Robert Kirkman makes a shocking reveal in The Walking Dead issue 193

While fans were already told to expect a BIG issue for July 2019, there is no way fans anticipated Robert Kirkman’s reveal in The Walking Dead issue 193.

Let’s be honest. Issue 192 of The Walking Dead comics was game-changing. Everything fans thought they knew to be true in the series took a major detour when the series made the bold move to kill off Rick Grimes.

Still, there are a ton of great characters and plenty of undead to fight in the popular Image Comics and Skybound publication, so there were still a lot of reasons for fans to be excited about the future of the series.

However, that future has now come to an end.

Where the letter hacks section of The Walking Dead comics typically would be, it is instead a farewell letter from franchise creator Robert Kirkman to his readers, his creation, and those who helped him along the way.

That’s right. The comic book series is complete.

First and foremost, Kirkman wanted this to be a surprise. Not only did he create solicits for issues that would never be released, but he had fake covers made by artist Charlie Adlard to throw readers off the track even more. Thankfully, most media organizations and fans were respectful of his wishes and didn’t spoil the surprise before the issue was released digitally around the world.

However, now that the news is officially out there, it’s hard to admit that the time has actually come. It was going to happen eventually, but seeing the series actually reach a finale with issue 193 is a bit hard to stomach for loyal readers of the comics as well as the creators themselves who enjoyed bringing the characters and situations to life each month.

In issue 193, Kirkman explains that he had intended to end the series sooner but wasn’t ready to give up quite yet. Thankfully, he kept going and it gave readers great storylines including the Kingdom and the Whisperers as well as the Commonwealth to sink our teeth into. But now he says anything more he tried to add didn’t feel genuine or worthwhile, so the decision was made to stop the series.

The official statement includes Kirkman saying thank you to readers and numerous individuals and companies he worked with along the way, with a big thanks going out to artist Charlie Adlard for the massive investment in time he made in the series. If you want to read it, pick up a copy at your local comic retailer or on Comixology.com.

On a personal note, Kirkman’s mixed feelings on the series endings mirror my own. I’m so glad to have been a part of this great storytelling full of great characters and amazing art over the years but I’m sad that this is the end. Honestly, The Walking Dead is the only comic book series I read on a monthly basis, so now there will be a big hole where this series used to be and hopefully I can find something to fill that.

This comes at an even more difficult time in my life where I lost my father a few months ago. Watching Carl want to honor his father and seeing how everyone respected Rick Grimes helped remind me of just how much of an impact a great man can have on the lives of others around him, even in a zombie comic book. Still, the emotions I felt reading this issue were very real, and it touched my soul in ways other media couldn’t.

I’ll always have a place in my heart for The Walking Dead comics. Even though the series has come to an end there were always be plenty of memories to share and occasions to pick up some of my favorite issues and give another read.

Thank you, Robert Kirkman and The Walking Dead…but darn you as well!