The Ups and Downs from issue 186 of The Walking Dead comics

What were the good and bad parts of issue 186 of The Walking Dead comics and was “The Powder Keg” any good? Here is our review of the Dec. 2018 issue!

Image Comics and Skybound released a new installment of The Walking Dead comics on Dec. 5, 2018 and it is bound to make a massive impression on readers of the popular zombie survival drama comic series.

There was a ton to take in from issue 186 of the comics titled “The Powder Keg” with some of it being positive and some of it being not so positive. And all of it needs to be broken down into the good, bad, and interesting parts.

It is HIGHLY advised that you have either read the comic already or have checked out the FULL RECAP OF ISSUE 186 before continuing.

***WARNING: Many spoilers from The Walking Dead 186 below***

So, let’s get started by talking about the good, bad, and interesting things from the Dec. 2018 installment of the comics!

The Good Stuff

1. The division. Coming into this issue, forcefully taking The Commonwealth seemed like more of a theory than something that could actually happen. But the scene with Elodie talking with her friends made that situation a bit more clear with the obvious separation between the elites and the common people of the community.
2. Mercer is all in. He didn’t back down from his comments from the previous issue but still continues to do his job without question. Even better is that his name wasn’t brought up in the discussions heard from Pamela, so he can continue to be a bit of a mole if needed.
3. Setting up what is next. Tara is bound to see Dwight as a martyr in the fight to free the people of The Commonwealth, but will she have the confidence to attack the issue the way he did in the past? And will she be an even more unpredictable force than Dwight used to be?

The Bad Things

1. Michonne’s trap. Maybe she had good intentions when getting Pamela, Rick, and Dwight together, but she had to know something was going to happen. There’s no doubt that Dwight is an abrasive individual who wouldn’t fit in well in this kind of discussion.
2. Rick vs Michonne. Oh boy…this was a situation I never thought would happen. After all these two characters have been through to this point, it’s hard to believe anything could come between them. But the divide seems quite large and those feelings of animosity toward each other are strong.
3. Saying farewell to Dwight. The character was a loose cannon and he was quite a pain sometimes, but he was entertaining and interesting. It was fitting the way his end came, but he will be missed.

Interesting Stuff

1. Stephanie’s wig. Looking back on this issue, it’s hard to figure out why this was included and what the implication of putting it in the issue is? Is it to show they are bonding? Will her hair set up a future plot? Did they just need to fill pages? I’m confused a bit by this part of the issue but am willing to see where it is going.
2. That thumbs up. Watching Carl give Sophia a big thumbs up and her to roll her eyes is such a great addition to the comic that is both fun and interesting with a touch of that teenage angst that makes growing up fun. But will she even give Joshua a chance since she’s still clearly hung up on Carl?
3. Dwight was on to it. While Rick called it unfair, Dwight calling in Michonne for loving the community and the fancy apartment for her and her daughter was completely right. She’s blinded a bit by comfort and power. If she were an outsider, she’d feel more like what she did at Greenville when people couldn’t afford food.

Overall Impression

Coming into this issue, I felt like a lot of tension would build while some relationships changed and some secrets were revealed. Instead, I got a pleasantly uneven issue of The Walking Dead that left quite an impression.

Full disclosure: I liked Dwight. While his character was a bit whiny and impulsive, he was always there to make an impact on a storyline. His nature lent well to the zombie apocalypse and his death leaves a hole of the issue to fill.

Other storylines like Sophia’s hunt to get laid and Eugene’s relationship with Stephanie were well represented, but neither got a big punch. And that is actually okay since the focus was supposed to be on the leadership clash and immediate threats at The Commonwealth.

But the biggest thing to watch for has almost nothing to do with the leadership at The Commonwealth. Instead, it will be watching the conflict between Rick and Michonne going forward and how that line between them will help to draw battle lines going forward.

As a whole, this issue left me with my jaw on the ground and made me curious as to what is coming next. It was a good read, even if some of the issue felt out of place considering the way it ended. Plus, I got three of my five predictions right! That’s the first time I’ve had more than 50%!

ISSUE GRADE: 9.1/10

What did you think of issue 186 of The Walking Dead comics? Did “The Powder Keg” surprise you the way it did for me? And did the Dec. 2018 issue leave you stunned? Let us know your impression in the comments!