At KFR, we make no bones about it - we’re Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore fans. Ever since those long gone days of Funk-O-Tron, we’ve been tracking their careers, waiting for each new project with anticipation. When The Walking Dead was announced, it was somewhat of an oddity in the industry - who in their right minds would choose an ongoing zombie series, in black and white no less, as one of their first Image titles? Still, it was Kirkman and Moore, and we happily bought the first issue. And the second, and the third…

When it was announced that Moore was leaving the series and Charlie Adlard was taking over on art with issue seven, we were skeptical. Moore had created a very specific tone for the TWD world that nobody else could mimic - Adlard was stepping into some very, very large shoes. Somehow, he managed to step in and start walking. Within a few months, aided in part by Moore’s increasingly amazing covers, Adlard was practically running. At this point, he pretty much owns the series.

Last year, Kirkman released a Marvel Comics inspired oversized hardcover collection of his other big hit, Invincible. Collecting the first 13 issues of that series, it proved to be a hit, and plans were soon made for a second Invincible collection, as well as a deluxe hardcover collection of the first year of The Walking Dead. Since you already know KFR’s a fan of the series, what’s left to talk about is the book itself.

It’s a beautiful collection, it’s slightly oversized format allowing the art to breathe just a little bit more with both Moore’s and Adlard’s art making excellent use of the added space. Adlard provides what is probably the most striking cover I’ve seen all year, just the way I like it - straight on the cover, no dustjacket required. At the end of the book is Kirkman’s signature gallery section, featuring unused artwork, sketches, notes and some of the art Tony Moore created to pitch the title to Image. In all, you’re getting 12 issues of the best zombie comic on the stands in one of the nicest hardcover packages of the year for less than the individual issue cover price, and a helluva lot less than ebay prices. If you’re at all a Kirkman, Moore Adlard or Zombie fan, you really do owe it to yourself to pick a copy of this up.

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