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The Walking Dead: Major character killed off in comics sparking fear for TV show counterpart

Writer Robert Kirkman sent an apology letter to fans after killing the original character

Jacob Stolworthy
Friday 05 May 2017 09:22 BST
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The latest issue of The Walking Dead comic book series - which provide the AMC zombie show with its inspiration - just killed off a major character.

Issue #167 sees the death of Andrea, the character who was played by Laurie Holden who perished in the TV show back in season three.

Considering the character died multiple seasons ago, it may seem like this won't have a knock on effect on future episodes. However, fans have grown concerned due to the fact that much of comic book Andrea's later plots have been handed to Michonne (Danai Gurira), most notably in the way that she became the love interest of Rick Grimes (played in the series by Andrew Lincoln) and mother figure to his son, Carl (Chandler Riggs).

An earlier issue had seen Andrea bitten by a walker after saving Eugene from a herd that had surrounded him. She was then seen directing the herd to a cliff which prevented Alexandria Safe-Zone from being overrun. Succumbing to her injuries, Rick drove a knife into her head to prevent her from reanimating.

Robert Kirkman wrote an apology letter to fans.

The Walking Dead clip from final episode of season 7

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry to my fans and to myself and to Andrea. I feel like I killed a close friend. The deaths in this series are never taken lightly, they’re never done with a sense of glee. They weigh on me the same way they weigh on you.

“These characters are very real to me, and their deaths are upsetting even to me.”

The Walking Dead season seven concluded last month with an episode which saw an emotional death and the start of the all out war against Negan.

Season eight will premiere with the show's 100th episode this coming October. Three characters have been promoted to series regular status for the upcoming batch of episodes.

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