| This article is about the Comic Series character. You may be looking for his TV Series or Road to Survival counterparts. For other pages with the same name, see: Douglas |
| “ | You saw in Pete something none of us did. And I know why we survived this attack today. It was your idea to put Andrea in that tower. I shudder to think about how things would have gone had you people not come along. Look at me, I've got nothing left for these people. They don't need me, Rick. What they need is you.
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Douglas Monroe is a survivor of the outbreak in Image Comics' The Walking Dead. He is a former congressman who became the leader of the Alexandria Safe-Zone after he took control from Alexander Davidson. Douglas lives with his wife, Regina, and their son, Spencer. After the death of his wife, Douglas struggles to come to terms with his loss, filled with regret for treating her poorly. This leads him to turn his leadership over to Rick Grimes.
After Douglas handed over his leadership of the Alexandria to Rick, he fell into despair as he could not come to terms with the death of his wife. Seeing that Alexandria is full of undead, he tries to commit suicide, but at the last moment he tries to cover for Rick and Carl, where he ultimately meets his end in a herd of undead, while accidentally shooting Carl in the eye.
Overview[]
Being the leader of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, Douglas was respected by many of the residents there and was called a good leader on many different occasions, and was very much a good man at heart. However, Douglas was very fond of attractive women and placed them in the highest positions in the community. Women who caught his interest, like Andrea, were often targeted by him. Meaning that he followed them around and tried to flirt with them, trying to get them to become his girlfriend, even though he was married to Regina. He considered his marriage to her "political" and they were only still together for his benefit. However, after Regina's death at the hands of Pete Anderson, he regrets these advances deeply, blaming himself for her death and going into a deep state of depression. This depression would later prove to be his fatal undoing.
Despite his advances towards women, Douglas deeply cared for the Alexandria Safe-Zone community and he would do anything to protect it. When Rick accused him of not being a good leader, Douglas told him of the time he murdered his best friend, Alexander Davidson, to protect the community, saying that his actions caused people's deaths and he simply could not allow it to go on. He also threatens to murder Rick when he attacks and assaults Peter Anderson, saying he does not want another Davidson situation. His disgust of Davidson is so great, that the very mention of his name makes him very angry and aggressive, as evidenced when he attacked Heath, after he said Davidson's name. This is also one of the few times Douglas is shown to be angry, as he has a very calm nature and is able to keep his cool in the most extreme situations.
Douglas is also shown to be a very capable leader, putting personal differences aside in the benefit of the community. This is shown when Rick asks him if he knew of Pete's abusive nature, to which he replies he has and the only reason he has not acted against it is because Pete is a doctor and an extremely valuable asset to the community. Though this judgement proved to be a mistake and caused Regina's death and as such, Douglas saw himself not fit to lead anymore, handing the position to Rick.
Pre-Apocalypse[]
Ohio[]
Douglas was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from the state of Ohio before the outbreak occurred. This position gained him and his family a spot in the Alexandria Safe-Zone when the outbreak started. He was invited by his best friend Alexander Davidson, who worked as security liaison in the white house.
Washington, D.C.[]
Douglas and his family later moved to Washington, D.C.
Post-Apocalypse[]
Alexandria Safe-Zone[]
With the outbreak, Douglas, along with his family and many other people, headed to the Government Facility where a wall was built by his best friend Alexander Davidson, who became the leader of the Alexandria Safe-Zone. A place that became a safe-zone for many survivors, that at first being in Davidson's community was a rewarding experience, and that Davidson was a good leader, but that he gradually changed. Davidson started taking advantage of the women in Alexandria, offering benefits for sleeping with him and also punishing those that refused his advances, presumably by forcing them into dangerous jobs. He also started forcing other people into jobs they didn't want, and endangering others instead of himself.
Douglas learned about the way Davidson manipulated women after Beth, one of Davidson's victims, killed herself. Douglas decided Davidson needed to go, but couldn't bring himself to kill his former friend. Douglas burnt a zombie to double as Davidson and then lured Davidson outside the walls. He then exiled Davidson for his actions, threatening to shoot him if Davidson tried to follow him back inside.
