Post by robertd on Nov 27, 2012 2:25:22 GMT -5
I wrestled with the decision whether to review these or not. I know there has been a lot of resistance since the show started from fans of it to anyone making comparisons, or posting things that might spoil future storylines. But, I feel the show has veered off from the comics enough that there's not many similarities left other than a few characters, the walkers, and the name of the show. So, since I buy these 6 issue collections as they're released, let's step back and see how this one time not very popular comic became a hit, then a major force on television.
The comic series was created by Robert Kirkman, who was also the writer of these issues. Art work was done by Tony Moore, who is truly gifted in making each issue very bleak, and as the series progressed he did little things to show the aging of the world around the survivors with no more people tending it's every need.
Walking Dead Volume One: Days Go By
It should be noted, each major story arc in the comic series runs an average 6 issues, so each volume is one main arc.
Issue 1: This is, of course, the first issue, but it's also probably the one issue that the show is true to with two major exceptions.
It starts with Rick Grimes and Shane(no last name ever given) in a high-speed chase in Kentucky with an escaped convict. A shootout erupts, in which Rick is shot in the abdomen.
An unmentioned time later, Rick awakes in a hospital room. Not sure of what happened, and unable to get anyone to answer his calls for help, he leaves his room to find the hospital in chaos. While standing confused, he has his first encounter with a zombie, as he is almost bitten. He manages to break free and exits the hospital. Finding no motorized transportation, he grabs a bicycle and heads home. Along his way he sees a very decayed corpse on the side of the road which even though only half remains, is still alive. It's only somewhat recognizable that this corpse is a woman.
At home, he discovers his house in disarray and no sign of his family. We learn that he is married to a woman named Lori, and has a son named Carl. He leaves his house, and is almost immediately hit from behind by a young boy wielding a shovel. As Rick fades out, we see the boy's father admonishing him that this one's alive.
Rick comes to in the Jones's home, and sits down to eat dinner with the father and son. We learn the man is Morgan Jones, and the boy is his son Duane. Rick recounts his shooting and waking up with no clue of what's happened in the town. Morgan tells him that really, not much is known. There was some sort of outbreak, and people started attacking each other and becoming zombies. He tells Rick before the power went down, and communications stopped, the Government asked everyone to get to their nearest major city, where they could be better protected. Morgan decided his best bet was in a small town. Rick mentions Lori had family in Atlanta, and thinks she headed there. They decide to gather supplies from Rick's police station.
At the station Rick grabs some guns, and loads them into a police car. After Morgan informs him he and his son will be staying behind, Rick splits the guns with him, and gives him the keys to a car. While in the lot, a zombie approaches the fence, but as Rick goes to shoot, Morgan stops him, telling him don't waste a precious bullet in a situation it's not needed. Rick tells Morgan goodbye, and that he will return later for the two of them. The last panel has Rick stopping the car and shooting the decayed corpse from earlier.
Analysis: One of the things I love the most about The Walking Dead is no one is really concerned about how the world ended up full of zombies, but about surviving it. While this issue is one of the few that are as close to their respective episodes as possible, the difference in having a little comic and an hour long show are evident. In this issue the Jones are nothing more than explanatory characters, filling in the needed information to set up the story. The show fleshed them out, and gave them a separate story involving Morgan's turned wife. I'm not complaining, because television needs it's dramatic character-driven elements, but it makes Morgan and Duane seem like more important characters that may show up again.
Issue 2
While the second episode and this issue start off similar, beginning here, the show adds stories and characters from outside the realm of the comics.
The issue opens with Rick running out of gas. He walks to a nearby farmhouse, hoping to find gas, but instead discovers the bodies of a family that has committed suicide. This actually drew some continuity complaints when a major discovery about those who die in the world from non-zombie attacks comes out, but if you look closely at the dead family, you'll notice all were dead from head shots. This should have cleared that up, but some people missed that detail. Say what you will about some of the stories Kirkman came up with, he was a stickler for covering minute details that wouldn't seem important till later on.
Upon leaving the house, sans the last meal he ate, Rick sees a lone horse in the farm's pasture. He decides he will ride it to Atlanta, and grabs what few supplies he can, including an ax. He even tries staying upbeat by relaying to his new equestrian friend the story of Carl's birth, but it just makes him sadder.
