Letter Hacks

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Letter Hacks is Robert Kirkman's letter column at the end of most issues of the Comic Series. Questions are answered or there is a note to the readers.

Contact

The Walking Dead
c/o Funk-O-Tron
P.O. Box 1870
Lockport, NY 14417

OR

walkingdead@skybound.com

Notable Letters and Information

Volume 1: Days Gone Bye

Issue	Note(s)
1	Robert Kirkman makes a short introduction about the series.
2	Zombies won't ever be intelligent. In response to why the hospital and police station still had lights on and functioning elevators in the previous issue, Kirkman states, "Places like police stations and hospitals would have back up generators and I'm thinking for the most part that power would remain available until something went wrong."
3	None
4	Kirkman states that he doesn't have a planned ending for the book. Zombies are confirmed to be the only "monsters" present in the series.
5	None
6	Not every issue will feature zombies. "The Walking Dead" is not a reference to zombies.

Volume 2: Miles Behind Us

Issue	Note(s)
7	Robert Kirkman explains the reasons for Tony Moore's departure and introduces Charlie Adlard as his replacement. First mention of the "aliens" of issue 75. No one who died before "the turn" will come back, only the recently deceased. The book will never be printed in color. A zombie's "lifetime" varies, depending on the individual, and a surviving human will most likely outlive a zombie through the years. Zombies can't run.
8	Kirkman establishes that he is never going to provide a rational explanation for how the outbreak occurs. He thinks any explanation would disrupt the normalness, and border "science fiction". He is more interested in what happens post-outbreak than what had happened leading up to it. The book will never be printed in color.
9	Rick's coma lasted "a number of weeks." Confirmation Carl is indeed 7 years old soon-to-turn 8. It is reaffirmed by Kirkman that he will not explain the origin of the plague. The "aliens" of issue 75 are once again mentioned. Zombies decay at a much slower rate than the human body Kirkman avoids answering a question regarding who is the father of Lori's future child. The very first mention of a possible The Walking Dead television series.
10	Only humans can turn into zombies. It is once again stated that the origin of the plague will never ever be revealed. Morgan and Duane will be seen again.
11	It is reaffirmed that zombies last a lot longer than a regular dead body. Another mention of a possible television series.
12	Simon Pegg, an actor and zombie enthusiast who played "Shaun" in Shaun of the Dead, sends an email to Robert Kirkman. Robert Kirkman states that he won't show flashbacks of the characters' lives before the plague. The Prison is confirmed as a long-term location. Issue covers are meant to be mostly symbolic and not literal.

Volume 3: Safety Behind Bars

Issue	Note(s)
13	Another mention of a possible The Walking Dead television series.
14	The Walking Dead's main setting will always be the United States. Many "bad survivors" will be encountered as the series progresses. Zombies only eat for impulse, and do not possess a functioning digestive system. The prison is one or two hours southwest of Atlanta. The Greene family will be seen again. Once again it is explained that issue covers are not literal representations of events in the story.
15	Another mention of Morgan and Duane's return. Confirmation that getting zombie blood in contact with an open wound is fatal.
16	Confirmation the rest of the military is "out there in some fashion." There won't be a "spin-off" series of the comic book.
17	Lori is five months pregnant. Originally, Julie was supposed to shoot Chris, who'd then turn and be killed by Tyreese. One more mention of the "aliens" of issue 75.
18	Some characters will remain unknown, and dead ones most likely won't show up again as zombies. There are child zombies.

Volume 4: The Heart's Desire

Issue	Note(s)
#19	In the letter Hacks of this issue, Robert's responses to fan letter were not put in bold text It is revealed that Duane Jones' name was inspired by Kirkman's favorite Romero actor. Duane Jones was the leading role in the film Night of the Living Dead. Kirkman teases that he might pay homage to another horror classic by naming her Barbara, which he does in Issue 72, who may be a reference to the 1950's horror star Barbara Steele. Kirkman reveals that he thought about killing Rick off instead of Shane in Issue 6, but decided against it. He also adds that Rick will die when he's ready to kill him off. Robert teases that more of the area and its inhabitants around the prison will appear in the future issues.
#20	None
#21	None
#22	None
#23	None
#24	None

Volume 5: The Best Defense

Issue	Note(s)
#25	None
#26	None
#27	None
#28	None
#29	None
#30	None

Volume 6: This Sorrowful Life

Issue	Note(s)
#31	None
#32	None
#33	None
#34	None
#35	Kirkman reveals that a Rick Grimes full body statue has been made by Clayburn Moore. It is confirmed that Delcourt will be taking over the French language publication of the book.
#36	Kirkman doesn't plan on ever writing what caused the apocalypse. Michonne doesn't know any formal martial arts. Robert Kirkman confirms it is Thomas Richards' corpse that a roamer trips on in Issue 20.

