The Walking Dead’s ‘Saddest & Most Brutal Deaths,’ According To Robert Kirkman

“The Walking Dead” #83 isn’t just the end of the Anderson family’s story; it features one of the most violently game-changing moments for Carl Grimes. In the wake of experiencing the Andersons’ deaths, Douglas Monroe pulls out a gun amid the chaos of the swarming zombies. In a poor decision, he chooses to fire on them, believing he’s protecting his fellow survivors. However, the noise just directs the zombies back in the group’s direction, and Douglas is eaten as he fires wildly into the air. Unfortunately for Carl, one of the bullets hits the side of his head, obliterating the young boy’s right eye and taking a massive chunk out of his face.

Kirkman revealed in “The Walking Dead: Deluxe” #83’s notes that he initially wanted a more realistic wound for Carl so that it was evident his brain wasn’t impacted by the gunshot. However, Kirkman said that when artist Charlie Adlard drew the scene (which was later adapted for “The Walking Dead” television series via incredibly believable prosthetic eye makeup on star Chandler Riggs), the gruesome nature of the injury was too compelling not to keep. “Which honestly, we both know looks like a wound that is impossible to survive,” Kirkman said of the published version of the accident, “but it was so striking, powerful, and haunting… I just had to keep it unchanged … I just love the shock and awareness of Carl’s face. He KNOWS what happened, and he’s terrified.”

“The Walking Dead” #83 isn’t just the end of the Anderson family’s story; it features one of the most violently game-changing moments for Carl Grimes. In the wake of experiencing the Andersons’ deaths, Douglas Monroe pulls out a gun amid the chaos of the swarming zombies. In a poor decision, he chooses to fire on them, believing he’s protecting his fellow survivors. However, the noise just directs the zombies back in the group’s direction, and Douglas is eaten as he fires wildly into the air. Unfortunately for Carl, one of the bullets hits the side of his head, obliterating the young boy’s right eye and taking a massive chunk out of his face.

Kirkman revealed in “The Walking Dead: Deluxe” #83’s notes that he initially wanted a more realistic wound for Carl so that it was evident his brain wasn’t impacted by the gunshot. However, Kirkman said that when artist Charlie Adlard drew the scene (which was later adapted for “The Walking Dead” television series via incredibly believable prosthetic eye makeup on star Chandler Riggs), the gruesome nature of the injury was too compelling not to keep. “Which honestly, we both know looks like a wound that is impossible to survive,” Kirkman said of the published version of the accident, “but it was so striking, powerful, and haunting… I just had to keep it unchanged … I just love the shock and awareness of Carl’s face. He KNOWS what happened, and he’s terrified.”