Another Day, Another Death: ‘The Walking Dead’ Comic to End With Issue #193

2019 is the year where most of pop culture’s biggest properties and franchises suffer an untimely (if not unfortunate) death. After 16 years in circulation, three TV shows, three upcoming TV movies, and various merchandising items, Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment’s “The Walking Dead” comic book series will finally end with issue #193.

The comic was used as the background material for a lot of The Walking Dead TV show’s episodes, despite it putting its own spin to it in the later seasons. The show is heading towards the 10th season (also without Rick Grimes), while Fear the Walking Dead is currently on its fifth. Adding to that massive universe is another Walking Dead spin-off show that will focus on a much younger generation of zombie apocalypse survivors and the trilogy of movies that will follow Rick’s story after he was airlifted by Jadis and the helicopter people.

SPOILER WARNING: If you don’t want to spoil the ending, we’re urging you to stop reading. But for the curious cat, read on and see for yourself.

‘The Walking Dead’ Dies a Happy Death

Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman bookended the comic book series with a lengthy letter after the last panels of issue 193 (which comes out Wednesday, July 3rd). “Oddly, as unsure as I feel about ending the story, I feel confident in how I ended it,” Kirkman writes. “I’ve been building to this for years, and it does feel good to end on such a happy note.”

It’s definitely a surprise, especially following last month’s shocker. The comic series dropped a shocking death in issue #192 that slightly mirrored the TV show’s season 9, episode 5 episode, titled “What Comes After.” Rick Grimes met his death at the hands of Sebastian via gunshot. He then reanimates into a Walker, with Carl forced to put a gun to his father’s head. A lot of fans were shocked, much like how everyone lost their minds with Rick’s fake death in the TV episode.

“I’m completely willing to bet some of you are angry over this. I get it… I do. I mean… WHY didn’t we announce this so that fans could have some time to prepare?” Kirkman continues. “In a way, killing this series has been a lot like killing a major character. Much, much harder… but the same feeling. I don’t WANT to do it. I’d rather keep going… But the story is telling me what it wants and what it needs. This needs to happen. Whether I want it or not.”

Of course, with the source material ending, it’s natural for fans to feel scared for the show. But just as how Game of Thrones trudged on way beyond George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels, The Walking Dead’s home network assures that the show will continue moving forward even after the source material ends. That’s great news, but still, a painful thought to ponder for hardcore Walking Dead fans.

I’m upset, too. I’m going to miss it as much as you will, if not more so,” Kirkman says. “It breaks my heart that I had to end it, and we have to move on… but I just love this world too much to stretch things out until it doesn’t live up to what I want it to be. I hope you understand.”