One October 8, 2003, Issue Number One of The Walking Dead debuted, published by Image Comics, with art by Tony Moore, who would handle pencilling duties for the first six issues. Cliff Rathburn began shading the art after issue #5. Artist Charlie Adlard took over as artist on issue #7, after he was approached by series creator Robert Kirkman.

The Walking Dead centers on Rick Grimes, a Kentucky deputy who is shot in the line of duty and awakens from a coma in the middle of a zombie apocalypse that has resulted in a state-wide quarantine. After joining with other survivors, he gradually takes on the role of leader to a community struggling to survive the zombie outbreak. The Walking Dead went on to receive the 2007 and 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series at San Diego Comic-Con.