How The Walking Dead Was Supposed To Kill Off Abraham (& Why It Changed)

The Walking Dead’s Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) died quite differently in the comic book version of the story, but why did the TV show change it? Abraham was a key character from season 4 all the way up to his death in the first episode of season 7. He was a career soldier and the leader of a small group of survivors that merged with Rick’s. In both the TV series and the comics, Abraham was one of Rick’s most reliable allies.

Abraham met a tragic end when Rick’s group was apprehended by the Saviors. After having them all assembled in a line in the season 6 finale, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) announced that he was going to make an example out of one of them with a public execution. After saving the identity of Negan’s victim for the season 7 premiere, The Walking Dead revealed the gruesome death of Abraham, who was viciously beaten to death by Negan’s trademark bat, Lucille. After Daryl (Norman Reedus) attempted to retaliate, Negan elected to punish them further by killing Glenn (Steven Yuen) as well. In the end, The Walking Dead delivered two shocking deaths, when it was only Glenn who died to Negan in the comics.

That’s of course not the fate shared by Abraham’s comic counterpart. In The Walking Dead comics, Abraham was talking with Eugene about his romantic feelings for Rosita – whom he had just broken up with – when an arrow fired by Dwight suddenly hit him in the head, killing him. According to Michael Cudlitz, Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman was never pleased with the way he killed off Abraham in the comics, as it was a “last-minute decision”. For this reason, it was agreed that Abraham’s story should end differently in the TV show.

Instead of simply scrapping this moment from the comics, TheWalking Dead gave it to a different character. Shortly before the big confrontation with Negan, the Saviors launched a surprise attack on Alexandria. Denise, who worked as the community doctor and served as the love interest to Tara (Alanna Masterson), was talking with Daryl and Rosita (Christian Serratos) when she was shot in the face with an arrow. Just like the comics, it was Dwight (Austin Amelio) who was the killer, but Denise wasn’t his actual target. His intention was to kill Daryl.

Though the death was both sudden and surprising in its own right, it wasn’t exactly a powerful moment, particularly in comparison to what did ultimately happen to Abraham in the season 7 premiere. It lacked great emotional meaning but was still shocking enough to be used (just not for Abraham). That’s why it seemed like a good move for The Walking Dead to save Abraham’s death for a more important occasion and kill off a minor character in his place. But whether or not the death they eventually settled on is more satisfying, is certainly up for debate.

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