The Walking Dead: A Guide To The Universe

The Walking Dead is based on a series of comics that go by the same name created by Robert Kirkman. The franchise has spawned a spin-off series called Fear the Walking Dead that deals primarily with characters created just for television and not taken from the comics. There is a video game series that takes place in the comic universe made by Telltale that is also called The Walking Dead. Other franchise materials include tie-in novels for the television show, board games, and a variety of types of merchandise. For canon purposes, the comics and the television show are considered as separate timelines. This guide deals primarily with the television show. Please know these lists are not comprehensive.

Acronyms

TWD: The Walking Dead

FTWD: Fear the Walking Dead

ASZ: Alexandria Safe-Zone

TTD: The Talking Dead

TPTB: The Powers That Be

Locations

Alexandria Safe-Zone: Located in Virginia and not far from Washington, D.C., this was the community Rick Grimes led until his mysterious disappearance. His wife Michonne, daughter Judith, and son RJ still reside there, along with many others.

The Hilltop: Only a short distance from Alexandria, The Hilltop is one of their greatest allies. Formerly led by Maggie Rhee and then Paul “Jesus” Rovia, its leadership is now in question.

The Kingdom: Only a short distance from Alexandria, The Kingdom is one of their greatest allies. It is currently led by the oddly enigmatic King Ezekiel and one of Rick’s best friends, Carol Peletier.

Oceanside: Once terrorized by Negan and The Saviors, Oceanside has withdrawn after taking their revenge on their oppressors. They are now a thriving women-only community that prefers to keep to themselves.

The Sanctuary: The former stronghold of Negan and The Saviors, The Sanctuary has been abandoned after several failed attempts to make it a separate community. However, Negan has recently returned, and there is a possibility that he might reclaim it.

Other Names for Walkers:

Biters

Cold Bodies

Dead Heads

Dead Ones

Floaters

Geeks

Lame Brains

Lurkers

Monsters

Roamers

Rotters

Skin Eaters

Main Characters

Rick Grimes: Rick woke up to discover the world had ended. His constant quest is to protect those he loves. He has recently been captured and taken to an unknown destination, but everyone else thinks he is dead.

Carl Grimes: Rick’s son was a beacon of hope in the new world gone mad. Sadly, his journey has ended.

Judith Grimes: Rick’s adoptive daughter. She has taken over several of Comic Carl’s storylines after his death in the show.

Daryl Dixon: At first, Daryl was an odd companion, albeit a useful one. Now he is one of Rick’s greatest allies.

Michonne: In the beginning, Michonne was a loner. However, she became an integral part of Rick’s group, and eventually his lover as well.

Paul “Jesus” Rovia: Despite a tumultuous beginning, he become one of Rick’s most trusted friends. The Whisperers recently got the better of him, and now one of the group’s greatest fighters is lost.

Aaron: Aaron was the scout who originally brought Rick and his group to Alexandria. Despite the fact that none of them trusted him initially, he always saw their potential. He continues to be a bright spot in the darkness, despite an abundance of personal tragedy.

Henry: Henry was adopted by Ezekiel and Carol at a young age. He now resides at The Hilltop, where he is learning to be a blacksmith.

Maggie Rhee: Maggie met Rick’s group when they came to her father’s farm. She fell in love with and married Glenn Rhee, who kept her going even as every member of her family was lost to her. She led The Hilltop for a time, but with Glenn dead and her revenge scheme against Negan unrealized, Maggie has unexpectedly departed the group.

Rosita Espinosa: First seen after the collapse of the prison when Glenn and Tara run into her group on the road. Two out of three of her boyfriends have been killed by Negan, so we’re not sure what this means for Father Gabriel, her current flame.

Father Gabriel Stokes: At the beginning of the apocalypse, Father Gabriel barricaded himself inside of his church and listened to his parishioners die out of fear. Now he is integral to the running of Alexandria.

Carol Peletier: Carol was in an abusive relationship when the apocalypse began. With the loss of her husband and then her daughter, Sophia, everyone thought she would break. But she didn’t, and has morphed into one of the strongest warriors and leaders the group has. She is married to Ezekiel.

Ezekiel: Ezekiel is oddly dramatic and has styled himself as a king in his community, but he is a great ally, excellent orator, and skilled fighter. He used to have a tiger named Shiva.

Enid: Enid was in a budding relationship with Carl when he died. She is now The Hilltop’s doctor.

Tara Chambler: Tara has proven to be one of the most loyal and kind-hearted of all of Rick’s allies, despite repeatedly losing those she loves.

Eugene Porter: Eugene is brilliant, but also a liar. He has repeatedly made up qualifications he does not have, but the results speak for themselves. Despite a brief stint as one of Negan’s Saviors, Eugene is now back with the original group, but walking on eggshells.

Ship Names

Aaric = Aaron x Eric

Bethyl = Beth x Daryl

Carnid = Carl x Enid

Caryl = Carol x Daryl

Daaron = Daryl x Aaron

Desus = Daryl x Jesus

Gleggie = Glenn x Maggie

Jaaron = Jesus x Aaron

Jarryl = Jesus x Aaron x Daryl

Lorick = Lori x Rick

Richonne = Rick x Michonne

Rositara = Rosita x Tara

The Big Bads

Shane Walsh: Rick’s best friend. Shane became unhinged and tried to kill him when he didn’t think he was leading their group properly. Rick had to kill him to save his own life.

Philip “The Governor” Blake: Charismatic on the outside, The Governor was pure evil on the inside. After leading his community, Woodbury, in a futile attempt to attack Rick and his group at the prison they made their home, he disappeared before returning to make another grab for power. He was finally stabbed by Michonne and fatally shot by one of his own people.

Terminus/Gareth: After their prison home was destroyed, Rick’s group sought refuge at Terminus, which was supposed to be safe. However, it turned out to be inhabited by cannibals. Even after escaping, the group was plagued by them before managing to kill their leader.

The Wolves: The Wolves were a group that survived by preying on others. Attacking Alexandria was their last move.

Negan and The Saviors: Negan and his Saviors were the most formidable foes Rick ever faced. Negan used psychological warfare and the fear inspired by the use of his signature weapon, the baseball bat Lucille, to subjugate other communities. Rick finally beat him and imprisoned him. Though Negan seems to understand the errors he’s made, his future is unclear.

The Whisperers: The Whisperers are the newest villains on The Walking Dead. They wear the skin of Walkers over their entire bodies so they can blend in with zombie herds. They communicate by whispering, hence their name. They are sure to be formidable villains in the future.