Summary
Fans of bothThe Walking Deadcomic and TV series know how pivotal the Commonwealth was to the latter stages of the story – though according to Robert Kirkman, the interconnected communities almost had a very different name, “the Network,“which ultimately could have changed its overall role in the series if Kirkman had stuck with it.
The Walking Dead Deluxe#92 – written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard – features annotations from the author, as he looks back on the behind-the-scenes creative process of the series, offering valuable insight into the evolution of his ideas on an issue-by-issue basis.
As Robert Kirkman briefly mentioned in the latestDeluxe, his initial conception for what became the Commonwealth was originally “the Network,” though as his ideas for the series grew more concrete, that name was eventually supplanted by the one fans are familiar with.
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The Commonwealth Was Initially Going To Be Called “The Network”
The term “Commonwealth” likely proved to be more appropriate because it drew a link back to pre-zombie outbreak society, the kind that most survivors would be desperate for.
As readersre-experienceThe Walking Deadthrough theDeluxefull-color reprint of the series, they might be surprised to realize that even with the imminent approach ofThe Walking Dead#100 – featuring the infamousintroduction of Negan and death of Glenn– creatorRobert Kirkman was already laying the groundworkfor stories beyond the conflict with the Saviors. Notably, inThe Walking Dead Deluxe#92, Kirkman shouts out a moment that served as anearly hint at the existence of “the Network” – which would later become the Commonwealth.
Kirkman wrote:
I believe this was supposed to be ANOTHER guy showing up to introduce them to “The Network,” a name I didn’t actually end up using, but it was meant to be the linked communities we eventually meet.
While “the Network” is a cool name, it seems as though Robert Kirkman realized that it didn’t exactly suit the reconstructed civilization that he envisioned. The term “Commonwealth” likely proved to be more appropriate because it drew a link back to pre-zombie outbreak society, the kind that most survivors would be desperate for. While “the Network” has an air of mystery to it, the Commonwealth connotes exactly what its founders and leaders intended for the settlement – however it ultimately turned out.
Readers can expect that as [The Walking Dead Deluxe] reissue marches along, more information about the original idea for “the Network,” and how it became the Commonwealth, will be revealed.
Though fans ofThe Walking Deaddidn’t realize it at the time, the introduction of the Commonwealth signaled the truebeginning of the end for the series, as it began to maneuver its endgame into place. Based on the name alone,it is possible to surmise that “the Network” could have been something very different from how the Commonwealth was ultimately portrayed, and might have fit into earlierplans Robert Kirkman had for the series, which shifted as the story changed its trajectory.
By far, Robert Kirkman’s notes on the series have been chief among the joys ofThe Walking Dead Deluxe; readers can expect that as the reissue marches along, more information about the original idea for “the Network,” and how it became the Commonwealth, will be revealed. For fans of the series, gaining more of a clear picture of how the series evolved over time makes each issue ofThe Walking Deadeven more exciting, and the initial concept for the Commonwealth makes it clear there is a lot more to learn about the comic.
The Walking Dead
Cast
The Walking Dead is a television series that premiered on June 12, 2025. It follows Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes, who awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. He embarks on a journey to locate his family, encountering various survivors amidst the chaos.