As he arrives in Atlanta, he notices it empty. That lasts about three panels before we discover it's full of zombies. They converge on Rick and he's thrown off his steed. He uses the ax he brought from the farm to keep some zombies at bay, while the rest feed on his traveling companion. As more begin to surround him, he pulls his holstered gun, and fires away. It seems like just a matter of bullets left till he is overcome, but a young man appears from the shadows and grabs him. After telling him to quit shooting and drawing more, he has Rick follow him. They use the combination of high places and slow zombies to get out of harm's way. It's during this escape that Rick learns that zombie bites will make you one of them.
They make it to the outskirts, and the young man(not named yet) explains that everyone followed orders to come to Atlanta, but within a week, almost all were dead and now were zombies. Rick collapses, lamenting that his family is probably among the dead, but the man offers to bring Rick to his small camp, where some survivors have gathered. Rick gets to the camp, and is shocked to see his wife and son alive. They hug him to end the issue.
Analysis: This issue brought forth two terrifying facts. One, the zombie population is huge, and you get the feeling that there wont be many survivors. It also was the reveal that the zombies multiply by just biting live people. While we all know this is true, Rick's look when informed is the look of realization he's in hell on earth, which makes me believe the comic world doesn't acknowledge the existence of George Romero or a Romero-esque director. The reveal of his family was a nice touch, and I was glad it wasn't dragged out.
Issue 3
As Rick is embracing his family, he is greeted by his best friend Shane who says he's glad to see him. Shane then introduces him to the whole camp. We learn finally that the young man who helped him is named Glenn. We meet a family, Donna and Allen, who have twin boys, Ben and Billy. There's Dale, who owns a big RV, another man who is also solo named Jim, Carol, who has a young daughter named Sophie, and two sisters, Aundrea and Amy. A rather large group to be that close to Atlanta and not already be discovered.
Rick and Lori are given some alone time, and discuss Lori leaving Rick alone in the hospital. Rick's okay with it, because he feels she did what's best for their son. Rick also tells Lori he's scared of this new world.
The next day Shane greets Rick with news that Dale has a working shower, and Rick is ecstatic. They make plans to go hunting after Rick takes a shower. When Rick steps out the shower, he runs into Dale, who is just hanging out waiting in a totally non-creepy moment. He tells Rick Shane can't be trusted, and possibly lusts after Lori. Rick is all :"it's cool, he was just protecting my family". And wanders off to hunt with Shane.
While hunting, Shane and Rick come across a deer being eaten by a zombie. This actually brings up an interesting question, as they wonder if eating an animal that has been bitten would be safe. The zombie pays them no mind, eating instead.
The women, Lori, Donna, and Carol are washing clothes by a stream and having girl talk. They finish and head back to camp, unaware that a zombie is following them. Allen sees this but is unable to shoot because his wife is in the way. Before the zombie can attack, Dale appears and cuts its head off. Everyone is shocked to see the head still alive.
Rick and Shane are still debating the merits of eating the zombie's leftovers, when it finally notices them, and lunges. Rick casually whacks it in the head with his ax. Just then, they hear a gunshot, and run back to camp. Allen has shot the head, and goes off with Dale to get the corpse away from camp. Rick hugs Lori to comfort her, and the last panel shows a seething Shane looking on.
Analysis: This issue introduced a slew of characters, as well as began the story that would conclude this arc. It also featured the big reveal that Shane isn't the buddy he was when Rick went into his coma.
Issue 4
We open on the night of the zombie attack. Shane and Rick are discussing the next move for the group. Rick wants to move on, as it seems the camp is not as safe as they thought. Shane tells him it's stupid to leave, since when the Government starts cleaning up, big cities will be first, so they should stay near one. Rick gives in, providing they train everyone to use guns in case of a large-scale attack. Shane wonders where they would even get those guns from, and Rick assures him something will come to him
In the morning, Rick as Glenn if during his numerous runs to Atlanta, he noticed any gun stores. Glenn says he doesn't think so. (I've been to Atlanta, and it's full of two things...Waffle Houses, and gun stores). Jim, on the other hand tells Mr. Observant there was one right near where he rescued Rick. Before they leave, Rick fills Lori in on his plans, including letting their young son be trained as a killing machine. Then before she can argue, he and Glenn take off. She is not pleased.
On the way to Atlanta, Glenn relays to Rick that Jim basically watched his entire family torn to bits, and it ways heavy on his mind. This is wrapped up in a later issue for such a seemingly random conversation. Rick then has a brilliant idea. He and Glenn go back to the zombie that he and Shane killed, and smear zombie remains on themselves, as Rick says it will keep them from becoming walking Lunchables. They also stuff some in their pockets.