Following Davidson's expulsion and death, Douglas took control of the Alexandria Safe-Zone and became the leader of the community. Under his leadership, the territory gradually expanded and the people of Alexandria treated Douglas with respect, calling him a good leader. At some point, Douglas killed two unnamed people.
Life Among Them[]
Some time later, Aaron brings a group of survivors with a leader who is Rick Grimes.
Douglas welcomes Rick into his home, introduces himself, and the two sit down for a chat. Douglas informs Rick of a very morbid story about a father that was on some sort of hallucinogen and proceeded to eat his own son's eyeballs. Douglas explains that the reason he told that horrific story was because he wanted to remind Rick that there was evil in the world, even before the dead started walking. Rick learns a little about the origins of the town and Douglas himself. There was some sort of power struggle and some fairly heinous activities which were stopped. Lastly, Douglas welcomes Rick and his group to the Safe-Zone.
Outside, Rick recommends Andrea to go in and see Douglas. She enters the house, and Andrea introduces herself to Douglas. Douglas asks what her job was before the apocalypse, and she says she was a file clerk at a lawyer's office. She mentions she is good with a gun. Douglas asks if she is single, as it supposedly helps them to plan the housing. Douglas then speaks with the rest of Rick's group and welcomes them to Alexandria. Later his wife Regina rushes into her house, where Douglas and Heath are in the middle of a conversation. She's mad about the new arrivals, and wants Douglas to tell her immediately what he knows about them. He tells her they're good people, and they have nothing to worry about and that they need them all, Rick especially. Heath says he might turn out to be another Davidson, which enrages Douglas. Douglas grabs Heath and tells him he never wants to hear that man's name ever again, after what he made them do. Douglas apologizing to Heath for his outburst after Heath mentioned Davidson. Regina remains suspicious of Rick and the rest of his group.
Afterwards, Douglas checks in on Rick and compliments him on settling in so quickly. Douglas readies the group for a tour of the community, but tells them they must sequester their weapons in the armory while they live in the community. Douglas shows the group the armory and clarifies that even though their weapons will be stored and locked, the weapons will still be their individual property. Michonne wants to keep her katana out of sentiment, to which Douglas initially refuses, but Olivia persuades him so that Michonne is allowed to keep it as a memento inside her house.
Douglas ends the tour by showing the group three houses for them to share. Rick divides the group primarily according to families and couples. Rick reluctantly places Eugene Porter with Abraham, but Abraham does not object as he no longer holds a grudge against him. Abraham voices concern that the multiple houses may be a ploy to divide the group, and they agree that everyone will covertly sleep in one house during the first few days. The secrecy behind this plan is short-lived, as Douglas immediately perceives their actions while visiting Rick's house at night while inviting the group for Halloween the next day. The next day, the community's children happily trick-or-treat throughout the neighborhood as Douglas explains that Halloween is a daytime event to reduce the scariness and admits that they're not entirely sure it's October 31. Carl initially reluctantly participates but quickly loses interests as he doesn't want to let his guard down and adjust to the relaxed state of the community. After Rick takes him home, Douglas assigns the group to occupations to which Rick mostly agrees, with the exception of Andrea, whom Rick suggests as the community's lookout.
Andrea and Rick are talking about Alexandria, however, they are interrupted when Douglas asks to speak to Andrea in private. He asks her how she is doing, and tells her that if she needs anything at all he is there, he goes on to say that his marriage with Regina is purely political and that he has only stayed with because of Spencer. Andrea says she is not interested in him and walks away, leaving a sad Douglas behind.
