‘The Walking Dead’ Season 3 Comic-to-TV Comparison: “I Ain’t a Judas”

AMC: Following the Governor’s initial assault on the prison, Rick and the others convene in the prison to determine their next move. Rick dismisses Hershel’s assertion they leave the prison behind, but Merle points out the Governor has the tactical advantage on almost all sides. Finally, Hershel calls Rick out for his recent episode, and urges the man to right himself if he intends on leading the group as he promised.

THE COMICS: Comic Rick too had no intention of leaving the prison behind, though interestingly Hershel was among those who remained when Dale led the weaker members away for safety purposes. In the books, Rick was removed from a leadership position following a violent outburst against Tyreese, and a committee was formed of four men in place. Worth noting however is that while the Governor still had a tactical advantage, Rick planned on training the group to fight back.

AMC: Having seen his father’s breakdowns and the concerns of the group, Carl urges Rick to step down from a leadership position and take a well-deserved rest, allowing Dale and Hershel to shoulder the load.

THE COMICS: Somewhat younger than his AMC counterpart, Carl’s faith in his father’s ability to lead didn’t waver as easily, but following the prison’s fall Carl unloaded on an unconscious Rick for his previous failures to protect everyone they loved.

AMC: Preparing for an inevitable confrontation with Rick’s group, the Governor finds his fighting force rather stunted, a maximum of 35 if women and children are to be included. Even then, the Governor accepts the ragtag force and prepares to train them into an army.

THE COMICS: It isn’t explicitly stated how many dwelled within Woodbury, between men, women and children, but at no point was there observed to be a lack of soldiers or firepower. When the Governor’s men finally did attack the prison however, some of the invading force were observed to be women and weaker men, most of whom were unprepared for the violence and brutality at hand.

AMC: With little other choice, Rick allows Merle temporary asylum at the prison, which the others note could prove useful either for military knowledge, insight into the Governor, or a potential bargaining chip if need be. Hershel does his best to bond with the man, while Rick assures Daryl any problems from Merle will be his responsibility.

THE COMICS: Though the AMC Martinez might still come into play later, the comic version was the only Woodbury resident allowed within the prison, apart from Alice. It wasn’t long after his arrival that he escaped in secret with intent to lead Woodbury to the prison, though Rick thankfully managed to catch him first.

AMC: Having worn a bandage over his injured eye up until then, the Governor finally puts on the iconic eye patch, adopting the outwardly villainous look of his comic counterpart that signals his more sinister nature

THE COMICS: At least that we saw, the comic Governor made less of a show of switching from bandages to an eye patch, adopting it very shortly after his injuries. Worth noting however is that the comic Governor’s injuries were much more severe anyway, losing an arm and another…valuable…appendage.

AMC: Having left the prison altogether in the wake of Rick’s episode, Tyreese and his group stumble upon Andrea and Milton, before Milton leads them back to Woodbury. Once there, the four offer whatever services they can to the Governor, including details of Rick’s prison in exchange for asylum.

THE COMICS: Not only had Allen died before the group ever encountered Woodbury, Rick, Michonne and Glenn were the only survivors to actually visit Woodbury. Tyreese did eventually meet the Governor, though only after getting caught on a mission with Michonne. Suffice to say, his time in the Governor’s company came to a head shortly thereafter.

AMC: In order to more easily navigate the distance between Woodbury and the prison, Andrea borrows a page from Michonne’s playbook and severs a walker’s arms and jaw to help escort her through the hordes.

THE COMICS: Strangely, Michonne’s docile walkers were never explored beyond their identities as her boyfriend Mike and his friend Terry. The idea of using walkers as camouflage in the same way was never re-used, much as how Rick and Glenn’s use of walker guts was rarely attempted again either.

AMC: Using her new walker friend, Andrea arrives at the prison and is immediately treated as a hostile by Rick and the others. After catching up on everything that’s happened since her absence, Andrea attempts to barter a pace between the two sides, before finally departing retuning to Woodbury on somewhat friendlier terms with the group.

THE COMICS: As is one of the major differences of ‘The Walking Dead’s third season, Andrea arrived at the prison with Rick and the others in the first place, not meeting Michonne until she arrived there as well. Andrea eventually left the prison with Dale and group of others prior to the Woodbury attack, but ultimately returned to help fight the battle.

AMC: Not having had much of a chance to settle since arriving at the prison, Beth sings a Tom Waits song to the group as they enjoy the comfort, while Rick, Hershel and Daryl plot their next move in their ordeal with the Governor.

THE COMICS: Despite the looming threat of Woodbury and the Governor, the comic survivors too managed to get in some recreation where possible, most notably with the prison’s athletic facilities.