Review of "The Walking Dead Volume 2: Miles Behind Us," by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn

Review of

The Walking Dead Volume 2: Miles Behind Us, by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn ISBN 9781582407753

Five out of five stars

 In the first book a zombie apocalypse arrived and a small group of survivors managed to get together outside of Atlanta. Former cop Rick has emerged as the leader of the group after a deadly battle for leadership, they leave the area of Atlanta in search of safety. There are tremendous stresses within all survivors as they struggle to cope with their new reality.

 They find a gated community that looks to be safe, only to discover that it is not and they are barely able to escape, only not without suffering an additional casualty. After more travel, they encounter a farm occupied by humans and once again it appears that they have found a place of safety with food. However, the dark, yet hopeful side of human nature rises once again and they are forced to leave. Out of gas and essentially out of food, they come across what could be a haven.

 There have been many scenarios put forward regarding the collapse of civilization and how it can be rebuilt. In this case, nearly all humans are (un)dead and the survivors face the possibility of death or worse at any moment. The feature that makes this recurring story so engaging is the dark side of human nature is still expressed. Some people are unable to suppress their negative traits, even in a situation where slow or sudden death is a real possibility. Loved ones remain loved ones, even when they have been transformed into the undead that just want to kill and eat the living.

 This is such an engaging book that I purchased the next in the series within hours of finishing it.