Nearly 16 years ago, Robert Kirkman debuted The Walking Dead comic alongside artist Tony Moore. Charlie Adlard took over as the artist on issue #6 and began a historic run with Kirkman. But this week, the series will come to an end with The Walking Dead #193.
The final issue will be 72-pages long and wrap up most of the series’ lingering plots. Via ComicBook.com, Kirkman addressed the series finale in the issue’s letter column.
“This is the end of The Walking Dead,” wrote Kirkman. “That’s it… it’s over… we’re done.” He went on to say that the fake solicitations for future issues was part of keeping the news under wraps.
“[The Walking Dead] has always been built on surprise,” added Kirkman. “It just felt wrong and against the very nature of this series not to make the actual end as surprising as all the big deaths.”
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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for The Walking Dead #192
In the previous issue, Kirkman and Adlard killed off Rick Grimes, the series’ protagonist from the very first issue. While Kirkman has previously suggested that the series could go on without Rick, that apparently won’t be the case.
Kirkman thanked his readers for making the series a success, which allowed him to finish the story he wanted to tell.
“I got to tell my story exactly how I wanted to, for 193 issues, and end it on my terms, with no interference at all along the way… at any point,” continued Kirkman. “That’s such a rare thing, and it doesn’t exist without the unyielding support this series got from readers like you.”
The Walking Dead #193 will be in comic book stores Wednesday, July 3.
How do you feel about the end of The Walking Dead comic? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: The Walking Dead Omnibus Vol. 1
