The Ultimate Walking Dead Book Order Guide: How to Read the Series in Chronological Order

Get the complete The Walking Dead book order! Follow Rick Grimes and his group of survivors as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world full of danger.

The Walking Dead franchise has become a global phenomenon with its gripping storylines and flesh-eating zombies that have captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. While the television show is widely popular, it's the Walking Dead comic book series that started it all. With 193 issues, the Walking Dead comic book series is one of the longest-running and most successful comic book franchises in history. In this article, we'll take a look at the Walking Dead book order and everything you need to know about reading the series.

For those who haven't read the comics, the Walking Dead book order can be quite confusing. The series has been collected into various editions, including hardcover, softcover, omnibus, and compendium formats, each with its own set of volumes. To make matters worse, the series has also been released in different languages and international editions. However, fear not as we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to read the Walking Dead comics in the correct order.

The Walking Dead comic book series was created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore. The series debuted in October 2003 and has since become a cultural phenomenon. The story follows a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombie-like creatures known as walkers. The series explores themes of survival, morality, and humanity, while also delivering plenty of action and suspense.

The Walking Dead book order starts with Volume 1: Days Gone Bye. This volume introduces the main character, Rick Grimes, a police officer who wakes up from a coma to find the world overrun by walkers. He sets out to find his family and encounters other survivors along the way. Volume 1 sets the tone for the rest of the series and establishes the rules of the post-apocalyptic world.

Volume 2: Miles Behind Us continues Rick's journey and introduces several new characters, including Hershel Greene and his family. The volume also explores the theme of trust and how it can be difficult to know who to trust in a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

Volume 3: Safety Behind Bars sees Rick and his group take refuge in a prison, where they face new challenges and threats from both inside and outside the walls. The volume also introduces several new characters, including Tyreese, who becomes an important figure in the series.

Volume 4: The Heart's Desire takes the series in a new direction, as the survivors leave the safety of the prison and venture out into the unknown. The volume also explores the idea of hope and whether it's possible to find hope in a world that seems devoid of it.

Volume 5: The Best Defense sees Rick and his group encounter new enemies and challenges as they try to survive in a world where danger lurks around every corner. The volume also explores the theme of leadership and what it means to be a leader in a world where the old rules no longer apply.

Volume 6: This Sorrowful Life sees Rick and his group face their toughest challenge yet as they come up against a powerful new enemy. The volume also explores the theme of sacrifice and whether it's worth sacrificing one life for the greater good.

Volume 7: The Calm Before takes a break from the action and focuses on the relationships between the characters. The volume explores the theme of love and how it can provide hope and comfort in even the darkest of times.

Volume 8: Made to Suffer sees Rick and his group face off against their most dangerous enemy yet, the Governor. The volume also explores the theme of revenge and whether it's ever justified.

Volume 9: Here We Remain sees the survivors try to rebuild their lives after the events of the previous volume. The volume also explores the idea of identity and how it can change in a world where everything is different.

Volume 10: What We Become sees Rick and his group encounter a new community, where things are not quite what they seem. The volume also explores the theme of community and how it's important to work together to survive in a world where individualism can be deadly.

In conclusion, the Walking Dead book order can be confusing, but with this guide, you should be able to navigate the series with ease. The Walking Dead comic book series is a gripping and thought-provoking read that explores themes of survival, morality, and humanity in a way that few other comics can. Whether you're a fan of the television show or just looking for a great comic book series to read, the Walking Dead is definitely worth your time.

Introduction

The Walking Dead is a popular comic book series created by Robert Kirkman. It tells the story of a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. The series has spawned numerous spin-offs, including novels and video games. In this article, we will be discussing the order in which the Walking Dead books should be read.

The Walking Dead Compendiums

Compendium One

The first compendium collects the first 48 issues of the comic book series. It introduces readers to the main characters and sets the stage for the events that will unfold throughout the series. This volume is a great starting point for new readers.

