The Walking Dead

In 2003, Robert Kirkman launched The Walking Dead at Image Comics, a landmark horror-serial that redefined the zombie genre for the comic-book medium. Running for 193 issues (not 32) through 2019, the series was defined by Kirkman’s unflinching writing and the stark, expressive art of Charlie Adlard (who took over from Tony Moore early on). Following a core group of survivors—including Rick Grimes, his son Carl, Michonne, Glenn, Maggie, Andrea, and Dale—it built a sprawling, character-driven epic about community, morality, and survival in a world overrun by the undead. Its raw, long-form storytelling made it a cultural touchstone, spawning a multimedia franchise and proving that creator-owned horror comics could achieve massive mainstream success.