The next day, Douglas throws a night party where Rick and many other residents come and have a good time. Douglas asks Rick if he is having a good time and you seen Andrea around, to which Rick answers him she's out back. Douglas goes outside and talks to Andrea and his son Spencer, telling them I'm just going around taking requests can I get you anything to drink and do you need anything Andrea, to which she tells him I'm fine thanks. Douglas says well, then carry on you two, sorry for the interruption. Douglas then asks Spencer if he has seen his mother and Spencer says she's over by the grill, talking to David. Glenn gets drunk and causes a scene and Douglas asks Rick to take care of it. Next, Douglas tells everyone a little too much celebration and who can blame him and let's hot let the night go to waste, everyone, carry on. Douglas then tells Rick thanks for coming. I'm sorry you have to leave so soon and hope that everything is fine with him and if he's still awake, do make sure you tell him that no one is upset with him. I don't want him to feel embarrassed we've all been there and you wouldn't believe. Rick tells him sound like you've got some interesting stories for me some time and I'll keep that in mind. After that Douglas tells them good luck prying those out of me and good night Rick, Carl and Sophia.
Too Far Gone[]
The next day after the party, his family is having dinner, Regina tells Spencer that the girl named Andrea he talked to yesterday is cute. Meanwhile, Rick and Glenn successfully execute their plan, and Rick instructs him to meet him at his house. On his way to the street, Rick is intercepted by Douglas. He tells Douglas he's been checking the fence to make sure they're aren't any weak spots. Douglas commends his actions, but says that he should probably announce what he's doing since people might not like him walking through their back yard.
Tobin and Douglas have a conversation about Tobin stepping down as leader of the construction crew and giving Abraham the job. Tobin tells him that the wall is almost finished and Douglas confronts him with the fact that the group is now taking orders from Abraham instead of him. Tobin is sad because many people died due to his cowardliness, but Douglas reassures him. Tobin also begins making the argument that Rick's group has been critical to their survival, citing Rick's idea of a rooftop sniper. Later, Douglas, along with Regina, Spencer and other residents, walk the streets of Alexandria. Douglas tells Regina that our little community continues to grow. To which Regina replies that it is amazing and something to be proud of. Douglas and the others attend a church run by Gabriel Stokes and after his speech he says excellent service, father. Very moving. I look forward to your next. You're a welcome addition to our commuunuty.
Later that night, Gabriel goes to Douglas' house and informs him that Rick's group are bad people and that they don't belong in the safe-zone. After Gabriel has approached Douglas about evicting Rick's group from Alexandria for doing horrible things before reaching the safety of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, Douglas turns him away. He insists that everyone did what they had to survive, including Alexandria itself in the past, and that Gabriel should mind his own business and leave.
Rick meets Douglas in the graveyard. He brings his suspicions about Pete to the leader, and Douglas doesn't seem surprised, yet is reluctant to act on the information due to Pete being a surgeon. Rick is furious with Douglas, assuring him that he will do what needs to be done. Douglas asks what he means by that, and Rick replies that he knows what men like Pete are capable of and sees only two options: exile or death. He storms off to the Anderson residence once more. That night, Rick confronts Pete at his home and it descends into violence, with Rick and Pete crashing through his house window. The commotion causes several people to come running over. Douglas tries to intervene, but Rick pulls a gun on him, exclaiming he'd do anything to keep Alexandria safe, making the hard decisions no one else can make. Before anything comes of it, Michonne hits Rick over the head and orders the others to get his gun. Douglas takes Rick's gun and everyone looks at Rick in shock. Rick realizes he's out of control.
After the fight between Rick and Peter. Rick has a long talk with Douglas. Douglas tells him about Alexander Davidson. Alexander was a friend of Douglas and security liaison at the White House. Together, they had built the walls around Alexandria, with Alexander acting as leader. After the wall was completed, however, Alexander started to change. He started sexually exploiting women and putting others in danger, so Douglas decided he had to go. Douglas couldn't bring himself to murder his former friend, so he exiled him instead, practically sentencing him to death. He warns Rick not to make him make the same decision again. Rick confesses that he has never wanted to be a leader. He tells Douglas about what happened with Shane outside of Atlanta and how Carl killed Shane. Rick is released by Douglas and goes to see Carl. He is greeted by Maggie, who's started teaching at school. Carl is angry that Rick left him alone again and dismisses his father. Meanwhile, Jessie leaves Pete, just as Heath and Glenn arrive back to the safe-zone.
