In Walking Dead Deluxe #109 - from Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard and Dave McCaig - Kirkman reflects on how much he likes the issue's opening scene. Following Glenn's death at the hands of Negan, Maggie mourns at his grave before being approached by Brianna. The Hilltop resident introduces herself and the two talk, with Brianna reflecting that in a dark way, the survivors of the zombie apocalypse have discovered a new type of grieving - one in which every single person around them has suffered the same type of pain.
Brianna first appeared in Walking Dead #95 and is one of a few characters who makes it right to the end of the series, with the final issue confirming she now lives in a home for older survivors. Sadly, despite being a badass who fights as part of the Hilltop's militia, she doesn't get many solo moments to shine. In his creator notes at the back of the issue, Kirkman writes:
I always liked that Brianna scene. Wish I'd done more with her character.
On TV, Brianna is depicted by Camille Robinson and seemingly dies during the Whisperers' attack on the Hilltop.
Walking Dead Wasted Brianna
There's an Interesting Story for the Character Behind the Scenes
In the comic, Brianna is a member of the Hilltop community when Rick's survivors arrive, warning Maggie that the group's leader Gregory is a creep who has his eye on her. Later, when Maggie succeeds Gregory as the leader of the Hilltop, Brianna becomes her advisor as well as helping to care for her son Hershel (named for deceased survivor Hershel Greene.) Maggie lost several family members in the initial zombie outbreak, including her parents, siblings and child, though she still has a living son during the events of the story. Brianna is involved in the wars against Negan's Saviors and the Whisperers, making it through to a new life in the Commonwealth, which expands to encompass multiple communities.
Walking Dead has several spin-offs, and Kirkman has even hinted that the color reprinting Walking Dead Deluxe could continue beyond the original series' final issue. If so, hopefully Brianna gets a chance to return, as it would be interesting to see her role in the Hilltop's continued success and expansion, as well as any involvement she had in Hershel becoming such an anti-social person. While Walking Dead did a great job establishing a huge cast of interesting characters, if even its creator admits Brianna deserves more, hopefully she's at the top of the list for any future projects.