Upon reaching Atlanta, they test their camouflage out, and it succeeds. They get to the gun store and load up, with Rick making an off-handed comment about the day being gloomy. They load up a bag and a shopping cart, and without even leaving an IOU, they exit, straight into a crowd of walkers. A couple drops of rain fall, but they are able to maneuver through the crowd, only having to whack one brain. And then a downpour hits. They run for their lives, and it appears that a walker claims Rick with a bite to the shoulder. When they get out of danger, Rick is relieved to discover the zombie only got a mouthful of jacket. He then asks Glenn to observe the bro code and not tell Lori how close it was.
Meanwhile, back in safety, Shane is playing the concerned friend, telling Lori Rick's gonna be fine.He wants her to come back to camp, and he'll hang out with her while she waits. She tells him now that Rick's back, quit trying to dial a booty call. Shane asks her about the night, back on the road. The last panel shows a sad Lori saying "That night was a mistake".
Analysis: This issue starts the trend of Rick being the guy who comes forward to lead the group and make decisions he feels will benefit them. It also suggest Lori and Shane did the dirty deed, which kind of justifies Shane's jealousy of Rick coming back.
Issue 5
This issue actually jumps forward a few weeks, as gun training has been going on, and Andrea is shining. It's revealed Carl is learning too, which Lori isn't thrilled about. At the end of that day's session Rick announces everyone who can shoot will now carry their own gun, including Carl. We get the first Rick and Lori fight, as she thinks it's insane a kid have a gun, and Rick thinks it could save a life. He has no idea how right he is.
The next few pages feature two conversations about Dale and the two young girls, Amy and Andrea, that are staying together. Donna is all offended that an old man could be taking advantage of two college age girls, but the guys are more understanding. Dale says there's nothing going on, making him either a nice guy, or a total loser, depending on how you see it. Apparently they just clean, and keep his lonely self company.
Rick makes a comment about the temperature dropping, and Shane snaps at him and walks off. Rick is bewildered.
That night, everyone sits around and gives character exposition. We hear everyone's back story, with it all being pretty mundane. Amy decides to take a potty break, and is attacked and bitten. This turns out to be the first zombie in a larger group, and a battle breaks out. Jim beats a zombie to death, while yelling that it killed his family. The survivors win, and Andrea has to shoot her sister in the head. The final panel reveals Jim has been bitten.
Issue 6
We open with Amy's funeral. Everyone has nice words to say, and when it wraps up, Andrea stays behind, crying over her sister's grave.
Jim is dying. Everyone tries to remain strong, claiming the others they saw turn did it quickly, and he has lasted a day so far. Jim tells Donna he knows it's happening, and he wants to be taken back to Atlanta so that when he turns, maybe he'll rejoin his zombified family. That's brings up another interesting question, as to how much of the zombies former recognizance do they retain. Everyone agrees to this, and drive him to the outskirts and set him under a tree. They give him their goodbyes, and leave him to his fate.
Rick, Shane, and Carl go hunting. An argument breaks out between Rick and Shane over how much is Shane's fault for the attack by insisting they stay at a camp so close to a city crawling with zombies. Shane once again insists they will be saved. Carl finally shows signs of being just a kid, and runs off in tears.
The next day, Shane asks Rick to go hunting with him. Carl is told to stay behind this time, so the men can talk. Shane begins arguing with Rick and hits him. Lori in turns socks Shane. Shane explodes and takes off into the woods. Rick goes after him, unaware that Carl is following them. When Rick catches up, Shane tells him things were better without him. Lori would have learned to love him, and Rick took everything away from him. He raises his gun to shoot Rick, but is shot in the neck by Carl. He dies, drowning in his own blood. The last panel shows Rick explaining to Carl that shooting a living person should never feel the same as shooting a dead one.
Analysis: Obviously, Shane had to go. His slow burn on the show was part of what made the Lori character so grating, and having him go so soon in the comics made a point that getting attached to the main characters was not a wise idea. In the small realm of spoilers, to prove this point, of all these introductory characters from this volume, as of issue #104, only three are still alive.
