This week’s episode of The Walking Dead allowed fans to exhale from the devastating premiere by introducing us to a new community. The episode catches up with Morgan and Carol, who are settling into a nearby guarded survivor town called The Kingdom. Although in the comics this storyline is out of order AND Morgan and Carol aren’t alive, SEVERAL elements from both mediums paralleled each other. We’re here to break down those parallels:
Finding The Kingdom
As we mentioned Morgan and Carol are dead in the comics, so finding The Kingdom is COMPLETELY different from the source material.
COMICS: While planning to begin a war with Negan, Jesus decides to tell Rick about his pal Ezekiel, a self-proclaimed king who lives in a nearby community called The Kingdom. Having worked with them before at The Hilltop Jesus believes he’ll make a perfect ally in the upcoming fight. Jesus and Rick drive to the outermost edge until they’re confronted by Kingdom soldiers, who escort them the rest of the way. The Kingdom is a walled-off school with tents around it.
SHOW: After running off on her own and getting shot, Carol is rescued by Morgan and armored soldiers, who escort her to The Kingdom on horseback. Like the comics The Kingdom is also a walled-off former school with surrounding tents.
Meeting Ezekiel…and Dwight??
In both the comics and show we’re first introduced to Ezekiel and his tiger Shiva at a school auditorium. That’s when the similarities stop because as you’ll see below the circumstances are COMPLETELY different.
COMICS: Jesus takes Rick to meet Ezekiel because he thinks he can be a solid ally in the upcoming war against Negan.
Look, Ezekiel nearly says the same thing! But then…
Wait, DWIGHT shows up?? Yup, in the comics Dwight appears during the Ezekiel meeting to confess he’s a double agent for Negan and he wants to HELP Rick in their upcoming battle. Confused?
It’s OK, Carol, we don’t have to worry about that storyline yet (if it ever even occurs). So in the SHOW: Morgan wants to make things right with Carol by introducing her to King Ezekiel so he can allow her to stay in his Kingdom. Morgan accepts Zeke’s royal charade but Carol’s hesitant.
Sorry, Jerry Isn’t In The Comics Either
This will probably come as a bummer that Ezekiel’s wise-cracking punny body guard/sidekick Jerry isn’t the same in the comics.
BUT RICHARD IS!
Here’s him in the comics:
The Pig Plan Didn’t Happen
Sorry, but The Kingdom fighters were NOT feeding their pigs tainted meat to give to The Saviors. However, in the comics the Kingdom fighters DO hate The Saviors and this wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for them. Still, points for creativity.
Neither Did Ben’s Story
Ben was among the charming new characters we met in Episode 702. He’s a young father who’s learning the ropes of Ezekiel’s soldier force. Still an amateur, Ezekiel recruits Morgan to train him on fighting and life skills because Zeke needs him alive.
Although Ben doesn’t exist in this way in the comics there IS an incompetent Kingdom guard named Benjamin that we meet 20 issues later who almost gets Rick killed.
Unfortunately, Benjamin doesn’t play a major role in the comics so if there’s any relation to show Ben it’s VERY minor.
Carol Is Basically Michonne
The intimate talk Ezekiel and Carol was the closest the episode got to the comics in terms of scenes. The biggest difference? In the comics Ezekiel had that same talk with MICHONNE (Carol’s dead), who also sees right through his charade. In both instances Ezekiel drops the king act and confesses he’s literally just playing a part:
It is worth noting that in the comics Ezekiel and Michonne eventually become romantically involved. So Ezekiel and Carol shippers – maybe there’s hope!
BONUS: None of These Things Happened In The Comics Either!
And that’s all of the comparisons we have! Tell us what YOU liked about the episode changes in the comments below and catch us next week to see how Episode 703 compared to the comics. Until then…
Ben is a father? I thought that little boy he was talking to during dinner was his little brother, and that Ben had told Morgan his parents were dead.
Too many Bens in The Walking Dead. In the comics there were the twins Ben and Billy and then on the TV show an older version of that Ben (I mean his parents were named Donna and Allen, just like in the comics) and then a Ben in The Walking Dead video game.
That’s actually realistic. I was 10 raising my little brother? Shit happens. And… I’d always wished I had named one of my 3 boys Ben. 🙂 I love that name.
I’m Glad they’re not going straight from the comic. In a sense they are, and I hope they stop – it seems that Always – people that are killed off in the comic, are eventually killed off in the show. I don’t think they ‘have’ to do that! It’s different enough, the characters have taken different routes – Now, in this stage of the ‘apocalypse’ – they have their safe havens, they’re smart. They’ve taken different directions. I think it should – most definitely should go in different directions (otherwise we’re just going to figure it all out – and come on, life is not like that)… like Morgan said, we’re all just fumbling. Now, what gets them killed are choices. Usually stupidity. I still think Abraham’s character could have gone in so many different directions. Yes, he died in a better way (braver) than the comics, but – he was such a strong character. And, I think we all knew it was Glenn’s time. They teased us too many times for him to skate by freely again. 🙁 I’m still sad over that one. I just hope they do NOT kill off Morgan and Carol next! PLEASE. Those two are just two smart. IF this really happened, those are the types that would make it. Don’t disappoint us Robert! (Love this show!)
I meant too smart, not two smart. lol