Yes, This Walking Dead Hero Really is Based on a Real Person

The Walking Dead is filled to the brim with interesting, complex characters navigating a seemingly impossible world. They encounter an endless series of trials and tribulations, grief and love, and the full range of human emotions. According to series creator Robert Kirkman, the character of Earl Sutton had a little extra depth, thanks to being inspired by a real-life family friend.

Tucked away in the back pages of The Walking Dead Deluxe #110 (2025), a reprint of the original issue published in 2013, TWD creator Robert Kirkman revealed that he created one character, the Hilltop’s Earl Sutton, thanks to “a close friend of mine whose father is a blacksmith.”

It's an interesting bit of insight into the character, who ended up being one of the series' most reliable characters and a final survivor of the entire ordeal. Though it can sometimes be risky to base fictional characters on real-life friends and family, it paid off for Kirkman and The Walking Dead.

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind The Walking Dead’s Master Blacksmith

The Walking Dead Deluxe #110 by Writer Robert Kirkman, Artist Charlie Adlard, Colorist Dave McCaig, and Letterer Rus Wooton

Earl Sutton was introduced as part of the Hilltop Colony and served primarily as the group's blacksmith. He brought his pre-zombie skills into the fold, using them to craft gear and weapons for Hilltop and, eventually, for Rick Grimes and other survivors. Throughout his time in the series, he demonstrated a wide range of abilities with his craft. Not only could he design weapons, but he also played a significant role in creating Rick’s prosthetic arm, proving he wasn’t just providing the group with crude tools. Earl became a true fixture in the community and even taught others the trade of blacksmithing.

In addition to his contributions as a blacksmith, Earl Sutton is arguably one of the story's most reliable mentors. He develops a close relationship with Carl Grimes, in particular, and takes him on as an apprentice. By the series' conclusion, Earl was one of the remaining survivors and still in contact with Carl, Sophia, and a few other characters, living as peacefully as possible in a story like The Walking Dead. His presence in the story was a boon to everyone around him, and perhaps it's due to his connection to Kirkman's friend that he didn't meet a brutal end.

The Walking Dead’s Unsung Hero: Why Earl Sutton Matters More Than Fans Realize

Cover B Charlie Adlard Variant for The Walking Dead Deluxe #110 (2025)

Although Earl Sutton may not seem as critical to the story as characters like Rick, he was still essential. Not only is he a genuine, hard-working man who seeks to help in a world that tends to punish those qualities, but he also brings in skills that not everyone possesses. There are others more suited to combat, but he creates the weapons they use to fight. Although his role is minor, overall, the series is better off for having him in it. The Walking Dead fans have Robert Kirkman's real-life friendship to thank for one of its best minor characters.