What The Walking Dead Comic's Shocking Death Means For The TV Show

Andrea Died

The Walking Dead issue #167 killed of Rick's long time girlfriend, Carl's adoptive mother, an overall very strong woman: Andrea.

In issue #165, Andrea was bitten by a walker when she saved Eugene from a herd which had surrounded him. In an effort to protect Alexandria, Andrea elected to continue directing the herd to a cliff which tossed them into the ocean before returning to the Safe-Zone.

Upon arrival, Andrea revealed the bite mark on her neck to Rick and collapsed. It was issue #167 which saw Andrea's still-alive funeral as each character entered her room (including Negan) to pay their respects to the woman who helped lead them to this new world.

Just before the issue had ended, a tearful Rick Grimes had to drive a knife into Andrea's head to stop her reanimated form from biting him.

Michonne's Death

While Andrea has been long dead on The Walking Dead television series, her role is being filled out almost identically by another character.

On AMC's adaptation of The Walking Dead comics, it is Michonne who is filling in as the strong girlfriend of Rick Grimes. She has quickly become a mother figure for Carl. She has adopted the rifle skills Andrea has in the books and even portrayed the fake-out death where readers and character both thought Andrea fell from a ledge after fighting a Savior in the Season 7 finale. Of course, it was revealed that the real victim was one of the bad guys and both Andrea in the comics and Michonne on television survived the moment.

For this death to applied to Michonne on television, The Walking Dead would have to carry out at least three more seasons. At a rate of about 20 issues per season, the AMC series has reached an equivalent point of issue #116 -- the beginning of All Out War. Should the pace continue with the comics being accurately adapted, Michonne would be killed off like Andrea was in Season 10 or Season 11.

Given Rick and Michonne's continued growth as a couple, the leader of Alexandria will be enduring his toughest test should Michonne be killed off, however he has already teased such an event himself. In Episode 7x12 (Say Yes), Rick insisted to Michonne that if either of them die, the other continue their efforts in rebuilding civilization as they once knew it.

Showrunner Scott Gimple often prides himself on deviating from the comics just enough to keep fans guessing but also accurately adapting iconic moments, so applying Andrea's fate to Michonne feels both inevitable but still unpredictable.

More Walking Dead

MORE WALKING DEAD: Negan's Backstory Reveals Completely Different Character / TWD Star Quits Social Media After Death Threats / TWD Showrunner Joins FTWD / 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.

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