Zombie epic is known for its grounded approach to the zombie apocalypse, studying the practicalities and social dynamics that would consume life if society suddenly fell to the undead. Despite this reputation, even co-creator Robert Kirkman admits that one part of the story was "unrealistic." But we're here to tell you that realistic or not, it was absolutely the right choice.

In The Walking Dead Deluxe #107 - from Kirkman and Charlie Adlard, with new colors from Dave McCaig - Image Comics republishes a letters page from the comic's original run. In it, Kirkman is asked whether Rick will make it to the end of the long-lived series, which ultimately ran for 16 years and 193 issues. Kirkman responds:

I would love to write this book long past Rick's death. It seems unrealistic that he would survive all the way to the end. I'm not ruling it out though - maybe this story ends when he dies. Or maybe it doesn't. I'm not going to ever tell you when a character is going to die. That would ruin the fun.

In the end, Rick actually dies in Walking Dead #192, gunned down by Sebastian Milton, the spoiled son of former Commonwealth's leader Pamela Milton. Carl returns home to discover a zombified Rick, finishing off his father's undead mockery in a tragic passing of the torch from father to son. Walking Dead #193 then jumps forward in time 25 years, picking up with an adult Carl and a transformed society, where a new generation are growing up without the constant threat of the shambling undead.