Douglas tells Rick that he may carry a weapon inside the compound and that he trusts Rick to do whatever it takes to keep the community safe. He tells Rick to feel free to break the rules in order to keep everyone safe, but, never to question his authority again.
Further, Douglas learns of Scott's death. Scott's body is carried outside where Michonne drives a nail into his head. Heath is surprised to learn that Douglas plans on burying Scott immediately. Douglas and Heath discuss whether to hold a funeral for Scott, then Peter comes in, Douglas tells him that they are a little busy right now and what he needs. Peter says he wants Rick dead. Rick tries to calm him down, but Peter pulls a knife on the constable. Regina steps between the two men and tells Peter to put the knife down, Douglas tries to stop Regina but Peter slashes her throat in a blind rage. Regina dies in Douglas's arms from loss of blood. Spencer lunges at Peter, disarming him and asks if he understands what he did but he answers that it wasn't his fault. Rick points a gun at Peter's head and tells the assailant he doesn't belong in the community. Douglas mourns Regina's death and gives Rick permission to "Do It". Rick kills Peter by shooting him in the head.
After killing Peter, Rick then asks Douglas to hold a funeral for Peter, which Douglas is resistant to. In the end, he gives permission for Peter's funeral along with Regina and Scott. The next day, Douglas attends the funeral where Heath and later Rick give their speeches, but a shot is fired at the main gate of the Alexandria Safe-Zone. Alexandria was attacked by The Scavengers led by Derek, Rick along with his men and other Alexandrians successfully eliminated them and then burned their bodies.
After that, they bury Scott, Regina and Peter. Douglas, not wanting to stay, goes home, but Rick stops him. Douglas says she's in the ground and what more is there. Rick says he understands you wanting to leave it's just don't you think you should say something, I think people were exepecting something. To which Douglas replies why but Rick tells him because they're terrified, we were attacked from within and from outside, I think they could use a little reassurance. Rick reminds Douglas that he is their leader and that his people need him.
Douglas tells Rick that you saw in Pete something none of us did. And I know why we survived this attack today. It was your idea to put Andrea in that tower. I shudder to think about how things would have gone had you people hot come along. Look at me, I've got nothing left for these people. They don't need me, Rick. What do they need is you. After this, Douglas hands over his leadership of Alexandria to Rick.
No Way Out[]
Some time after Regina's death and the attack by The Scavengers, Douglas has not left his house since winter began, and is in complete despair and fear.
Aaron then goes to speak to Douglas, who doesn't care about Rick taking over leadership of Alexandria. Aaron informs him that he will no longer be venturing out of the safe-zone. Douglas protests, but Aaron thinks it's not worth the risk. Douglas is also feeling guilty about his treatment of his wife, revealing that she never liked their "open" relationship, but put up with it. He has also lost confidence in the safety of Alexandria, and feels scared for the first time since he arrived.
Meanwhile, Abraham rallies up a group to take out the zombies outside of the walls that were attracted by the gunshots from the previous shootout. They split up into two groups to take out the zombies on both sides. All seems to be going according to plan, with the two groups meeting up at the other side of the safe-zone. Suddenly, they hear a warning shot from Andrea and rush back to the gate only to discover a massive swarm of zombies approaching the walls.
Douglas is mentally and emotionally distant during the meeting, and later breaks down in his house, grieving to Regina about his failure and the failure of the community. Spencer walked into the room, seeing his despair. Later, herds of undead break through the ruined wall of Alexandria. Douglas is trapped in his house. He watches the zombies walking around in front of his place. He starts to cry, apologizing to Regina, before asking himself what kind of person he is to wish she were there with him. Douglas is planning to commit suicide, but is unable to bring himself to do it.
