After Reading The Walking Dead Comics, I'm Glad the Show Fixed One Huge Mistake

For over a decade, The Walking Dead reigned as one of the most gripping and emotionally brutal shows on television. But as a fan who recently dove into the source material — the original comic series by Robert Kirkman — I was struck by a glaring issue that haunted the comic's narrative. It wasn’t the violence or the bleak tone. It was the characterization of one of the most pivotal figures in the story: Andrea.

Yes, Andrea — the skilled sharpshooter and emotional core of Rick Grimes’ group in the comics. A woman who, unlike her TV counterpart, not only survives but thrives, maturing into a fierce protector, Rick’s love interest, and the moral compass of Alexandria. In the show, she was tragically — and needlessly — killed off in Season 3, left to die from a walker bite in a poorly executed storyline that saw her manipulated by the Governor and written as irrational, inconsistent, and weak.

After reading the comics, it became painfully clear: the TV show robbed us of one of its most powerful characters far too soon.

But to the writers’ credit — The Walking Dead eventually realized this mistake and made an unexpected, bold choice: they quietly gave Andrea’s comic arc to someone else. Michonne.

In the show, Michonne evolves beyond the mysterious katana-wielding warrior we met in Season 3. She becomes Rick’s confidante, his partner, and ultimately, the woman he loves. She takes on leadership in Alexandria, protects Carl like a mother, and guides Rick with a calm moral authority that mirrors comic Andrea’s role beat for beat. Her character arc isn’t just powerful — it’s redemptive.

This shift wasn’t just a narrative pivot — it was a correction. The show recognized that the loss of Andrea’s journey left a gaping emotional and thematic hole, and rather than abandon it altogether, the writers allowed Michonne to fill it. The result? A richer, more dynamic portrayal that honored the spirit of Andrea without rewriting the show’s past.

The irony is, if Andrea had been given the depth and respect in the show that she had in the comics, she might’ve become one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. Instead, it’s Michonne who inherits the legacy — and runs with it in spectacular fashion.

So yes, The Walking Dead made a huge mistake by killing Andrea. But by course-correcting with Michonne, the show not only fixed it — it gave us one of the most compelling character arcs in TV history. And as both a comic reader and show fan, I’m glad they did.