The Walking Dead comic ending with this week’s The Walking Dead #193

Major spoilers ahead!!!!

Bleeding Cool is reporting some major news from The Walking Dead comic book world concerning this week’s The Walking Dead #193 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. The square-bound comic features a 71-page story, and brings about a surprising twist to beloved graphic novels….an ending.

RELATED: AMC Announces 2019 San Diego Comic-Con Lineup & Key Art

Confirmed by Kirkman and Image Comics publisher Eric Stephenson, The Walking Dead #193 will serve as the series’ final issue. The shocking news comes with a note from Kirkman within the comic, including offering thanks to many people and a note to fans:

“I’m upset, too. I’m going to miss it as much as you will, if not more so. It breaks my heart that I had to end it. and we have to move on,.. but I just love this world too much to stretch things out until it doesn’t live up to what I want it to be. I hope you understand. I hope you. dear reader, know how much I appreciate the gift you have given me. I got to tell my story exactly how I wanted to, for 193 issues, and end it on my terms, with no interference at all along the way… at any point. That’s such a rare thing, and it doesn’t exist without the unyielding support this series got from readers like you. Thank you so much.”

Stephenson also gave a statement to the outlet: “For a monthly comic book to progress and change the way The Walking Dead has is completely unique, and what’s more impressive is that it has done so for its entire 193-issue run without relaunching or rebooting. Robert Kirkman has told one story and told it well for over 15 years, and while most comics are based on the illusion of change, The Walking Dead has happened in real time — characters have aged from children to adults, they’ve lost limbs, they’ve lost eyes, they’ve lost family members and friends, they’ve died. Not “died” in the nudge, nudge; wink, wink way that Superman, Captain America, and Wolverine “died,” but in as real a manner as can happen in a fictional story. The series is concluding with the same finality and while that will no doubt be disappointing for some, in the big scheme of things, it’s a remarkable achievement for Robert and his collaborators.”

RELATED: Robert Kirkman’s Invincible Greenlit as Animated Series at Amazon

The Walking Dead #193, titled “The Farmhouse,” will go on sale on July 3 for the usual price of $3.99. Share your thoughts about the comic’s sudden end now in the comments below!