Rick Grimes

Rick Grimes — full name Richard Grimes — is the central figure of one of the most celebrated creator-owned comics in modern history. A small-town Kentucky sheriff's deputy, Rick wakes from a coma to find civilization has collapsed under a zombie apocalypse. His debut in The Walking Dead #1 (October 2003) marks not only the launch of Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore's landmark series but also one of the most important first issues in Image Comics history. That black-and-white debut is a grail book for collectors, commanding serious attention in high grade and representing a genuine turning point in how mature, long-form horror storytelling could work in monthly comics.

What sets Rick apart from other survival protagonists is his relentless psychological evolution. Kirkman never let Rick remain the straightforward heroic lawman of the opening arc — he is broken, rebuilt, and broken again across 193 issues. Major story arcs like the Prison siege, the Governor's brutal assault, the introduction of Negan and the Saviors, and the dawn of the Commonwealth all hinge on Rick's leadership and his willingness to cross moral lines he once swore to protect. His famous declaration that 'we are the walking dead' remains one of the most quoted lines in the medium, crystallizing the series' true thesis and giving the book its title.

Rick operates almost entirely through human skill rather than supernatural ability — his tactical intellect, hardened combat instincts, and force of will are what keep his group alive season after season of unrelenting threat. He leads what fans know as Team Grimes, a loose but fiercely loyal coalition of survivors whose roster changes heartbreakingly over the run. Key issues featuring Rick's lowest and highest moments — from his amputation in issue #28 to his triumphant rebuilding of civilization in the later arcs — are benchmarks collectors actively seek out.

For collectors, The Walking Dead represents a rare complete run with genuine cultural weight. The Walking Dead #1 in high grade CGC slabs is a centerpiece book, but sharp collectors also chase early printings of pivotal issues, the oversized hardcover compendium editions, and variant covers throughout the run. With the series concluded and no new mainline issues on the horizon, the back-issue market for key Rick Grimes appearances has only stabilized further, making this an essential cornerstone of any serious Image Comics collection.