This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of the biggest franchises in pop culture history: The Walking Dead. So it’s only fitting that Skybound has an equally massive celebration planned, the latest piece of which we’ve got for you today. Get your eyeballs ready for a whopping 17 different covers for The Walking Dead Deluxe this October — 14 of which you can view in the gallery following these official details…
Skybound today announced its 20th anniversary celebration of The Walking Dead, the groundbreaking comic series created by Robert Kirkman (Invincible). The deluxe version of the series will see weekly releases throughout its anniversary month of October, all leading up to the legendary issue #75, now presented in glorious full color for the first time.
Skybound debuted a stacked variant lineup for these issues, featuring iconic comics talent like J.H. Williams III (Detective Comics, Batwoman), ongoing The Walking Dead Deluxe variant artist Julian Totino Tedesco, (Greg Capullo (Batman), and legendary icon Joe Quesada (Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Batman). These all-new covers will appear as variants to The Walking Dead Deluxe #72-75, with each issue presenting the series in full color format for the first time from writer/creator Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard and colors by Dave McCaig. Fans will also receive a new look at the worldwide pop culture phenomenon with pinups and exclusive “Cutting Room Floor” commentary by Kirkman, celebrating the secret history of the series.
A special Newsprint Edition of The Walking Dead Deluxe #1 will also be available in comic book shops on October 11, 2023. The 20th anniversary special edition will allow fans to revisit the issue that started it all, now in full color and printed on newsprint for that classic comic feeling!
“I can’t believe we’re already celebrating 20 years of The Walking Dead!” said Robert Kirkman. “What an insane benchmark for us to reach and to have the deluxe color reprint series reaching its 75th issue in this moment is just staggering. These are the greatest fans in the world and their support of this world is unprecedented. I’m so thankful for all the things they’ve allowed us to accomplish.”
On October 8, 2003, The Walking Dead #1 debuted in comic shops and began a historic run from creator Robert Kirkman that would change the face of pop culture. For nearly sixteen years, The Walking Dead rewrote the rules of comic book storytelling, including its surprise ending at issue #193, and has since expanded to include special one-shots, graphic novels, video games and an unprecedented hit television franchise on the AMC network. The franchise continues to grow in new directions, from the Clementine YA graphic novels by superstar Tillie Walden to dynamic new interactive experiences like The Walking Dead: The Last Mile and further expansion of AMC’s The Walking Dead universe.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing readers a packed month of The Walking Dead this October!” said editor, Amanda LaFranco. “For 20 years, the iconic series has been with us, and what better way to celebrate than with TWD Deluxe in your shop weekly and new iconic images to boot! Leading up to the explosive 75th issue, we’re excited to feature a series of covers with grisly walkers and the high-stakes moments the series is beloved for.”
The Walking Dead Deluxe (Lunar codes listed below | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play every Wednesday of October 2023.
A full list of the covers is below:
The Walking Dead Deluxe #72 by Robert Kirkman, available October 4, 2023
- CVR A by David Finch & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Art/CVR B by Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- CVR C (CONNECTING) by Conor Hughes (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #1 (Newsprint Edition) by Robert Kirkman, art by Tony Moore & Dave McCaig, available October 11, 2023
- CVR A by David Finch & Dave McCaig
The Walking Dead Deluxe #73 by Robert Kirkman, available October 11, 2023
- CVR A by David Finch & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Art/CVR B by Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- CVR C (CONNECTING) by J.H. Williams III (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #74 by Robert Kirkman, available October 18, 2023
- CVR A by David Finch & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Art/CVR B by Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- CVR C (CONNECTING) by J.H. Williams III (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- CVR D by Julian Totino Tedesco (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #75 by Robert Kirkman, available October 25, 2023
- CVR A by David Finch & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Art/CVR B by Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- CVR C by J.H. Williams III (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- CVR D by Julian Totino Tedesco (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- CVR E by Joe Quesada & Richard Isanove (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- CVR F by Greg Capullo & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