Compendium Two

The second compendium collects issues 49 through 96. It continues the story of the survivors as they struggle to survive in a world filled with danger and uncertainty. This volume contains some of the most intense and emotional moments in the entire series.

Compendium Three

The third compendium collects issues 97 through 144. It brings the series to its epic conclusion, as the survivors face their greatest challenges yet. This volume is a must-read for fans who want to see how the story ends.

The Walking Dead Novels

Rise of the Governor

Rise of the Governor is the first novel in a series of Walking Dead novels. It tells the story of how the Governor, one of the most iconic villains from the comic book series, rose to power. This novel provides readers with a deeper understanding of the Governor's character and motivations.

The Road to Woodbury

The Road to Woodbury is the second novel in the series. It follows a group of survivors as they make their way to the town of Woodbury, which is run by the Governor. This novel provides readers with a glimpse into life in Woodbury and the events that led to the Governor's rise to power.

The Fall of the Governor

The Fall of the Governor is the third and final novel in the series. It chronicles the downfall of the Governor and his reign of terror over the survivors. This novel is a must-read for fans who want to see the Governor get what he deserves.

The Walking Dead: Typhoon

The Walking Dead: Typhoon is a novel set in the Walking Dead universe. It follows a group of survivors in China as they struggle to survive in a world overrun by zombies. This novel provides readers with a unique perspective on the Walking Dead universe and is a great addition to any fan's collection.

The Walking Dead: The Alien

The Walking Dead: The Alien is a one-shot comic book that takes place in Barcelona, Spain. It follows a new character named Jeff, who is trying to survive in a city overrun by zombies. This comic book provides readers with a glimpse into how the zombie apocalypse is affecting other parts of the world.

Conclusion

If you're a fan of the Walking Dead, there's no shortage of material to keep you entertained. Whether you're reading the comic book series or one of the novels, each entry in the franchise offers something unique and exciting. By following the order outlined in this article, you'll be able to experience the story in the way it was meant to be read.

A Guide to Reading The Walking Dead Comic Series in Order

For fans of the popular television show, The Walking Dead, it may come as a surprise that the series was originally a comic book. Created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, The Walking Dead has become one of the most successful comic book franchises of all time. With over 30 volumes spanning more than 15 years, it can be daunting for new readers to know where to start. Here is a comprehensive guide to the correct sequence of The Walking Dead books and how to read them in the right order.

Chronological Order of The Walking Dead Graphic Novels

The first thing to note about The Walking Dead graphic novels is that they do not follow a strict chronological order. Instead, the series jumps back and forth in time, often showing events from different perspectives or exploring the backstories of characters. However, the general timeline of the series can be broken down into several distinct periods:

Pre-Apocalypse - This period covers Rick Grimes' life before the zombie outbreak, including his time as a police officer and his relationship with his wife and son.
Early Days - This period begins with Rick waking up in a hospital after the apocalypse has already started. It follows his journey to find his family and his early experiences with other survivors.
Surviving Together - This period covers the group's time on Hershel's farm and their subsequent move to the prison. It also introduces new characters like Michonne and The Governor.
All Out War - This period sees the group facing off against The Saviors and their leader, Negan. It is one of the most intense and brutal story arcs in the series.
A New Beginning - This period takes place after the war with The Saviors and introduces new communities like The Hilltop and The Kingdom.
The Whisperer War - This period sees the group facing off against a new enemy, The Whisperers, who wear the skins of zombies to blend in.
Recent Events - This period covers more recent story arcs, including the introduction of the Commonwealth and the aftermath of Rick's death.

