Seven variant covers for Image Comics' 50th issue of The Walking Dead Deluxe have just been unveiled, and they look gorgeous. The Walking Dead is arguably the most well-known piece of zombie horror in the 21st century. Taking a lot of influence from the Romero era of zombies, the comics brought back the original slow-moving monsters and expanded upon them with outstanding character drama. The comic became so popular that it received a successful TV series on AMC with numerous spin-offs including one in development revolving around fan-favorite duo Daryl and Carol. It's a landmark series that brought zombies back from the dead into the public eye, and it's something that Image continues to celebrate to this day.
In 2020, Image Comics began reprinting the original Walking Dead series just a year after the comic reached its conclusion. For the first time, the comics are printed in color along with behind-the-scenes notes on the original script. The Walking Dead comics are known for their eerie use of black and white, so to see the same story told again but colorized adds a whole new perspective that makes it feel new again. The zombies have never looked better, with the blood-drenched action being more intense than before. It's a perfect way to bring people back into the world of The Walking Dead without resorting to unnecessary sequels. Now, the revitalized series is about to reprint the landmark 50th issue, and Image has revealed an amazing way to celebrate.
The 50th issue of The Walking Dead Deluxe revisits an iconic moment from the story, as the issue explores Carl's attempts to survive on his own while his father, Rick Grimes, is unable to help. To celebrate, Image Comics has revealed seven variant covers that feature Carl on his own, fighting off Walkers. Each cover is carefully crafted by a variety of talented artists including David Finch, Dave McCaig, Tula Lotay, Julian Totino Tedesco, Charlie Adlard, Tonči Zonjić, Andy Kubert and Brad Anderson. The issue itself comes from Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Dave McCaig.
Carl's Fight For Survival
On top of having a wide array of options for the cover that will accompany comic fans' copies of the 50th comic, every issue will also include bonus goodies for fans of the franchise. According to Image, The Walking Dead Deluxe #50 will continue its "Cutting Room Floor" bonus feature that shows fans "creator commentary celebrating the secret history of the series" as well as a letter page and the issue's original script and planning notes. Already a success, the fiftieth issue was around the point when The Walking Dead became a genuine mega-hit, following the brutal prison massacre and an unprecedented implosion of its established cast and status quo, underlining the fact that it was a comic series where anything really could happen.
With the mainline TV show coming to an official end later this year, this is the perfect time for fans to return to where it all started. These gorgeous variant covers are sure to be an amazing addition to any collector's set. Image Comics has done an outstanding job showing why The Walking Dead has stood the test of time and avoided the pitfalls of countless zombie clichés, and this Deluxe series is a fantastic way to show new and old fans alike just why it will continue to inspire in the future.
The Walking Dead Deluxe #50 is coming from Image Comics November 2, 2022.
Source: Image Comics