The first story arc really set the tone that this series would not have a warm fuzzy feeling. People will die. It will be brutal and it will be bleak in this new world. No one is safe, and every day will be a test of survival. Robert Kirkman is a brilliant writer. He captured a world that was destroyed, and set out to show what happens to humanity as it slowly dwindles down. Later in the series, there is a big reveal that is sad, yet shows that realism was the first order, not fairy tale endings.
The comic series was created by Robert Kirkman, who was also the writer of these issues. Art work was done by Tony Moore, who is truly gifted in making each issue very bleak, and as the series progressed he did little things to show the aging of the world around the survivors with no more people tending it's every need.
Walking Dead Volume One: Days Go By
It should be noted, each major story arc in the comic series runs an average 6 issues, so each volume is one main arc.
Issue 1: This is, of course, the first issue, but it's also probably the one issue that the show is true to with two major exceptions.
It starts with Rick Grimes and Shane(no last name ever given) in a high-speed chase in Kentucky with an escaped convict. A shootout erupts, in which Rick is shot in the abdomen.
An unmentioned time later, Rick awakes in a hospital room. Not sure of what happened, and unable to get anyone to answer his calls for help, he leaves his room to find the hospital in chaos. While standing confused, he has his first encounter with a zombie, as he is almost bitten. He manages to break free and exits the hospital. Finding no motorized transportation, he grabs a bicycle and heads home. Along his way he sees a very decayed corpse on the side of the road which even though only half remains, is still alive. It's only somewhat recognizable that this corpse is a woman.
At home, he discovers his house in disarray and no sign of his family. We learn that he is married to a woman named Lori, and has a son named Carl. He leaves his house, and is almost immediately hit from behind by a young boy wielding a shovel. As Rick fades out, we see the boy's father admonishing him that this one's alive.
Rick comes to in the Jones's home, and sits down to eat dinner with the father and son. We learn the man is Morgan Jones, and the boy is his son Duane. Rick recounts his shooting and waking up with no clue of what's happened in the town. Morgan tells him that really, not much is known. There was some sort of outbreak, and people started attacking each other and becoming zombies. He tells Rick before the power went down, and communications stopped, the Government asked everyone to get to their nearest major city, where they could be better protected. Morgan decided his best bet was in a small town. Rick mentions Lori had family in Atlanta, and thinks she headed there. They decide to gather supplies from Rick's police station.
At the station Rick grabs some guns, and loads them into a police car. After Morgan informs him he and his son will be staying behind, Rick splits the guns with him, and gives him the keys to a car. While in the lot, a zombie approaches the fence, but as Rick goes to shoot, Morgan stops him, telling him don't waste a precious bullet in a situation it's not needed. Rick tells Morgan goodbye, and that he will return later for the two of them. The last panel has Rick stopping the car and shooting the decayed corpse from earlier.
Analysis: One of the things I love the most about The Walking Dead is no one is really concerned about how the world ended up full of zombies, but about surviving it. While this issue is one of the few that are as close to their respective episodes as possible, the difference in having a little comic and an hour long show are evident. In this issue the Jones are nothing more than explanatory characters, filling in the needed information to set up the story. The show fleshed them out, and gave them a separate story involving Morgan's turned wife. I'm not complaining, because television needs it's dramatic character-driven elements, but it makes Morgan and Duane seem like more important characters that may show up again.
Issue 2
While the second episode and this issue start off similar, beginning here, the show adds stories and characters from outside the realm of the comics.
The issue opens with Rick running out of gas. He walks to a nearby farmhouse, hoping to find gas, but instead discovers the bodies of a family that has committed suicide. This actually drew some continuity complaints when a major discovery about those who die in the world from non-zombie attacks comes out, but if you look closely at the dead family, you'll notice all were dead from head shots. This should have cleared that up, but some people missed that detail. Say what you will about some of the stories Kirkman came up with, he was a stickler for covering minute details that wouldn't seem important till later on.
Upon leaving the house, sans the last meal he ate, Rick sees a lone horse in the farm's pasture. He decides he will ride it to Atlanta, and grabs what few supplies he can, including an ax. He even tries staying upbeat by relaying to his new equestrian friend the story of Carl's birth, but it just makes him sadder.
As he arrives in Atlanta, he notices it empty. That lasts about three panels before we discover it's full of zombies. They converge on Rick and he's thrown off his steed. He uses the ax he brought from the farm to keep some zombies at bay, while the rest feed on his traveling companion. As more begin to surround him, he pulls his holstered gun, and fires away. It seems like just a matter of bullets left till he is overcome, but a young man appears from the shadows and grabs him. After telling him to quit shooting and drawing more, he has Rick follow him. They use the combination of high places and slow zombies to get out of harm's way. It's during this escape that Rick learns that zombie bites will make you one of them.