The Correct Sequence of The Walking Dead Books

Now that we have an idea of the general timeline of The Walking Dead series, let's take a look at the correct sequence of books. Note that there are several different ways to collect and read the series, including paperback volumes, hardcover collections, and omnibus editions. Here is the recommended reading order:

Book One: Days Gone Bye - Collects issues #1-6, covering the beginning of the apocalypse and Rick's discovery of the new world he finds himself in.
Book Two: Miles Behind Us - Collects issues #7-12, as Rick and his group leave Atlanta and begin their journey to find safety.
Book Three: Safety Behind Bars - Collects issues #13-18, covering the group's time at the prison and their conflicts with The Governor and his forces.
Book Four: The Heart's Desire - Collects issues #19-24, as the group deals with the aftermath of The Governor's attack and faces new challenges within the prison walls.
Book Five: The Best Defense - Collects issues #25-30, as the group faces new threats and learns more about the world they now live in.
Book Six: This Sorrowful Life - Collects issues #31-36, covering Rick's attempts to protect his group and maintain their humanity in a world gone mad.
Book Seven: The Calm Before - Collects issues #37-42, as the group faces new challenges and begins to rebuild after a devastating attack.
Book Eight: Made to Suffer - Collects issues #43-48, as the group faces off against The Governor once again and deals with the consequences of their actions.
Book Nine: Here We Remain - Collects issues #49-54, as the group struggles to survive in a world that seems to be getting worse every day.
Book Ten: What We Become - Collects issues #55-60, as the group faces new enemies and discovers new communities that may offer hope for the future.
Book Eleven: Fear The Hunters - Collects issues #61-66, as the group faces off against a new threat and must decide how far they are willing to go to survive.
Book Twelve: Life Among Them - Collects issues #67-72, as the group discovers a new community and must decide whether to trust their new allies.
Book Thirteen: Too Far Gone - Collects issues #73-78, as the group faces off against a new enemy and must make difficult choices to ensure their survival.
Book Fourteen: No Way Out - Collects issues #79-84, as the group faces a new threat within the walls of Alexandria and must fight to protect their home.
Book Fifteen: We Find Ourselves - Collects issues #85-90, as the group deals with the aftermath of the attack on Alexandria and begins to question their place in the new world.
Book Sixteen: A Larger World - Collects issues #91-96, as the group learns about new communities and faces the threat of a new enemy.
Book Seventeen: Something To Fear - Collects issues #97-102, as the group faces off against Negan and The Saviors in one of the most intense story arcs of the series.
Book Eighteen: What Comes After - Collects issues #103-108, as the group deals with the aftermath of the war with The Saviors and faces new challenges in the post-apocalyptic world.
Book Nineteen: March To War - Collects issues #109-114, as the group prepares for a new conflict with The Saviors and must decide how far they are willing to go to protect their communities.
Book Twenty: All Out War Part One - Collects issues #115-120, as the group faces off against Negan and his forces in the first part of the epic All Out War story arc.
Book Twenty-One: All Out War Part Two - Collects issues #121-126, as the group continues to fight against Negan and must make difficult choices to ensure their survival.
Book Twenty-Two: A New Beginning - Collects issues #127-132, as the group begins to rebuild after the war with The Saviors and discovers new communities that may offer hope for the future.
Book Twenty-Three: Whispers Into Screams - Collects issues #133-138, as the group faces off against a new enemy, The Whisperers, who wear the skins of zombies to blend in.
Book Twenty-Four: Life and Death - Collects issues #139-144, as the group faces the consequences of their actions and must deal with the fallout from the war with The Whisperers.
Book Twenty-Five: No Turning Back - Collects issues #145-150, as the group faces off against a new threat and must decide how far they are willing to go to protect their communities.
Book Twenty-Six: Call To Arms - Collects issues #151-156, as the group prepares for a new conflict with The Whisperers and must make difficult choices to ensure their survival.
Book Twenty-Seven: The Whisperer War - Collects issues #157-162, as the group faces off against The Whisperers in one of the most intense story arcs of the series.
Book Twenty-Eight: A Certain Doom - Collects issues #163-168, as the group deals with the aftermath of the war with The Whisperers and faces new challenges in the post-apocalyptic world.
Book Twenty-Nine: Lines We Cross - Collects issues #169-174, as the group discovers new communities and faces the threat of a new enemy.
Book Thirty: New World Order - Collects issues #175-180, as the group discovers a new community, The Commonwealth, and must decide whether to join them or not.
Book Thirty-One: The Rotten Core - Collects issues #181-186, as the group deals with the aftermath of their decision to join The Commonwealth and faces new challenges within the walls of the new community.
Book Thirty-Two: Rest In Peace - Collects issues #187-192, as the group faces off against a new threat and must make difficult choices to ensure their survival.

