There’s something lacking in recent volumes, but I’m glad at least there were real stakes this time I think they even addressed that in the dialogue when characters were saying ‘We don’t die.’
I’m interested in what’s happening with Negan, but not sure about taking his behavior at face value, or even if I do, if I can ever root for him. Kirkman’s dong a nice job keeping the reader guessing about Negan’s motivation.
Lots of great spreads this issue, and I still look forward to the next installment. ( )

I've got three words for this volume.

Holy shit!

...and...

Negan! ( )

I want to rate this volume higher. It had a lot of action, some character development, some twists. It played with panel layout and had some great lines. A few things genuinely surprised me.

However, when you kill someone, and have that very character spout lines like "I'm not special, anyone can die." it breaks me out of the story because it comes off as the author going "See? See what I did? Aren't you shocked? Aren't you surprised? No one has plot armor! I am unpredictable! What a wild ride!" Except, I wasn't at all shocked. It seems like Kirkman is dipping into the same well time and again. While I appreciate the increase in scope the 'ocean of the dead'n represented, the series is feeling more and more like an ouroboros, repeating the same cycle of Challenge Rick's authority -> Get smacked down -> Have a big threat rear up -> Rick stops threat against all odds, securing loyalty temporarily -> A new challenger approaches. ( )

Fine, play the part of the uptight guy at the dick-sucking contest and keep your fucking mouth shut.

I honestly had to pause in order to tell this joke to my mom. It’s our new favorite now, courtesy of Negan.

Speaking of which, I am so unsettled by Negan’s heel-face turn I’m sure it’s going to bite Rick in the ass and take at least one cheek in the process. Tensely waiting until then. ( )

I didn't think this volume would be this good, but it was intense start to finish and the ending was both within the spirit of the comics and surprising. Good stuff. ( )