The Walking Dead has gotten a lot of slack for making changes from the source material. Since comic readers make up a large portion of the show’s fanbase, it makes sense that they wouldn’t want to see a beloved story changed for TV.
Some changes have been welcomed, like Carol’s transition into a hero or Morgan’s prolonged character development. Other changes have been frowned upon, such as Andrea’s death or Rick’s hand being present for the whole series.
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Either way, many fans appreciate when the show pulls off a direct adaptation of the comic. When something looks exactly how you picture it, you don’t have much choice but to enjoy it.
We’ve already looked at five of the big changes from the books, so here’s a few times where the show got the comics exactly right.
Glenn’s Death
Let’s just get this one out of the way. Yes, we want to stop talking about Glenn’s death at some point, but the producers need some credit here.ย
Glenn’s death went exactly as the comics depicted it.
Everything from the looks to Maggie, to the popping eye ball, were direct copies from The Walking Dead #100. Negan needed to prove a point, and he broke Rick and the others by killing Glenn right then and there.
Fans are upset that Glenn had to go, but the comic used his death as a spring board for Maggie’s story. Hopefully, the show will do the same.
Penny Blake
Until the season seven premiere, the scenes with Penny Blake had to be some of the most gruesome of the series.
If you recall, Penny was the daughter of The Governor. After she turned into a zombie, he couldn’t bring himself to kill her. The evil man kept his infected daughter chained up in his study, and fed her body parts of dead people.
In the comics, Penny was allowed to feast on Rick’s severed hand.
When it was all said and done, The Governor’s denial failed. Michonned killed Penny before his eyes, and finished him off a little while later.
Ezekiel
Yes, Ezekiel has only been featured in a couple of clips and promos, but he looks like an exact replica of the character in the comics.
It’s easy to see that he has a high level of charisma, and his smile will charm the pants off of any survivior he comes across. His throne in the theater looks spot-on as well, and that’s an important place in the story to come.
Additionally, Shiva is extremely close to her comic counterpart.
Of course many tigers look the same, but that isn’t the point. Shiva looks more menacing, and much more regal, than other beasts.
This is one of those things fans will look back on, and praise the show for doing so well.
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Carl’s Eye
Poor Carl. In both the comic and the TV series, Lil’ Grimes has been through just about everything.
He got shot in the gut when he was just a boy, then had to turn around and lose his mom. When his new home is getting overrun with walkers, it doesn’t seem like his life can get much worse.
Boy, was that wrong.
Carl is shot right in the eye during the Alexandria attack, and the shots of both comic and show looked identical. He was completely lost in that moment, and Rick was beside himself for letting anything else happen to the only family he’s got left.
Michonne’s Pets
Michonne has been a fan-favorite character in both mediums, so the show wanted to make sure and do her justice.
They did all that, and more, as Michonne is the most pivotal character in the TV series, outside of the remaining Grimes family.
When she is first introduced, Michonne is seen leading to walkers, with no arms or jaws, on chains. She does this to ward of other Walkers, but we learn later that these are actually her former loved ones.
What did you think of our list? Any other moments the show got exactly right? Let us know in the comments below!