The Ultimate Reading Guide for The Walking Dead Comics

If you're looking for a more comprehensive guide to reading The Walking Dead comics, then look no further than the Complete Comic Book Reading Order website. This site offers a detailed breakdown of the series, including alternate reading orders and special collections.

One particularly useful feature of the site is its timeline view, which shows the events of the series in chronological order, rather than by issue number. This can be helpful for readers who want to get a better sense of the overall story and how the different story arcs fit together.

Another great resource for fans of The Walking Dead comics is the official Skybound website. This site offers news and updates about the series, as well as behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the creators.

The Walking Dead Graphic Novel Reading Order Explained

While there are many different ways to collect and read The Walking Dead graphic novels, the recommended reading order is to start with Book One and work your way through the series in order. This will give you the most complete and coherent experience of the story.

However, there are some alternate reading orders that readers may find interesting or helpful. For example, some fans prefer to read the series in story arc order, rather than by issue number. This means reading all the issues that pertain to a particular storyline in one sitting, rather than jumping back and forth between different parts of the series.

Another alternate reading order is to follow the chronological timeline of the series, as outlined above. This can be helpful for readers who want to get a better sense of the overall story and how the different story arcs fit together.

The Correct Order to Read The Walking Dead Graphic Novels

To summarize, the correct order to read The Walking Dead graphic novels is:

Book One: Days Gone Bye
Book Two: Miles Behind Us
Book Three: Safety Behind Bars
Book Four: The Heart's Desire
Book Five: The Best Defense
Book Six: This Sorrowful Life
Book Seven: The Calm Before
Book Eight: Made to Suffer
Book Nine: Here We Remain
Book Ten: What We Become
Book Eleven: Fear The Hunters
Book Twelve: Life Among Them
Book Thirteen: Too Far Gone
Book Fourteen: No Way Out
Book Fifteen: We Find Ourselves
Book Sixteen: A Larger World
Book Seventeen: Something To Fear
Book Eighteen: What Comes After
Book Nineteen: March To War
Book Twenty: All Out War Part One
Book Twenty-One: All Out War Part Two
Book Twenty-Two: A New Beginning
Book Twenty-Three: Whispers Into Screams
Book Twenty-Four: Life and Death
Book Twenty-Five: No Turning Back
Book Twenty-Six: Call To Arms
Book Twenty-Seven: The Whisperer War
Book Twenty-Eight: A Certain Doom
Book Twenty-Nine: Lines We Cross
Book Thirty: New World Order
Book Thirty-One: The Rotten Core
Book Thirty-Two: Rest In Peace

The Walking Dead: Complete Comic Book Reading Order

If you're looking for a complete reading

The Walking Dead Book Order: A Point of View

As a fan of The Walking Dead franchise, I have read and collected all the comics and novels that came out through the years. The book order can be confusing, especially for new readers, so I would like to share my point of view on the matter.

Pros of Reading The Walking Dead in Order

You experience the story as it was intended by the creators.
You follow the character arcs and developments in a logical sequence.
You avoid spoilers and confusion caused by jumping ahead or skipping volumes.
You appreciate the artwork and writing style of the series better with each installment.

Cons of Reading The Walking Dead in Order

It can be time-consuming and expensive to collect all the books.
The pacing and tone of the series can be repetitive or slow for some readers.
The violence and gore depicted in the books may not be suitable for all audiences.
The ending of the series may not satisfy some fans, and it can feel anticlimactic or rushed.

