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The stark disparities between Robert Kirkman’s original comics and AMC’s adaptation of The Walking Dead are exemplified in the fate of Andrea Harrison — or, in the comics, Andrea Grimes. From her introduction to her ultimate demise, Andrea’s journey diverges significantly between the two iterations of the zombie-apocalyptic world.
Both in the comics and TV series, Andrea enters the fray early alongside her sister, Amy, as part of the main survivor group. Their initial experiences mirror each other, with the loss of Amy at their camp’s fall leading Andrea to Hershel Greene’s farm under Rick Grimes’ leadership.
However, it’s at the farm’s downfall that the paths of the comic and TV versions of Andrea sharply diverge. In the comics, Andrea develops a romantic relationship with Dale and becomes a pivotal figure during their time at the prison, surviving The Governor’s assault with him by her side.
In AMC’s series, portrayed by Laurie Holden, Andrea meets a tragic end during the prison arc. Separated from the group, she finds herself in Woodbury under the manipulative influence of The Governor. Despite initially being oblivious to his true nature, she eventually rebels against him upon learning of his heinous actions, including his vendetta against Michonne. This rebellion leads to her capture and imprisonment by The Governor, culminating in a heart-wrenching death scene where she succumbs to a walker bite after attempting to escape.
Contrastingly, in the comics, Andrea remains a central character throughout numerous arcs, even marrying Rick after Dale’s death. However, her tenure is not without tragedy, as she meets her end during The Whisperers arc after being bitten while rescuing Eugene. Despite the slow and inevitable decline from her wound, Andrea’s presence is felt deeply by her fellow survivors, allowing her to bid farewell to her loved ones, including Rick and Carl, before her eventual passing.
The disparity in Andrea’s fate between the comics and the TV series highlights the unpredictable and often divergent paths that characters can take in different mediums, leaving fans of the original source material stunned by the early departure of such a significant figure in the television adaptation.