If The Walking Dead Launches a Prequel, It Needs to Focus On One Controversial Character

The Walking Dead has no shortage of characters more than deserving of their own prequel series, as understanding where these characters came from and who these characters were before the apocalypse would make The Walking Dead that much better. However, out of them all, there’s one clear standout. While this character in question is controversial, they need to be the focus of any potential Walking Dead prequel comic series, especially since Robert Kirkman - the creator of The Walking Dead - has already admitted to being open to the idea.

In a 2007 interview with IGN, Robert Kirkman discussed the past, present, and future of the franchise, including one thing in particular: a Walking Dead prequel comic. Of course, Kirkman mentioned this as a ‘what if’; he wasn’t announcing any actual plans to make a prequel. However, the possibility of a Walking Dead prequel is exciting, to say the least, especially after Robert Kirkman’s most recent comments regarding one character in particular: Shane.

In the backmatter of The Walking Dead Deluxe #108 (by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard), Kirkman answered fan mail, including one question asking if he would do more with Shane’s character if given the chance. To that, Robert Kirkman confirmed that he would absolutely have done more with Shane if he had known that The Walking Dead would last as long as it did. Indeed, Shane was killed in The Walking Dead #6, so it’s fair to say there’s a bit more Robert Kirkman could have done with his character. Why not a prequel?

Shane Should Be the Focus of a Walking Dead Prequel

A Walking Dead Shane Prequel Could Focus on Shane & Rick’s Friendship

Obviously, the biggest hurdle any Walking Dead prequel would have to face is the lack of the titular walking dead. A zombie series without zombies? What’s the point? Well, first and foremost, The Walking Dead has always been about character far more than it was ever just another ‘zombie series’. With that in mind, a Walking Dead prequel could definitely work, but it would need to focus on the right character - and that character is definitely Shane.

Not only did Shane barely appear in the original comic, but he was a major part of Rick’s life before the apocalypse. Rick would go on to become humanity’s savior, so every narrative avenue exploring who he is as a person should absolutely be taken. And, in this case, that includes Shane.

This proposed prequel could follow Rick and Shane during their time as Sheriff's Deputies, and even before then, as it’s been established that these two have been best friends for years. If The Walking Dead delved into their friendship before the apocalypse, then the moment when Shane walks Rick into the woods with intent to kill him in The Walking Dead #6 would hit so much harder, emotionally speaking. Telling fans they’re friends is one thing, but showing their friendship is another thing entirely, adding emotional depth to their violent (and short-lived) rivalry.

A Walking Dead Shane Prequel Wouldn’t Be Without Its Drama

This Prequel Could Reveal that Shane Has Always Loved Lori in Secret

While a Walking Dead prequel exploring Rick and Shane’s friendship would make Shane’s ultimate betrayal that much more impactful, the series itself would run the risk of being boring. What would they do? Go around solving crimes together? Sure, that could be entertaining, but where’s the conflict? The drama? Well, there’s an easy fix for that: Lori.

The reason Shane wanted Rick dead in The Walking Dead is that he ‘came back to life’ after humanity fell to the initial zombie outbreak. Rick was in a coma and was presumed dead by Shane, Lori, and Carl. So, Shane and Lori started a romantic relationship, and Shane became Carl’s surrogate father. Rick returning ruined all that, so Shane plotted to murder him in secret. There’s no way feelings that intense manifested after the apocalypse, implying that Shane has been in love with Lori all his life - and that’s the story a prequel comic should be told.

Imagine, a comic series about Rick and Shane’s friendship, while Shane plots to steal Lori and Carl from Rick the entire time. This would not only make Shane’s betrayal of Rick way more impactful, it would also make Shane’s death feel more deserved, and less rushed. Shane may have died in The Walking Dead #6, but if this prequel came to be, then that ending would suddenly come after years of Shane being a ‘villain’ in Rick’s life, which would be such a perfect expansion of Shane’s character in The Walking Dead - something Robert Kirkman says he would do anyway.