Comparison Table for The Walking Dead Books

Title	Type	Release Date	Main Characters	Plot Summary
The Walking Dead Compendium One	Comic Collection	May 6, 2009	Rick Grimes, Carl Grimes, Lori Grimes, Shane Walsh	Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to find the world overrun by zombies. He reunites with his family and leads a group of survivors to find safety and hope.
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor	Novel	October 11, 2011	Brian Blake, Philip Blake, Nick Parsons, April Chalmers	The backstory of the Governor, one of the most infamous villains in The Walking Dead universe. It follows his rise to power and descent into madness.
The Walking Dead Book One	Comic Collection	May 19, 2010	Rick Grimes, Glenn Rhee, Andrea, Dale Horvath	The first twelve issues of the comic series, which introduces the main characters, the zombie apocalypse, and the conflicts within the survivor community.
The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury	Novel	October 16, 2012	Lilly Caul, Bob Stookey, Joshua Lee Hamilton, Megan Lafferty	The story of Lilly Caul, a survivor who joins the town of Woodbury and becomes part of the Governor's inner circle. It explores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival.
The Walking Dead Book Sixteen	Comic Collection	November 13, 2018	Rick Grimes, Negan, Michonne, Maggie Greene	The final volume of the comic series, which concludes the story of Rick Grimes and the survivors' struggle against zombies and human enemies. It features a controversial ending that divided fans.

In conclusion, reading The Walking Dead in order has its advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately, it's up to the reader's preference and tolerance for the genre. However, I recommend starting with the first compendium or book and continuing from there, as it provides the most comprehensive and immersive experience of the world and characters created by Robert Kirkman and his collaborators.

Final Thoughts on The Walking Dead Book Order

If you've made it this far in the article, it's safe to assume that you're a fan of The Walking Dead. Whether you're a long-time reader of the comic series or a newcomer to the franchise, we hope this guide has been helpful in navigating the often confusing world of The Walking Dead book order.

As we've discussed, there are several different ways to experience The Walking Dead story, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Whether you choose to read the comics, novels, or watch the TV show, you're sure to find plenty of thrills, chills, and heart-wrenching moments along the way.

One thing to keep in mind as you decide which avenue to pursue is that each medium tells the story in a slightly different way. While the comics provide a more detailed and nuanced look at the characters and their motivations, the TV show has the advantage of stunning visuals and a talented cast bringing the story to life.

Similarly, the novels offer a unique perspective on the events of the series, with new characters and storylines that expand upon the existing mythos. Whatever your preference, there's no wrong way to experience The Walking Dead universe.

Another consideration when deciding on The Walking Dead book order is the timeline of events. As we mentioned earlier, the comics and novels take place in roughly the same universe but may not always line up perfectly with one another. This can lead to some confusion for readers who are trying to follow the story chronologically.

If you're someone who likes to experience a story in order, we recommend starting with the comics and working your way through the series from there. This will give you the most complete understanding of the characters and their motivations, as well as the events that have shaped the world of The Walking Dead.

Of course, if you're more interested in the TV show or novels, there's nothing wrong with starting there. Just be aware that you may miss out on some of the details and nuances that are only found in the comics.

One final thing to keep in mind as you dive into The Walking Dead book order is that the series is not for the faint of heart. From the very first issue of the comic to the most recent episode of the TV show, The Walking Dead has never shied away from violence, gore, or emotional trauma.

If you're someone who is easily disturbed by graphic content or sensitive subject matter, this may not be the series for you. However, if you're willing to brave the horrors of the zombie apocalypse, you'll find a story that is both thrilling and deeply human.

In conclusion, we hope this guide has been helpful in navigating The Walking Dead book order. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just starting to explore the world of the undead, we wish you happy reading (or watching)!