The 7 Most Devastating Betrayals In The Walking Dead Comics, Ranked
Death and destruction are par for the course in The Walking Dead, but even these aspects can have an extra sting to be delivered with. An act of betrayal has preceded tragedies seen in the zombie-based series that the source material of the comics featured in its 193-issue run.
Rick Grimes and his group experienced traitorous personalities and events everywhere from the farm, Alexandria, and the Commonwealth, all of which had devastating implications. While the TV series has strayed from the stories of the comics, it’s worth looking back at how the comic book universe was impacted by the consequences that come with betrayals.
7 Brandon Rose's Betrayal Of Alexandria To The Whisperers
Brandon is generally seen as an underused character on The Walking Dead TV series, but his comic book counterpart had a larger role. Brandon Rose decided to betray Alexandria by blaming Rick for the death of his mother and freed Negan so they could both approach the Whisperers together.
Brandon didn’t have any loved ones, but this betrayal led to devastation as Negan ultimately killed Alpha and the Whisperers sicced their horde of walkers on the communities. More crucially, Rick’s wife, Andrea, lost her life after she was bit while helping people evacuate, which makes Brandon her indirect killer.
6 Tyreese's Affair With Michonne While Being With Carol
Carol’s depression during the early days of the series is one of the most heartbreaking Walking Dead storylines but the comic book version was much different. Comics’ Carol didn’t lose her daughter but lost her sanity and it was the betrayal from her boyfriend Tyreese that led to her demise.
Tyreese began an affair with Michonne, which Carol witnesses, and she suffers a nervous breakdown. Tyreese’s unfaithfulness hits Carol so hard that she decides to kill herself by letting a walker eat her. Tyreese does feel guilty for his lack of care toward Carol and spends some time regretting his actions.
5 Sherry's Attempt For The Saviors To Take Over The Ruins Of Alexandria
The Saviors are just about the most powerful group in The Walking Dead, but their position was weaker during the war against the Whisperers. Sherry, the Saviors’ leader and Dwight’s former wife, decided not only to leave the Alexandria community on its own but to take over after the war.
Sherry was an ally to Rick prior to this event and Alexandria was in tatters due to the walker horde attack when she arrived. The betrayal of trust also had consequences soon after when Sherry tried to kill Rick but was killed in turn, thus fracturing the relationship between Alexandria and the Saviors, with neither community able to trust the other.
4 Gabriel's Attempt To Have Rick's Group Evicted From Alexandria
Gabriel was found helpless and alone by Rick’s group who protected him from the hunters; they also allowed him to accompany them to Alexandria. Gabriel repaid this kindness by attempting to get them evicted from Alexandria. He twisted the group’s elimination of the cannibal hunters to make leader Douglas Monroe think Rick’s group were murderers.
Douglas didn’t believe Gabriel and decided to let Rick’s party stay, much to Gabriel’s chagrin. It was a backhanded move by Gabriel, who would have been devoured by walkers had Rick not saved him. Gabriel also betrayed his faith by lying about the character of his saviors, who would have had to fend for themselves had Douglas evicted them.
3 Shane's Affair With Lori & Attempt To Kill Rick
Shane was Rick’s best friend and took care of Lori and Carl when he believed Rick had died. Unlike the TV series, where Shane became romantic with Lori due to shared grief, the comic book version always had the hots for Lori and happily began an intimate relationship with her.
Shane never felt guilty for hooking up with his best friend’s wife and was angered he had to give her up when Rick turned out to be alive. His betrayal of Rick was so he could eliminate him as his romantic rival, with Shane throwing away years of friendship to try and kill Rick. Rick was shattered by this revelation and was left friendless and unsure who to trust.
2 Rick's Killing Of Dwight To Save Pamela Milton
The many years spent as leader of Alexandria had transformed Rick during his time on The Walking Dead. Rick wanted peace at all costs, even if it included killing his own friend. Dwight became aware of Pamela Milton’s villainous ways and tried to eliminate her to save Alexandria and the other communities from the Commonwealth.
Rick was unaware of Pamela’s true nature but he didn’t give Dwight any chance either and shot his brains out when Pamela was threatened. Dwight’s last moments were in tears as he lost his senses when he realized that Rick had forsaken their friendship. As it turned out, Dwight was absolutely correct and Pamela nearly did go through with eliminating the heroes.
1 Sebastian Milton's Killing Of Rick
Sebastian Milton was no friend of Rick’s and hated his guts the whole time they knew each other. However, he betrayed the alliance Rick had forged just the previous day before Sebastian killed him. Rick had given an impassioned speech to the Commonwealth community to prevent a war that ultimately resulted in Pamela Milton’s ousting as the leader but ensured there would be peace.
Sebastian realized his own privileged position as Pamela’s son was no more and decided to kill Rick for it. Rick reminded Sebastian that such an act would brand the latter as a traitor toward peace but was murdered anyway. Ultimately, Sebastian was imprisoned for life and was indeed remembered only as the person who betrayed everything Rick worked for.