The Walking Dead Deluxe #140 — Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard Step Back Into Full Color

The deluxe full-color edition of The Walking Dead returns with issue #140. Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard bring the deadlands to vivid life, complete with creator commentary and cutting room floor extras. A gorgeous re-reading of a landmark series.

There is a specific kind of magic in seeing the walking dead in full color. For years, we’ve watched Charlie Adlard’s linework define the texture of the apocalypse—gritty, gray, and grounded. But The Walking Dead Deluxe is where that vision gets a new coat of paint. Issue #140 drops with David Finch and Dave McCaig on the cover, but inside, it’s the core creative team that matters. Robert Kirkman’s writing and Charlie Adlard’s art are finally presented exactly as they were meant to be seen, without the filter of black-and-white ink.

This isn’t just a reprint; it’s a restoration of atmosphere. The full-color format changes how you feel the tension in every panel. Shadows aren’t just absence of light; they’re deep and bruised. The blood, the earth, the green of the overgrown world—it all hits different when you can see it in its entirety. You’re getting the definitive visual experience of one of the most important comics of the last two decades, framed by a cover that promises big stakes.

What makes this drop particularly special for collectors and fans alike is the extra material. The Deluxe editions have always been the place to go for the deeper dive, and #140 continues that tradition with more Cutting Room Floor extras. You’re getting creator commentary that adds context to the scenes, revealing the thought process behind the art and the story. It’s like having Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard in the room, walking you through the choices that made these issues iconic.

If you’ve been on the fence about starting or restarting the series, this is the gentlest, most beautiful invitation possible. You don’t need to know every detail of the long-running saga to appreciate the craft on display here. The color work alone is a revelation. It’s a chance to experience the emotional beats of Rick’s journey with a new layer of visual intimacy. Trust me, seeing these panels in color changes the way you remember them.

Here’s an insider aside: the deluxe editions are moving steadily. These are the ones people grab for the art quality and the completeness. If you want to build a library that looks as good as it reads, picking up the deluxe runs is the way to go. This issue is a solid entry point to appreciate the artistry, and the full-color reprints are holding their value well for those who appreciate the format.