Douglas leaves his house telling himself that this is the only way and goes into the center of the undead crowd in Alexandria. As Jessie is being eaten, Douglas begins to wildly shoot his gun and tells them that they are safe in the houses. Maggie is holding Sophia inside the house and is telling her to ignore the noise and screams outside. Denise returns to the house while Michonne attempts to get to Rick and Carl. Douglas is "covering" them by continuing to shoot wildly and Rick tries to yell out to him to stop shooting. Douglas is attracting the undead, gets bitten several times, and he stops firing. Douglas died in the crowd of undead while one of his bullets accidentally hit Carl, destroying his right eye.
After Alexandria was cleared of the undead horde, perhaps the remains of Douglas were found and buried with the rest of the dead. After Douglas's death, many who knew him mourned him, but Rick never mentioned him after his death, and it was unclear whether he was angry with him for almost killing Carl.
Death[]
- Killed By
- The Scavengers (Indirectly Caused)
- Himself (Caused)
After Regina's death and the attack by The Scavengers, Douglas falls into despair and fear, blaming himself for the death of his wife and that he does nothing. Seeing that the Alexandrian Safe-Zone is full of undead, he tries to commit suicide in his house, he can't do it.
Leaving the house, Douglas goes to the center of the crowd of undead, he aims a gun at himself to shoot himself, but at the last moment he hears screams and decides to help. Seeing Rick and his son Carl, he shoots at the crowd of zombies telling them to get away and be safe. However, Douglas, with his cover, attracts the undead and devoured him, during this, he fires random shots and one of the bullets hits Carl, destroying his right eye. Douglas dies in the crowd of undead.
Killed Victims[]
This list shows the victims Douglas has killed:
- Alexander Davidson (Caused)
- Peter Anderson (Caused)
- Himself (Caused)
- At least 2 unnamed men
- Numerous counts of zombies
Relationships[]
For an in-depth look at Douglas' relationships, read here: Douglas Monroe (Comic Series)/Relationships
Allies[]
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Enemies[]
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Appearances[]
| Issues | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
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| Book Five | |||||||||||||
| Book Six | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||||
| Book Seven | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Book Eight | |||||||||||||
| Book Nine | |||||||||||||
| Book Ten | |||||||||||||
| Book Eleven | |||||||||||||
| Book Twelve | |||||||||||||
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| Book Sixteen |
| ✔ | Appears | ✔ | Voice is heard |
| 👁 | Appears with no lines | ✔ | Appears in a flashback |
| ✔ | Appears as a walker | 🖼 | Appears in a photograph/video |
| ✔ | Appears as a corpse | ✔ | Appears in a hallucination/dream |
Gallery[]
- For more images of Douglas, please visit Douglas Monroe (Comic Series)/Gallery.
Trivia[]
- Douglas is one of the few celebrities encountered in the Comic Series.
- Douglas is the first politician encountered in the Comic Series, with Pamela Milton being the second.
- Douglas seemed to have unknowingly (or not) adopted several habits of Alexander Davidson, such as job placement and trying to throw himself at several women in the community, notably Andrea. This bears a striking similarity to how Brian Blake adopted his brother's identity after arriving in Woodbury.
- When Douglas first meets Rick Grimes, he tells Rick a story he read before the apocalypse that devastated him, where a man ate his son's eyes. This would later become extremely ironic when Douglas accidentally shoots Carl, destroying his right eye in the process.
- The story Douglas tells Rick was referring to an article from Bakersfield, California.
- Douglas is the second character to shoot Carl Grimes, the first being Otis, and both did it by accident.
- Douglas tried to cover for Rick and his son while he was being devoured by a horde of undead, he fired a series of shots and one of the bullets destroyed his right eye.
- Douglas is one of the few community leaders who was not introduced as an antagonist and did not become one in the future, maintaining good relations with Rick and his group.
- In the TV series, Douglas and his wife Regina are not present, instead of them, Deanna in his role, and Reg acts as his wife.