*Updated with official release details.* Judging by the cover for The Walking Dead #157, it looks like Rick Grimes and the Alexandrians are on the verge of entering their biggest conflict since "All Out War."
Our friends at TheWalkingDead.com have now revealed the official release details for issue #157 and Volume 26. We also now have a look at the high resolution images of the cover art (see below) via TheWalkingDead.com.
Issue #157 of The Walking Dead will be released on August 3rd, while The Walking Dead Volume 26 trade paperback (containing issues #151–156) will be available beginning September 14th.
Initially revealed by artist Charlie Adlard on Twitter, the cover art for The Walking Dead #157 teases "The Whisperer War" Part 1 of 6. A determined Alpha, a furious Rick, and a group of horrified Alexandrians grace the cover amidst an ominous blood-stained background.
The fact that this story arc will be a six-parter is big news for fans of the series, as Robert Kirkman has taken his characters on life-altering (and life-ending) journeys in other multiple-issue story arcs, including the 12-part "All Out War." Issue #157 will also be the first installment after the jaw-dropping cover art of issue #156, which features two key characters in an unexpected embrace.
Adlard also revealed the cover art for Volume 26. Titled "Call to Arms", the volume's artwork features Dwight and his soldiers-in-training putting their firepower to good use.
"THE WALKING DEAD #157
STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN
ART: CHARLIE ADLARD, STEFANO GAUDIANO & CLIFF RATHBURN
COVER: CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART
AUGUST 3 | 32 PAGES | BLACK & WHITE | MATURE | $2.99
THE WHISPERER WAR PART 1
The time has come. The forces are aligning. The war has begun! Has Rick brought about the demise of everything he’s built? Or will he triumph once again? Know this… there will be a cost."
"THE WALKING DEAD VOL. 26 TPB
STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN
ART: CHARLIE ADLARD, STEFANO GAUDIANO & CLIFF RATHBURN
COVER: CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART
SEPTEMBER 14 | 136 PAGES | BLACK & WHITE | MATURE | $14.99
After being betrayed by members of his own community, Rick Grimes charts a new course and marshals his forces against the Whisperers.
Collects THE WALKING DEAD #151-156."
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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