[DannyG]

Hi everyone,

I want to start reading TWD books and I am really confused as to what to buy.
I know there are the comic ones but I want the 'proper' book one. No pictures, just pure epic detailed story words.

I am really confused as I found all of these on Amazon,


   The Walking Dead Volume 1: Days Gone Bye: Days Gone Bye - http://www.amazon.co...46711588&sr=1-1 - Which I think is the comic book?

The Walking Dead Book 1 - http://www.amazon.co...46711588&sr=1-5 - Is the only difference here that this one is a hardcover?

   The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor (Walking Dead 1) - http://www.amazon.co...46711588&sr=1-6 - Is this based on the comic books? If I read this will it give me the same story as the comic books and the same story as the tv series?


I hope that makes sense, thanks in advance.
Danny.

Edited by DannyG, 03 September 2012 - 10:40 PM.

[Trillian]

The Walking Dead is first and foremost a comic - it has drawings.  As you pointed out, there is a novel called The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor, with a second one coming out this October called The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury, but these are companion pieces.  In my opinion, Rise of the Governor doesn't stand alone very well.  It is essentially a prequel.  It provides the background story of one character.

Give the comics a try.  It's not my favorite medium, but I have enjoyed them.

As to books vs. volumes:  A volume is 6 issues, and a book is 12 issues, so Volume 1 will be half of Book 1.

Wiki lists the various published works here:  http://en.wikipedia....g_Dead_(comics), but don't read the synopsis, just scan to the bottom for publication dates and contents (under column "Collected Material").

Edited by Trillian, 03 September 2012 - 11:02 PM.

[Kat]

Although it has some limitations (i.e. it is a doorstop, weighs a ton, and the binding can break), Compendium One is the easiest and most economical way to introduce yourself to the comics.  Then you can become obsessed and go back and buy all of the original volumes anyway.

[Juggy]

I have the hard cover books so 12 issues in one plus the covers. Here in Aus they are a bit pricey and only go up to issue 84. So thats 7 books apparently book 8 comes out in October. Another way to read them is by purchasing digital copies. I like having the hard cover books but I'm no where near up to date with everyone else and I have to wait longer for them to come out.

[gracie lou]

I agree with Trillian - Rise of the Governor is not strong enough to stand on it's own. I would never recommend it to someone who wasn't a fan of the comic.

I had never read comics before, but totally got hooked on TWD comic, so you may want to give it a try. Maybe see if your local library system has the first couple of volumes, if you are wary of spending money, and see if you like them. I collect the volumes, but also buy the issues digitallly, so I can stay up to date.

Let us know what you decide.

[ShadowHunter]

I would recommend the Compendium 1, it has issues 1-48.

Edited by ShadowHunter, 04 September 2012 - 01:50 AM.

[LMD]

Art I just as good as words. That is all

[DannyG]

Ok guys thanks, I just saw a sneak peak on Amazon and the comic looks fun so I will just go for that then

So the Compendium will be the best one to get?

[Chic]

DannyG, on 04 September 2012 - 06:41 AM, said:

Ok guys thanks, I just saw a sneak peak on Amazon and the comic looks fun so I will just go for that then

So the Compendium will be the best one to get?

Yes; the Compendium is issues 1-48. I believe the second Compendium (which is issues 49-96) will be released next month. There won't be another compendium for probably a few years, so I'd suggest picking up the volume that contains the current arc (Something to Fear) when it comes out so you're all caught up and then buy each issue after that. That is, if you're really dedicated to it.

So, in a nutshell:

1. Buy the first compendium. (Issues 1-48)
2. Buy the second compendium. (Issues 49-96)
3. Buy the next volume when it comes out. (The current issues)
4. Buy each issue as they come out.

[gracie lou]

I would only buy the compendiums if it was a budget issue. It would drive me nuts not to have everything matching. Also, like other people said, they are huge and heavy, and the spine tends to get big time wear and tear. Definitely the most story for your money, though...

[DeadCave]

gracie lou, on 04 September 2012 - 11:08 AM, said:

I would only buy the compendiums if it was a budget issue. It would drive me nuts not to have everything matching. Also, like other people said, they are huge and heavy, and the spine tends to get big time wear and tear. Definitely the most story for your money, though...

If the spine wears out as quickly as folks are saying then fans need to write to the publisher (and perhaps Kirkman himself) and complain. Books of that nature and the popularity of the story should have quality wrapped around them. Sounds like to me they're printing to make a buck (yeah, that's the main goal anyway) in favor of printing to make a legacy.
Perhaps they felt using cheap bindings would allow them to sell the book at a cheaper price thus induce higher sales figures.
Most story for your money yeah but if it's not going to last years on down the road then what's the point?

[Dough]

The compendium is the best choice. Why?

Because you could smash a zombie's brains in with it

[Kat]

DeadCave, on 04 September 2012 - 04:31 PM, said:

If the spine wears out as quickly as folks are saying then fans need to write to the publisher (and perhaps Kirkman himself) and complain. Books of that nature and the popularity of the story should have quality wrapped around them. Sounds like to me they're printing to make a buck (yeah, that's the main goal anyway) in favor of printing to make a legacy.
Perhaps they felt using cheap bindings would allow them to sell the book at a cheaper price thus induce higher sales figures.
Most story for your money yeah but if it's not going to last years on down the road then what's the point?

I think the point was to provide a cheap and easy intro for new fans.  I read it, but hated lugging it around.  After I finished it, I went and bought all of the individual volumes that followed.  Now, each month when I go in to get my new issue, I buy one of the early volumes, so I can be all matchy-matchy.  Once I have them all I'll probably then give my compendium one away to another newbie.

Edited by Kat, 04 September 2012 - 04:53 PM.

[Fuzed]

Also, not too big of a deal to some, but I don't recall the compendium having any of the cover art.