“The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor” by Robert Kirkman & Jay Bonansinga (Tor)

Reviewed by Bane of Kings

Set in the world created by Robert Kirkman, this is the start of a standalone trilogy with new characters and new storylines.In the Walking Dead universe, there is no greater villain than The Governor. The despot who runs the walled-off town of Woodbury, he has his own sick sense of justice: whether it’s forcing prisoners to battle zombies in an arena for the townspeople’s amusement, or chopping off the appendages of those who cross him. The Governor was voted “Villain of the Year” by Wizard magazine the year he debuted, and his story arc was the most controversial in the history of the Walking Dead comic book series. Now, for the first time, fans of The Walking Dead will discover how The Governor became the man he is, and what drove him to such extremes.

I should probably start this review off by clarifying that I haven’t seen The Walking Dead on TV, nor have I read the graphic novels. However, if The Rise of the Governor is anything to go by, I will be checking them out for sure, even if I have had my eye on them for a while now.

I Ask You: Why do Zombies need BRAAAINZZZZ?

So, I’m reading a novel about zombies at the moment (The Return Man by V.M. Zito – very good so far). I find that I have a bit of a problem in general with the shambling fellows. What are their motivations? They’re dead. Why do they have to eat brains? Unlike vampires, the eating of the brains does not have a rejuvenating effect, so… why? Being entirely unqualified to answer this myself, I decided I would seek some answers from around the speculative fiction community. Here’s what people were able to come up with. I’ll add more if and when people send them in.

[Feel free add your own thoughts in the comments.]

Walking Dead Videogame Trailer

Pinched directly from Tor UK’s blog, here’s the first trailer for the videogame of Walking Dead:

I’ve only seen season one of the TV series (which I thought was excellent), and have not yet read any of Rob Kirkman’s original comic series. I have a pretty low tolerance for zombie fiction, so I don’t know if/when I’ll get around to reading the graphic novels – I’m reading a zombie novel at the moment, and I tend to like a fairly long time between zombie-related media. The Walking Dead setting, however, is pretty great. I’ll have to get around to watching season two of the series, too…

If you click through the link to Tor’s blog, you’ll find another link to read the first three chapters of the Walking Dead novel, Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga.

Based on The Walking Dead graphic novels/comic books and the series starring Andrew Lincoln (Teachers, This Life and Love, Actually) and written/produced by Frank Darabont whose previous credits include The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, this is a new trilogy of books written by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga, author of Perfect Victim and Shattered. Set in the world created by Robert Kirkman this standalone trilogy is fast-paced, action-packed storytelling about the lengths some men will go to survive. With new characters, new storylines and with the same in-depth character-based plotting that has made the television series such an immediate hit, this trilogy of novels is sure to be a hit with those who love zombies and those who have loved the TV series and comic books.

Not the most helpful synopsis, I must say – what’s it actually about?! Anyway, if I get the chance, I may give this a read.