Unlike a group review, in a “Dual Review” two writers (in this case Jordan and Adam) will take a look at the issue and give a numeric score for the issue. They’ll be continuing they’re coverage of “All Out War” from Skybound and Image Comics and if you like this, then check out the rest of their reviews following the series. Adam:

Note to self: if the apocalypse ends up going down and you gotta pee in the middle of an all-out war, hold it.  You could end up looking up trying to fend off zombies which results in running into a sadistic maniac who wants to kill everyone you care about in front of you.  This issue was very interesting to me in the fact that both sides have had so much carnage and nobody really seems to be a clear winner.  This issue makes the “All Out War” scale definitely tip in Negan’s favor with the capture of Eugene, the death of Denise, and the realization of some other members of their community are dead due to the explosions which claimed their houses.  It is clear in this issue everyone is starting to perhaps reach their breaking point.  This war has really come down to who wants it to more and realistically, who’s crazy enough to risk everything to take the other side out.  Again, in this respect I’d have to give the advantage to Negan, especially with Ezekiel seemingly not on board to fight probably due in part to his recent failure.

I think this is a huge turning point for the series in regards to the fact that Alexandria has been the longest-running staying place for Rick and crew.  They’ve lived there since issue 69, and now the fact that they’re going to Hilltop should be interesting considering how many of them there are with all the alliances.  The huge cliffhanger which is to be expected by now has me very excited for the next issue.  Since Negan has a sense of power with capturing Eugene, there’s no telling what he’ll do next.  But we can assume it’s going to be insane.

Jordan:

This really is all out war. In the wake of a last issue that left us, and Rick and the inhabitants of Alexandria, bloody, bruised and beaten, issue #121 feels appropriately shell-shocked. Watching Rick drag himself out from a hospital bed into the post-Negan imposed hell-scape is a lesson in real toughness and really speaks to the exhausting reality of war. Immediately upon stepping back into the fray Rick is assaulted on all sides with questions that all boil down to: now what?

The group is tired and who can blame them? With such deep loss as a regular part of things it’s easy to see why someone like Ezekiel or Heath would be ready to pack up and call this thing not worth it. It’s a conundrum, and I certainly don’t envy Rick’s position. How to lead men when the costs of fighting are so devastating?

On the other side of the fight Negan is still blood lusty and in high-spirits dropping his patented F-bombs like its Christmas day. Two types of leaders, two different ways to digest war. It’s a great character study and a battle that I can’t wait to watch the rest of. More war!

Score: 4/5

Writer: Robert Kirkman Artist: Charlie Adlard Publisher: Image/Skybound Entertainment Price: $2.99 Release Date: 2/12/14