They make it to the outskirts, and the young man(not named yet) explains that everyone followed orders to come to Atlanta, but within a week, almost all were dead and now were zombies. Rick collapses, lamenting that his family is probably among the dead, but the man offers to bring Rick to his small camp, where some survivors have gathered. Rick gets to the camp, and is shocked to see his wife and son alive. They hug him to end the issue.
Analysis: This issue brought forth two terrifying facts. One, the zombie population is huge, and you get the feeling that there wont be many survivors. It also was the reveal that the zombies multiply by just biting live people. While we all know this is true, Rick's look when informed is the look of realization he's in hell on earth, which makes me believe the comic world doesn't acknowledge the existence of George Romero or a Romero-esque director. The reveal of his family was a nice touch, and I was glad it wasn't dragged out.
Issue 3
As Rick is embracing his family, he is greeted by his best friend Shane who says he's glad to see him. Shane then introduces him to the whole camp. We learn finally that the young man who helped him is named Glenn. We meet a family, Donna and Allen, who have twin boys, Ben and Billy. There's Dale, who owns a big RV, another man who is also solo named Jim, Carol, who has a young daughter named Sophie, and two sisters, Aundrea and Amy. A rather large group to be that close to Atlanta and not already be discovered.
Rick and Lori are given some alone time, and discuss Lori leaving Rick alone in the hospital. Rick's okay with it, because he feels she did what's best for their son. Rick also tells Lori he's scared of this new world.
The next day Shane greets Rick with news that Dale has a working shower, and Rick is ecstatic. They make plans to go hunting after Rick takes a shower. When Rick steps out the shower, he runs into Dale, who is just hanging out waiting in a totally non-creepy moment. He tells Rick Shane can't be trusted, and possibly lusts after Lori. Rick is all :"it's cool, he was just protecting my family". And wanders off to hunt with Shane.
While hunting, Shane and Rick come across a deer being eaten by a zombie. This actually brings up an interesting question, as they wonder if eating an animal that has been bitten would be safe. The zombie pays them no mind, eating instead.
The women, Lori, Donna, and Carol are washing clothes by a stream and having girl talk. They finish and head back to camp, unaware that a zombie is following them. Allen sees this but is unable to shoot because his wife is in the way. Before the zombie can attack, Dale appears and cuts its head off. Everyone is shocked to see the head still alive.
Rick and Shane are still debating the merits of eating the zombie's leftovers, when it finally notices them, and lunges. Rick casually whacks it in the head with his ax. Just then, they hear a gunshot, and run back to camp. Allen has shot the head, and goes off with Dale to get the corpse away from camp. Rick hugs Lori to comfort her, and the last panel shows a seething Shane looking on.
Analysis: This issue introduced a slew of characters, as well as began the story that would conclude this arc. It also featured the big reveal that Shane isn't the buddy he was when Rick went into his coma.
Issue 4
We open on the night of the zombie attack. Shane and Rick are discussing the next move for the group. Rick wants to move on, as it seems the camp is not as safe as they thought. Shane tells him it's stupid to leave, since when the Government starts cleaning up, big cities will be first, so they should stay near one. Rick gives in, providing they train everyone to use guns in case of a large-scale attack. Shane wonders where they would even get those guns from, and Rick assures him something will come to him
In the morning, Rick as Glenn if during his numerous runs to Atlanta, he noticed any gun stores. Glenn says he doesn't think so. (I've been to Atlanta, and it's full of two things...Waffle Houses, and gun stores). Jim, on the other hand tells Mr. Observant there was one right near where he rescued Rick. Before they leave, Rick fills Lori in on his plans, including letting their young son be trained as a killing machine. Then before she can argue, he and Glenn take off. She is not pleased.
On the way to Atlanta, Glenn relays to Rick that Jim basically watched his entire family torn to bits, and it ways heavy on his mind. This is wrapped up in a later issue for such a seemingly random conversation. Rick then has a brilliant idea. He and Glenn go back to the zombie that he and Shane killed, and smear zombie remains on themselves, as Rick says it will keep them from becoming walking Lunchables. They also stuff some in their pockets.
