THIS IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF A POST FROM LAST YEAR! (But still awesome.) And there are spoilers for the the show up through this last season.
One of the things I hear a lot is that fans of the show are hesitant to get into the comic for fear of spoilers. Which is fair enough, but let me say two things:
1) The show and comic follow the same general course, but events happen at different times (or not at all), characters have different arcs, some of the characters are different, etc.
2) There are at least 60 issues (10 volumes) you could safely read without getting ahead of the show. I say “at least” because due to differences between the show and the comic reading past volume 10 may or may not expose you to things that will happen later in the show.
The other thing I get asked a bunch is “Do I need to start at the beginning?” No, of course not. The show isn’t THAT different. I DO recommend it, because I think some of the stuff that didn’t make the show is really interesting. But if you definitely don’t want to read ALL of the comics, you could start at Volume 9, which starts after the prison has been destroyed and the Governor killed.
So what’s going on in the comic up through volume 10? In short, volume 1 covers Rick’s time in the hospital, his trip to Atlanta, and his meeting up with Shane, Lori, and Carl at the campsite. Volume 2 covers the trip to Hershel’s farm and the brief time there. Volume 3 and 4 are the first parts of the prison story, up to just before they see a helicopter crash in the distance. Volume 5 deals with the introduction of Woodbury and the Governor. Volumes 6, 7, and 8 contain the rising tension in the prison and the Governor’s final attack on, and the destruction of, the prison. Volume 9 finds Rick and Carl on their own, just like the beginning of the second half of Season 4, and also introduces Abraham, Rosita, and Eugene after the group reunites. Volume 10 has a lot of the Season 4 finale, as well as a lot of extra action and drama while the group is on the road to Washington, DC.
Now, Volume 11 has some stuff we’ve seen on the show (like the events with Lizzie, though it’s a different character in the book) but there is stuff in Volume 11 that I think may be (they aren’t telling me) the focus of Season 5. So I’m putting a caution on reading Volume 11 for those of you that want to remain fresh for Season 5.
Here are some reasons to check out the comic:
-It’s a great first comic for people that have never read a comic before.
-It’s a great comic even if you’ve read 1,000 other comics.
-Find out what happens when Tyreese meets Rick before Rick loses it.
-Andrea is much cooler, and very much alive.
-Tyreese is an F’ing badass.
-There is no Daryl, which may sound like a negative, but it affects the group dynamic greatly.
Incidentally, all of our volumes are available right in our online shop. Convenient!
I treat the show and the comic as two completely different things, as I think everyone should. The comics help me get excited for what may/may not happen in the show. It makes me appreciate the show a whole lot more when they adapt things from the comic to the screen. I love seeing some of my favorite moments come to life, even if they are remixed a bit. GO READ THE COMICS
I agree! When these moments happen in the show, it makes it so much better! Like when the Governor said “Kill ’em all!” in the show and Rick said “They’re screwing with the wrong people.” As soon as he said “They’re gonna feel pretty stupid when they find out..” I leaned forward in my chair and when he said that I was like, “AWESOME!!” lol
Governor saying “Kill Them All” gave me chills on the show. One of the best show moments/episodes
My thoughts exactly!!!
Fair warning: Don’t think you can keep your reading aligned with the point in the show. You are bound to get so caught up in the comic & won’t want to wait on the show. Happened to me & it’s a good thing!
A very good thing. Comics > Show. Though I still really like the show.
Lol I first got into the comics after Season 2 and had heard on Talking Dead about the prison shown at the end, so I decided I would read up until they reached the prison and then stop until season 3. Once I saw the 4 inmates asking if they wanted some meat loaf it was all over. 5 days later I was caught up to issue 94, where they were at the time. Been buying them monthly ever since!
Would you mind telling me where you buy yours monthly? Been considering a subscription but since Image Comics doesnt provide it, I’m a bit weary of third-party providers and have been looking for a popular/reputable one.
I normally get them digitally on Comixology.com so I can read them asap, but when I buy the analog version I use Mycomicshop.com. Never had a problem with either of them.
So…are you talking about the Trade Paperbacks, or the comics themselves? Don’t Abraham and friends show up in issue 60or so???
In my opinion im happy im caught up on the comics and the show. I get to think about the part that is happening on the show to what happened in the comic in my head. Catch up on th comic people!!
Totally agree its like two different realities Like two similar but different outcomes of the same people and I love connecting stuff together being caught up in the comic does not ruin the show one bit
I’ve always felt like the difference between the comics and the show is daryl and merle. I think in the comics, they run off before Rick returns. Those two being gone has a butterfly effect on the rest of the plot.
My resoning isnt a fear of spoilers (UMM ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME HAS TO KNOW I’M A SPOILER FANATIC!!!!!) but it’s my age. I’ll read em’ when I’m aloud. Still, its sounds pretty cool.
I’m not reading any of the comments here, because I have a feeling someone is going to spoil something for me. I really appreciate this article, though it should be a bit less spoilery and just have a chart or something with no mention of the content of any of it.