks.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Matt_Fury on February 17, 2014, 06:57 PM
I think you should read them.  The show is different enough at this point where, although you'll get a sense of what might be coming, the show will still surprise you.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: BrentS on February 17, 2014, 07:39 PM
I've started reading them... I'm about 85% finished with the first compendium. I have to say I enjoy the TV show a lot more. The pacing of the comics is much different.  Still it's nice to see a sort of blizzaro TWD universe and stories though.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on February 18, 2014, 12:43 PM
Thanks gentlemen.

Based off the way I was leaning and no one saying "don't read them", I am half way through volume 1. Now to hope I can find the others I need used before I get to that point since my self control isn't good and I don't want to spend $15 per on the others.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Qui-Gon Jim on February 18, 2014, 01:16 PM
Compendium 2 was $25 at Amazon a few days ago.  It's up to $30 now.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on February 18, 2014, 01:44 PM
Compendium 2 was $25 at Amazon a few days ago.  It's up to $30 now.

I decided to stick with the smaller versions. Those Compendiums are so huge. Not sure why that matters to me. (leave it alone Justin)
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Jesse James on February 18, 2014, 03:54 PM
I'm going with reading but slowly so I don't leapfrog the show.  I'm doing the same with Game of Thrones.  Even if stuff doesn't line perfectly between the two I still prefer to be behind on the reading.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on February 18, 2014, 03:59 PM
I'm going with reading but slowly so I don't leapfrog the show.  I'm doing the same with Game of Thrones.  Even if stuff doesn't line perfectly between the two I still prefer to be behind on the reading.

That is a tempting plan of action. I'm surprised you've been able to not "need to know what happens next" and thrown out your plan though. Not sure I would be able to do that.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: P-Siddy on February 18, 2014, 04:42 PM
I'm going with reading but slowly so I don't leapfrog the show.  I'm doing the same with Game of Thrones.  Even if stuff doesn't line perfectly between the two I still prefer to be behind on the reading.

That'll be tough with GoT, Jesse.  Once you're done with Book 3 and Season 4, the next two books are essentially one book split into two and the characters are divided geographically.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Jesse James on February 18, 2014, 05:50 PM
I don't have a ton of time to read, so I tend to go pretty slowly with it...  My own pace keeps me in line, but yeah I'm pretty good about just walking away from it for a while should I see I'm getting into known territory.  I'll just put it down, come back to it later.

It took me like 3 years to read a book about trench warfare.  I'm great at walking away from a book and coming back to it.  :-[
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: P-Siddy on February 18, 2014, 05:57 PM
It took me like 3 years to read a book about trench warfare.  I'm great at walking away from a book and coming back to it.  :-[

The book was like trench warfare, eh?  Lots of fighting, losing your spot, regaining, gassing, until you finally vanquish your foe.  :-p
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Jesse James on February 18, 2014, 06:15 PM
It was a read of attrition.  After many hours were lost, finally victory.  Good informative read but I'd just walk away for months then one day start reading it again...  I have no clue why.  In college I marathon read stuff but now I just wander.  Ill do that with multiple books at the same time even.  I don't have ADD...  I'm just goofy I guess.  :-\
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: JediJman on February 18, 2014, 08:27 PM
Compendium 2 was $25 at Amazon a few days ago.  It's up to $30 now.

I decided to stick with the smaller versions. Those Compendiums are so huge. Not sure why that matters to me. (leave it alone Justin)

I prefer the volumes as well, which are much larger than a single comic, but not grossly oversized and flapping all over like a compendium.  There truly is such a thing as too big you know. 

Most of the Volumes are about $10-12 on Amazon, but you may be able to find groups of them for even less on Ebay.  I got most of mine for $6-7 from some clearance sale years back. 
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on February 23, 2014, 03:11 PM
Finished volume 5 last night and I have to say I'm loving this. Had to force myself to bed at 1 a.m. I do find myself sometimes mixing stories in my head between the show and the comic, but happy I decided to start reading. With that said I haven't hit the point where I'm "past" the show's storyline to thus possibly "spoil" things for myself.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on April 23, 2014, 04:15 PM
Next question. Wondering how others read these.

I just finished volume 20. So do you wait for volume 21, etc. and read them that way or do you buy issue 121, 122, etc? Obviously it would be nice to know what is happening month to month, but I'm not a comic book guy and not a big fan of the thin little comics.

And you can laugh at me here if it is deserved, but could I go to my local comic shop and still find an issue from 6 months ago?

P.S. Does it make me a horrible person for loving Negan?
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Jesse James on April 23, 2014, 04:38 PM
I will wait for volumes...  I'm not find of individual books either and if my shop is like others you can find almost all of the series for a variety of prices.  I buy the volumes off amazon or BnN...  Found its cheaper than he local shop.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: JediJman on April 23, 2014, 06:38 PM
I don't really have a preference for volumes versus individual comics.  I bought several of the volumes when I started just to save money and get caught up.  Then when I was caught up I didn't want to wait 6 months to continue the story, so I switched over ans have read comics ever since.  If you're patient, stick to the volumes.  If you're impatient go with the comics (you need an excuse to go visit Hot Comics regularly anyway). If youre diligent and organized, buy the comics to read right away, then sell them off when the volumes come out.   ;)
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Diddly on April 24, 2014, 12:32 AM
I'm weird in that I buy the individual issues (my local comic shop gives discounts based on how many comics you subscribe to) but I'll build up 3-4 issues and binge-read them. TWD is a comic that is really easy to read, so the issues just fly by, and I'm always wanting more after reading a single issue.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: JediJman on April 24, 2014, 07:20 AM
The letter pages in the comic are worth the read as well.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Angry Ewok on May 4, 2014, 11:49 AM
I actually snagged both Compendiums during a Wal-Mart glitch, but Wal-Mart being incompetent, mailed me two Vol. 1's -- so I have one here and at work.

...and I still haven't read past the first few pages.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on January 18, 2015, 02:59 PM
Finished "Volume 22" the other day. Oh my God I thought they had jumped the shark for a minute. Scared the crap out of me!
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: JediJman on January 19, 2015, 12:50 PM
Finished "Volume 22" the other day. Oh my God I thought they had jumped the shark for a minute. Scared the crap out of me!

What did you think about the "Fast Forward" in time versus the last storyline?  I wasn't happy with it at first, but I think they will have some good backstory to share as time goes on.  I was very worried about the same thing you mentioned, but some of the people in the letters pages figured it out pretty quick, or has similar theories about what was going on.  It was well written to make you think it was something else though, and a pretty crazy concept all together.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on January 19, 2015, 03:17 PM
On the fence right now on the fast forward. Guess it will depend on whether we flash back or not
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Matt_Fury on January 20, 2015, 12:57 AM
I'm unfamiliar with where you guys are.  Are you talking about after All Out War?
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: GrandMoffNick on January 20, 2015, 07:18 AM
I'm unfamiliar with where you guys are.  Are you talking about after All Out War?

Yes.
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Matt_Fury on January 20, 2015, 02:04 PM
Dude.  Wait until you see the new "bad" guys!  ;D
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: JediJman on January 20, 2015, 05:48 PM
That is what we're talking about.  :)
Title: Re: TWD-To Read or Not to Read
Post by: Matt_Fury on January 21, 2015, 03:59 AM
I figured, but I'm trying not to ruin it for anyone playing catch up.