Upon reaching Atlanta, they test their camouflage out, and it succeeds. They get to the gun store and load up, with Rick making an off-handed comment about the day being gloomy. They load up a bag and a shopping cart, and without even leaving an IOU, they exit, straight into a crowd of walkers. A couple drops of rain fall, but they are able to maneuver through the crowd, only having to whack one brain. And then a downpour hits. They run for their lives, and it appears that a walker claims Rick with a bite to the shoulder. When they get out of danger, Rick is relieved to discover the zombie only got a mouthful of jacket. He then asks Glenn to observe the bro code and not tell Lori how close it was.
Meanwhile, back in safety, Shane is playing the concerned friend, telling Lori Rick's gonna be fine.He wants her to come back to camp, and he'll hang out with her while she waits. She tells him now that Rick's back, quit trying to dial a booty call. Shane asks her about the night, back on the road. The last panel shows a sad Lori saying "That night was a mistake".
Analysis: This issue starts the trend of Rick being the guy who comes forward to lead the group and make decisions he feels will benefit them. It also suggest Lori and Shane did the dirty deed, which kind of justifies Shane's jealousy of Rick coming back.
Issue 5
This issue actually jumps forward a few weeks, as gun training has been going on, and Andrea is shining. It's revealed Carl is learning too, which Lori isn't thrilled about. At the end of that day's session Rick announces everyone who can shoot will now carry their own gun, including Carl. We get the first Rick and Lori fight, as she thinks it's insane a kid have a gun, and Rick thinks it could save a life. He has no idea how right he is.
The next few pages feature two conversations about Dale and the two young girls, Amy and Andrea, that are staying together. Donna is all offended that an old man could be taking advantage of two college age girls, but the guys are more understanding. Dale says there's nothing going on, making him either a nice guy, or a total loser, depending on how you see it. Apparently they just clean, and keep his lonely self company.
Rick makes a comment about the temperature dropping, and Shane snaps at him and walks off. Rick is bewildered.
That night, everyone sits around and gives character exposition. We hear everyone's back story, with it all being pretty mundane. Amy decides to take a potty break, and is attacked and bitten. This turns out to be the first zombie in a larger group, and a battle breaks out. Jim beats a zombie to death, while yelling that it killed his family. The survivors win, and Andrea has to shoot her sister in the head. The final panel reveals Jim has been bitten.
Issue 6
We open with Amy's funeral. Everyone has nice words to say, and when it wraps up, Andrea stays behind, crying over her sister's grave.
Jim is dying. Everyone tries to remain strong, claiming the others they saw turn did it quickly, and he has lasted a day so far. Jim tells Donna he knows it's happening, and he wants to be taken back to Atlanta so that when he turns, maybe he'll rejoin his zombified family. That's brings up another interesting question, as to how much of the zombies former recognizance do they retain. Everyone agrees to this, and drive him to the outskirts and set him under a tree. They give him their goodbyes, and leave him to his fate.
Rick, Shane, and Carl go hunting. An argument breaks out between Rick and Shane over how much is Shane's fault for the attack by insisting they stay at a camp so close to a city crawling with zombies. Shane once again insists they will be saved. Carl finally shows signs of being just a kid, and runs off in tears.
The next day, Shane asks Rick to go hunting with him. Carl is told to stay behind this time, so the men can talk. Shane begins arguing with Rick and hits him. Lori in turns socks Shane. Shane explodes and takes off into the woods. Rick goes after him, unaware that Carl is following them. When Rick catches up, Shane tells him things were better without him. Lori would have learned to love him, and Rick took everything away from him. He raises his gun to shoot Rick, but is shot in the neck by Carl. He dies, drowning in his own blood. The last panel shows Rick explaining to Carl that shooting a living person should never feel the same as shooting a dead one.
Analysis: Obviously, Shane had to go. His slow burn on the show was part of what made the Lori character so grating, and having him go so soon in the comics made a point that getting attached to the main characters was not a wise idea. In the small realm of spoilers, to prove this point, of all these introductory characters from this volume, as of issue #104, only three are still alive.
The first story arc really set the tone that this series would not have a warm fuzzy feeling. People will die. It will be brutal and it will be bleak in this new world. No one is safe, and every day will be a test of survival. Robert Kirkman is a brilliant writer. He captured a world that was destroyed, and set out to show what happens to humanity as it slowly dwindles down. Later in the series, there is a big reveal that is sad, yet shows that realism was the first order, not fairy tale endings.