The majority of this week’s highly-anticipated episode of The Walking Dead came straight from Issues #105, #107, and #111 of the comics. Fans have been waiting years to see Carl’s Sanctuary scene come to life and this episode didn’t disappoint. While there were more panel to screen parallels than most episodes, we’ve broken down all the major comparisons below:

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Carl’s Attack

 

One of the most iconic moments from The Walking Dead comics finally came to life on screen when Carl infiltrated The Sanctuary. (It’s worth noting in the comics Carl was a few years younger so that should make his attack more badass).

SHOW: After ditching Jesus and arriving at The Sanctuary, Carl shoots a couple of Saviors who discover him hiding in their truck. He demands to see Negan, who arrives and uses his men for cover. Amused, he urges Carl to settle down, which prompts Carl to shoot at more Saviors. Dwight tackles him and threatens to kill him, but Negan calls him off and instead offers to show Carl around The Sanctuary. Dwight cannot catch a break!

COMIC: In the comics Jesus WAS on the road but never accompanied Carl in his mission. Alone, Carl takes out SIX, not two of Negan’s men before he arrives. Othwerwise, the rest of the scene plays out the same way it did in the show.

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The Real Housewives of The Sanctuary

 

In both mediums Negan berates one of his wives, Amber, for cheating on him. There were, however, some minor differences.

SHOW: Negan confronts Sherry about Amber cheating on him with her ex-lover Mark. He then turns to Amber to scold her for cheating. After he gives her an ultimatum she agrees to stay. He tells Sherry to get Carson to fire up the iron.

However, the aftermath is MUCH different. In the show, Dwight walks in with Daryl as Negan kisses Sherry. Negan threatens Daryl and instructs Dwight to fire up the furnace.

COMICS: Negan bursts in his bedroom with Carl and immediately curses at Amber for cheating on him with her ex, Mark. Sherry defends Amber’s actions but Negan silences her and suggests Amber COULD give up her life and return to Mark if she pleases. Amber tearfully apologizes and agrees to stay, which satisfies Negan. He instructs Sherry (not Dwight) to get Carson to prepare the iron.

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So Many Supply Missions

 

The quest for Savior supplies sent SEVEN of our characters out of Alexandria. Here’s what happened in the comics and what didn’t:

Aaron & Rick: In the show Rick and Aaron stumble upon a possible supply gold mine surrounded by a walker moat. Unfortunately, none of this occurred in the comics.

Father Gabriel & Spencer: Similarly desperate for supplies, Father Gabriel and Spencer drive out and get wrapped in an argument over whether Rick should be leader or not (guess which side Spencer’s on). Undeterred, Father Gabriel defends Rick and decides to walk the rest of the way without him. And no, this didn’t occur in the comics either.

Eugene and Rosita: Hey! This one actually happened in the comics…sort of.
SHOW: Rosita forces Eugene to take her to the bullet manufacturing plant he found to make her a bullet for her gun. He’s reluctant but she emotionally tears him down enough until he complies.

COMICS: In Issue #107 Eugene and Rosita DO make their way to a bullet manufacturing plant but their exchange is WAY more amicable. Comic Rosita is happier than her show counterpart because Negan didn’t kill her lover in the comics.

Michonne: Michonne’s rogue mission to find Negan did NOT happen in the comics. Sorry 🙁

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Negan & Carl’s Heart-to-Heart

 

In both the comic and show Negan’s consistently infatuated with people who defy him. It’s that quality that makes his conversations with Carl so intriguing.

SHOW: Negan admires how badass Carl is and implores him to remove his bandage to add to the badassery. Carl begins crying, which actually makes Negan feel guilty. After getting Lucille back from Fat Joey, Negan demands Carl sing to him to make up for killing his men. He does, Negan thanks him, and they get ready for the iron ceremony.

COMICS: This scene was nearly identical in the comics. Other than a few changed words and phrases, Negan still makes Carl remove his bandage, Carl cries, Negan gets Lucille back, makes Carl sing, and the two of them prepare for the iron ceremony.

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The Iron

 

The mystery behind Dwight’s scar origin story was solved in this episode when we witnessed Negan’s punishment first hand. After discovering his wife Amber cheated on him with her ex, Mark, Negan decided to make an example out of him to show the others what breaking the rules looks like.

SHOW: Negan’s pre-iron speech in the show focuses around his people following the rules or facing fiery consequences. The aftermath differs from the comics, and features Dwight and Sherry discussing how they stepped on others to stay alive in The Sanctuary.

COMICS: Negan’s pre-iron speech focuses more on his wives’ loyalty to him instead of his people in general. Unlike the show, Amber tries calling out to Mark but Dwight stops her. Sherry tries saying something to Dwight but he calls her a bitch and tells her to shut up. Yikes.

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Carl’s Threat/Negan’s Departure

 

This Sanctuary mission has proven to be an emotional rollercoaster for Carl. He went from murderous rage to tearful pawn to vengeful warrior all in a matter of hours. Let’s focus on the latter.

SHOW: In the show Carl asks Negan why he doesn’t just kill him, Rick, or Daryl. Negan says Daryl will be a useful soldier one day but asks CARL what he should do about he and Rick. Carl suggests he jump out the window to save him from killing Negan himself. Negan laughs this off but Carl continues to threaten Negan, saying if he knew his group he would have killed them already. Treating him like an over-enthusiastic puppy, Negan tells him it’s time to go on a ride.

Note: Negan’s departure/Jesus’ infiltration/Daryl’s note warning did NOT happen in the comics.

COMICS: Carl also stands up to Negan by proposing he jump out a window. Instead of continuing his attack Negan promises to find a more suitable punishment for him. Unlike the show, Negan does NOT return Carl to Alexandria. Instead, Jesus tips Rick off that Negan possibly took Carl with him to The Sanctuary. Enraged, he, Michonne, Andrea, and Jesus set off to find Carl when they serendipitously run into Negan’s caravan on the road. Rick and Negan fight but Negan eventually surrenders Carl to Rick.

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Negan’s Return

 

Negan’s return to Alexandria occurs much later in the comics than the show. In the comics, Negan returns Carl to Rick after running into him on the road. His Alexandria visit happens much later on.

SHOW: In the show, Negan returns to Alexandria with Carl and asks Olivia to see Rick. She explains he’s on a supply run and they can’t afford to give them any food. Negan makes fun of her weight and proposes to sleep with her, prompting Olivia to slap him. Negan claims he’s fine with waiting and asks Carl to give him the grand tour.

COMICS: Although this storyline happens later, Negan DOES show up to Alexandria to demand to see Rick, who’s out (at The Kingdom). Paralleling the show, Negan harasses Olivia and declares he’ll wait for Rick to return.

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What did YOU think of the comic/show comparisons? Did the show honor the comics well? Tell us in the comments! And if you’d like to read the the comics for yourself to see more comparisons, check out our Skybound Shop!