Volume 7: The Calm Before

Issue	Note(s)
#37	Instead of fan mail, this Letter Hacks edition featured an interview with Robert Kirkman by Andrea Voglino from an Italian magazine.
#38	None
#39	None
#40	None
#41	Kirkman confirms the rule that everyone has the same infection (of unknown origin) that causes zombies. Unless your brain is damaged, however way someone dies, they end up a zombie. A zombie bite kills due to infection or blood loss, not because of the zombie virus.
#42	None

Volume 8: Made To Suffer

Issue	Note(s)
#43	None
#44	None
#45	None
#46	Robert Kirkman states that he is sorry to see Tyreese die but he has planned his death almost since his introduction. He asks readers not to "flip out" saying that there is a future for the series without him.
#47	None
#48	Kirkman originally had intended Lori and Judy's death in #47, not this one. He writes this, however, makes the "twist" with Alice possible, but also equates to most of the deaths in this arc taking place in this issue, which had not been Kirkman's plan. Kirkman also writes he is not officially saying all the Woodbury survivors were killed, but "the prison is dead to me. I've moved on and so have the characters."

Volume 9: Here We Remain

Issue	Note(s)
#49	None
#50	None
#51	None
#52	None
#53	None
#54	None

Volume 10: What We Become

Issue	Note(s)
#55	None
#56	None
#57	None
#58	None
#59	None
#60	None

Volume 11: Fear The Hunters

Issue	Note(s)
#61	None
#62	None
#63	None
#64	None
#65	None
#66	None

Volume 12: Life Among Them

Issue	Note(s)
#67	None
#68	None
#69	None
#70	None
#71	None
#72	None

Volume 13: Too Far Gone

Issue	Note(s)
#73	None
#74	None
#75	None
#76	None
#77	None
#78	None

Volume 14: No Way Out

Issue	Note(s)
#79	None
#80	None
#81	None
#82	None
#83	None
#84	None

Volume 15: We Find Ourselves

Issue	Note(s)
#85	None
#86	None
#87	None
#88	None
#89	None
#90	None

Volume 16: A Larger World

Issue	Note(s)
#91	None
#92	None
#93	None
#94	None
#95	None
#96	None

Volume 17: Something To Fear

Issue	Note(s)
#97	None
#98	None
#99	Kirkman confirms that Daryl Dixon won't appear in the Comic Series. Kirkman confirms that he's not using elements from The Bible.
#100	None
#101	None
#102	A letter sent in by Steven Yeun jokingly insulted Robert Kirkman and stated that he was very upset about the death of Glenn in Issue 100.

Volume 18: What Comes After

Issue	Note(s)
#103	None
#104	None
#105	None
#106	Kirkman confirms that the Lilly in the Video Game is not the same character as the Lilly in the Comic and Novel Series.
#107	It is confirmed that Jeffrey Grimes will never appear in the TV Series
#108	Kirkman confirms the prison was originally supposed to appear in #7.

Volume 19: March To War

Issue	Note(s)
#109	None
#110	None
#111	Kirkman stated that zombies do not digest food, and when their stomach is full, the food is simply forced out through the anus.
#112	None
#113	Kirkman suggests that Ezekiel could be the smartest person in the Comic Series.
#114	Kirkman reveals that there will be three trade paperbacks released in 2014.

Volume 20: All Out War - Part One

Issue	Note(s)
#115	Kirkman explains that the companion TV series wont affect the parent show in any way.
#116	None
#117	None
#118	Kirkman reveals that Paul Monroe is a fan of the novel series "Goosebumps".
#119	Kirkman states that the book will be drastically different, starting with #127.
#120	Kirkman states that zombies have no real need for food and their urge to eat is due to a "false sense of hunger" they have come to possess after reanimating.

