The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 6: Comic vs. Show

The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 6 was full of comic easter eggs and we’re here to break down the major comparisons between the show and source material. Let’s dig in.

Siddiq

The rumors are true: the timid traveler that Carl encountered during the Season 8 Premiere WAS Siddiq from the comics. But how accurate was Avi Nash’s character to his comic counterpart? We break it down in full here, but in short he’s a bit different from the source material. He was first introduced in Issue #127, which is YEARS after All Out War ended (AKA right after the time jump). It’s Siddiq who (with the help of Michonne) introduces Rick to Oceanside and ends up becoming a member of Alexandria. He eventually has a short-lived relationship with Rosita and later helps Rick in The Whisperer War, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.

Siddiq appears MUCH earlier in the show and so far doesn’t appear to be linked to the mostly-female run community of Oceanside (which is much different than the comics). However, his role as a valuable member of Alexandria COULD come to fruition in the show because of his connection to Carl. However it plays out, his introduction into the show varied from the comics and it will be interesting to see how Siddiq is used in future episodes.

Ezekiel’s Heart-to-Heart

In both the comics and show Ezekiel is despondent following the death of his people and pet tiger Shiva. This scene where he connects with someone is similar and different from the comics. Some backstory on the comics: Carol is long dead, Rick’s in a serious relationship Andrea, and Michonne’s been sleeping with Ezekiel during All Out War.

Now that that’s settled, in Issue #119 Michonne checks up on Ezekiel following his tragic losses. He reveals that his people and Shiva were the closest thing he’s ever had to family and because he led them into slaughter he no longer deserves to be the king. It’s then when Michonne punches him in the face and tells him to man up since he’s so good at pretending (ouch).

In the show, it’s CAROL he laments his sadness to, not Michonne (also he’s not sleeping with Carol). Zeke tells Carol she made him feel real for the first time and suggests she lead his people from now on. Similar to Michonne in the comics, Carol is adamant that HE has to be the one to lead and if he can’t, then do what he does best and pretend (ouch again). Luckily for show Ezekiel, he didn’t get punched in the face and called a p***y. Also unique to the show is Carol acting sympathetic and not hostile like comic Michonne. Finally, show Ezekiel tells Carol “I can’t” when she implores him to lead, whereas in the comics he doesn’t respond.

What Didn’t Happen

As always the show has more time to flesh out stories than the comics, so some moments were unique to the show. Scenes like Michonne and Rosita’s mission, Rick’s plea to Jadis, Carl’s adventure in the woods, and Maggie’s Savior prisoner problem at The Hilltop did NOT appear in the comics.