New The Walking Dead Cover Prompts “Rick Is Dead” Speculation

Full spoilers for The Walking Dead comics follow.

Rick Grimes has had his back against the wall for so many consecutive issues of The Walking Dead comic that it’s hard to keep count, at this point.

First, the leader of Alexandria had to take on the threat that was (or maybe still is) the Whisperers. Then, after his community had become completed flooded and overrun with walkers, he had the remnants of Negan’s Saviors knocking at his door ready to finish off the community. To make things far worse, his wife was bitten and killed by a walker and he accidentally killed the Saviors’ interim leader Sherry when they were supposed to be working out a deal.

On Robert Kirkman’s promise to kill Rick Grimes “eventually,” fans of the popular comic book series are thinking that this is the time where Rick bows out. After all, he confessed to Andrea that he doesn’t feel like he can continue in this world as the leader in the most recent issue. Although his wife found the energy to scold him for such an admission from her death bed, the bright ending to the issue which saw her off felt a little too good to be true for those who know the series.

Now, the cover of The Walking Dead issue #170 was revealed and it’s giving fans even more reason to believe Rick might be going the way of Glenn, Lori, Shane, Andrea and countless others.

On The Road

On the cover, Michonne, Eugene, Siddiq, and Magna are seen walking down abandoned apocalyptic roads. The title of the issue is “On The Road.”

The clear message here is that the group has to leave Alexandria for some reason. While covers are often misleading looking at The Walking Dead‘s history, it looks like this group of four is outside of the walls and ready for a fight. They’re not as heavily prepared for a long trip outside of the walls but they are armed to take on anyone who might come their way.

The most noteworthy bit of the cover is that Rick Grimes is no where to be seen. 

That said, neither are Carl or most of the characters who call Alexandria home. With Eugene being a part of the pack, though, it’s possible he is leading a charge to the group who claimed to be friendly from Ohio which he encountered over the radio. 

Looking back at previous covers to still unreleased issues, Rick’s death is not implausible. Negan is seen running the show on the front of issue #168, which directly precedes the book which plastered with Dwight’s gun pressed to the back of Rick’s head as he kneels before the villain-turned-ally.

If Rick is alive for issue #170, it’s not going to be a very pretty life he is leading. The community is likely heading out of their sanctuary in the Alexandria Safe-Zone without the option of heading to Hilltop which recently burnt down. In fact, this means the survivors of the Whisperer war and whatever may come with the Saviors in the next few issues might just be back to square one.

More Walking Dead

MORE WALKING DEAD: New Photo Of Johnny Depp’s Dead Head Prop / Negan’s Backstory Reveals Completely Different Character / Watch Negan’s Alternate Kills / TWD F-Take Clips With Rick And Daryl / Major Criticism Fixed For Season 8 / TWD Casting Two New Characters

The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season in October of 2017. The first trailer is expected to arrive at San Diego Comic Con in July. For complete coverage and insider info all off-season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.