Hate on The Walking Dead TV series all you want, Robert Kirkman’s comic series is going strong. Kirkman has set a new record for Image Comics with The Walking Dead Issue #163 exceeding pre sale estimates at 730,000 copies sold.
That’s a lot of walkers!
Kirkman’s brainchild is now officially Image Comics’ highest ordered franchise for the publisher in the last 20 years. That’s insane. The most interesting part of it all is neither Kirkman nor Image Comics will profit off the sales. Kirkman’s team and Image Comics purposely priced the comics 25 cents in honor of the publisher’s 25th anniversary. They knew they wouldn’t turn a profit from the sales, but wanted to give back to fans anyway.
“The Direct Market helped make THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE , and OUTCAST the successful series they are today, and acknowledging that support is a big part of our agenda as Image turns 25 this year,” Kirkman said in a press release. “Comic book stores have made it easier for us to accomplish everything we’ve done since our last anniversary, so giving back just makes sense, even though it means we’re not making a dime off these books.”
Kirkman added, “Don’t get me wrong: Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, Cliff Rathburn, and Rus Wooton are all being compensated as usual for their contributions to THE WALKING DEAD #163, but neither myself nor Image will profit off this issue. As with most of our decisions at Image, we’re looking instead at the long-term benefits of getting more readers into stores and more of the world’s best creator-owned comics into those readers’ hands.”
Kirkman can definitely take the financial hit on this one. So far in The Walking Dead comics, we’ve seen great moments such as Rick biting someone’s neck to stop him from attacking Carl. Michonne torturing the Governor as revenge for all the thing she did to her. Carl having sex for the first time. Lori dying with baby Judith in her arms. Negan bashing Glenn’s head in. Oh, let’s not forget about the people walking around in walker skins. And that’s only the surface of the craziness that is The Walking Dead .
We hope to see more of The Walking Dead chaos unfold in the TV series as well. We’re not ready to see the Whisperers in the show, but there’s so much to look forward to in the All Out War storyline. Who do you think will side with Negan in the show? Let us know in the comments below. The Walking Dead Season 7 returns this February on AMC.
