We know, this month’s issue of The Walking Dead was heavy. There’s a lot to digest, and to help process the events we’ve slightly updated our character power rankings. See how this tragedy shaped our characters’ standing in the series.
1. Rick
Andrea’s death is arguably the toughest loss Rick’s had to suffer since the outbreak began. He’s lucky that he got that final conversation with her – it’s a cruel luxury that so few get to experience in this world. Although this is sure to severely affect him for the foreseeable future, Rick knows he has the support of his people behind him. Because he built such a strong community, Rick remains at the top of our Power Rankings this month.
2. Maggie
Maggie paid her respects this issue but was otherwise uninvolved. Still, she’s now one of the strongest leaders in Alexandria and might need to step up in the wake of Andrea’s passing.
3. Carl (+2)
Who’s the one person Rick turned to for comfort following Andrea’s death? Carl. We’re glad Andrea was able to pass on relationship/life advice before she turned, and we hope Carl heeds it.
4. Michonne (+2)
We’re bumping up Michonne for helping Rick in his darkest hour. She was literally the shoulder he cried on and it’s clear he’ll need her more than ever now that Andrea’s gone.
5. Negan (-2)
Negan only got demoted because of how powerful Michonne and Carl just became with Andrea dead. However, since the walker invasion ended, Negan’s been allowed to freely roam Alexandria like a citizen. Also, his parting words to Andrea were touching and further proved (can’t believe we’re saying this) he belongs to the community.
6. Dwight (-1)
We’re inching Dwight down a peg for skipping the Andrea farewells, but if it’s true he was dealing with the Saviors then maybe he’ll rise back up next month.
7. John
As we mentioned in our previous Power Rankings John seems to be the natural heir to Sherry now that she’s gone, but the Saviors are vulnerable. Who’s to say someone else won’t slide in and take over?
8. Jesus
Like Maggie Jesus also paid his respects to Andrea and remains on this list for being a solid soldier in Rick’s army.
9. William (+1)
We haven’t seen William in a while but so long as he rules over The Kingdom he’ll still have a place on the list.
10. Eugene (+1)
Rick may have let Eugene off too easy on his guilt over Andrea, but it’s probably for the best. Once things cool down it’ll be fascinating to see what comes of Eugene’s Ohio radio pal, if anything.
11. Siddiq (+1)
Siddiq’s emotions at the end of the issue proves he, like the rest of Alexandria, recognizes the important role Andrea served in the community.
Notable Loss: Andrea 🙁
On the Bubble: Magna, Lydia, Aaron
What do YOU think of our power rankings following this emotional issue? Let us know in the comments below.
ANDREA!!! NOOOoO!
“he’ll need her more than ever now that Andrea’s gone.” Richonne will be canon in the comics. They are both single and they make more sense than Rick and Andrea ever did. It was time for Kirkman to see the light. It only took him to see TVRichonne in action, thanks King Andy and Queen Danai. Come on Kirkman, in the next 20 issues Richonne has to be together.
Naah, Michonne’s BFs always die. My tip is Magna, or a completely new character (from the Ohio group).
Rigan. It’s meant to be. lol
Comic Michonne seems to have a strong attraction to black men. That doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t happen, but she’s never even shown interest in white men. That said, comic Richonne would be awesome.
I too think Rick and Michonne get together in the comics but he needs time to grieve first.
I don’t want Rick to get together with anyone now. No one. Andrea or no one. I like rick and michonne’s comic relation exactly like it is. Nothing more.
It’s ok if you don’t want it but Kirkman does. He has praised Richonne recently and he has written enough parallels to see that is the direction he is going with them now. He shouldn’t have put Andrea and Rick together in the first place, Michonne was always supposed to be Rick’s wife. If Andrea hadn’t been involved with Rick she would probably be alive but she became an obstacle for Richonne. Richonne is endgame in the tv show and in the comics. Kirkman was scared of doing it in the comics but he saw the positive reaction from the tv show and he killed Andrea the first change he got. He just needed to get rid of Andrea, that’s why she died from an stupid walker bite. A true warrior is not killed by a walker bite.
I wouldn’t mind if Rick and Michonne became a couple down the road. The best relationships start as close friends. It’s also unrealistic, and selfish, to say Rick can’t have another partner! Rick and Michonne deserve happiness and if they find it each other all the better.
I don’t know I want to see Rick and Michonne together. It just feels like it would narrow the universe too much. They will always be best friends but it doesn’t need to evolve into something romantic — I feel we’ve already seen a relationship that evolved in this way with Andrea. Magna would be more interesting and I’d like to see a new, longer-term love interest for Michonne as well.
I agree. I don’t get the downvote. Maybe its the TV converts… who knows. I just don’t see them together, don’t want to see them together. I love Michonne, but, some variance from the TV show is needed. I already have a feeling Andrea was killed to lessen confusion with people just starting to read coming over from the show.
I see you, comic Richonne! And I’m all for it!
Negan summoned it up pretty fucking cool:
Wait… Rick losing his wife and child was not as hard as losing Andrea? I’d say the fall of the prison was worse than this.
Love this issue, and I agree watching Lori and Judith die was devastating, we saw how Rick handled that, but I feel he has the support now to move ahead constructively now. But we cant forget the Saviors and possibility of Negan going back to his old self…. time will tell.