What Happened to The Walking Dead (comic series)?
The Walking Dead comic series, created by Robert Kirkman and initially drawn by Tony Moore, launched in 2003 and unexpectedly concluded its 193-issue run in July 2019. Despite its original black-and-white format ending, the series continues to be re-released in full color as 'The Walking Dead Deluxe' by Image Comics, with new issues still being published as of late 2026, alongside a vast multimedia franchise.
Quick Answer
The Walking Dead comic series, a groundbreaking independent title, concluded its original 193-issue run abruptly in July 2019, surprising fans and even the TV show's producers. Created by Robert Kirkman, the series explored human survival in a zombie apocalypse, becoming a bestseller and spawning a massive multimedia franchise. As of 2026, the comic is being re-released in a full-color 'Deluxe' edition, offering new insights and continuing to publish bi-monthly, keeping the original story alive for new and old readers alike.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
The Walking Dead #1 Debuts
The first issue of The Walking Dead, created by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, is published by Image Comics, introducing Rick Grimes and the zombie apocalypse.
Charlie Adlard Becomes Main Artist
Charlie Adlard takes over as the primary artist for the series starting with issue #7, a role he would maintain until the series' conclusion.
Wins Eisner Award
The Walking Dead receives its first Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series at San Diego Comic-Con, recognizing its critical acclaim.
AMC TV Series Premieres
The highly successful television adaptation of The Walking Dead premieres on AMC, significantly boosting the comic's popularity and sales.
Issue #100 Released, Introduces Negan
The landmark 100th issue is released, featuring the brutal introduction of the villain Negan, becoming one of the best-selling issues.
Here's Negan! Serialization Begins
The backstory of Negan, 'Here's Negan!', begins serialization in Image+'s monthly magazine, later collected as a standalone volume.
Comic Series Unexpectedly Concludes with Issue #193
Robert Kirkman abruptly ends The Walking Dead comic series with issue #193, surprising readers and the industry with no prior announcement.
Negan Lives! One-Shot Released
A special one-shot comic, 'Negan Lives!', is released to support comic book stores during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing Negan's story after his exile.
The Walking Dead Deluxe Begins Publication
Image Comics starts republishing the entire series in full color as 'The Walking Dead Deluxe,' with new coloring by Dave McCaig and bonus content.
Clementine Lives Story Released
An 12-page story titled 'Clementine Lives' is released as part of Skybound X, starring the character Clementine from the Telltale video game series.
The Walking Dead Deluxe Continues Publication
The Walking Dead Deluxe series confirms its ongoing bi-monthly schedule, with issues #148 and #149 set for release in November 2026, revisiting the 'No Turning Back' arc.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Walking Dead comic series, a seminal work in the zombie apocalypse genre, debuted in October 2003 from Image Comics. Created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, with Charlie Adlard taking over art duties from issue #7, the series quickly distinguished itself by focusing less on the zombies and more on the complex human drama of survival, morality, and community building in a world overrun by the undead. Its black-and-white artwork contributed to its grim and atmospheric tone, enhancing the narrative's exploration of the human condition.
The comic's popularity surged dramatically with the premiere of AMC's television adaptation in October 2010, which loosely followed its storyline. This cross-media success propelled 'The Walking Dead' to become the best-selling independent comic series of the 21st century, often outselling titles from major publishers like Marvel and DC. Kirkman's commitment to a narrative where no character was safe, including its protagonist Rick Grimes, kept readers engaged and constantly surprised.
In a move that mirrored the series' unpredictable nature, Robert Kirkman abruptly ended the comic with issue #193 in July 2019, without any prior announcement or warning. This surprise finale, which included fake solicitations for future issues to maintain secrecy, concluded the story with a significant time jump, showing a rebuilt society and an adult Carl Grimes. Kirkman stated his desire to avoid repetitiveness and to end the story on his own terms, ensuring a impactful conclusion.
Following its conclusion, the legacy of 'The Walking Dead' comic series continues to thrive. In October 2020, Image Comics began republishing the entire run in full color as 'The Walking Dead Deluxe,' with coloring by Dave McCaig. This deluxe edition not only presents the original story in a new visual light but also includes additional behind-the-scenes content and creator commentary, offering fresh insights into its creation.
As of September 2026, 'The Walking Dead Deluxe' continues its bi-monthly publication schedule, with issues like #148 and #149 confirmed for release in November 2026. This ongoing re-release ensures the original comic's narrative remains accessible and celebrated, even as the broader 'Walking Dead' media franchise, encompassing numerous television spin-offs, video games, and novels, continues to expand and evolve.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The Walking Dead (comic series) made different choices?