Volume 21: All Out War - Part Two

Issue	Note(s)
#121	It is stated by Robert Kirkman that "...whatever is making them [zombies] walk around is also keeping them from rotting to bones in a matter of weeks."
#122	Kirkman confirms that Maggie's last name remains "Greene", as a way of keeping her family's legacy alive, and because Glenn's surname is nonexistent in the book.
#123	Kirkman and Sean discussed that the war, up to this point, had been about a week and a few days, with #115 and #116 being one day. #118 being approximately a week, with all the quick, smaller attacks on the outposts. And then #119 and #120 being another day.
#124	None
#125	None
#126	None

Volume 22: A New Beginning

Issue	Note(s)
#127	Kirkman revealed that Negan was the one who killed Holly. Mackiewicz states that this issue takes place two years after "All Out War".
#128	Robert Kirkman implies the timeskip length was supposed to be a secret (regarding Sean revealing it in the previous column). He also reveals that he planned to keep both Rick and Negan alive since the beginning.
#129	It was revealed that the #132 cover would feature Maggie Greene holding her and Glenn's child.
#130	It is explained by Kirkman (regarding Magna not finding any survivors during seven months on the road) that anyone who made it that far into the apocalypse, most likely did so by forming community of survivors who are far away from each other and hard to stumble upon during seven months of traveling.
#131	Robert Kirkman teases that Lucille's location will be revealed "later". It is confirmed that there is no caste system in the communities. It is teased that Negan might never escape from prison.
#132	Robert Kirkman asks a fan to "be patient" when it comes to learning the fate of The Sanctuary and the missing characters. It is stated that it might take a good number of issues until everyone's fate is revealed. Robert Kirkman reaffirms that the idea of "talking zombies" isn't good for the book. It is stated that "plenty of babies" were born at Hilltop.

Volume 23: Whispers Into Screams

Issue	Note(s)
#133	None
#134	Kirkman reveals that The Hunters didn't get infected after eating a bitten human, as well as Gareth's group.
#135	Kirkman promises "more info on Negan and Jesus at some point (possibly soon)..."
#136	Kirkman jokingly says that each time a reader asks about Michonne, he pushes her reappearance or death confirmation back by two issues. It is also mentioned that issues without Rick might become a trend from now on. It is revealed that The Kingdom and The Saviors had more casualties than any other faction during the war.
#137	Compendium 3 was confirmed to be released October 13, 2015.
#138	Coming Soon

Volume 24: Life and Death

Issue	Note(s)
#139	To Be Added
#140	It is confirmed that Alpha's first appearance was in Issue 132, when she confronted Dante with her shotgun.
#141	To Be Added
#142	It is revealed that most of the farming is done outside the communities.
#143	It is revealed that Negan was a used cars salesman before the apocalypse. Robert Kirkman alludes to the possibility of releasing a set of maps of the comic series, showing faction territories and other things. It is suggested that the horde of walkers seen at the end of this issue could be the largest the communities have ever faced.
#144	It is confirmed that Lucille's whereabouts will soon be revealed. It is also confirmed that going forward we will be seeing a lot more of The Kingdom.

Volume 25: No Turning Back

Issue	Note(s)
#145	To Be Added
#146	Kirkman details how Alpha probably lured people outside the fair, i.e. asking help finding someone, asking to carry something, etc. In response to the lack of latinos in the comics, Kirkman responds that characters like Marco, Dante and Eduardo are all latinos. Finally, Kirkman delivers a long explanation about how zombification works, the text can be seen here.
#147	Kirkman states that the Saviors will be seen again "soon."
#148	Kirkman jokes that Andrea will die in Issue 150. He also says that Negan liked the younger Carson brother and forced him to come back with him as his assistant.
#149	Kirkman states that the Whisperers can uses any dead flesh to make their skin suits. He also says that Carl's hat was left at Alexandria or they forgot to draw it in the issue. He also says that exploring the dental issues of the book will be too boring.
#150	Kirkman states that Alpha's zombie skin is clean on the inside, dirty on the outside and that she probably put a little perfume before arriving at the fair. Kirkman teases that fans will have to "watch out" for Negan's next evil smile because of the Rule of Three. He also says that Gabriel will be more involved soon, very soon.

