The Walking Dead Deluxe (2020–Present): Kirkman's Zombie Epic in Full Colour
The Walking Dead Deluxe (2020–Present): Kirkman's Zombie Epic in Full Colour
The comic that became a global TV phenomenon, re-released issue by issue in full colour with new covers and Kirkman's own notes. Here's our guide to The Walking Dead Deluxe.
For 16 years and 193 issues, The Walking Dead was told in black and white. Then, for the series' 17th anniversary in October 2020, Image and Skybound launched The Walking Dead Deluxe: the whole saga reprinted one issue at a time, coloured for the first time by Dave McCaig, with new covers and extra material from Robert Kirkman.
The Deluxe line has become one of the most collected modern reprints, and we have a good run of the later issues on our shelves at Siomic Comics, from the All Out War era to the arrival of the Whisperers. Here is our guide to what makes this edition special.
The Walking Dead Deluxe at a glance
- Publisher: Image Comics, under Skybound
- First issue: The Walking Dead Deluxe #1, released 7 October 2020
- Writer: Robert Kirkman
- Artists: Tony Moore (#1–6) and Charlie Adlard (from #7), with Stefano Gaudiano on inks
- Colourist: Dave McCaig
- Main cover artists: David Finch, Charlie Adlard, Julian Totino Tedesco, Arthur Adams, Tony Moore
- Extras: The Cutting Room Floor and creator commentary in every issue
- Plan: All 193 issues of the original series, in colour
- Status: Ongoing; #148 is in stores from 4 November 2026
What is The Walking Dead Deluxe?
The original Walking Dead ran from October 2003 to July 2019. Kirkman's story of police officer Rick Grimes waking from a coma into a world overrun by the dead was drawn by Tony Moore for the first six issues, then by Charlie Adlard for the rest of the run, and it won the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series.
The Deluxe edition reprints those same stories in order, but with full colour by Dave McCaig, a fresh set of covers for each issue, and back matter you won't find in the original comics. Skybound's plan is to reprint all 193 issues, and with two issues arriving most months, the Deluxe run passed #100 in 2024.
The Cutting Room Floor
The real treat for long-time fans is in the back of each issue. The Cutting Room Floor features Kirkman's original handwritten plots, plus his commentary on story ideas and arcs the comic chose not to explore. It turns a reprint into something worth owning even if you already have the black-and-white originals.
The creators
Robert Kirkman
Creator and writer of every issue, and founder of Skybound.
Charlie Adlard and Tony Moore
The original artists. Moore drew the opening six issues and Adlard drew everything from #7 to the end.
Dave McCaig
The colourist who brings the whole saga into colour for the first time.
David Finch
Main cover artist for the Deluxe edition, alongside Adlard and Julian Totino Tedesco.
Key issues in the Deluxe run
Because the Deluxe edition follows the original numbering, the big moments of The Walking Dead land in the same issue numbers.
| Issue | Deluxe cover date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | October 2020 | Rick Grimes wakes up; the first issue of the saga, in colour for the first time |
| #7 | January 2021 | Charlie Adlard's first issue as artist |
| #19 | July 2021 | The first appearance of Michonne |
| #27 | November 2021 | The first appearance of the Governor |
| #48 | 2022 | The deaths of Lori and the Governor |
| #100 | November 2024 | The first appearance of Negan and the death of Glenn |
| #132 | March 2026 | The first glimpse of Alpha, leader of the Whisperers |
| #138 | 2026 | The first full appearance of Alpha |
The original series in numbers
A tiny first print
The original Walking Dead #1 from 2003 had a print run of just 7,200 copies, which is why it's one of the great modern keys.
A record-breaking #100
The original #100 had initial orders of 383,612 copies, at the time the best-selling comic in initial orders for any publisher since 1997.
High-grade prices
A CGC 9.9 copy of the original #1 sold for $10,100 as far back as 2012.
A surprise ending
The original series ended with #193 in July 2019, without any advance announcement.
The Walking Dead beyond the page
Few comics have travelled further. AMC's The Walking Dead ran from 2010 to 2022 and grew into a whole franchise, with Fear the Walking Dead, World Beyond, Tales of the Walking Dead, Dead City, Daryl Dixon and The Ones Who Live. Many TV fans have come to the comics through the Deluxe edition, because the colour makes it feel closer to what they watched on screen.
Curiosities collectors should know
Five covers from day one
Deluxe #1 had covers by David Finch, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard, Julian Totino Tedesco and Arthur Adams.
Twice a month
The Deluxe edition was launched to ship twice monthly, which is how it has covered so much ground so fast.
Mature readers
Like the original, the Deluxe edition is for mature readers, and some solicitations are as blunt as the comics.
Check the cover letter
Each issue comes in several covers (A, B, C and so on), and our listings say which one you're getting.
Where to start reading The Walking Dead Deluxe
- #1, for the start of the saga in colour.
- #19 and #27, for Michonne and the Governor.
- #100, for Negan's arrival.
- #125, the penultimate chapter of All Out War.
- #132 onwards, for the Whisperers.
If you love Kirkman's work, try our guide to Oblivion Song, his complete 36-issue sci-fi series.
The Walking Dead Deluxe covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see what we have on the shelf.
#2
#7
#19
#27
#48
#53
#61
#75
#92
#100Browse our Walking Dead Deluxe back issues
These are some of the Walking Dead Deluxe issues currently in stock. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#86
The Walking Dead Deluxe #86
The survivors clean up after the walker herd and re-establish their home.
View our copy -
#104
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#110
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#114
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#121
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#125
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#132
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#137
We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Walking Dead Deluxe comics.
Keep exploring our comic history guides
Frequently asked questions about The Walking Dead Deluxe
What is The Walking Dead Deluxe?
It is a full-colour, issue-by-issue reprint of Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard's The Walking Dead, with new covers and Kirkman's Cutting Room Floor notes.
When did The Walking Dead Deluxe start?
The Walking Dead Deluxe #1 was released on 7 October 2020, for the series' 17th anniversary.
Who colours The Walking Dead Deluxe?
Dave McCaig colours the series.
Will The Walking Dead Deluxe reprint all 193 issues?
Yes. Skybound has said it will re-release every one of the original series' 193 issues.
Which Walking Dead Deluxe issue introduces Negan?
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100, matching the original series.
What is the Cutting Room Floor?
A back-matter feature in each issue with Kirkman's original handwritten plots and commentary on ideas the comic didn't use.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have The Walking Dead Deluxe comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. The Walking Dead and all related characters are trademarks of Robert Kirkman, LLC. Cover images are shown for reference.