the year in books [VII]

The Calm Before, issues 37-42, in which the group attempts to settle down again after their nightmarish experiences at Woodbury. Relationships among the survivors at the prison continue to grow as Lori enters the last stages of her pregnancy. All the while, the group tries to prepare themselves for the sure revenge of The Governor and his town of psychotic survivors.

Made To Suffer, issues 43-48, in which the Governor has finally found the prison and attacks with amazing force. The group is torn over what action to take. While many choose to stay, others leave to fend for themselves. As the body counts rises and more and more damage is done to both sides, things will literally never be the same again for Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors.

Here We Remain, issues 49-54, begins after the prison is destroyed and the group is scattered. Rick and Carl attempt to find shelter in a nearby town and reunite with surviving members of the group. Rick's physical and mental state begin to unravel, while Carl starts to grow more independent and apathetic. They eventually manage to reunite with the other survivors, however, before they can recover fully, three new survivors arrive and present an unbelievable opportunity for the group if they join them.

What We Become, issues 55-60, takes place as the group is on the road making its way to Washington, D.C. with a scientist, Eugene Porter, who can apparently end the outbreak. Rick is immediately at odds with Abraham over their methods on how to lead. With Carl in tow, the three travel to Rick's hometown for any supplies left at Rick's police station and come across an old friend in the process. Along the way, Rick finally sees just how far he is willing to go to protect the family he has left.

Fear The Hunters, issues 61-66, in which Rick and his group, en route to Washington, D.C., start to suspect they're being stalked by someone in the woods. Suddenly, Dale is kidnapped in the night and Rick, Abraham, Michonne, and Andrea set out to find this new threat and stop them. But these survivors may finally see their humanity torn to the last shred with the actions they take to protect their own.

Life Among Them, issues 67-72, in which Rick and his group run across a seemingly trustworthy man named Aaron who escorts them to a large, walled-off community of suvivors called the Alexandria Safe-Zone led by a man named Douglas Monroe. It is a welcomed change for the weary survivors, but, they soon suspect that it may be too good to be true.