Volume 26: Call To Arms

Issue	Note(s)
#151	Kirkman says Negan will never get out of his cell. He also says to "stay tuned for big things", in regard to the radio and Stephanie.
#152	Kirkman says the Whisperer War will be very different to All Out War.
#153	Kirkman says he plans to spend more time at the Hilltop, The Sanctuary and the Oceanside.
#154	Kirkman says he enjoys writing Negan. He also promises the Season 7 premiere will make up for the Season 6 cliffhanger.
#155	Kirkman says Magna will play a bigger role in future issues. He also says Negan and Alpha's relationship plays a big part in the coming war. He confirms Laura's ethnicity as Latina.
#156	Kirkman explains that his original plan for Negan's appearance was that he was going to have him force Rick to kill Glenn in order to save his son. Kirkman reveals that Oceanside was one of the several other small communities, mentioned in Issue 108, that were being terrorized by Negan and The Saviors. However, it wasn't until sometime in the four year time skip that they were brought into the system of communities connected with Alexandria. Kirkman also explains his stance and the intentions of the season finale for Season 6 and what is to come in Season 7.

Volume 27: The Whisperer War

Issue	Note(s)
#157	Robert Kirkman says he loves 16-panel grid comics and that he had used this format for The Irredeemable Ant-Man and random issues of Invincible. Sean Mankiewicz promises that everyone featured in the last page will have drastically different lives by the end of the volume. This includes Rick, Carl, Andrea, Maggie, Michonne, Eugene, Gabriel, Aaron, Jesus, Dwight, Negan, Magna, Hershel, Dante, Lydia, Laura and William.
#158	About the recent deaths, Kirkman says that killing Alpha was one of the hardest deaths ever and Gabriel's death was one of the most unpleasant deaths yet. In response to a reader comparing Siddiq to Axel, Kirkman claims that the two characters are drastically different and more of Siddiq will be seen soon.
#159	None
#160	Kirkman says that something that hasn't happened in a long time will happen in the next issue. He also briefly explains how we plans issues: Has as some ideas for 50 to 100 issues out, and then knows exactly what happens for the next 25 issues out. Example he used he knows all the details up until Issue 178.
#161	Kirkman states that the readers will soon find out why Beta hides his face. It is announced that 'Here's Negan' will be extended to a total of 16 issues.
#162	Kirkman confirms that Jesus is gay just like his comic counterpart.

Volume 28: A Certain Doom

Issue	Note(s)
#163	It is confirmed that Eugene is on the autism spectrum. Kirkman states that he was "The most important character for the potential rebuilding of society"
#164	It is explained that Rick and Lori got "serious" in their relationship around when Rick was 23. The mixup with the characters' ages is also acknownledged and that the time skip is likely more than two years.
#165	It is explained that some characters are aware of what happened in the past, such as Andrea knowing Carl killed Ben and gives a glimpse into what to expect in future issues. Such as Eugene finding out who got Rosita pregnant, that Maggie will find out that Negan is allowed to run free, and Eugene's connections to Stephanie will be revealed. Robert Kirkman also claims that he thinks that Rick's physical limitations make him a better character.
#166	Kirkman says that "there are so many other deaths on the horizon you have no clue are coming." It was confirmed that Negan was originally going to be killed off in Issue 108. As a result, Dwight was not originally planned to defect to Rick's side. It was also confirmed that in the future, an existing or new character will be confirmed to be a lesbian. It was also revealed that the next issue will be a "big deal".
#167	Instead of Letter Hacks, Kirkman published his eulogy to longstanding character Andrea at the end of the issue.
#168	To Be Added

Volume 29: Lines We Cross

Issue	Note(s)
#169	To Be Added
#170	To Be Added
#171	To Be Added
#172	To Be Added
#173	Kirkman says Magna was originally not planned as a lesbian and admits he changed this due to the series not featuring a lesbian couple. He also states he knows exactly what's going to happen in Issue 200.
#174	The letter regarding issue 200 is reprinted, most likely an oversight.

Volume 30: New World Order

Issue	Note(s)
#175	Kirkman confirms that Beta is dead.
#176	Robert Kirkman admits in his original script for Issue 174. Maggie was going to shoot Negan, but then later changed his mind.
#177	Robert Kirkman confirms that there is only 1.6 million people still alive in the world. There are vast dead zones and Montana only has a population of ten people.
#178	Not Yet Released
#179	Not Yet Released
#180	Not Yet Released