THE WALKING DEAD IS FINALLY DEAD…

Yip!

 That’s it…

 The dead are finally dead or decomposing (hang on! they technically should have been decomposed awhile ago?).

The Walking Dead comic series has finished this month after 193 issues.

The end comes as a huge shock to fans, as no warning was given at all until the release of the 72-page final issue.

The series began with issue #1 in October 2003.

Writing in the Letter Hacks section at the end of issue #193, creator Robert Kirkman acknowledged that closing The Walking Dead unannounced may frustrate some readers, but explained that it was consistent with the storytelling of the series.

“The Walking Dead has always been built on surprise. Not knowing what’s going to happen when you turn the page, who’s going to die, how they’re going to die… it’s been ESSENTIAL to the success of the series,” he wrote. “It’s been the lifeblood that’s been keeping it going all these years, keeping people engaged. 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…”

This sudden ending is all the more unexpected because creator Robert Kirkman went to great lengths to hide the fact that issue #193 is the series finale. Publisher Image Comics solicited fake versions of The Walking Dead #194 and #195 for release in August and September, respectively. These solicitations were even accompanied by new cover art from artist Charlie Adlard.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

And true to Kirkman’s word, the comic delivered on surprises one-after-the-other. From Shane and Glenn and all the way to Rick.

Last month’s issue saw the series’ biggest ever death as protagonist Rick Grimes was murdered.

It is unclear what The Walking Dead‘s end means for the TV series, which is currently filming its 10th season and currently in the middle of the Whisperers arc. And following the exit of star Andrew Lincoln in Season 9. Gurira is rumored to be joining Lincoln in the three Walking Dead films that AMC is developing to continue Rick Grimes’ journey separate from the main storyline on the flagship show.

Kirkman previously confirmed that Rick’s death in the comics was not inspired by the TV show.

Kirkman thanked the fans and added his delight that he managed to tell his story on his own terms all the way through.

It might be harsh, but as much as Culturedemandsgeeks loves the ‘bite’ of the show, and unfortunately believed that’s how the show should have ended that would have been awesome and it should have happened in season 6 or 7 at the latest.