First Appearance Of
The Walking Dead #1 (2003). Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore. The series's first issue establishes the zombie-apocalypse setting.

1st Appearance

First Appearance of The Walking Dead's Apocalyptic Earth

The Walking Dead #1

October 2003 · Image · Modern Age

Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore's 2003 zombie-apocalypse universe. The Walking Dead is set on an alternate Earth where the living dead have overrun civilization; Rick Grimes and other survivors navigate the collapsed world. The franchise spans 193 issues, multiple TV series, and various spinoff titles.

Key Issue

Created by Robert Kirkman · Tony Moore

By Atomm Updated

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Image Comics Universe Robert Kirkman's zombie-apocalypse universe.

The Walking Dead's apocalyptic Earth first appears in The Walking Dead #1 (October 2003), Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore. The zombie-apocalypse universe sets up Rick Grimes and other survivors navigating a collapsed civilization. The comic ran 193 issues through 2019. The AMC TV adaptation (2010-2022) ran eleven seasons; multiple spinoff comics and TV series have continued the franchise.

Firsts Timeline

  1. The Walking Dead #1 cover
    First Appearance October 2003

    The Walking Dead #1

    By Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore

    Robert Kirkman writes; Tony Moore pencils (early run; Charlie Adlard takes over from issue #7 onward). The series's debut establishes the zombie-apocalypse setting. Rick Grimes wakes up in a hospital after the zombie apocalypse has already happened. The Walking Dead ran 193 issues through 2019.

  2. TV Series October 2010

    The Walking Dead (AMC, 2010)

    By Frank Darabont

    Frank Darabont develops. The AMC TV series adapted the comic universe across eleven seasons (2010-2022). The TV adaptation diverged significantly from the comic continuity but preserved the zombie-apocalypse-Earth framework. Multiple spinoff series (Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Tales of the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, The Walking Dead: Dead City) have continued the franchise.

What the Walking Dead Earth is

Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore launched The Walking Dead with #1 (October 2003). The zombie-apocalypse setting follows Rick Grimes and other survivors navigating collapsed civilization. The comic ran 193 issues through 2019. The AMC TV adaptation (2010-2022) ran eleven seasons across the broader Walking Dead franchise.

Collector context

The Walking Dead #1 trades in the high four to low five figures at CGC 9.8. The book is one of the most-collected modern Image Comics keys.

Frequently asked questions

The questions readers and collectors ask most.

What is The Walking Dead Earth's first appearance?

The Walking Dead #1 (October 2003), Kirkman and Moore.

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